Award Travel 101

Award Travel 101 Team

Welcome to the Award Travel 101 Podcast! Founded in 2013 with just 20 members, the Award Travel 101 Facebook group teaches members how to travel the world using points and miles. Today, a community of over 100,000+ people from around the world share, teach and learn how to travel anywhere on any budget. Where are you going with Award Travel?

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College Visits With Points and Miles

College Visits With Points and Miles

Angie and moderator Eric Holly dive into the latest updates in points and miles this week as well as the highlight feature of college visits made more affordable with points and miles. Angie kicks off by sharing a heartwarming post from a member, Orane, who was surprised with a free upgrade to United Polaris on his birthday month, showing the unexpected perks of loyalty programs. News, includes Citi’s new extended warranty benefit for its no-fee cards, IHG’s 100% bonus points promotion, and expanded partnership perks between American Airlines and Aer Lingus. Also highlighted are an array of Black Friday deals, from discounts on travel tools like Thrifty Traveler Premium (use code AT10) and services like Point.me and CardPointers.The hosts discuss their recent points and miles endeavors, with Angie scoring a 200K bonus on the Amex Business Gold card and Eric completing his Amex Business Gold spending requirement. Trip updates include Angie’s plans for a March getaway to Atlanta and Eric’s upcoming adventures to Chile, Easter Island, and his youngest daughter's graduation trip spanning England, Paris, and Barcelona. They also dive into the topic of college shopping, with Eric reflecting on how travel rewards shape their journeys to visit campuses and the impact on school choices.To close, the "Tip of the Week" offers a valuable nugget: Hertz rentals with an AMEX Platinum card provide a four-hour grace period for returns in the U.S., a handy trick for flexible travel plans.Links to Topics DiscussedCiti Adds 2 Year Extended Warranty to No Fee Double Cash and Custom CashIHG Buy Points Promo (100% bonus)AA and Aer Lingus Growing Partnership with Reciprocal BenefitsBlack Friday, Cyber Monday & Travel Tuesday PromosWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Episodes

College Visits With Points and Miles

College Visits With Points and Miles

Angie and moderator Eric Holly dive into the latest updates in points and miles this week as well as the highlight feature of college visits made more affordable with points and miles. Angie kicks off by sharing a heartwarming post from a member, Orane, who was surprised with a free upgrade to United Polaris on his birthday month, showing the unexpected perks of loyalty programs. News, includes Citi’s new extended warranty benefit for its no-fee cards, IHG’s 100% bonus points promotion, and expanded partnership perks between American Airlines and Aer Lingus. Also highlighted are an array of Black Friday deals, from discounts on travel tools like Thrifty Traveler Premium (use code AT10) and services like Point.me and CardPointers.The hosts discuss their recent points and miles endeavors, with Angie scoring a 200K bonus on the Amex Business Gold card and Eric completing his Amex Business Gold spending requirement. Trip updates include Angie’s plans for a March getaway to Atlanta and Eric’s upcoming adventures to Chile, Easter Island, and his youngest daughter's graduation trip spanning England, Paris, and Barcelona. They also dive into the topic of college shopping, with Eric reflecting on how travel rewards shape their journeys to visit campuses and the impact on school choices.To close, the "Tip of the Week" offers a valuable nugget: Hertz rentals with an AMEX Platinum card provide a four-hour grace period for returns in the U.S., a handy trick for flexible travel plans.Links to Topics DiscussedCiti Adds 2 Year Extended Warranty to No Fee Double Cash and Custom CashIHG Buy Points Promo (100% bonus)AA and Aer Lingus Growing Partnership with Reciprocal BenefitsBlack Friday, Cyber Monday & Travel Tuesday PromosWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Shopping Smart – Holiday Strategies for Points and Savings

Shopping Smart – Holiday Strategies for Points and Savings

Welcome to Episode 95 of the Award Travel 101 podcast! I'm Angie Sparks, joined by Mike Zaccheo. This week, we’re switching things up by saving the highlight post for later, as it ties into our feature on holiday shopping and earning strategies.News highlights: Alaska is temporarily blocking partner award bookings within 72 hours of departure, but it’s expected to last only a few days. Wyndham’s Earner Business Card has lost its ability to match to Caesars Diamond, signaling a decline in status equivalency options. Meanwhile, elevated offers on United credit cards (70k on Quest, 90k on Club) are good for frequent flyers seeking perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Other deals include a $750 offer on the Capital One Spark Cash card and a 40% discount on Spirit Airlines points.Highlight Feature - Holiday Earning and Savings: Black Friday is a hot topic, and member Rebecca asked about strategies for earning and burning points during the season. From airline sales to shopping portal deals, there are plenty of opportunities, especially for flexible travelers. Whether you’re buying TVs during the Super Bowl or flowers for Valentine’s Day, timing purchases around seasonal sales can maximize your rewards. And don’t forget: flexibility in travel plans greatly improves your chances of snagging those saver tickets!Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Post Trip Blues

