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Explore every episode of the podcast Award Travel 101

Dive into the complete episode list for Award Travel 101. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Chicago Seminars; Second City, but First in Points and Miles30 Aug 202400:44:58

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

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Out to SEA Meetup23 Aug 202400:50:49

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


Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Eye Opening Travel21 Jun 202400:49:37

Mike and Joe discuss new airport lounges, Hilton and Hyatt independent hotel affiliations, tipping culture and the broader featured topic of how travel teaches us new things about every place we visit.

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:

  • Business Class to Stockholm for 54,000 points
  • Round-trip to Rome for $586
  • First Class Suites to Hawaii for 31,000 points

You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium

For a full details, check out the blogpost on AwardWallet.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Fireside Chat with Points and Miles Expert Spencer Howard11 Jul 201900:38:42

This week, Spencer Howard from God Save the Points and the mastermind behind the Straight to the Points Awards Alerts Newsletter joins Richard for a chat about all things award travel. They tackle the breaking news on Marriott getting sued over resort fees, the big changes to Citi credit cards and a whole lot more!

Timestamps
1:54 - Meet Spencer Howard
4:10 - Marriott getting sued over Resort Fees
9:45 - Burning is more important than earning
14:00 - Resistance to paying for valuable services
21:50 - People (trolls) who are loud online are usually quiet in public
25:50 - Big changes to benefits for Citi credit cards
32:12 - What's coming in the future for points and miles?

Links
Citi's Own Goal On Travel Protection Is Great News For Chase

Straight to the Points Awards Alerts Newsletter


Today's Guest

Spencer Howard is a credit card rewards and award travel expert. He’s living proof that points and miles can unlock many of the greatest travel experiences and uses his skills to tick off new bucket list items and help others do the same. A native of Kentucky and resident of Washington, DC, he’s a fan of fine bourbon, good debate and usually a combination of the two.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Making The Most of Miles And New Ways To Earn on Fuel04 Jul 201900:35:16

"Group Think is one of my biggest pet peeves..."

What does a near miss with a nuclear submarine and foolishly discounting Delta SkyMiles as "useless" have in common? The concept of "Group Think". While redeeming points and miles aren't necessarily life and death, Richard highlights just some of the ways you're leaving money on the table when you follow "what everyone else says". Following that, Michelle Liu, an AT 101 Facebook Group member, joins Richard to chat about how Shell's new Fuel Rewards Pro program helps you earn on the gas you use if you drive a vehicle for work. Be sure to listen to the end of this week's "Redemption of the Week" and why this member was selected...not for burning points, but for how she earned them!

Timestamps
2:45 - Group Think...what is it?
4:30 - TYPING IN ALL CAPS DOESN'T MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT BETTER
9:10 - The Story of the Midnight Sun AKA how Group Think almost killed Richard
14:30 - What happens in the AT 101 Facebook Group all...the...time...
19:10 - Meet Michelle Liu
23:00 - If you drive for work, Fuel Rewards Pro is for you
25:30 - Billions...with a B?!?!
31:30 - A non grump experience with Marriott Bonvoy?
33:26 - This week's "Redemption of the Week"

Today's Guest

 Michelle Liu is the Driver Loyalty Program Manager at Shell Fleet Solutions. She specializes in building loyalty programs and collaborating with brand partners to deliver quality product experiences. At Shell she created Fuel Rewards Pro, the first loyalty program for commercial fleet drivers, developed advertising for 14,000 retail stations, and led the launch of new Pennzoil and Quaker State motor oils with new formulations and innovative packaging. 
Sign up for Shell Fuel Rewards Pro

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Seven Days in European Luxury27 Jun 201900:47:46

"It was just a palace...if you've been to one...I mean, you've been to them all, right?"

