Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

Episode 62: Show Notes Friend of the show, Han Chicago, is fast becoming one of our most frequent and favorite guests, and today he joins Trevor and Tom to reminisce about his recent transatlantic trip. First, Han walks us through Ben Schlappig’s Lufthansa debacle before explaining how another travel aficionado, Matthew Klint, influenced his itinerary for his transatlantic Memorial Day weekend trip. Then, we learn why Han travelled not once but twice across the Atlantic on the same trip, how airlines change aircrafts without alerting passengers causing booking and seating complications, why flying economy across the Atlantic is a better option now than ever before, the ins and out of the Delta One Lounge at JFK, and Han’s short stay in London. Trevor, Tom, and Han all share similar negative experiences of the Frankfurt airport, and after trying to ascertain why Frankfurt is one of Europe’s least pleasant airports, they all agree that Lufthansa First Class is better in the air than on the ground. We also discuss the new T5 train at O’Hare International Airport, what American Airlines is getting wrong with their new 787 flagship seats, the standout moments from Han’s transatlantic journey, and everything that our guest has planned for the near future. To end, we unpack Boeing’s never-ending woes, Han’s final thoughts on JetBlue’s transatlantic product, and what the future of aviation may hold in terms of Business and First Class layouts.     Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:00] Han Chicago shares important travel news about Ben Schlappig and Lufthansa.    [0:10:00] The way Matthew Klint influenced Han’s transatlantic Memorial Day weekend trip.   [0:15:21] How one transatlantic trip became two, and being “Qatared” onto a lesser aircraft.     [0:18:17] Why transatlantic trips in economy are more appealing today than ever before.    [0:20:40] The Delta One Lounge at JFK, a short London stay, and travelling from Heathrow.  [0:32:50] Frankfurt versus Munich, and comparing aircraft to address airline inconsistencies.  [0:43:16] Han’s highs and lows from his time at Frankfurt airport.    [0:55:15] Why Lufthansa First Class is a better in-air experience compared to on the ground.  [1:02:28] Landing at O’Hare, the new T5 train, and American Airlines’ 787 flagship seats.    [1:10:35] The flight from Frankfurt to Munich and other standout moments from Han’s trip. [1:14:20] Acquisitions and everything else our guest has planned for his future.   [1:16:42] Unpacking Boeing’s persistent woes. [1:22:48] Han’s review of JetBlue’s transatlantic product.   [1:29:24] The future of aviation: A new era of Business and First Class products. Quotes: “The devil’s in the details on some of these partner programs.” — @tmount [0:16:14] “Guys, to me, [the Delta One Lounge at JFK] is one of the best lounges in the US, and it can rival a lot of lounges overseas, too.” — @hanchicago [0:20:54] “I’m trying to fly all the A380s on all the airlines that still fly them. After Lufthansa, the only one I think I have left now is Korean [Air].” — @hanchicago [0:31:43] “Frankfurt is one of the least pleasant airports in Europe. Considering you’ve got Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow included there, that’s saying something.” — @TktweetsKim [0:44:57] “Luckily, I made all my connections. So many times, I could’ve missed something; something could’ve gone wrong. That’s definitely happened to me on these kinds of [trips before], but Memorial Day weekend, it all worked out.” — @hanchicago [1:02:12] “I’m always looking for that special feeling. And I have to say, as much as we started this episode off about bagging on Lufthansa for this and that, I would say that they deliver that [feeling] for me.” — @hanchicago [1:10:48] “It’s turbulent times for us in the world, on various fronts.” — @hanchicago [1:12:38] “Everyone’s planning a new first-class seat, but because of Boeing’s woes, everyone’s putting that off as to when they’re going to introduce it.” — @hanchicago [1:16:34] “It’s a blessing to get on any of these aircrafts. Let’s never forget. It’s a blessing to be able to fly the way that we fly [and] in the luxury that we get to experience.” — @tmount [1:31:52] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Han