Today, I’m joined by my points friend Kelly (The Points and Miles Doc) and we’re taking a look back at 2023, breaking down all the points we earned last year, how we earned them, and we’re analyzing some current trends in the points and miles world.   Tune in this week as we discuss the highs and lows of the points world in 2023. Kelly and I are sharing our favorite cards, points currencies, and sign-up bonuses from the past 12 months. We're diving deep into what’s changed over the past year, and we’re looking at the landscape of points travel as we kick off 2024.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-earning-review-part-1   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

What can you expect from the Point Me to First Class Podcast in 2024? Instead of taking a deep dive into a points earning topic, I’m just bringing you a short and sweet episode about what’s to come over the next 12 months. Discover what the next year has in store for the Point Me to First Class podcast and how I’m diversifying the types of travel inspiration and advice offered here.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/coming-2024-podcast   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

If you love earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, you’re in the right place. Chase has a promotional offer right now that just might be the best points earning gift that you receive all year. Today, we’re looking at how you can get double cash-back or double points using your Chase Freedom Unlimited card.   Discover how to get double points with your Chase Freedom Unlimited card. Learn what this specific promotion offers, who is eligible for it, and I’m breaking down who stands to benefit the most from this offer, and who would be better off taking a pass on this one.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/double-rewards-dive-chase-freedom   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Dr. Erin Casey, a retired hematologist-oncologist turned hospitalist, shares her high-yield strategies for earning over one million points as a solo points earner. She discusses challenges faced by solo earners, credit card strategies, and maximizing the value of points for travel. The episode concludes with tips and advice for solo points earners.

How do you end 2023 strong and ensure you aren’t missing out on any valuable benefits from your rewards credit cards? We’re fast approaching the end of the year, so it’s time to do some points housekeeping. I’m reviewing five things I do to ensure I’m on track to hit my points and travel goals for the year.   Tune in this week to discover how to round out 2023 while staying on track with your rewards points. I’m showing you three ways to make sure you’re taking advantage of your use-or-lose offers, and I’m discussing everything you need to consider about points transfers, purchasing points, and maintaining your status in your loyalty programs.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/year-end-checklist   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

A LOT has changed in the rewards card world since I got my first points earning credit card in 2012. Join me today to discover the first five rewards credit cards I got when I started my points journey, why I wouldn't recommend most of those cards to people now, and what I would do differently if I was starting all over again. While the cards I’m sharing today may not be perfect for you, this episode is packed with considerations you need to make when choosing your first rewards cards and starting your own points journey.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/credit-journey-started-now   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Today, I'm joined by another physician-entrepreneur who is taking her travel experiences to the next level by leveraging her business expenses: Dr. Amita Kumar. Dr. Kumar is a primary care physician in San Antonio, Texas. Recently, she decided to take a sabbatical from her clinical practice and since one of her passions is traveling with her family, she has found a more economical way to do so by utilizing credit card points.   She is discussing her love of planning, the kind of planning drama that comes up for her clients, and she’s sharing how she helps people overcome their planning blocks so they can start making the most of the points they earn and the time they spend traveling.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/travel-planning-amita-kumar   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I’m sharing a recent conversation I had on the Analyze Scripts podcast. Analyze Scripts is hosted by Yale-trained psychiatrist Katrina Furey, MD, and psychotherapist Portia Pendleton, LCSW, analyzing the depiction of mental health in TV and film. In this conversation, we discussed the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and what we can learn about ourselves and travel from the characters in the movie. Katrina and Portia are also exploring the world of rewards points themselves, so there’s something in this episode for everybody.   Discover what we can learn about ourselves from the characters in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, why this movie is a great insight into the reality of getting out of your comfort zone, and the huge impact that travel can have on our lives.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/analyze-scripts-podcast   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Last week, Lyn shared how to earn your Southwest Companion Pass and how the pass works. We’re picking up right where we left off, discussing the specific points activities that do and don’t count toward qualifying for a Companion Pass, and Lyn is sharing a strategy you can use to make sure you qualify for a Companion Pass by early 2024.   Tune in this week to discover how to qualify for unlimited flights through the Southwest Companion Pass. Also, learn three common mistakes you need to avoid when working toward your own Companion Pass, so you don’t run into any surprises as you get your hands on your Southwest Companion Pass.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler-2   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I’m joined by Southwest expert Lyn Mettler, and she’s breaking down everything you need to know about the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. In 2015, she discovered how to fly her family of 4 free to all the places she'd written about, going from one car trip a year to flying free six times every year around the US, Europe, and the Caribbean. She now teaches hundreds of families this same simple system through her Families Fly Free membership, where her mission is to bring families together through travel.   Tune in this week to discover why people go nuts over the Southwest Companion Pass. We are discussing whether working to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass is the right fit for your travel plans, what can go wrong when trying to earn this valuable points-travel perk, and be sure to come back next week when Lyn will be sharing her tips for earning your Companion Pass using a repeatable but tricky process.   Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler-1   Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy