Point Me To First Class

Have you been searching for a tool to simplify your award travel bookings? In this bonus episode, I'm joined by Megan Johnston, Community Manager at Daily Drop, to discuss their recently launched all-in-one software: Daily Drop Pro. This innovative platform combines an award search engine, cash flight deal finder, and points community all in one place.   Megan walks us through the key features of Daily Drop Pro, including its powerful award search capabilities for flights and hotels, cash deal notifications, and the supportive community space called the Pro Lounge. She also shares insider tips on how to maximize the platform's free and paid membership options and how to make the most of their search function.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-daily-drop-pro-megan-johnston   Don't miss out on the Daily Drop Pro Black Friday promo (starting November 25) and get an annual Pro subscription for just $99 here.   Grab your discounted Daily Drop Pro membership here to take advantage of $50 off an annual membership plan during the Black Friday sale!

Join Kevin Zanes, a points and miles expert, Dr. Sujatha Murali, an award travel strategist, Kelly from The Points and Miles Doc, and Dr. Andrea Mabry, another award travel expert, for a lively discussion. They dive into a fun game of 'Would You Rather,' tackling valuable points and miles choices. Expect spirited debates on loyalty points versus sign-up bonuses and insights into airline loyalty programs. Learn their quirky preferences and strategies to maximize travel rewards, transforming expenses into unforgettable experiences!

In this engaging discussion, Kamree Price, the founder of Our Family Passport and an Amex points guru, dives into the world of maximizing American Express points for family travel. With her experience traveling to over 50 countries, she shares her top tips for earning a million points annually. Kamree reveals how to navigate the Amex landscape, including welcome bonuses and maximizing redemptions. Listeners will learn about strategies to avoid the 'pop-up jail' and discover the best usage of points to create unforgettable travel experiences.

Lyn Mettler is a longtime travel journalist who has cracked the code on flying her family of four for free, going from one car trip a year to six free flights annually. Through her Families Fly Free podcast and membership, she teaches others her simple system for maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards.   In this episode, Lyn breaks down the recently announced changes to the Rapid Rewards program, including the introduction of assigned seating and new international partnerships. She shares her predictions on how these updates will impact the travel experience and offers tips for making the most of your points under the new system.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-rapid-rewards-lyn-mettler   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Dr. Andrea Mabry, a physician and points and miles aficionado, shares her insights from co-hosting the inaugural conference in Chicago. She discusses the thrill of community building among travel enthusiasts. Listeners learn about secret strategies to maximize airline programs and the importance of continuous education in travel hacking. Andrea reflects on attendee feedback, suggesting enhancements for future events and highlights the valuable networking opportunities that sparked a-ha moments for all who participated.

Devan Sullivan is the younger of the two Pointsisters. They help their clients check off their travel bucket lists, flying in style and comfort to far-flung destinations like Australia, South Africa, Japan and more. Devan herself has taken two Around the World ANA trips in 2024 alone, including a seven-week delayed honeymoon and a four-week adventure, ending with a Taylor Swift concert.   In this episode, Devan breaks down everything you need to know to book your own ANA Around the World ticket. She explains the complex routing rules, how to find award space, the best ways to get the most value, and common pitfalls to avoid. Even if you're a points and miles veteran, I guarantee you'll learn something new from Devan's deep knowledge of this unique award. And if you're new to points and miles, this episode will open your eyes to what's possible.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/ana-around-the-world-ticket-devan-sullivan   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

My guest this week returning to the podcast is points expert Traci Siegel, a non-practicing attorney who has been using miles and points to travel around the US and the world with her family of four since 2011. She's been teaching friends how to hack their families' travel for years, and now she teaches her followers how to expand their travel budgets through her Instagram.   Tune in this week as we dive into the world of airport lounges. We discuss how lounges can transform your travel experience, share what we believe makes a truly great airport lounge that’s truly worth your time, and explore how to maximize your lounge experience for smoother, more enjoyable travel. Most importantly, you’ll learn how you can access more airport lounges by choosing the right credit cards.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/airport-lounges-using-credit-cards-traci-siegel   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this episode, I dive deep into the implications of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger and explore how you can now effectively transfer your Amex points to Alaska Airlines via Hawaiian Airlines. This is a game-changer for anyone looking to book high-value award flights on Alaska and its partner airlines.   Discover the three partner award flights that I'm most excited about booking with my newly acquired Alaska miles, as well as some honorable mentions that you won't want to miss. I reveal exactly how many Amex points I transferred to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines and discuss why doing the same might be a terrible idea for you.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/amex-to-alaska-3-business-class-award-redemptions   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

There’s one tropical dream destination that makes its way onto many points enthusiasts’ wish lists: Bora Bora. I have a fantastic guest on today’s show who just returned from an incredible anniversary trip to this iconic paradise, flying business class on points, and she's here to spill all the details.   Dr. Chandani DeZure is a returning guest to the podcast. She’s a Board-Certified Pediatrician and a mother of two living in California, and she’s been on some truly amazing trips since she started maximizing points for travel way back in 2014. Tune in this week as Chandani and I dive into everything from overwater bungalows and stunning sunsets to the best ways to book, budget and plan your own getaway to Bora Bora.   Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/planning-bora-bora-getaway-dr-chandani-dezure   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kristin Addis, the creator of Be My Travel Muse, shares her extensive travel expertise, having explored 65 countries with her young son. She reveals how to make family travel enjoyable using credit card points and offers insight on the best airlines and gear for kids. Kristin dives into tips for smoother journeys, from choosing the right strollers to keeping toddlers entertained on long flights. She emphasizes the transformative power of travel for children and offers practical advice to create unforgettable experiences for families.