In this episode, Mike talks to Award Travel 101 moderator Maria Fung who discusses various travel rewards topics and updates. They feature Ira's mistake of using the wrong credit card, despite labeling them.

News includes Hawaiian/Alaska mileage transfers, changes at Southwest (such as new seats and legroom options), and Bilt's October Rent Day promotion.

Mike and Maria also share recent trip updates, including Mike’s upcoming flights and Maria’s travels to Los Cabos, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.

The highlight feature is an interview with Maria, focusing on her introduction to travel rewards, her favorite redemption (Venice), and her tips for booking. Maria has a passion for family travel but also enjoys taking solo trips. Maria's tip of the week encourages travelers to stay open to all options.

Links to topics discussed:

• Hawaiian/ Alaska 1:1 Transfer is Live. As of airtime you can still also transfer from Amex Membership Rewards to Hawaiian Airlines (then on to Alaska)
• Southwest Airlines Changes
  • No more open seating and adding extra legroom seats
  • Keeping free checked bags (still see it as more revenue)
  • Partnership with Icelandair
  • Elite Benefits
    • A-List Preferred can select extra-legroom seats at time of booking
    • A-List can select extra legroom 48-hours before
  • Bilt October Rent Day (passed)
    • • Hilton Gold, Diamond status challenge 14 nights
      • Virgin Cruises benefits
  • Wells Fargo Rewards adds Virgin as a Seventh Transfer Partner

Where to Find Us

1. The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
4. Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist.

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Mike and Joe are on the podcast this week with special guest, former Award Travel 101 moderator and current NerdWallet editor Erin Hurd.

They discuss the post of the week, from Travel Grumps 101 member Paige, who was surprised to find her Global Entry revoked without any clear reason, despite having not been guilty of any customs violations or illegal activities. Joe has particular insight in this matter having gone through it himself.

In travel news, JetBlue is entering the lounge business, and the Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger is progressing with 1:1 point transfers between the programs expected within a month. Also provided is a recap the 14th Annual Chicago Seminars where Joe, Mike and Erin met up with 500 other points and miles aficionados to talk strategy and learn tips from over 50 speakers.

In the feature segment special guest Erin Hurd focuses on her transition from hobby to full-time work in the award travel space, covering personal growth, favorite reward programs, and future trends in the industry.

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

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Episode 86 hosted by Angie and Joe kicks off with a member's concern about Priority Pass lounge overcrowding due to cardholders bringing in multiple guests. This prompts a discussion about potential guest limitations to improve the lounge experience for all.

The news segment covers a variety of travel-related updates, including how to renew Global Entry membership quickly, finding partner award flight availability, and new Amex credit restrictions. They also highlight opportunities to earn bonus rewards, such as 5 free nights with the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and elevated Delta Amex card offers.

The main feature focuses on building healthy credit to maximize points and miles. They offer tips like paying accounts on time, keeping credit utilization under 30%, and maintaining a mix of credit types. The hosts explain the differences between FICO and VantageScore models, the impact of opening and closing credit cards on scores, and share a personal story where travel rewards saved a member over $2,000 on last-minute bookings.

Links to Topics Discussed

• How To Renew Your Global Entry Membership (And a Trick to Getting a Quick Approval)
• How To Find Airline Partner Award Flight Availability
• Amex To Add New Uber Cash Credit Restrictions in November
• Popular Free Night Certificate offer is back on the American Express® Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card
• Score increased SkyMiles With Elevated Delta Amex Card Offers

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

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This week we feature another installment of “Meet the Mods” Angie talks with Justin Walter who shared his journey into the points and miles hobby, which started in 2021 after being inspired by fellow enthusiast Justin Vacula. His first major redemption, staying at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, got him hooked, and he now prefers traveling in business class, especially for international trips.

One of his favorite redemptions was flying Virgin Upper Class from JFK to London using Flying Blue miles. He’s now looking forward to his upcoming trip to Japan, where he’ll experience JAL’s first class. Justin’s tip of the week is to always work on hitting minimum spending requirements to continue building points, as it's essential to unlock valuable rewards.