Chicago on X Han Chicago on Instagram  Episode 30: First Time Istanbul Visit with Han Episode 53: Aspirational Flying with Han Chicago  Lufthansa Allegris First Class ‘Frustrating Lufthansa Allegris First Class Upgrade Glitch’  ‘Lol, Oops: Downgraded From Lufthansa Allegris First Class’  ‘American’s Brand New Boeing 787 Has Serious Maintenance Issues’ Ben Schlappig on Instagram Matthew Klint | Live and Let's Fly  Alaska Airlines JetBlue Etihad Airways  Qatar Airways  Virgin Atlantic  Delta One Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Chase Sapphire Lounge  SkyClub  Priority Pass   Korean Air  Thai Airways  American Airlines United Airlines U.S. Bank  JonNYC on X Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X  The Milenomics Podcast Network

We're back! We cut this show as the last segment of a Patreon Episode, and are releasing it here a little delayed for everyone to listen. 0:21 Main Topic: Airline Miles vs Bank Points 0:52 Set the stage: Why is this an important discussion. Every major bank has a bank point. Chase UR, Amex MR, Citi TYP, WF Rewards, BofA Rewards, US Bank….  Most of these can be cashed out for pennies (or fractions of) OR can be used in the bank run travel portal for more than a penny.  Finally some of these can be transferred to airlines as airline miles. These have completely different booking methods and tools, along with a varied amount of value based on the flight or hotel booked.  Maximizing value for these miles is a key to earning back the time and money we spend to earn the miles. Example: It almost never makes sense to cash out MR at .6 cents. (news story) 5:51 Bank Point bookings Benefits: Cancel and points can just come back Need to book a refundable fare, eating away the value Open to booking across all alliances and even airlines that have no native point or alliance.  As long as it is in the portal you can book it. Sometimes phone agents can see even more.   1:1 pricing for most airline tickets.  Airline bookings are elite benefit eligible and earn miles Hotel bookings are now allowing loyalty numbers to sometimes be added for elite benefits 13:09 Airline Miles Benefits:  Massive flexibility for most domestic carrier programs. Cancel as close in as you’d like. Great for provisional flights Value is not pegged to the dollar cost of a flight, in some cases this results in fantastic values.  Economy fares can be incredibly valuable uses of miles if you’re interested in them for long haul flights.  Newer tools make searching easier, but still a hurdle 19:44 Airline Mile Weaknesses Pricing is highly dynamic and the programs are each unique and have complex rules and booking channels.  There need to be reasonably priced award seats or your miles can become worth less than a bank point.  Orphaned miles have no benefit outside of the program they’re in.  Phantom space. Business class fares for more than 2 people become increasingly difficult to book.  Some dates and destinations are effectively blocked out Large learning curve.  24:27 Bank point Weaknesses Limited upside potential, each program caps the value somewhere between 1.25 and 2 cents per point Hotel prices can be inflated, reducing the value earned by the points The ability to book anything depends on the bank point portal, which sometimes is less robust that a native airline/hotel portal or even an OTA like booking.com The card associated with the uplift needs to remain open for the points to have uplift. This is impractical for some, and costly if annual fees cannot be eradicated.  31:01 Airline Mile Uses that don’t get enough Discussion KLM/AF have <20,000 mile ($200 worth of points) nonstop flights one way + about $90. The Equivalent of $600 round trip to Europe is a steal. Compare to about $1300-1800 round trip during peak times. Yes you can pivot to lower cost or 1 stop for less. But nonstop with native international miles is a great deal.   Business class when you’re flexible enough. 50,000-100,000 per person one way.   33:42 Examples where Bank points win: Domestic flights, nonstop on the day you want.  Can sometimes find first class lower priced than you’d expect. What about you? What do you think is a strength of Airline Miles or Bank Points that doesn't get enough discussion? Share out here in the comments or on Social media.