Post Trip Blues

In this episode, Mike and Angie dive into highlights from the week, notable travel deals, and the emotional rollercoaster of post-trip sadness. Angie returns from India, sharing updates on her upcoming plans for Slovenia and a possible return to France. Meanwhile, Mike prepares for taking his daughter to Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto, detailing his booking process and challenges with finding the right hotel. The highlight post of the week focuses on the Scandinavian Airlines “1 Million Mile Challenge,” a lucrative deal for frequent flyers willing to spend $4,000 on a series of SkyTeam flights to earn one million EuroBonus miles. The episode’s feature, “Post-Trip Sadness,” explores the challenges of returning home after travel. Angie and Mike share their personal experiences, like tackling laundry, adjusting to normal routines, and grappling with the absence of upcoming trips. To combat this, they suggest booking or planning future travel, organizing trip photos, and finding joy in being home. The tip of the week on understanding airline classes is shared in order to relieve help distinguish Premium Economy from Economy+.Links to Topics DiscussedBuy Hawaiian Miles Promo (ends 11/15 midnight Hawaiian Time)Thai Airlines Expanded Award AvailabilityWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Love It or Leave It

Love It or Leave It

This week Mike reconnects with Erin Kilpatrick, a former corporate worker who has embraced the nomadic lifestyle, which she detailed in Episode 35.Erin shares her recent travels in Guatemala, where she’s enjoying the local culture and maximizing her rewards points. The main topic, "Love It or Leave It," focuses on evaluating credit cards and deciding which ones to keep or let go, particularly for maximizing travel rewards.The Award Travel 1-on-1 consultation service, which Erin has recently joined to provide personalized guidance on award travel strategies is discussed. These sessions cover the basics of points and miles, award search methods, and credit card strategies. Mike and Erin conduct a mock consultation to give listeners a feel for what to expect, focusing on their own credit card strategies and goals while giving reminders like how to calculate 5/24. Erin, for instance, considers dropping her Hilton Surpass card due to changing travel needs, while Mike contemplates parting ways with his Chase Sapphire Reserve.They share key takeaways, encouraging listeners to evaluate how credit card benefits fit their travel patterns and emphasizing the value of earning transferable points. As they discuss their future strategies, Mike and Erin underscore the importance of consulting with someone knowledgeable to tailor a personalized rewards approach. Links to Cards DiscussedAmex Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business CardsChase World of Hyatt Personal Card Chase World of Hyatt Business CardAmex Green (and family restrictions)Citi Strata PremierChase Sapphire ReserveWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Passing the Torch

Passing the Torch

Todays episode is a special one. It starts off with the routine discussion of the news of the week, including a favorite offer on the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card and adjustments to elite status benefits of the Alaska Mileage Plan program. Angie heads off to India, Joe will be attending Zorkfest and Mike is planning his next crazy adventure which will involve visiting 6 European countries in 3 days. Joe reflects on the journey of managing the Award Travel 101 (AT101) community, particularly the challenges of leading it through the pandemic and its evolution over the years. Highlights from the past years are shared, including community meetups, family travel, and milestones achieved, like earning Hyatt Globalist status and managing the podcast's relaunch.Most significantly, Joe has a big announcement and Angie and Mike share their future plans of expanding the AT101 community with initiatives such as creating a merchandise store, continuing to host meetups, and cultivating the AT201 group for advanced travelers. Their goals center on fostering growth, expertise, and continued engagement in the community.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Award Travel 101; Who We Are

Award Travel 101; Who We Are

In this podcast episode, strategist David Ocamb, delves into the AT101 community's identity and the challenges people face in the points and miles hobby. Key news includes Alaska Airlines' changes to its upgrade policies, opportunities for luxurious travel to Europe, and Virgin Atlantic transfer bonuses. The highlight feature focuses on Ocamb’s research project on the AT101 community. The study aimed to understand the community better through surveys and interviews, revealing key findings, such as feelings of imposter syndrome among members. The majority of respondents feel they know less than other members, especially when comparing their travel experiences. Social media influences perceptions, with many feeling left out due to influencers' luxurious lifestyles. Interestingly, the community is predominantly female, which David and Joe take pride in. The project will continue to track trends and insights in future surveys.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