Links to news discussed

• Chase Ink Unlimited new elevated bonus
• SAS joining Skyteam, now bookable via Delta and Flying Blue
• American Airlines switching to dynamic pricing on Fiji Airlines
• IHG is back with another airline partnership. Lufthansa Miles & More
• Amex launched a 30% transfer bonus from Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors through 9/30.

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

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In this episode the Award Travel 101 podcast, "Book Early, Book Often" Mike and "Backup" Joe share their latest strategies and news updates. Mike discusses his recent approval for the Hawaiian Airlines personal card and transferring 100,000 MR points with a 20% bonus, taking inspiration from Greg and Nick at Frequent Miler. Joe shares his success with a 250K Business Platinum card and his travel plans, including a status match trip to Atlantic City and a booking for a concert using a Hyatt certificate.

The hosts also challenge conventional travel norms, encouraging listeners to make decisions that suit their personal preferences. Mike emphasizes not fearing layovers, ignoring the obsession over credit card rules like 5/24, dismissing the "CPP Police" and not blindly following popular travel trends.

Joe adds that fringe options like lesser-known airlines or using cash when it makes sense can often provide better value than sticking to mainstream choices. He also reminds listeners that award travel is almost never "free travel."

Links to Topics Discussed

• Washington Residents: Earn Delta SkyMiles for Seahawks Passing Yards
• Five New Southwest Promotions to Earn A-List Elite Status Faster
• Latest Marriott Bonvoy Promotions: Bonus Points on Two-Night Stays, up to 10K Points per Night at Select Brands, and More
• Bilt and Walgreens Partnership. Extra points on pharmacy purchases but beware of the fine print!

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

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We are less than a month away from this year’s Chicago Seminars, the oldest and largest gathering of points and miles aficionados. Joe and Mike talk about the event and give a preview of lectures both Joe and I will be giving. There is also a survey

Also discussed are strategies to prepare for a potential Alaska and Hawaiian airlines merger now that the USDOJ has green lighted the deal. Lastly should we be putting more focus on the Marriott Bonvoy program and it's mid-tier Platinum status? Our moderator Maria thinks so.

Links to Topics Discussed

• Increased Ink welcome offer coming to an end
• Choice Hotels Adds New Sweet Spot Rewards starting at 5k points
• Bilt Rewards Hawaiian Airlines Transfer PartnershipPermanently Ends
• How To Create a Travel Rewards Credit Card Strategy for Families
• Podcast Episode 19 - The Tools of Travel
• Visit the Chicago Seminars site for tickets. Use code MikeZCS10Discount for $10 off
• Award Travel Survey Date to be compiled and presented at Chicago Seminars.

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Technical Note: If you encounter an error trying to listen on Apple Podcasts, please turn OFF your VPN if you are using one.

Meetups are one of our favorite aspects of this hobby which allow us to interact in person with those who share our same passion/obsession. Angie and Mike are fresh off the latest Award Travel 101 meetup in Seattle where they interreacted with almost 50 other members of the community. They detail the experiences of the weekend and reiterate the benefits of attending meetups and how sometimes it's nice to converse with others who suffer the same affliction as you.

Links to topics discussed

• Fontinebleau Las Vegas Status Match
• Current Capital One Spark Business Offer
• 5 issuers raise Global Entry credit to match fee increase
• Qatar Avios Devaluation, significantly affects American and Alaska domestic US award.
• Amex announces forthcoming Centurion Lounge in Salt Lake City (SLC)
• Photos from the OUT to SEA meetup in Seattle (Award Travel 101 Facebook Group)

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Technical Note: If you encounter an error trying to listen on Apple Podcasts, please turn OFF your VPN if you are using one.

As part of our "Meet The Mods" series Mike talks with April about her background, travel style and of course love of Hyatt. They also discuss the nuances of being native New Yorkers where it's seemingly required to vacation in Florida nearly every year. Further discussion ensues about important credos such as " book early, book often" and "the phone eats first."

Links to Topics Discussed

• Hyatt Promos
• Hyatt Fast Track, trough AA status match
• Enhanced offers on Amex Bonvoy Cards
• Rooms.aero compared to other hotel award search engines

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 110,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
2. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
3. Our next meetup will be announced soon. Visit the Award Travel Meetups page for details once announced.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Technical Note: If you encounter an error trying to listen on Apple Podcasts, please turn OFF your VPN if you are using one.