Award Travel 101

Latest Episodes:

Favorite Airline, Hotel, and Flexible Point (Loyalty) Programs Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

This week as usual Joe and Angie talk trip updates and the bonuses they received or are working on. Additionally in the highlight feature they discuss their favorite loyalty programs in the following categories:

Flexible Point
Airline
Hotel
Car Rental

Also Angie talks about the ever important tactic of "gardening" your reservations. Hotels, flights, car rentals - everything in travel is very dynamic (means ever-changing) right now, and you can likely snag deals by periodically checking over your booked trips for lower prices or last minute award availability.

Links to latest news and enhanced offers

New Chase Ink Preferred Offer
Refer AwardWallet get points - after years of tracking almost 700 other programs AwardWallet now offers a referral program to earn points and transfers to 7 partners
Real data driven info (DL1 on domestic routes) -
30% Transfer Bonus to BA/IB - use GCMap & FlightConnections to see where this could take you.

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. 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!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

First Class Trip to Croatia and Should You Speculatively Transfer Points Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

Joe talks to Angie this week about his trip to Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Italy with his father. Joe has been planning this trip for some time and discussed it extensively in the group.
Angie also talks about finalizing her trip to Bali with friends.
Finally they discuss the merits and risks of speculatively transferring points.

NEWS & ENHANCED OFFERS

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Crafty Way to See Taylor Swift and Ways to Earn Hotel Free Night Certificates Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

Allison and Mike are on this week to talk a bit about Taylor Swift and how to earn free night certificates (FNC) from the 4 big hotel brands.
Hyatt

Category 1-4 free night from World of Hyatt Card, Brand Explorer or 30-Night Milestone.
Category 1-7 or A-D free night from 60-Night Milestone

Marriott

35k free night Boundless Card: Business Card
50k free night Bountiful Card: Bevy Card
85k free night Brilliant Card: Ritz Carlton Card

Hilton

Uncapped Free Night Cerificate from Hilton Aspire Card, Hilton Surpass Card, Hilton Business Card

IHG

IHG Premier Card and IHG Premier Business Card

Links to additional news and enhanced offers

Marriott Bonvoy Increased Card Offers
New AA Upgrade Policy
Plaza Premium Lounges Rejoining Priority Pass
Wyndham Status Match
We also say goodbye to moderator Jerod Morales who is moving on to a new opportunity

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Mistakes We've Made Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss common mistakes travelers make in the points and miles game. Key pitfalls include buying or transferring points from family members, overusing apps without fully understanding the rules, prioritizing airline or program-specific awards over flexible currencies, incurring late charges by not keeping track of due dates, booking travel without considering program flexibility, and chasing elite status without considering the true and opportunity costs involved.

Links to news and offers

Enhanced United offer - the good & the bad
Bask Bank (up to) 20K AA Bonus - never before have they offered anything like this
Use AW to track FNA (Free Night Awards) - just a reminder
Flying Blue promo - 25% transfer bonus ends 6/17
Qatar Privilege Club promo - 30% transfer bonus ends 6/30

What you didn't know

How many times can I change the name for my Companion Pass with Southwest?

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

The Tools We Use for "Free Travel" Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we start with our "Post of the Week," where Mike Zaccheo shares exciting news about the new Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston and the upcoming eight lounges, along with the entrance rules for these lounges. This development adds some renewed value to the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) card, which had recently lost some of its appeal.

In the news, we discuss reports of Chase shifting credit limits without member approval and Chase Ink cards appearing on personal credit reports, sparking concerns among cardholders.

Our main feature highlights the various tools we use to search for award flights, including In-person meetups, Expertflyer, Point.me, Roame.travel, Flight Connections, Straight to the Points, Thrifty Traveler Premium, FlightRadar24, Flightaware, Wikipedia, Google Flights, Open Hotel Alert, Stay With Points, MaxMyPoint, and Awayz.

Finally, in "What You Didn't Know," we cover which airlines offer a one-month calendar search for award flights, including United, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, and LifeMiles, with a special note on Virgin Atlantic’s partial availability, which is further explained in a video from Award Travel 201.

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Gorgeous Pictures from Iran and Cards That Earn Status Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we discuss an epic trip from Award Travel 101 member Inga who shared her recent experience visiting Iran, despite a Level 4 travel advisory.

In news and offers, we discuss increased Southwest offers with a 30% discount, a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, and how to gain Frontier status with a rewards card. For trip updates, Angie is dealing with a termite invasion at home, while Joe recounts his recent travels to Atlanta and Chicago, highlighting the rewards and card benefits he leveraged, including free breakfasts, upgraded flights, and substantial point redemptions.

Our "What Bonuses Did We Get?" segment where Joe shares his frustration with not being able to charge a planned travel expense to his Amex Biz Gold. The main feature focuses on credit cards that can help earn status with major airlines and hotel chains like American AAdvantage, Delta Skymiles, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Hyatt World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Finally, in "What You Didn't Know," we share a tip about saving money by paying international bills in the local currency with a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, saving over $200 in the process.