Tune in this week for a full recap of Richard and Emily's 10th Anniversary trip to Europe! They offer reviews on flying the new British Airways First Class soft product, Lufthansa Business Class on an A350, the Hyatt Andaz in Munich, Sheraton in Salzburg and more! Congrats to Jonathan Wilwayco for his "Redemption of the Week" - Check out his post in the Award Travel 101 Facebook Group to read up on how he used just over 2 MILLION points and miles to book his family a trip that would have cost them over $55,000 out of pocket!

Timestamps

2:35 - Full recap on trip itinerary
5:50 - Air Canada's "deconstructed lasagna"
15:30 - Public transportation in Europe
19:00 - Learning about The Sound of Music
26:30 - Friday night on a party train to Vienna
32:50 - Riding a bike...up a mountain
38:58 - Why you always need to have change on you when heading to the restroom
42:33 - Check out the new British Airways First Class soft product
46:20 - Redemption of the Week!

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Best Ways To Save on Car Rentals and Gas20 Jun 201900:36:17

"There is nothing greater in this world then walking off a flight, scooping up your bag and skipping that massive line of people waiting to pick up their rental car as you head to pick whatever you want to drive from that elite status row..."

Anyone who has rented a car knows that it can be a stressful and confusing process! But, what if if didn't have to be? Richard's got some of the best ways to not only ensure that you're getting the best price, but also how to skip those long lines and save from having to pay for extra insurance. After that, he's joined by Wayne Lin, co-founder of GetUpside an app that scores you unbeatable deals on gas, groceries and restaurants. Learn how to save up to 25¢/gal on filling up, 35% on dining out and 15% on your trip to the market. Last but not least, we wrap up the show with a new segment - "Award Redemption of the Week"! So many Award Travel 101 members share their awesome redemptions in the group that we figured why not offer a shout out here too? Who is the inaugural recipient? You'll have to tune in to find out!

Timestamps

3:10 - Finding the best price for a rental car
8:15 - Why rental car elite status is so good (and easy to get)
11:55 - Using credit card benefits for rental car insurance
17:24 - Meet Wayne Lin, co-founder of GetUpside
31:50 - Can you stack rewards using GetUpside?
34:30 - Redemption of the Week

Links
Sign up for GetUpside
Best Credit Cards for Rental Car Insurance [2019]
How to Get Rental Car Elite Status for Free


Today's Guest

Wayne Lin is the co-founder and COO of GetUpside, a startup that personalizes brick-and-mortar commerce to help communities thrive. With GetUpside, consumers see their dollar go further on everyday purchases like gas and food, while merchants earn more incremental profit. GetUpside is available at 10,000+ locations in 31 states across the U.S.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Getting MileagePlus'd and Spending $10k at a Dollar General06 Jun 201900:34:53

“An agent informed me she was making an exception and correcting the problem…(by refunding)…me back 65,000 miles and then proceeded to take out 15,000 more.”

After Richard's Bonvoy'd anniversary trip battle of wills, it seems like Ed Pizza is set to give him a run for his money. This week's program that is behaving badly is none other than United MileagePlus. Ed recounts all the headaches and hassles from spending 9 hours on the phone for a simple route change request, only to have 170k miles just go missing. Just goes to show that no matter your status level, sometimes you can't get any love. This week the fellas also dish up an intro to manufactured spend. Best case example? Richard spending $10,000 at a Dollar General in one transaction! Tune in to hear the benefits and risks associated with this type of earning strategy.

Timestamps

2:00 - Richard & Ed = the new Statler and Waldorf
3:25 - Spending 9 hours on the phone with United MileagePlus
7:45 - Ed is a points hoarder
11:00 - Losing options for booking travel when agents give you the wrong info
17:55 - What is manufactured spend?
19:55 - Who drops $10k at a Dollar General?
24:41 - Walking the fine line between legal vs. ethical
27:36 - Risks of manufactured spend

Today's Guest

Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the BoardingArea network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur. He's also the host of the Miles to Go and NowBoarding podcasts.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Bonvoy-age to the Perfect Anniversary Trip30 May 201900:32:43

“I know this is frustrating, I know what we told you was wrong, but there’s nothing we can do about it”

Was it just last week we were discussing what to do when loyalty programs behave badly? Sigh. Ed Pizza from Pizza in Motion is back this week to recap with Richard on what has been a very interesting week. Aside from some issues with the Award Travel Advanced Facebook group, Marriott has “Bonvoy’d” the Kerr’s 10th Wedding Anniversary trip to Europe. Tune in to hear an absolutely puzzling story of 12-hr Twitter responses, wrong information and just the totally bizarre inability for Marriott’s customer service team to fix their (self-admitted) mistake.

