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 stat...

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 Mi...

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 j...

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, part...

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 finding...

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...

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 communit...

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 H...

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, an...

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 bon...

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’...

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 ce...

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 stat...

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 discussedFonti...

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 ...

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 Mar...

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" credit...

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 Chang...

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 prop...

It's now July, and we're more than half-way through 2024. In this episode, we're reviewing what we've done through the year to this point, along with some of the trips and places we've been able to book thanks to Award Travel!Post of the weekFrom this long-time community member, Joe. Have you heard of this guy? Do you take time to recharge with your significant other?NewsVirgin targets another Award SweetspotBA Executive Club Stealth DevaluationFlying Blue Calendar TrickBask Bank AAdvantage B...

Award Travel 101 moderator, digital nomad and foodie Anthony Cave talks with Mike about his background, what got him into award travel and how he found living a nomadic life was more cost effective and fulfilling.Later on Mike and Anthony discuss their love of airport lounges, their most/least favorites and the best ways to access them.Links to news and topics discussed:Flying Blue status match for U.S. residents Alaska status match until the end of 2025Chase Freedom Flex Q3 Bonus Catego...

In this episode, Angie and I cover news of the week along with mistakes we’ve made or we’ve seen friends and family make.The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Paris for 50,000 pointsRound-trip JetBlue Mint for 44,000 pointsRound-trip to Hawaii for $399You can find these at Thrif...

Mike and Joe discuss new airport lounges, Hilton and Hyatt independent hotel affiliations, tipping culture and the broader featured topic of how travel teaches us new things about every place we visit.The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Stockholm for 54,000 pointsRound-trip to Rome ...

Let us know what you think of this episode or hit us up with a topic you'd be interested in learning more about by sending us a Text Message.BREAKING news from our partners at Thrifty Traveler!Starting right now through Thursday, June 20th at 11:59PM Eastern, NEW subscribers can get 50% off their first year of their Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts by entering promo code FIFTY which can be customized from more than 200 US and Canadian cities.You can even opt-in for INSTANT TE...