Episodes
Japan is on everyone’s bucket list—and for good reason. With world-class food, fascinating culture, and a blend of ancient and modern cities, it’s a dream destination for travelers. But how can you make the long-haul trip to Japan without spending a fortune? In this episode, Bryce and Travis walk you through everything you need to know to fly to Japan using points and miles. From luxury options like flying business class in ANA’s “The Room” to budget-friendly economy seats, you’ll learn the...
Published 11/20/24
You already know how valuable Southwest’s 2-for-1 Companion Pass is. But what’s the best way to fully unlock that value? Well, it depends on who you ask… In this episode, the team goes head to head as they debate the best trips to take with your Southwest Companion pass. Should you take your travel partner on a luxurious island escape, a charming city break, or something in between? Listen as Bryce, Travis, and Matt each make their case for the very best ways to maximize the value of your...
Published 11/06/24
Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Private Suites. Double Beds. Caviar. And that’s just the beginning… Considered by many travelers (and Skytrax) to be the best business class in the world, Qatar Airways’ Qsuites can be a tough ticket to book on points and miles. Fortunately, today’s episode will tell you how to do just that. Listen as Bryce, Matt, and Travis discuss their own luxurious experiences flying in QSuites, whether or not the double bed is worth the hype, and how to avoid the...
Published 10/23/24
Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. A 2-for-1 plane ticket that lets you bring a friend on your next trip? Nope, it’s not too good to be true. It’s the Southwest Companion Pass, and we’re telling you exactly how to get it. In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis delve into the easiest ways to easily earn and maximize this industry-leading companion pass. From the importance of strategically timing your spending to choosing the right cards, you’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes and...
Published 10/09/24
Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Morgan—one of 10X Travel’s top award booking experts.  In addition to detailing her epic world travels, Morgan offers valuable insights into the art of award booking. She also gives her top tips for strategically redeeming points and miles, from minimizing taxes and fees to finding hidden award space and maximizing the value of your rewards. Morgan and the team also share some practical advice on navigating...
Published 09/25/24
Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Ever thought about quitting your job to travel the world? Then you won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode, long-time 10xTravel group member Michelle joins us to share her inspiring story of leaving her teaching career, living out of a backpack, and traveling the globe using points and miles. Listen as she recounts her unforgettable safari adventure in Cape Town, her favorite points and programs, and how you can learn from her early mistakes....
Published 09/11/24
Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this lively episode recorded in Salt Lake City, Bryce, Matt, Emily, and Travis offer a Thunderdome-style face-off on major hotel loyalty programs. Each host champions a different program—Bryce for IHG, Matt for Marriott, Emily for Hyatt, and Travis for Hilton. They dive into the global reach and quality of properties, hotel credit card portfolios, and elite benefits. The debate highlights the importance of flexibility in travel rewards, encouraging...
Published 08/28/24
In this episode of Takeoff by 10XTravel, stand-in host Emily, Matt, and podcast newcomer Zach explore the digital nomad lifestyle with Zach, who has been on the road since 2018. Plus, we introduce our newest segment, where we answer your top points and miles questions-from Amex strategies and managing business cards to planning a luxury staycation in Portugal’s wine country using points and miles. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world of points and miles,...
Published 08/13/24
What’s better than finally getting to visit Australia and New Zealand? Doing it on points and miles. In this 1-on-1 episode, Travis and Emily compare notes from their trips down under. From debating first vs. business class to the nicest hotel Emily’s ever stayed at, you’ll get all of their best tips for visiting Oceania in style.   In This Episode:  Finding award flights to Australia and New Zealand Beating jet lag on a 17+ hour journey Reviewing the Park Hyatt Sydney American Airlines...
Published 07/31/24
Five airlines. One currency. Endless ways to spend.  That’s the beauty of Avios points. But with this many options, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why this episode covers everything you need to know about Avios, followed by some of our favorite “sweet spots” that let you maximize their value. In This Episode:  The best ways to earn and use Avios Using Avios to book business class to Europe and the Caribbean Which Avios-fueled airline is best? What cards offer Avios? Are they...
Published 07/17/24
You asked, and the gang is finally answering the question we get the most at our meetups and in our Facebook group: Which cards are actually in our wallets? Tune in as Bryce, Emily, Matt, and Travis crack open their wallets and share the cards they love, the cards they think are underrated, and the ones they’re about ready to ditch altogether. In This Episode:  The top favorite cards Answering listener questions from The Lost Tapes How we organize and maximize the cards in our wallets Hotel...
Published 07/03/24
In this highly requested episode, the team breaks down the ins and outs of earning and spending American Express Membership Rewards (AKA Amex Points). But the real fun begins when Bryce, Travis, Emily, and Matt face off to see who can book the best trip for 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards. And once again, we’ll need your vote on our YouTube channel to help determine the winner. So whether you’ve waited this long to take the Amex leap or you just need some inspiration for spending your stash...