Episode 61: Show Notes The World Expo 2025 took place in Osaka, Japan, and Tom and Trevor had the pleasure of bumping into their old friend, Brennan Anderson. Brennan was our first-ever guest on this podcast, and we are thrilled to have him back as he walks us through his experience in Osaka. Brennan begins by explaining why he and his family chose to travel to the Osaka Expo before detailing how the Expo met most of his high expectations. After listing the various names that the World Expo is known as, we examine the level of research and planning needed to enjoy the Expo to the fullest, the problems we had with the complicated ticketing system, the highs and lows of Brennan’s three days at the Expo, and appreciation for the sheer size of the Osaka installment. Then, we hear our guest’s thoughts about traveling with a one-year-old, his general food experience at the Expo, his advice for when and where to shop as a tourist, and highlights from the rest of his time in Osaka and Japan. We also marvel at Japan’s kid-friendliness, general accessibility, and incredible nationwide hospitality. To end, Brennan details his travel itinerary including the airlines, cities, hotels, and transportation options he utilized, and shares his final thoughts on traveling in Japan.          Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] Welcoming Brennan Anderson back to the show – our very first guest on this podcast.  [01:30] Understanding what drew him to visit the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. [02:33] Whether the Expo met his expectations, and the Expo’s various name iterations. [04:25] The level of planning and research needed to explore and enjoy the Expo fully.    [07:30] Fallouts from an unnecessarily complicated ticketing system.   [11:11] Brennan walks us through the highs and lows of his three-day Expo experience.  [12:15] The Saudi Arabia pavilion, the size of the Osaka Expo, and the Australian pavilion.  [16:03] Brennan’s thoughts on traveling and navigating the Expo with a one-year-old.  [18:52] His food experience, a hilarious baby food mix-up, and his advice for when to shop.  [26:12] Highlights from his time in Osaka when he and his family explored the city.  [27:04] Praise for Japan’s kid-friendliness and general accessibility.   [29:08] The train to Tokyo, food in Japan, and Japanese hospitality.    [35:59] Brennan’s travel itinerary – airlines, cities, public transport, and hotels.  [38:59] The ins and outs of the Conrad Osaka, and attendance numbers at this year’s Expo.  [44:30] Final thoughts on traveling in Japan and Expo Osaka, 2025.   Quotes: “The Osaka Expo was huge.” — Brennan Anderson [13:58] “We’re learning how to travel with a baby. – You can’t do as much as you can without kids, but seeing things through his eyes and what he pays attention to as a one-year-old is really rewarding.” — Brennan Anderson [16:18] “Japan, in general, is very kid-friendly [and] very accessible.” — Brennan Anderson [16:41] “It’s one of those things that kind of connects you to an area. It’s great when your kids are able to make friends with somebody local and run around for a little bit. It really just feels like a local experience. It’s a lot of fun.” — Brennan Anderson [27:56] “Everything we had was delicious. Neither my wife nor I are really that big on Japanese food, but we really loved everything we had.” — Brennan Anderson [31:27] “Everybody was just so friendly, so hospitable, and really just made you feel at home.” — Brennan Anderson [32:30] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Brennan Anderson on Instagram  Episode 6: Full-Time Travel with Brennan Anderson  World Expo 2025, Osaka  Osaka Castle  Finnair  Conrad Osaka Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X  The Milenomics Podcast Network

Catch a glimpse of a family's international jaunt to Madrid, filled with travel tips and hilarious anecdotes about flying with toddlers. Discover the charm of airport lounges, from serene experiences at the Centurion Lounge to chaos at Capital One's. Enjoy a culinary adventure in Valencia, including a memorable paella feast and visits to stunning architectural sites. Travel tricks are unraveled, along with reflections on the joys and hurdles of family vacations. This delightful journey paints a vivid picture of modern travel adventures.

