Point Me To First Class
Devon Gimbel MD
Point Me to First Class is a show for employed professionals, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business owners with higher-than-average personal and/or business expenses who want to learn to leverage them into credit card points to spend on travel. Your expenses are your greatest untapped asset - but learning how to use them to travel the world doesn't have to be confusing or complicated.
Each week, Devon Gimbel shares valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points and shows you how to spend them on incredible travel experiences.
Interested in learning more about working with Devon? Visit www.pointmetofirstclass.com to learn more.
This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like:
How do I earn credit card points and use them for travel?
How can I make my expenses benefit me?
How can I earn as many credit card points for as little spending as possible?
How to maximize value from credit card points.
How to earn credit card points for travel.
Turn credit card points into travel.
Each week, Devon Gimbel shares valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points and shows you how to spend them on incredible travel experiences.
Interested in learning more about working with Devon? Visit www.pointmetofirstclass.com to learn more.
This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like:
How do I earn credit card points and use them for travel?
How can I make my expenses benefit me?
How can I earn as many credit card points for as little spending as possible?
How to maximize value from credit card points.
How to earn credit card points for travel.
Turn credit card points into travel.
Episodes
Mentioned books
22 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 31min
153. Avios Explained: Understanding Transfers & Maximizing Award Flights
They break down what Avios are and which airlines share this points currency. You hear how Avios can move between partner accounts and why that creates unique booking opportunities. The conversation covers transfer tricks, Points Boost buying options, and award pricing arbitrage across programs. Practical setup tips, common transfer sources, and warnings about fees and refund rules are also highlighted.
21 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 49min
152. Building Wealth Beyond Travel: Financial Planning for High-Earners with Lauren Oschman
Lauren Oschman, founder of Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors who helps physician families with holistic wealth planning. She discusses aligning money with personal values, the full scope of planning beyond investments, tax and estate strategies, contract negotiation, and tailored approaches for dual-earner households and women building financial confidence.
90 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 33min
151. Bilt's 3 New Cards: A Complete Analysis & Strategy Guide
Join Kelly, the Points and Miles Doc, as he shares his expertise on Bilt's three new credit cards: Bilt Blue, Bilt Obsidian, and Bilt Palladium. Discover the implications of Bilt's new internal currency, Bilt Cash, and the math behind earning points on housing expenses. Kelly breaks down the unique features and comparisons of each card, highlights how the changes target homeowners and higher spenders, and reveals why he applied for the Palladium right away. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about optimizing their travel rewards!
69 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 41min
150. 2025 Points Year in Review: How We Used Our Points, Chose Programs & Planned 2026 Travel (Part 2)
Dr. Andrea Mabry, an award travel enthusiast skilled in complex group redemptions, shares insights on maximizing points for travel. The duo reveals their impressive travel bookings from 2025, including family vacations and premium cabins worth over $300,000. They discuss strategies for booking business class for large groups from non-hub airports, lessons learned from past trips, and highlight standout experiences, along with disappointments. Andrea also previews her ambitious 2026 plans, including luxury getaways and around-the-world bookings.
10 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 18min
149. 2025 Points Year in Review: A Look Back at Cards, Strategies & Earning (Part 1) with Dr. Andrea Mabry
Dr. Andrea Mabry, a savvy dermatologist and points enthusiast, returns to share her impressive points strategies and totals from 2025. They discuss the unusual surge in card openings, highlighting Andrea’s impressive 4.1 million points earned, and Devon's substantial 6.468 million, despite the collapse of the Mesa program. The duo reveals their card choices, insights on maximizing bonuses, and their strategies moving into 2026. This engaging conversation is packed with numbers, lessons learned, and a glimpse into their evolving travel plans!
29 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 21min
148. Your Year in Points Review: How to Audit, Learn, and Plan Smarter
Ever wondered how your travel points measured up over the year? A year-end points review can reveal what worked, what didn’t, and guide your future earning strategies. Learn how to analyze your points ecosystems and track totals. Discover how to break down your points earnings by source and calculate their redemption value to maximize your travel experiences. With actionable insights and evaluation questions, you'll be ready to refine your approach to reward programs and embark on more adventures.
26 snips
Dec 22, 2025 • 48min
147. 2025 in Points and Miles In Review (Part 2): Key Changes, New Realities, and What Comes Next
In this engaging discussion, points-and-miles expert Kelly shares insights on the transformative changes in award travel for 2025. They highlight the rise of dynamic pricing, which can enhance award availability despite common perceptions. Kelly provides real-life examples from Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines, showcasing how status now significantly affects access and pricing. The conversation also explores future trends in transferable points and the potential resurgence of co-branded airline cards, leaving listeners with strategic tips for navigating this evolving landscape.
48 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 7min
146. 2025 in Points and Miles In Review: The Biggest Wins, Disappointments & Shifts - Part 1
Join points and miles expert Kelly, the Points and Miles Doc, as she reviews the shifting landscape of rewards in 2025. Discover how this year saw a greater complexity in earning and redeeming points. Kelly shares insights on the winners and losers, including the disappointing changes at Chase and the exciting addition of Japan Airlines to transfer partners. Explore new card launches and programs that emphasize member loyalty over partnerships, all while providing invaluable strategies to navigate this evolving rewards world.
76 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 49min
145. Behind the Scenes at World of Hyatt: Loyalty, Care & the Future of Travel with Laurie Blair
Laurie Blair, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Loyalty at Hyatt, shares insights into building loyalty programs that resonate with travelers. She discusses the significance of care in loyalty, emphasizing emotional connections over mere transactions. Laurie explains the balance between transparency and dynamic pricing, highlighting the unique benefits of Hyatt's fixed award charts. Additionally, she reveals upcoming innovations like personalized AI-driven itineraries and exclusive member experiences, all designed to keep Hyatt travelers engaged and satisfied.
29 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 50min
144. Inside Rove: The Loyalty Program Reshaping Points & Miles
Carissa Rawson, Director of Travel and Marketing at Rove, shares her journey from military service to points-and-miles expertise. She reveals how Rove's loyalty platform unlocks earning potential without needing credit cards, appealing to both newbies and veterans. Carissa highlights impressive multipliers on hotel stays and the seamless integration with existing rewards programs. Discover how to maximize RoveMiles through dynamic redemptions and a diverse shopping portal, plus insider tips to avoid common pitfalls—all while Rove ensures miles won’t expire!
