Point Me To First Class

Discover the challenges of booking business class award flights to unique destinations like South America and Japan. Learn strategies for securing these elusive tickets, including utilizing credit card travel portals and unique connecting itineraries.

Explore the world of elusive unicorn award flights alongside common horses and zebras in the realm of business class travel. Learn how to manage expectations and identify which type of award flight suits your needs best from this informative podcast chapter.

Getting value from points comes down to two simple things: earning points (ideally as many as possible for the money you're spending) and using points (ideally as few as possible for any given award), so you can take more trips, save more money, and have more travel options available. It's time to dive deep into a simple approach for part one of the points-travel cycle: earning points.   Discover a framework for thinking about your expenses from a high-level perspective so you can quickly and easily identify the points-earning opportunities that you aren't yet leveraging. Beginners will find this episode particularly eye-opening, but there are also plenty of tips here for more experienced points travelers, so there's something for everyone.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/mastering-expense-buckets-for-maximum-points   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Whether it's sipping champagne in first class, watching the sunset in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives, or enjoying access to the best first-class airport lounges, there are some aspirational redemptions that always seem to get the most attention from points enthusiasts. But before you can turn your travel dreams into reality using points, you need to first uncover what your unique wish list looks like. That's exactly what my guest this week is here to discuss.   Tune in this week to start uncovering not only what you want to get out of points travel but what you desire from your experience of being alive. You'll learn the impact of introducing what my guest, Board-Certified Palliative Care Physician, Life and Wellness Coach, Dr. Faryal Michaud, calls high-definition moments into your life, what changes when you focus on writing your best chapter, and how to bring the magic of travel into your everyday life.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/the-reverse-bucket-list-dr-faryal-michaud   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

If you have a high monthly credit card spend and want to leverage these expenses to earn even more points, this episode is for you. Signup bonuses are the easiest way to earn a huge points return for every dollar spent, but what I'm sharing today allows you to expand upon this strategy, sometimes with relatively little effort, and earn more points without needing to take out new cards and rely on welcome bonuses.   Tune in this week to learn everything you need to know about Chase Spending Offers. I discuss how Chase Spending Offers make already strong points-earning cards even better, and you'll learn not only how Chase Spending Offers work but also how to integrate them into your overall points strategy.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/racking-up-points-with-chase-spending-offers   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kevin Zanes has a background in data science and analytics that he now uses to scour award programs for the best points deals. So on today's show, we're talking math, data, and how these two things help you land the most amazing points deals.   Tune in this week to discover how data can get you the best value for your points. Kevin is using data and technology to dispel common myths of the award travel community, and he's revealing the math-backed truth about what he calls the single best points-earning credit card on the market. Whether you're new to award travel or a seasoned points traveler, this episode is packed with value and insights you won't find anywhere else.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/analytic-approach-points-travel-kevin-zanes   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy      

Dr. Laura Jana is an Omaha-based pediatrician, social entrepreneur, and award-winning children/parenting book author. From early literacy advocate and 9-year owner of a 200-student educational childcare center to advisor to Mattel, Primrose Schools, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, she is dedicated to addressing the most pressing needs of children, families, and communities.   Hear about an unforgettable trip taken by a member of the Point Me to First Class Community. This trip is on many of your bucket lists, and Dr. Laura Jana is here today to discuss why she decided to book this trip, why you don't need to book all your trips on points, and hopefully inspire you for your next amazing trip, whether you book it using points or not.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/don-t-need-points-trip-dr-laura-jana   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Joining the conversation is Dr. Andrea Mabry, a points-earning expert with a talent for transforming student loans and education expenses into travel rewards. She reveals clever workarounds to earn points through Gift of College gift cards, making everyday expenses work in your favor. Andrea discusses maximizing contributions to 529 plans, emphasizing strategic spending to enhance rewards. Listeners will appreciate her practical tips for financially navigating educational costs while boosting those coveted credit card points!

Miraval Resort is an all-inclusive, adults-only health and wellness resort that started in Tucson, Arizona, and has expanded to Austin, Texas, and The Berkshires, Massachusetts. Each location is different but has the same signature approach to wellness. So how do you know what to expect at the different locations and choose which one is right for you? That's exactly what we're diving into today.   I'm joined by Dr. Arpita Gupta DePalma and Dr. Mindy Stimell-Rauch, and we're comparing the three Miraval Resorts and their offerings in terms of accommodation, food, service, and activities available at each location, so you know what to expect and can decide which best suits your needs for your next getaway using points.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/miraval-resort-arpita-gupta-depalma-mindy-stimell-rauch   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy    

Lindsay Bradley started her points and miles journey in 2011 but didn't get into extensive points travel until meeting her P2. After marrying in 2018, they took off to travel the world, doing mini retirements on points and miles. Lindsay has visited 77 countries on all seven continents and has redeemed over $300,000 worth of travel with credit card rewards.   Tune in this week to discover some unique uses of points for premium flights. Lindsay gives her insights into some of the challenges and opportunities of constructing a multi-country trip itinerary, and you'll learn how to put perks like hotel free-nights certificates to use to offset the cost of travel.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/uk-bahrain-oman-qatar-on-points-lindsay-bradley   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy