Angie and Joe are off traveling this week, so Mike takes over the podcast with community member Erin Kilpatrick to discuss her “mid-life renaissance” this year which would not have been possible without award travel. Thrifty Traveler Premium Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code "AT101" for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide.  Again, you can find them at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium All about Erin Start in award travel First rewards card First personal award tripJoined  AT 101 in 2018 and 201 in 2020. This Year- Mid-life renaissance!Countries Visited Ecuador (Galapagos), Uruguay, England/Wales, Norway, Denmark, Faroe Islands, SwedenUpcoming Portugal, Turkiye, Brazil, Germany, TunisiaSave with CardPointers Preparation Normal card applications, ~3-4/year, no particular planLast minute decision to quit and take this journeyOpened Hilton Surpass and Hilton BusinessOpened Barclays AA Aviator Red - 60k milesBought some Choice points (US Travel Association promo) Started the journey with ~ 2 million points/milesBy the Numbers Thus Far 4.5 months50 hotel award nights: 5058 paid nights: (cheap in S. America)40 other nights free w/ friends/family, volunteer work12 award flights9 cash flights ($2000)Solo Travel Summary Full social calendar Met fellow travelersVisit friends around the worldMet up with friends/family when paths crossThe more you travel, the more people you meet from around the world to network and socialize with in the futureMoney Savings Tips Pick low cost of living countriesStay in one place longerGrocery storeStay flexible- refundable fare on discount airlinesNegotiate directly with locals vs third partyWhat Erin Has Learned Diversification! Variety of points and mile currencies.Focus on the more important things in lifeHilton program- 5th night freeChoice Hotels - secret of EuropeAmex uber credits work in Ecuador (USD)Capital One Points- Redeem through Capital One statement credits vs Travel portal.Fringe benefits of the award travel credit cards/statusPriority Pass - Most lounges are great outside the US, even in tiny Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected]. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community