Links to news and offers

Increased Southwest offers - 30% discount interesting
30% Transfer Bonus to Virgin Atlantic - Virgin Voyages
Frontier Status with Rewards Card

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Husband Cashes in All Their Points AND Programs To Book Round The World Flights May 26, 2023

Show notes

This week's episode dives into a lively discussion from our group post of the week: Reva humorously asks if anyone needs a "free husband" after her own husband cashed in all their points to pay a bill! We explore what you would do in this situation and if there's any way to recover those points.
Our main feature dives deep into planning Round-The-World (RTW) trips using carriers like Asia Miles, ANA, Aeroplan, and British Airways, highlighting key rules, segment limitations, and unique program idiosyncrasies. Lastly, in our "What You Didn't Know" segment, we offer a tip on avoiding cancellation fees: check if there’s been a schedule change that allows for a free cancellation or consider changing the ticket to a different date, as all carriers have different policies regarding schedule changes.

Links to news and offers

Citi 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue through 6/17
Amex Hilton cards all have enhanced offers
United Increases the cost of Awards
Purchase Lifemiles for 1.32 cents or Aeroplan miles for 1.24 cents each. Is it worth it?

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Citi Product Change Rules and Meet the Team: Allison Caraway May 19, 2023

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Award Travel 101 community manager Allison Caraway shares her journey into travel and loyalty programs, discussing her experiences traveling with family, her favorite programs, and her ongoing plans for a trip to Singapore and Bali with friends she met through the community.

The "Question of the Week" comes from Eric, who asks about maximizing bonuses on his Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card without closing it. The hosts discuss Citi's product change rules and options, such as the AA MileUp, Double Cash, Custom Cash, and Rewards+ cards, each offering different earning strategies. Allison shares her own success using Citi points for a Turkish Business class flight.

Trip updates are shared, with Allison's plans including visits to several baseball stadiums, Belize, Minneapolis, Bali, and more. Joe discusses his recent bookings, including a premium suite with Hyatt points, flights with Delta Skymiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards, and using expiring Marriott and Hyatt free night awards for various stays. He also shares tips on booking premium economy seats for less than economy using a trick known within the community.

Finally, Allison provides a "Tip of the Day" on using the AA Award Map to optimize award bookings. The episode offers a mix of personal stories, practical tips, and updates on maximizing travel rewards.

Links to news and offers

American Airlines Now Offering Mileage Discount When Booking Round-Trip Awards
IHG Business 165K
Maximize Chase Ultimate Rewards
Citi Product Change Rules
- AA MileUp - can help you earn AAdvantage miles 2x faster through Grocery store spend
- Double Cash - 2x on everything
- Custom Cash - 5x earnings on top eligible spend category each billing cycle
- Rewards+ - 2x groceries/gas up to $6k annually. See how Allison flew Turkish Business class for 29K ThankYou Points.
- Citi no-fee options

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Best Card for Groceries and The Award Travel Community (Cleveland) Meetup May 12, 2023

Show notes

In this podcast episode, the "Post of the Week" focuses on Award Travel 101 group member Maggie's engaging post asking about best card for Grocery spend. The overwhelming consensus among members favored the American Express Gold Card, but other popular options included the Citi Premier, Chase Freedom Flex (during certain quarters), Citi Custom Cash, Amex Blue Cash Preferred, and more, each offering various rewards rates and benefits.

The episode highlights the benefits of attending Award Travel meetups, such as our recent one in Cleveland where you can network, learn new strategies, and discover exclusive tips not widely shared. They also mention Rakuten is having it’s "Big Give Week", a promotion for high shopping portal bonuses, encouraging listeners to stay informed about such deals through their community.

Links to news and offers

Enhanced Ultimate Reward points on our most recommended beginner card
Capital One Venture One zero annual fee card
How to earn elite status with credit cards
Why should one attend an Award Travel meetup?

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Incredible Trip to New Zealand on Points, Plus a Trip to the Freddie Awards May 05, 2023

Show notes

In this podcast episode, Joe and Mike discuss various topics related to award travel and recent promotions. They feature a trip report by Award Travel 101 member Nicole, who shares how she creatively used expiring Marriott Free Night Awards along with other points and miles for a trip to trip to New Zealand.

They also cover news such as Hyatt's acquisition of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a recent United Polaris booking frenzy which prompted trips to Australia.

Additionally, the hosts recap their recent travels, including Mike's family trip to the Grand Canyon, and preview future trips.
Lastly Joe details his experience at the results of the Freddie Awards, celebrating standout performers in travel loyalty programs, with Marriott and Aeroplan receiving top honors across several categories.
See more in the Award Travel 101 Community.

Awards Used