History of Award Travel 101

History of Award Travel 101

In Episode 90 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, former team admins Toni Perkins Southam and John Hartnagel join Joe to discuss the history of the community. Member Bess asks about using a credit card for a car down payment. The hosts also give a shoutout to Cardpointers, one of our favorite tools for maximizing credit card offers. Grab your discounted membership using the link above! They also dive into various travel rewards news, including changes to the Hyatt and AAdvantage partnership, and discuss the potential value of the increased Sapphire Preferred offer.Joe, John and Toni share updates on their own travel plans and points redemptions, including spending Hilton Honors points on a Presidential Suite in Hiroshima and discussing options for upcoming holidays and spring break. Finally, they reflect on the growth of the Award Travel 101 community, tracing its history back to 2014, founded by Richard Kerr to the present, where Joe celebrates his upcoming five-year anniversary with the team.Links to Topics DiscussedElite Hotel Benefits w/o status?Who Wants to be a (points) Millionaire?Increased Sapphire (Preferred) Offer Hyatt & AAdvantage Partnership ChangesWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

In this episode Jackie Wisniewski, a former Award Travel team member, and Joe's first hire joins him to discuss her journey in the award travel community and her commitment to helping others. Her latest contributions include organizing events like the Chicago Seminars, which raised substantial funds for charity. Joe reflects on how she’s earned 20-30 million rewards points over the last six years and has used them for charitable causes, helping friends and family, and supporting community members. He also frequently helps others by giving away awards, assisting with award searches, and keeping his DMs open to answer questions from the community.The episode follows the theme of paying it forward with the post of the week from Erin Hurd, which highlights her story of using her Southwest Performance Business card’s WiFi credits to make random passengers' flights better. Alongside these anecdotes, the episode covers news about Hyatt’s free night awards, 15k award flights to Europe, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club’s upcoming changes. Jackie and Joe also share updates on their own trips, with Jackie planning trips to South America and Asia, while Joe prepares for business and leisure travels. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of giving back within the award travel world.Links to Topics DiscussedEarn Five Hyatt Category 1-4 Free Night Awards With the World of Hyatt Credit Card15k Award Flights to Europe From 11 North American Cities via Flying Blue Promo RewardsVirgin Atlantic Flying Club To Adopt Dynamic Pricing, Other Program Changes on October 30New: Convert Chase Ultimate Rewards to Avios With a 30% Transfer BonusWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Meet The Mods - Maria

Meet The Mods - Maria

In this episode, Mike talks to Award Travel 101 moderator Maria Fung who discusses various travel rewards topics and updates. They feature Ira's mistake of using the wrong credit card, despite labeling them. News includes Hawaiian/Alaska mileage transfers, changes at Southwest (such as new seats and legroom options), and Bilt's October Rent Day promotion. Mike and Maria also share recent trip updates, including Mike’s upcoming flights and Maria’s travels to Los Cabos, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. The highlight feature is an interview with Maria, focusing on her introduction to travel rewards, her favorite redemption (Venice), and her tips for booking. Maria has a passion for family travel but also enjoys taking solo trips. Maria's tip of the week encourages travelers to stay open to all options. Links to topics discussed:Hawaiian/ Alaska 1:1 Transfer is Live. As of airtime you can still also transfer from Amex Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines (then on to Alaska)Southwest Airlines ChangesNo more open seating and adding extra legroom seatsKeeping free checked bags (still see it as more revenue)Partnership with IcelandairElite BenefitsA-List Preferred can select extra-legroom seats at time of bookingA-List can select extra legroom 48-hours beforeBilt October Rent Day (passed)Hilton Gold, Diamond status challenge 14 nightsVirgin Cruises benefitsWells Fargo Rewards adds Virgin as a Seventh Transfer Partner Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

From Award Travel Hobby to Career

From Award Travel Hobby to Career

Mike and Joe are on the podcast this week with special guest, former Award Travel 101 moderator and current NerdWallet editor Erin Hurd.They discuss the post of the week, from Travel Grumps 101 member Paige, who was surprised to find her Global Entry revoked without any clear reason, despite having not been guilty of any customs violations or illegal activities. Joe has particular insight in this matter having gone through it himself.In travel news, JetBlue is entering the lounge business, and the Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger is progressing with 1:1 point transfers between the programs expected within a month. Also provided is a recap the 14th Annual Chicago Seminars where Joe, Mike and Erin met up with 500 other points and miles aficionados to talk strategy and learn tips from over 50 speakers.In the feature segment special guest Erin Hurd focuses on her transition from hobby to full-time work in the award travel space, covering personal growth, favorite reward programs, and future trends in the industry.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

The Key to Getting the Best Offers... Your Credit Score

The Key to Getting the Best Offers... Your Credit Score

Episode 86 hosted by Angie and Joe kicks off with a member's concern about Priority Pass lounge overcrowding due to cardholders bringing in multiple guests. This prompts a discussion about potential guest limitations to improve the lounge experience for all.The news segment covers a variety of travel-related updates, including how to renew Global Entry membership quickly, finding partner award flight availability, and new Amex credit restrictions. They also highlight opportunities to earn bonus rewards, such as 5 free nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and elevated Delta Amex card offers.The main feature focuses on building healthy credit to maximize points and miles. They offer tips like paying accounts on time, keeping credit utilization under 30%, and maintaining a mix of credit types. The hosts explain the differences between FICO and VantageScore models, the impact of opening and closing credit cards on scores, and share a personal story where travel rewards saved a member over $2,000 on last-minute bookings.Links to Topics DiscussedHow To Renew Your Global Entry Membership (And a Trick to Getting a Quick Approval)How To Find Airline Partner Award Flight AvailabilityAmex To Add New Uber Cash Credit Restrictions in NovemberPopular Free Night Certificate offer is back on the American Express® Marriott Bonvoy Business® CardScore increased SkyMiles With Elevated Delta Amex Card OffersWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Meet The Mods - Justin Walter

Meet The Mods - Justin Walter

This week we feature another installment of “Meet the Mods” Angie talks with Justin Walter who shared his journey into the points and miles hobby, which started in 2021 after being inspired by fellow enthusiast Justin Vacula. His first major redemption, staying at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, got him hooked, and he now prefers traveling in business class, especially for international trips. One of his favorite redemptions was flying Virgin Upper Class from JFK to London using Flying Blue miles. He’s now looking forward to his upcoming trip to Japan, where he’ll experience JAL’s first class. Justin’s tip of the week is to always work on hitting minimum spending requirements to continue building points, as it's essential to unlock valuable rewards.Links to news discussedChase Ink Unlimited new elevated bonusSAS joining Skyteam, now bookable via Delta and Flying BlueAmerican Airlines switching to dynamic pricing on Fiji AirlinesIHG is back with another airline partnership. Lufthansa Miles & More Amex launched a 30% transfer bonus from Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors through 9/30. Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Challenging the Norms

Challenging the Norms

In this episode the Award Travel 101 podcast, "Book Early, Book Often" Mike and "Backup" Joe share their latest strategies and news updates. Mike discusses his recent approval for the Hawaiian Airlines personal card and transferring 100,000 MR points with a 20% bonus, taking inspiration from Greg and Nick at Frequent Miler. Joe shares his success with a 250K Business Platinum card and his travel plans, including a status match trip to Atlantic City and a booking for a concert using a Hyatt certificate.The hosts also challenge conventional travel norms, encouraging listeners to make decisions that suit their personal preferences. Mike emphasizes not fearing layovers, ignoring the obsession over credit card rules like 5/24, dismissing the "CPP Police" and not blindly following popular travel trends. Joe adds that fringe options like lesser-known airlines or using cash when it makes sense can often provide better value than sticking to mainstream choices. He also reminds listeners that award travel is almost never "free travel."Links to Topics DiscussedWashington Residents: Earn Delta SkyMiles for Seahawks Passing YardsFive New Southwest Promotions to Earn A-List Elite Status FasterLatest Marriott Bonvoy Promotions: Bonus Points on Two-Night Stays, up to 10K Points per Night at Select Brands, and MoreBilt and Walgreens Partnership. Extra points on pharmacy purchases but beware of the fine print!Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Chicago Seminars; Second City, but First in Points and Miles