Around the World with Hello Kitty Episode 59: Show Notes. When EVA Air released its Hello Kitty livery on a 777-300ER, we just knew we had to hop on! Today, 10 years later, we reflect on our EVA Air Hello Kitty trip and why this particular adventure is still one of our most memorable. We discuss how we became aware of the Hello Kitty jet, the near-disaster of our first connection, and the wonder of our in-flight experience with Hello Kitty branding, literally, everywhere!  Then, we examine our itinerary, which included stops in Taiwan, Bangkok, Vientiane, Laos, and Singapore, before detailing our experience of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane and other attractions Laos had to offer. We also learn of Tom’s unlikely affair with beer, his aversion to Thai foot massages, why we’re definitely going to do an entire Fifth Freedom Flight episode, and why taxis in Singapore may have saved Trevor’s marriage. To end, we share fond—and socially unacceptable— memories of the entire Lufthansa First-Class (drink!) service, and we rank our Hello Kitty trip as a complete travel experience worthy of high praise.       Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] Setting the tone and reintroducing the Drinking Word of the Day. [02:25] Why our Hello Kitty trip from 10 years ago is one of our most memorable adventures.  [03:25] How we found EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jet, and our first boarding debacle.   [07:29] Our onboard experience – so much better than the average 777 flight!   [10:59] Unpacking our slog of an itinerary, and everything we remember about Taipei.  [15:00] Flying to Bangkok and Laos, the Crowne Plaza Vientiane, and activities in Laos.   [21:15] The COPE Visitor Centre, the Mekong River, and beer with ice cubes. [27:25] A rooftop bar in Bangkok, Thai foot massages, and a Freedom Flight to Singapore.     [31:13] Why taxis are a better option than mass transit in Singapore.   [33:30] Lufthansa First-Class (drink!), and the most interesting purser we’ve encountered.  [40:03] More love for everything Lufthansa First-Class (drink!) has to offer.  [43:34] The joys of having a premium experience in the final leg of your trip.  [45:14] Ranking our Hello Kitty trip: A wonderful experience from beginning to end.   Quotes: “Everything was Hello Kitty. You had the Hello Kitty-imprinted butter. You had Hello Kitty signage everywhere. Even the toilet paper in the lavatory was Hello Kitty.” — @tmount [08:31] “That’s probably the only airline experience that I’ve ever had that has been so complete. It was almost like a Disney World-type experience where they just had everything right; everything aligned to Hello Kitty. I was really impressed with that.” — @tmount [09:09] “Any lounge that provides ice cream – they get an extra star automatically.” — @TktweetsKim [14:43] “I am absolutely not a beer drinker. I actually usually detest the beverage – [but] for the weather, for the environment, [Beerlao] was just the best beverage.” — @TktweetsKim [24:22] “I cannot think of a bad Cathay flight that I’ve flown.” — @TktweetsKim [29:37] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: EVA Air  EVA Air | Hello Kitty Jet Sanrio | The Official Home of Hello Kitty and Friends  Lufthansa Thai Airways  Bangkok Airways  Crowne Plaza Vientiane  COPE Visitor Centre  Beerlao Lager  Cathay Pacific  United Airlines  The La Première Experience | Air France  The Milenomics Podcast Network Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Traveling home has never been trickier! The hosts share personal tales of trips planned without a clear route back. They dive into the challenges of airline alliances and the allure of fifth freedom flights. There's a humorous chat about the scarce arrival lounges and how procrastination leads to incomplete bookings. Also discussed are 'unicorn' destinations that are harder to access nowadays. Finally, they explore the quirks of accommodating dining experiences and urge listeners to stay tuned for more travel insights!

Episode 57: Show Notes. Sometimes you just need to do some travel banter! And who better to do it with than TravelZork Travel’s Michael Trager? In today’s conversation, we discuss our recent travel experiences and dig into the nitty gritty of points, upgrades, flight paths, and so much more. To kick things off, we hear all about Michael’s recent trip to Madrid and the benefits of American Airlines' ConciergeKey status, which Michael has access to thanks to his wife, Ellen! We then discuss optimal flight paths to Europe from different parts of the US, why JetBlue is on the naughty list this week, and how to optimize your next trip to Vegas. Next, we explore the flagship lounge and dining experience on different airlines, before discussing why it sometimes makes sense to pay for travel (because you can’t do everything on points) and the exceptional cases where we break our own rules. We also dive into Marriott points and benefits, including getting the fifth night free, the challenges of hotel hopping, and the importance of a positive arrival experience; especially if you have your family in tow. Finally, Michael tells us the essential details and updates for ZorkFest 2025, including the festival’s four-star accommodation, their new miles and points labs, their epic foodie and beverage dining experience, the speakers they have lined up, and much more. Be sure to tune in to hear the full scope of our travel banter conversation with Michael Trager! Key Points From This Episode: [00:00:49] Introducing TravelZork Travel’s Michael Trager. [00:03:17] All the details of Michael’s visit to Madrid. [00:06:00] The benefits of having ConciergeKey status. [00:12:07] Debating the value of a premium economy cabin. [00:16:09] Optimizing your flight from different parts of the US to Europe. [00:21:09] Reasons why JetBlue is on the Naughty list this week. [00:29:43] Why is Michael saying farewell to his trip to Greece this summer. [00:31:26] Getting special awards and upgrades with American Airlines. [00:34:17] Key considerations for optimizing your trip to Vegas. [00:35:17] Getting access to the flagship lounge and dining. [00:41:38] Words of appreciation for connoisseur classes. [00:44:26] How to balance point accumulation and spending. [00:49:31] Tips for navigating Marriott points and benefits, including fifth night free. [00:53:49] The challenges of hotel hopping and the benefits of a good arrival experience. [00:58:18] Our thoughts on The White Lotus and tourism. [00:59:46] Getting information right in travel content. [01:01:43] Your guide to a positive arrival experience. [01:09:42] Details and Updates for ZorkFest 2025. [01:15:24] ZorkFest events: dining, live podcasting, master classes, hotel bookings, and private gaming experiences. [01:18:03] The speaking lineup you can expect from this year’s ZorkFest. [01:20:22] Booking, tickets, and hotel information. [01:22:12] What makes ZorkFest such a unique, unmissable event. [01:25:16] Lessons you can expect to learn on casino loyalty and risk management. [01:36:11] Why Michael refers to himself as an American Airlines fanboy. [01:40:52] Where you can find Michael online. [01:43:07] Parting words for today’s travel banter. Quotes: “The amount of trouble to position to JFK and then to leave, like, three, four, five, six, hours between the flight to then get a lie flat seat for a flight that maybe is six hours of which maybe, if all of the stars align, you get four hours of sleep. And that's like, if you're really lucky.” — Michael Trager [17:33] “JetBlue is on my very naughty list, really naughty list this week.” — Michael Trager [21:19] “That has been a thread or a mantra on this podcast, ‘book the flight or book the room you want’.” — @tmount [56:29] “When you hit the ground, that's going to set the tone for your entire trip.” — @tmount [56:57] “Nothing's gonna be as good as a nice, quiet hotel room on the ground for you to recover.” — @TktweetsKim [01:04:34] “Value is so personal, right? People need to respect that, and a lot of people don't. They think that their truth is the only truth.” — @TktweetsKim [01:09:23] “This is the first time we are truly having ZorkFest at a very bougie casino property with a very bougie, true four-star room product.” — Michael Trager [01:11:01] “There are things you learn from casino advantage players like Anthony Curtis, or things that you learn from casino loyalty, that can be parsed to the miles and points world technique-wise.” — Michael Trager [01:25:30] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michael Trager Michael Trager on LinkedIn TravelZork Travel TravelZork TravelZork on Facebook TravelZork on X TravelZork on Bluesky TravelZork on Instagram TravelZork on YouTube TravelZork, ZorkCast (and ZorkFest too!) - Casinos, Vegas, Miles & Points on Facebook Join the Zork Fest Mailing List Yo-11 Podcast | ZorkCast on Spotify BAEC GOLD + GGL + Premier [British Airways Executive Club] Facebook Group Hyatt Privé Deals Facebook Group Cunard | Queen Mary 2 + Entire Line | Cruise Deals, Discussion + Promotions Facebook Group The M Resort and Spa and Casino, Las Vegas Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Discover the impressive 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points offer for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and learn how to navigate credit card referrals to maximize benefits. Explore options like Two Player Mode to secure even more rewards. The discussion highlights the importance of strategic application timing and the intricacies of travel bookings using points versus cash. Inflation in the travel portal is real, making the comparison of hotel and flight prices crucial. Uncover tips for optimizing points through versatile cards and household co-mingling.

Dive into the world of cruising as the hosts share their adventures on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas and Princess Cruise Lines' Sun Princess. Discover the ups and downs of travel logistics, humorous flight mishaps, and delightful dining experiences aboard these two ships. Enjoy highlights from mesmerizing ice and aqua shows, fun audience participation events, and the challenges of coordinating family trips. Gain insights into loyalty rewards, casino experiences, and the evolving culinary scene at sea.

Dive into the world of bygone airline luxuries, from Thai Airways' pampering spa massages to memorable first-class experiences with Lufthansa and Etihad. Explore the nostalgic charm of exclusive lounges and the extravagant services that have vanished post-COVID. Discover unique private jet adventures and reminisce about carrier amenities, like prized amenity kits that evoked special memories. It's a heartfelt reflection on what air travel once was, sprinkled with humor and longing for the golden age of flying!