Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

Latest Episodes:

Last-Minute Holiday Travel: How to Book Flights With Points and Miles Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Still need to book flights for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's? Don't panic! Last-minute holiday travel can be challenging, but the right points and miles strategies can help you find available flights without overspending.
✈️ Try 10xTravel+ free for one month: Use promo code PODCAST
On this episode, Travis and Lovan break down how to book last-minute flights with points and miles, even when prices are high and your preferred award seats are hard to find. They're sharing practical ways to expand your search, compare booking options, and decide when paying cash actually makes the most sense.
In this episode, you'll learn:

How to find last-minute holiday flights with points and miles
Why flexible travel dates can unlock better award availability
The potential benefits of flying on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day
How nearby departure and arrival airports can expand your options
When to pay cash instead of redeeming points
How to compare travel portal bookings with airline award tickets
How booking flights through airline partners can save miles
Why booking a backup flight and checking again closer to departure can pay off
How to decide when a higher-than-usual points redemption is still worthwhile

Whether you're booking a flight home to see family or looking for a holiday getaway, these strategies can help you find opportunities you might otherwise miss!

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Flying Blue Changes + How to Book Air France Awards with JAL Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Flying Blue just changed its award pricing, and there's a lot to unpack. In this episode of Takeoff, Travis and Lovan break down what changed with Flying Blue award tickets, what the new fare types include, and what it all means if you're planning to use Flying Blue miles for Air France or KLM flights.

✈️ Try 10xTravel+ free for one month: Use promo code PODCAST

In the episode, Lovan and Travis share what partner booking looks like, and walk through a workaround that could help you book Air France flights for significantly fewer miles and much lower taxes and fees by using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles instead.

The episode covers:
• The 2026 changes to Flying Blue award tickets
• The difference between Light, Standard, and Flex awards
• What's included at each level
• How to effectively book with Flying Blue partners

Instructions for How to Book Your Air France Flight With Japan Airlines (JAL) Over the Phone:

Have passport info ready for every traveler before you call. Expect 30+ minutes and multiple ID checks.
Call 800-525-3663 (JAL US reservations, 7am to 6pm CT). Choose English, then press 5 for award bookings.
Enter your JAL Mileage Bank number and 6-digit phone PIN (not your website password). Forgot it? Press 3#.
Ask the agent: "Can you check Air France business class award space using JAL miles?" Give them your exact route, dates, and flight numbers if you have them from JAL's site.
Confirm availability before transferring any points. Once confirmed, stay on the line during the transfer so the agent can verify it landed.
If they try to charge a phone booking fee, push back. Website errors aren't on you, and agents usually waive it.

Resources mentioned in the episode:
• seats.aero

Points & Miles FAQs: 10 Questions Every Traveler Should Know Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Takeoff is back! After a summer break, Travis Cormier is joined by Lovan Edwards as the recurring co-host for a new chapter of the podcast. And to kick things off, they’re tackling 10 of the most frequently asked questions in points and miles.
~ What points should you earn for a specific destination?
~ Which points currency should you focus on?
~ Will opening more credit cards hurt your credit?
~ And how do you know which card to apply for next?
Travis and Lovan are answering these questions and more!

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

✈️ Try 10xTravel+ free for one month: Use promo code PODCAST

In the episode, they're getting into the realities of last-minute award travel, whether you should use points for flights or hotels, how transfer partners work, and what to know before relying on award search tools. Plus, they discuss how to keep track of your points, cards, annual fees, and benefits without turning your points and miles hobby into a second job.
Whether you're brand new to points and miles or you've been earning rewards for years, this episode tackles some of the questions that come up again and again.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

10xTravel's Lovan Edwards on Making the Most of Points & Miles Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

We’re wrapping up the summer with the final episode from the archives, but this isn’t the end of the journey. On September 23, Takeoff: A Points & Miles Podcast by 10xTravel returns with something new, including a few exciting changes to the show!
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place
Before we get there, we’re revisiting past conversations with 10xTravel's Lovan Edwards, a frequent traveler who has a unique perspective on making points and miles work as part of everyday life. In the episode, Lovan shares his thoughts on a range of topics, from booking unique travel (like an African safari) to why he never checks bags on his flights.
Learn from this travel pro, and stay tuned for what's coming next here on Takeoff!
Original Episodes From This Episode:

Do You Actually Know How Many Points You Have? Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Do you know how many points and miles you actually have? Not just in your favorite airline or hotel program, but across all of your cards, airlines, hotels, and bank accounts. And more importantly, do you know roughly what all those points are worth?
In this episode, Travis digs into a problem that even experienced points and miles enthusiasts run into: having plenty of knowledge about the hobby, but not having a clear picture of what you already have. Drawing from four years of Takeoff conversations, the episode explores why spreadsheets become difficult to maintain, how keeping track of points can create unexpected mental load, and why not knowing your balances can affect everything from credit card decisions to booking trips.
The conversation also gets into a less obvious problem: what happens when you have hundreds of thousands of points but hesitate to spend them because watching the balance drop feels like a loss.
And eventually, the team reveals what they built to help you see your points balances, upcoming annual fees, card recommendations, and past redemptions in one place.
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place
10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today
Original Episodes From This Episode:

Are Points & Miles Too Good to Be True? 4 Common Objections Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Points and miles can look complicated from the outside. But for many beginners, the biggest obstacles aren't finding the right transfer partner or choosing the perfect credit card. It's actually the fears and uncertainty that come with getting started that hold people back.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

In this episode, Travis and the team tackle four of the most common concerns listeners have about the points and miles hobby:• Is this really legitimate, or is it too good to be true?• Will opening credit cards hurt my credit score?• How am I supposed to make sense of all the information and tools?• Should I save your points for a huge trip, or use them along the way?

