Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss!

Julian Keel, founder of PointsPath and a travel expert, shares insights on the latest changes in the travel landscape. He breaks down the new tiered earning structure for Bilt, revealing potential benefits and drawbacks of the added complexity. They discuss United Airlines' new 24-hour preordering policy for in-flight meals and its implications for passengers. Plus, Julian shares his amusing Uber reinstatement saga, highlighting how a little community assistance made a big difference in reclaiming his travel perks!

Join Richard Kerr, industry commentator and founder of KerrPoints, as he dives into the exciting updates of Bilt Card 2.0. Discover the 'five banana' problem and why Bilt is evolving now. Learn about the new Bilt Cash, a second currency that's designed for flexibility and long-term value. Kerr breaks down the benefits of the innovative Bilt Blue, Obsidian, and Palladium cards, detailing how the Palladium can net an impressive 3.3x points. If you're curious about maximizing rewards, this conversation is a must-listen!

Join Ed and Richard as they hilariously dissect their chaotic 2025 travel year filled with 113 flights and 184,000 miles. They share their funniest mishaps, like Ed's unfortunate middle seat on a polar route and their regrettable absence from South America. Tune in for insights on airline loyalty shifts, including Richard dropping United and celebrating Hyatt milestones. The duo examines delays and discusses their unique aircraft experiences, all while teasing exciting travel plans for 2026. It’s a wild ride through a travel year gone awry!

Watch Us On YouTube! On this year-end episode of The Miles To Go Podcast, Ed Pizza and Richard Kerr ditch the news and answer rapid-fire travel questions that get way more personal than expected. They talk about places we wouldn't return to, where they want to go in 2026, their nerdiest "every trip" habits, and their hottest airport takes—best and worst. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Travel enthusiasts will find intriguing insights as the hosts discuss Chase Sapphire Reserve's controversial rollback of its lucrative Points Boost and what that means for cardholders. American Airlines' decision to cut mileage earnings on Basic Economy tickets raises questions about loyalty and pricing strategies. Plus, there’s buzz about Bilt's new partnership with Spirit Airlines, highlighting the popularity of low-cost carrier redemptions. The episode wraps up with tales of flight turbulence, operational hiccups, and lessons learned from a collapsing loyalty program.

Watch Us On YouTube! Thanks to Thrifty Traveler for sponsoring this episode! Visit ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium and use code GO20 to save $20 on annual memberships. On this week's show: ✅ Bilt expands beyond rent: there's a new way to earn bonus points/miles when paying your mortgage, including new opportunities tied to certain United co-branded cards. ✈️ United PlusPoints changes: upgrades on award tickets are coming, but dynamic PlusPoints pricing is on the horizon—good news and bad news for United elites. 🇪🇺 EU entry system rollout: the new electronic entry setup is starting to go live, and early reports suggest… complications. 🍵 And then… matcha. Richard goes into why matcha is everywhere (and why he's over it). Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Watch Us On YouTube! Thanks to Thrifty Traveler for sponsoring this episode! Visit ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium and use code GO20 to save $20 on annual memberships. In this week's episode of the Miles to Go podcast, Ed is joined in person by Julian Keel from Points Path with Richard Kerr checking in fresh off a Disney cruise. We kick things off with the breaking news everyone in our Slack community has been waiting for: Was Julian really reinstated by Uber… and did it last more than one ride? Then Richard gives a brutally honest review of his Disney Dream holiday sailing—including the chaos of a packed holiday sailing. We also dig into: • A targeted Frontier elite status offer that can get you to Gold or even Platinum (with companion benefits) for far less than you'd expect • Whether United quietly walked back their close-in award surcharge, and why United miles keep losing value • Why American and Alaska are increasingly where the sweet spots are hiding for North American awards • Some insane Thrifty Traveler Premium business class deals, like Delta One to Australia and Avios to Europe that lined up perfectly with Bilt Rent Day's 100% transfer bonus • Julian also shares some news from Points Path Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

The hosts share Richard's first impressions of Dublin and the excitement of an epic rugby match. They dive into the chaos of F1 weekend in Las Vegas, where merchandise lines were outrageously long. A discussion on the value of Delta gift card promos unfolds, questioning the financial wisdom behind pre-purchasing. Lastly, they reveal how booking through Bilt can maximize earnings on flights and hotels, challenging old advice on third-party bookings. Stay tuned for more travel tips and upcoming adventures!

Kyle Potter, a Senior contributor at Thrifty Traveler, dives into exciting travel trends. He breaks down Thrifty Traveler's Black Friday promotion, offering a fantastic 50% discount. Kyle also discusses the implications of Delta's SkyMiles sale to Europe, hinting it may indicate future trends in award pricing for 2026. The chat touches on Hilton's tier adjustments and the relevance of new programs like Diamond Reserve. Plus, there's a look at valuable hotel deals, making this a must-listen for travel enthusiasts!

Dive into a whirlwind 18-hour visit to Marrakesh, where the hosts explore the enchanting experience of staying in a riad and navigating the vibrant souks. Discover the lively atmosphere of the main square and the charm of rooftop dining amid aggressive hawkers. The conversation shifts to the exciting Bilt and Rakuten partnership, revealing how earning points on mortgages is on the horizon. Plus, there's insider info on flight options from New York to Morocco and juicy travel deals to keep your wanderlust alive!