Published 06/19/24
 For most of us, traveling on points and miles isn’t all champagne and showers in first class. Sure, those elite perks motivate us to rack up points so we can brag to our friends — and in the 10xTravel Insiders Group — about our luxurious vacation. But sometimes, you just need to get from A to B on short notice or find enough seats for your family of four. That’s why today’s episode is all about those often overlooked “unsexy redemptions” that most of us make. Tune in to hear the...
Published 06/05/24
 You asked, we listened! After our first listener mailbag episode was unfortunately sacrificed to the podcast gods, we’re back to do it right. Listen in as the team answers the 10xTravel Facebook Group’s top questions about points and miles, hotels, tips for traveling with a family, the true value of cashback cards, and so much more! In This Episode:  Traveling with a family on points and miles Saving on airline/airport taxes and fees What’s going on with one of the top business...
Published 05/22/24
 In this episode, you’ll hear how a college student used points and miles to take an incredible trip around the world in business class. Proving that you don’t need years of experience to take legendary trips on points and miles, 10xTravel reader Serena joins us to discuss the Round the World trip she booked for her very first redemption. Explaining everything from what cards she used for her trip to which airline had the best food, Serena tells Bryce and Emily how she planned her...
Published 05/08/24
  In today’s episode, the 10x team tells you everything you need to know about these valuable points before breaking down how they’d each use them to book their own next-level trip. Armed with 135,000 hypothetical Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Bryce, Emily, Matt, and Travis each pitch their best trip and leave it up to you to decide who got the best value. And who knows? Listen now, find out how to cast your vote, and you might even win something yourself…  In This Episode:   Booking...
Published 04/24/24
 It’s that time of year again! For most of us, spring means cleaning out our houses, cars, and… wallets? In this special episode, Travis gives us a peek into his My10x wallet and walks us through his process for “spring cleaning” his points and miles. We also discuss the things you should evaluate when cleaning up your own points stash, such as annual fees, unused perks and benefits, airline elite status, and more. Listen now and learn how to use My10x to keep your points and miles...
Published 04/10/24
 In this episode, we’re diving deep into the StarAlliance United MileagePlus program. We have a bunch of tips and tricks that will help anyone become an expert flyer. We’re going to show you how to get the most out of your United miles, and introduce you to the great Excursionist Perk. We’ll discuss United’s co-branded credit cards and consider the benefits of having elite status. We’ll even share some funny stories about first-time experiences in business class. So, whether you’re...
Published 03/27/24
 Hey, we all start somewhere. Whether you’re new to this game or you’re a seasoned points veteran, there will always be a couple of lessons you wish you learned sooner. That’s why this week’s episode is all about the things we wish we knew when we got into points and miles. Some are straightforward, like learning how to trust your instincts when choosing your next card. But other wisdom in this episode can only be gained from experience, like appropriately handling that uncle who “forgot”...
Published 03/13/24
 We know, we know. No one likes tax season. But if you’ve gotta pay ’em, you might as well be rewarded for it. That’s why this episode is all about paying your taxes on a credit card to earn major points and miles.   Join us as we explain how to do it, which cards you should use, and how to split the payments between cards to rack up even more points. We’ll also cover how to earn points and miles on other large expenses, like property taxes and tuition.   Finally, Bryce serenades the...
Published 02/28/24
 In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and all things love, we’re bringing our “2-Card Trips” series to the podcast — this time with a romantic twist. Listen in as we put together the best Romantic Getaways using points and miles earned from just 2 credit cards. From Paris and Greece all the way to an island escape in French Polynesia, we’ll show you how to book a honeymoon-worthy vacation for you and your P2. In This Episode:  Booking romantic vacations to Costa Rica, The Bahamas, and more The...
Published 02/14/24
 Ever wonder which credit cards are truly the MVPs of the travel rewards world and which are just riding the hype train? Then this is one awards show you won’t want to miss.  Join Bryce, Emily, Travis, and Matt as they hand out awards to your favorite cards, loyalty programs, lounges, and more. From the everyday earners worthy of the coveted “Workhorse” award to the big-name cards that simply don’t live up to the hype, this episode is your ticket to understanding the true value of the...
Published 01/31/24
 To prepare for the year ahead, we’re answering 2024’s biggest travel questions. What travel trends can you expect to see this year? Which points currency should you be trying to earn more of? And what the heck does “Set Jetting” and “Gig Tripping” even mean!? To bring you the cold hard facts (and a healthy dose of opinions), we rounded up trend reports from major brands like Expedia, Hilton, and Lonely Planet and distilled them into a handful of key takeaways to help you plan your 2024...
Published 01/17/24
 Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2024! To kick off the year, we’re reflecting on our 2023 points and miles journeys before breaking down all of the changes we’ll be making going into 2024 — our New Year’s Points and Miles Resolutions. In this episode, we discuss learning from last year’s mistakes, how we plan our strategy for the upcoming year, and some major changes to our personal approaches. Listen and hear why Bryce’s points and miles journey is at the end of an era,...
Published 01/03/24