The conversation explores credit score misconceptions, analysis paralysis, the importance of starting with the basics, and why your first few redemptions don't need to be perfect. And if you've been accumulating points but hesitate to redeem them, this episode offers a different way to think about the value of your rewards.

Listen in and see which of these four common fears might be holding you back from getting more value from your points and miles.

Original Episodes From This Episode:

What Can 100,000 Points REALLY Buy? (We Booked It All) Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode we cover: points and miles for beginners, how to use credit card points for travel, award travel explained, maximizing transfer bonuses, airline transfer partners, business class on points, economy award redemptions, repositioning flights, how to book flights with points, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, British Airways Avios, Iberia Avios off-peak, Avianca LifeMiles, Air France Flying Blue, Aeroplan, Aeromexico, Wyndham Rewards hotel points, Hilton points transfer, how far 100,000 points goes, business class to Italy on points, cheap flights to Europe with miles, Costa Rica on points, Spain on points, and points and miles trip planning.
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place https://10xtravel.com/my10x/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=
From relaxing on Spain's southern coast to planning a couples getaway in Costa Rica and breaking down recent business class bookings to Italy, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can apply to your own award travel planning.
Whether you're new to points and miles or looking to get more value from your existing balances, you'll walk away from this episode with a better understanding of how experienced travelers approach award bookings.
Original Episodes From This Episode:
Ep. 76 - 100K Points Challenge: Plan Trips for Solo, Couples & Families https://10xtravel.com/podcast/100k-points-challenge/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=
Ep. 72 - How to Fly Business Class to Italy Using Points and Miles https://10xtravel.com/podcast/fly-business-class-to-italy-with-points/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=
Ep. 41 - 2024 in Review: Points Wins, Mistakes, and 2025 Goals https://10xtravel.com/podcast/points-and-miles-resolutions-2025/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=
Ep. 70 - Last-Minute Family Travel with Points: Ryan’s Real-World Strategies https://10xtravel.com/podcast/last-minute-family-travel-with-points/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=
Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com.The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Points & Miles Strategies That Can Save You Thousands on Travel Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Looking for smarter ways to earn and use travel rewards? In this episode, the 10xTravel team is sharing some of our favorite points and miles strategies to help you get more value from every point you earn.
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place
10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today
From choosing the right credit card for your spending, to overlooked earning opportunities and advanced booking techniques, this episode is packed with practical strategies that can help you travel farther while spending less.
If you're just getting started on your points and miles journey or you're looking to sharpen your award travel skills, this is a must-listen!
Timestamps:
00:00 Points and Miles Strategies
00:47 Types of Credit Card Earning
17:36 Shopping Portals & Dining Programs
31:23 Travel Points Emergency Fund
38:23 Repositioning Flights Explained
47:10 10x+ New Tools
Original Episodes From This Episode:

The Best Places to Use Your Points & Miles Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Where should you travel next with points and miles? In this compilation episode, we're bringing together some of the best destination recommendations from past 10xTravel episodes to help you plan your next award trip.
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place
10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today
From luxury resorts in the Bahamas to affordable adventures in Indonesia and Thailand, African safaris in Kenya, wine country in Australia, island hopping in Greece, and classic favorites like Italy and Japan, the 10xTravel team is highlighting destinations that offer outstanding value and tons of fun for points travelers.

Featured destinations include:

Indonesia
Thailand
The Bahamas
Belize
Kenya
Paros, Greece
Adelaide, Australia
Italy
Japan
And more...

If you're deciding where to use your points next, this episode is full of ideas that can help you maximize every redemption.

Timestamps:
00:00 Destinations for Points Travel
00:50 Great Value: Indonesia, The Bahamas, and Thailand
04:54 Adelaide, Australia: Wine Country & More
11:37 Booking Lovan's Kenyan Safari
17:24 Belize: An Underrated Destination
24:20 Visiting Paros, Greece on Points & Miles
33:33 Italy vs. Japan for New & Experienced Travelers
Original Episodes From This Episode:

Lessons From Our Biggest Travel Close Calls and Near Misses Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

Some of our favorite trips nearly never happened! This episode is exposing the 10xTravel team's biggest travel close calls, near misses, and last-minute saves.
Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place
10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today
From a honeymoon flight that was canceled just weeks before departure to weather disruptions, repositioning flight risks, missed opportunities, and last-minute award booking victories, these stories highlight the realities of points and miles travel and what it takes to recover when things don't go according to plan.
Tune in and get ready to learn some valuable lessons on flexibility, backup plans, and staying calm when travel chaos strikes.
Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

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