Mike returns to discuss his journey down under to skip his 40th birthday. I also share some tips on how I put my trip together to join him for just 52 hours on the ground. 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: Round-trip to Paris for 38K milesBusiness Class to Vietnam "Nerd Alert" for 40K milesOne-way Business to England/Ireland for 45K pointsYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium News United Mile PoolingUpdated Ink Cash BonusBilt - American & AlaskaTrack Travel Plans with AwardWalletWhat bonuses did we get? Mike -Chase Ink CashAmex Business CheckingTrip updates JoeRebooked Southwest - saved how many points?Rebooked Car rental in Caribbean to save $130Backup Flights to Protect optionsHighlight Feature: Points Down Under Mike shares how he created a memorable trip to celebrate his 40th turn around the sun. I spent 52 hours there too. Both of us flew American and United's longest routes in opposite directions. Mike - Birthday bucket list trip to Australia AA Flagship to LAXGreenwich Lounge JFK (former Flagship)Dream Hollywood (1 night) - Hyatt Cat 1-7 cert1 day National car rental $60Warner Brothers Studio Tour (Viator)AA Flagship to SYDQantas F Lounge (salt & pepper squid, minute steak)Flagship LoungeHyatt Regency Sydney (4 nights)Upgraded to Harbour View Executive SuiteBondi Beach, Ocean Pools, Coastal WalkHunter Valley Wine Tour (Viator)Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic World & Featherdale Animal Park (Viator) Park Hyatt (4 nights)Harbour View King room Opera House viewBridge ClimbOpera House TourManly BeachSt. Patrick's Day festivitiesUnited Polaris SYD-IAH-CLEJoe - Quick turn to SYD 56 hours of travel and 52 hours on the ground 5 lounges in IAHPolaris 80K (now 100K) UA + $26Train $14 each way to CBD and Circular (Key) QuayFour Seasons FHR bookingLots of Lounges AA - bit of fiasco 65K + $80Tip of the week People/community make the difference (getting my seat back). I shared a more in-depth piece in our Premium/Paid Award Travel 201 Community. 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. If you want a waitlisted ticket, see this post in AT101. Support the AT101 Podcast/Community