Timestamps

2:05 - Updates on Award Travel Advanced Facebook group
4:40 - Background on their anniversary trip to Europe
9:10 - When you tweet about successful customer service…too soon
13:38 - When customer service via Twitter fails
17:05 - Hyatt to the rescue
23:30 - Keeping perspective & finding a solution


Today's Guest

Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the BoardingArea network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur. He's also the host of the Miles to Go and NowBoarding podcasts.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

The Gas Man Cometh: When Loyalty Programs Behave Badly23 May 201900:36:06

"People are so bad at complaining...I'm complaining about how bad people are at complaining...that's where we are right now."

It might come as no surprise that in this world of made up currencies where points don't matter, loyalty programs may not always follow their own rules - or will change them whenever they feel like it. Sure, there are those moments when a considerate customer service representative might take you by surprise and waive a fee, or open up availability. More often than not however, it's easy to feel like the deck is stacked against you.

Complaining can only get you so far. Or, more likely the case you may only have so much time to spend complaining (or fighting for what's right). How do you know when programs are actually acting badly? And, when you do find that moment, what are the best ways to plead your case while having an actual chance at finding resolution or receiving compensation?

Timestamps

2:00 - The feng shui of rooms at Nobu at Caesar's Palace
4:38 - What's bothering Richard this week?
7:47 - When "the system is down" for more than a month...
15:47 - Examples of when loyalty programs behave badly
20:48 - When a travel company actually does the right thing
24:40 - How to positively use emotion to complain
32:30 - What to remember when you need to interact with customer service reps

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. He's also the host of the Miles to Go and NowBoarding podcasts.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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 It's Like To Marry A Points Nerd13 May 201900:33:41

"I can't count the number of times you've come into the room and you're like 'I just found...' or 'This is a once in a lifetime trip!' when you literally say that about everywhere...and just said that yesterday."

For the miles and points obsessed, occasionally you'll find couples that are equally into maxing out their earnings and redemptions. More often than not however, there's typically one of the two that's more into it than the other. Less common is when that one who is obsessed decides to turn that obsession into a full time job via a Facebook group. Enter Richard & Emily Kerr. This episode is a one on one interview with Richard's "better half" where she answers some of the Award Travel 101 group's best questions about what it's like being married to a points nerd, how they met and her favorite trips they've taken using points and miles.

Today's Episode Timestamps

  • 3:30 - How Richard & Emily met
  • 10:04 - What's on Emily's Bucket List?
  • 13:00 - Their favorite trip as a couple
  • 19:15 - Tips for keeping young kids occupied on a plane
  • 23:20 - How to help your partner know which credit card to use where

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Christmas in May! Time to Start Holiday Planning09 May 201900:26:21

"If you aren't looking to book those peak holiday dates way ahead of time, then you're gonna be the one who says 'these miles are useless, I can't use them to go see Grandma'."

Many people work hard to save points and miles, only to be frustrated by limited availability during peak travel times. Booking award travel during holidays can be challenging, especially with kids. This week, Summer Hull, aka Mommy Points from TPG Family, shares her top tips for maximizing your redemptions during the holiday season.