Chicago Seminars; Second City, but First in Points and Miles

We are less than a month away from this year’s Chicago Seminars, the oldest and largest gathering of points and miles aficionados. Joe and Mike talk about the event and give a preview of lectures both Joe and I will be giving. There is also a survey Also discussed are strategies to prepare for a potential Alaska and Hawaiian airlines merger now that the USDOJ has green lighted the deal. Lastly should we be putting more focus on the Marriott Bonvoy program and it's mid-tier Platinum status? Our moderator Maria thinks so.Links to Topics DiscussedIncreased Ink welcome offer coming to an endChoice Hotels Adds New Sweet Spot Rewards starting at 5k pointsBilt Rewards Hawaiian Airlines Transfer PartnershipPermanently Ends How To Create a Travel Rewards Credit Card Strategy for FamiliesPodcast Episode 19 - The Tools of TravelVisit the Chicago Seminars site for tickets. Use code MikeZCS10Discount for $10 offAward Travel Survey Date to be compiled and presented at Chicago Seminars.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Out to SEA Meetup

Out to SEA Meetup

Meetups are one of our favorite aspects of this hobby which allow us to interact in person with those who share our same passion/obsession. Angie and Mike are fresh off the latest Award Travel 101 meetup in Seattle where they interreacted with almost 50 other members of the community. They detail the experiences of the weekend and reiterate the benefits of attending meetups and how sometimes it's nice to converse with others who suffer the same affliction as you.Links to topics discussedFontinebleau Las Vegas Status MatchCurrent Capital One Spark Business Offer5 issuers raise Global Entry credit to match fee increaseQatar Avios Devaluation, significantly affects American and Alaska domestic US award.Amex announces forthcoming Centurion Lounge in Salt Lake City (SLC)Photos from the OUT to SEA meetup in Seattle (Award Travel 101 Facebook Group)Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Meet The Mods - April Rose

Meet The Mods - April Rose

As part of our "Meet The Mods" series Mike talks with April about her background, travel style and of course love of Hyatt. They also discuss the nuances of being native New Yorkers where it's seemingly required to vacation in Florida nearly every year. Further discussion ensues about important credos such as " book early, book often" and "the phone eats first."Links to Topics DiscussedHyatt PromosHyatt Fast Track, trough AA status matchEnhanced offers on Amex Bonvoy CardsRooms.aero compared to other hotel award search enginesWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

How to Talk to Muggles

How to Talk to Muggles

If you have been around this space for awhile you'll inevitably run into issues dealing with "muggles" or those unwise in the magical arts of award travel. Angie and Mike talk about the type of muggles we meet and how to best converse with them without sounding like a crazy person.Links to topics discussedUnder the Canvas Joins World of Hyatt (Correction: Under the Canvas properties are located NEAR, National Parks, not within their boundaries.)Flash” 70% transfer bonus from Chase to Marriott (through August 15)Amex MR 30% Transfer Bonus to AviosAmex MR 20% Transfer Bonus to Hawaiian"Pepe Silvia" It's Always Sunny In PhiladelphiaWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Around-the-World Adventures

Around-the-World Adventures

This week Mike talks with Joe who has just logged his latest entry in his "Summer of Travel" logbook by traveling Japan Air Lines Business Class JFK to Toyko, intra-Asia flights to Korea and back. Then the culmination of Etihad business and first class from Tokyo to Abu Dhabi back to JFK. Hyatt and FHR stays throughout.Links to Topics Discussed:Southwest Eliminating Hallmark Open Seating Policy, plus other changes in the works.Amex Gold Card Changes, $75 AF increase, more "coupon book" creditsWorld of Hyatt, how most of Joe's hotel bookings were madeAmex Fine Hotels & Resorts Program, where some other bookings were made through.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Meet The Mods - Cameron Laufer

Meet The Mods - Cameron Laufer

Angie talks with new moderator and Ohio native Cameron about his background, travel style and favorite trips. He details his passion for travel for both himself and to show his family the world and how points and miles made it all possible.Links to topics discussed:Temporarily can not can book AF/KLM through Virgin (until August)New Amex Centurion Lounge at DCAElevated Capital One Venture Welcome Offer- 75k +$250 statement credit for $4k spend.Charles Schwab Amex Platinum Cash Out Limit ChangesWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

In this week's episode Mike and Angie discuss some of the recent hotel card offers then get into the main feature of handling major changes in their life such as a new house and a new job and how it affects their award travel strategy. Links to Topics Discussed in This Week's Episode:Chase Ink Preferred 120k OfferIHG Premier Card 5 Free Night Award offerChase Bonvoy Bold mediocre refreshChase Sapphire Reserve giving 3 months of Bonvoy Gold status... mehHilton rolls out 400 more SLH properties. Some good deals are to be foundDouble points on stays at Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Post of the WeekMember David talks about mobile phone service abroad.Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!