Award Travel 101

Latest Episodes:

Life Behind the Keyboard Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

"So I told my wife and son: 'Hey I'm gonna be a blogger!' and they were both scared out of their minds by the idea..."
You might think that a full time job writing a travel blog, or perhaps managing a Facebook group dedicated to points and miles, involves all fun and no pain. Besides the illusion that these folks are just swimming in free points and miles, there's a lot that goes into interacting with people from behind a keyboard. One of Richard's very own heroes in the points and miles world, Greg Davis-Kean of Frequent Miler, joins him this week to chat about the real life of those who blog about travel for a living.
Today's episode timestamps:

1:00 - How Richard was first inspired to start Award Travel 101
6:20 - Getting hooked on points and miles
9:30 - What led Richard to leave the Navy and start managing a Facebook group
16:45 - What does it take to keep blogging year after year
22:45 - When you meet an online troll in person
29:25 - The newest member of Award Travel Advance
35:00 - Geekiest thing Greg has done to earn points and miles

Today's Guest - Greg Davis-Kean
After business travel opened his eyes to the perks of frequent travel, Greg turned to online travel forums and blogs to find ways to keep his elite status with less travel. After getting hooked to the world of points and miles, and developing techniques to maximize earnings with every dollar spent, within six months, Frequent Miler was born and he had a new full time career. Also check out Frequent Miler Insiders

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.

What Happens to Points After Death? Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

"My husband and I were saving up for a big trip for our family. Over half of the points we were planning to use would be from his accounts. Due to his unexpected passing, are all those points gone or can we still use them?"
What happens to our points and miles after we die? On Feb 6th, Greta Anderson posted that very question in our Award Travel 101 Facebook group. Her husband passed unexpectedly at the age of 43, just days before leaving for one of two trips they were planning with points and miles. Greta so graciously shares her experience with Richard on how to secure not only your loved one's points and miles but also how to protect their identity.

Show Timestamps

1:10 - New features at AwardWallet
3:45 - What's AwardTravel Advanced?
9:05 - What happens to points and miles after you die?
14:30 - A hotel program going above and beyond vs. one doing the bare minimum
20:20 - Protecting your credit and identity of those who have passed
27:00 - The importance of passwords and wills

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.

Never Pay Full Price for Gas Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

This week Richard has got a jam packed episode with more information than you'd ever think you'd want to know about buying gas. To start things off, he's got his list of the top programs, stacks and apps that not only get you super cheap gas, but could actually pay you for filling up! He's also joined by Daniel Little, General Manager & Head of Marketing, North America for Shell. The both get to chat about the history of fuel loyalty programs, the differences between programs in different countries and some previews of what's to come from the Fuel Rewards program.
Show Timestamps

2:03 - How Richard makes money off of "buying" gas
5:13 - A new type of gas payment
11:40 - The gas app no one knows about
18:35 - What's unique about Fuel Rewards
23:50 - Technological updates for Fuel Rewards
26:55 - Is it worth driving out of our way to save a few cents a gallon?

Join Fuel Rewards

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.

Marriott May Bonvoy You But Still get The Points Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

"One complaint came from a member who had (over 1,300) nights with Marriott...That's an average of $266,000 they have spent with this company...and due to tech glitches...properties aren't honoring lifetime status and (other) benefits? It's a bait and switch."

If you've said or heard the phrase "I've/You've been Bonvoy'd", chances are high you've been burned by Marriott's problem plagued SPG merger and new program rollout. The stories of former Marriott Rewards, SPG and Ritz-Carlton members missing nights, points, waiting for hours on hold, and more are endless. This week Richard is joined by Shubhayan Mukherjee, co-founder of Bonvoyed.com! Yes folks. You know that there are more than just a few customers on the fringes that are upset when a website launches dedicated to helping members get the support they aren't receiving.

Show Timestamps

1:30 - Starting out on a positive note with some of the good parts of Marriott Bonvoy
12:00 - Three ways to use those Marriott Bonvoy Points
13:50 - The Mysterious Mister M
16:22 - Bonvoy'd goes viral
18:00 - The problems are everywhere
25:00 - Is there an entitlement issue?

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.

Can I Redeem Miles for Ambulance Rides? Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

“It’s difficult ... especially for introverts in 2019 where everything can be done online, to have a support network...”

This week is a special episode where Richard, as promised, shares a glimpse of what life is like when you run a Facebook group for a living. Tune in to hear the recap of a day which included a surprise ambulance trip to the hospital for his two year old. More than just the fear of the unknown (diagnosis), there’s a fear of finances. Richard highlights the importance of not only having a financial plan, but a support network you can turn to when you find yourself in need.
Show Timestamps

3:00 — Signs of concussions
7:05 — A sight no parent wants to see
10:15 — The cost of health insurance
14:15 — The power of community and a support system
16:30 — Wrapping Mary up in bubble wrap & Recap

Samaritan Ministries

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.