Today's Episode Timestamps

  • 3:25 - How can you plan travel a year (or more) in advance?
  • 7:40 - Are there "off peak" destinations to travel to on holidays?
  • 13:30 - Why you might want to start thinking about holiday 2020
  • 19:20 - Researching how your vacation house rental codes & a new AwardWallet tool
  • 22:25 - How to book award travel "speculatively"

Today's Guest - Summer Hull

While studying social work at NYU, she began accumulating frequent flyer miles on trips to visit family in Texas. Her love for miles and points grew, especially after having her two daughters, as she saw how they could help families travel affordably. In 2011, she launched the Mommy Points blog to show that miles and points are for families, not just business travelers. In 2018, Mommy Points was acquired by The Points Guy, where it now continues as part of TPG Family, with Summer leading the content.

Resources

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Do We Know How Many Miles an Award Ticket is Going to Cost? 02 May 201900:33:18

"It's exciting times in the world of miles and points...but I'm not terribly excited...more so nervous as a cat in a room of rocking chairs..."

In the past, airlines had fixed award charts, making it easier to know how many miles you'd need for a trip. But now, that’s less predictable. So, how can you plan your next trip when the rules keep changing? Tune in this week for expert insights from Ed Pizzarello on navigating the shifting landscape of points and miles and find out how to best plan your next trip even if it seems like programs keep on moving the finish line.

Today's Episode Timestamps

  • 4:48 - The shift to "variable redemption values"
  • 8:55 - The next airline rumored to drop their award chart
  • 14:30 - Why 2x miles on one card and 1x miles isn't a clear comparison
  • 21:40 - Why Richard is using a cash back card right now & how he's earning 3.75% back
  • 28:20 - Why Ed says not to burn off your balance right away

Today's Guest - Ed Pizza

Ed's father introduced him to travel at a young age, sparking a lifelong passion. As an early road warrior, Ed mastered earning points and miles to enjoy global travel in comfort. Now a husband and father of two, he aims to share the world with his family while maintaining his love for comfy seats and nice hotels. A decade ago, he launched Pizza in Motion to share his travel expertise and enthusiasm, and he also hosts the podcast Miles to Go.

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Meet The Mods - Randy Clinton14 Jun 202400:50:36

This week Angie talks with newest Award Travel 101 moderator Randy Clinton. Randy talks about his background, what got him started in travel rewards and loyalty programs. Randy talks about some of the aspirational products he has flown and how he booked them. He also shares some of his tips for one of his favorite ways to travel, cruises and how to status match for the most benefits.

Links to topics discussed:

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Life Behind the Keyboard22 Apr 201900:38:50

"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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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?15 Apr 201900:32:57

"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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Never Pay Full Price for Gas08 Apr 201900:33:49

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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Marriott May Bonvoy You But Still get The Points01 Apr 201900:33:24

"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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Can I Redeem Miles for Ambulance Rides?25 Mar 201900:20:40

“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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Meet A Points and Miles Addict That's Afraid of Flying19 Mar 201900:27:26

“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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Marriott Bonvoy And The Struggle Bus19 Mar 201900:29:40

"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

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

How To Win Your Battle With Points and Miles19 Mar 201900:31:00

“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

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Intro to the Award Travel 101 Podcast04 Mar 201900:10:59

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

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Grumps07 Jun 202400:55:39

Joe is off cruising the Mediterranean so Mike and Angie are on this week. We talk about some news such as AA rolling back their unpopular changes to how loyalty points would be earned. Finally we ponder quirks in the award travel world that makes us grumpy from restrictive bank rules to the CPP Police. 

Links to topics discussed:

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Thrifty Travel with Gunnar Olson31 May 202400:45:27

Joe talks with Gunnar Olson of Thrifty Traveler on how award travel has helped enrich his travels with his Player 2), and they've created fond memories flying some incredible products, by way of his work at Thrifty Traveler.

Joe and Gunnar also discuss how the past 6 months have probably been more brutal than what we’ve seen in any other past period with award price hikes and no-notice changes from many of our favorite programs such as United, Turkish, Virgin Atlantic and World of Hyatt.

Also listen in for Gunnar's tip of the week; the old adage, "Book early, book often!" 