Meet A Points and Miles Addict That's Afraid of Flying Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

“I was a few rows behind anyone with my kids and I just jumped up and ditched my kids and ran to the nearest person and sat down and said “Can I please hold your hand?! I'm just so afraid!”
Do you get nervous flying? Or, even worse, do you let that fear keep you from traveling? This week Richard chats with Toni Southam, a long time Award Travel 101 moderator and Paul Borish, a licensed counselor who specializes in helping those with a fear of flying. In the episode Paul and Toni offer some different ways to tackle this fear and other resources to help find what can work best for you. Tune in to hear Toni share what it’s like to be both a points and miles addict and afraid of flying.

Show Timestamps

2:20 — Meet Toni, mother of four and points and miles pro.
4:54 — Meet Paul, a licensed counselor who specializes in travel anxieties.
7:43 — What's a typical flight like for Toni?
11:52 — How can you separate rational and irrational fears?
15:30 — How did Toni's first flight after working with Paul go?
19:43 — Paul describes a typical timeline for recovery.
22:30 — Tactical Breathing
24:35 — What kind of emotional support animal is Paul?

Today's Guests
Paul Borish, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and long time award traveler in PA. In his private practice, he specializes in treating fear of flying (aviophobia) and other travel related anxieties. Utilizing a combination of tele-counseling and in person services, Paul works with clients all over the globe.
Check out his website Travelerspsych.com or reach him by email at: paul@travelerspsych.com

Toni Southam is a moderator for the Award Travel 101 community and travels internationally with a family of six using points and miles. Despite her love for travel and points, her biggest fear is heading to the airport and taking a flight. Paul has been coaching her to help her anxiety.

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.

Marriott Bonvoy And The Struggle Bus Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

"The blogs are being told policies before Marriott reservation agents even know whats going on and certainly before front desk agents. No one knows what’s going on.”

The Marriott and Starwood merger has been anything but smooth and leadership of the combined portfolio continues to display tone deaf responses to loyal customers. This week Richard and Ed Pizza discuss the continuing struggles of the new Marriott Bonvoy program, how it got to where it is, the current state of trying to be a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist and what Marriott can do to right the ship.
Show Timestamps

1:12 — Happy Travel Day
2:21 — Bonvoy Merger Disaster
3:51 — Problems attaching award certificate for an award night? Points advance bookings and more
5:19 — Marriott is broken master thread
6:55 — New Bonvoy Co-branded card discussion
7:34 — Marriott's tone deaf responses
10:33 — Has anyone never needed a passport to make a hotel reservation? Probably not
18:07 — What could Bonvoy and Lolo Jones have in common?
20:18 — “Bonvoyed”
24:00 — Is there hope? What Marriott needs to do to improve

Today's Guest
Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the Boarding Area network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur.
Resources

Marriott Is Broken #MasterThread in Award Travel 101
Bonvoyed.com
Contact Marriott

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.

How To Win Your Battle With Points and Miles Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

“Three days after you leave the hospital with a broken back, and chemo, and serious multiple myeloma, you decide you're going on this around-the-world trip?”
The Award Travel 101 community is built around sharing and learning knowledge on how to travel the world with points and miles. A side effect of the community has been the stories of people that meet and interact every day and their stories made possible by a Facebook group. This week we introduce you to Mr. Ike Stanfield of Texas who is currently battling aggressive multiple myeloma cancer. In February 2019, Ike posted to Award Travel 101 that he was cashing in his points and miles and taking a solo trip around the world to Singapore, Delhi, and Doha in first and business classes.
During the show, Ike walks us through some of his daily battles that might delay his determination to see his bucket list destinations. Despite the fact that Ike broke his back just one week before he was supposed to leave for his trip, he persevered through pain and surgery and still completed his around the world points and miles trip. Make sure to listen to his inspiration and words of wisdom as he walks us through each part of his two week adventure.
Show Timestamps

3:30 — Meet Ike
8:45 — Ike's health diagnosis
12:30 — Ike's around the world itinerary
17:00 — Getting treated well at the Hilton Singapore
19:30 — “What did you reflect on while you were there?”
22:30 — Ike's advice for those facing challenges
28:30 — Ike's words of wisdom

Resources

Contact Ike
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

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.

Intro to the Award Travel 101 Podcast Mar 04, 2019

Show notes

Welcome to the Award Travel 101 Podcast!
Founded in 2013, the Award Travel 101 Facebook group teaches members how to travel the world using points and miles. Today, our community of over 50,000 people from around the world share, teach and learn how to travel anywhere on any budget. More than just a recap on award travel news and strategy, the Award Travel 101 Podcast offers a glimpse into the stories and lives of our AT101 community members.
For our very first episode, you'll get to learn more about Award Travel 101 founder Richard Kerr. From falling in love with travel after moving overseas as a teenager, to joining the Navy. Find out how starting a family lead to learning how to maximize award travel redemptions and eventually running a Facebook group as his full time job!

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.

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