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

The Summer of Travel (Pt. 1 - Preparing for Travel)24 May 202400:43:08

This week Joe and Angie discuss lots of news such as the rebranded Citi Strata Premier, Virgin Red Cruise deal, some SLH properties rejoining World of Hyatt via Mr & Mrs Smith and more.

Then then as the summer of travel heats up they discuss the their tips for getting ready for a trip. Something hopefully everyone we be doing soon and often this summer.


Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Chicago is a Points/Miles Kind of Town17 May 202400:48:01

The 14th annual Chicago Seminars has a long and storied history. In Episode 64: The Most Powerful Tool in Award Travel, we had two of the event's organizers sharing the announcement of this year's event changes.

In this episode, Angie is joined by two more of this year's organizers, Chris Moss and Marty Paz who share more details on the variety of speakers for each level and what attendees can expect.

Links to topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Workhorse Cards (In Our Wallet Right Now)10 May 202400:44:01

Award Travel 101 Community members probably know which cards to start with - Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, Ultimate Rewards' earning Ink (Preferred, Unlimited, Cash) cards, Amex Gold and Platinum (consumer and business) cards. But what happens when you can't get new cards? Many of us have been in that boat where we can’t open new cards for a while. What's next?

Links to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Nice to Meetcha03 May 202400:49:02

We just returned from our meetup in San Antonio for Fiesta. There were over 150 Award Travel 101 and members from the Award Travel 201 communities in attendance. We had a great group of speakers who shared their stories and tips:

Links to Other Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Largest Hotel Chains - Which One's Right for You?26 Apr 202400:46:52

We came across an interesting diagram ranking the top 20 hotel programs throughout the world.  Do you know which is largest? (Hint: it's not US-based)

Some are less familiar, so we ranked the six we most frequently discuss in the Award Travel 101 Facebook community:

Link to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

The Most Powerful Tool in Award Travel19 Apr 202400:43:37

How does one weed out the noise to find what's most useful for your Award Travel strategies?  In-person events will provide opportunities for attendees to speak with and listen to experts in the field which help fine-tune their strategies. We encourage you to attend, engage, explore, learn, and ask questions.

Chicago Seminars organizers Jackie and JT join Joe to discuss the next event in September.

Links to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Meet The Mods - April Rose16 Aug 202400:31:25

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

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

When to Hold 'em and When to Fold 'em12 Apr 202400:48:01

Thanks to a recommendation from a member, we decided to review when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

  • Is there long-term value?
  • Are the benefits enough to offset the annual fee?
  • If not, is there a retention offer?
  • If no offer, is there a path to product change to preserve the credit line to help with utilization ratio
  • If there's no path to product change, consider closing the card as long as it’s not the oldest card
  • If no annual fee, little reason to close. If you’re not using them though, put a small charge on them periodically.

Links to Topics Discussed 

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

How You Doing?05 Apr 202400:50:12

One Quarter into 2024 Joe and Angie discuss their trips and progress towards their point and status goals. Well since we know Angie is a status slacker at least Joe talked about his progress there.

Links to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Points Down Under29 Mar 202400:52:28

Mike and Joe discuss their trips to Australia. Mike was there for 8 days in a long anticipated trip to celebrate his 40th birthday while Joe jaunted down for 52 hours. Both flew United and American business class products on their longest routes discuss the pros and cons of each.

Their respective stays at the Hyatt Regency, Park Hyatt and Four Seasons in Sydney were also discussed along with attractions such as the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Hunter Valley wine region, scenic Blue Mountains, famous Bondi Beach and captivating Manly Beach. 

Links to Topics Discussed in This Week's Episode:

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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 International Business Class Flight22 Mar 202400:50:41

In this episode, Joe interviews a long-time friend, who was hesitant to open up credit cards for fear of ruining his credit and overspending. Tune-in to hear how he overcame that fear and is now booking his first international business class flights! These aren't the typical domestic carriers a newer Award Traveler might book either (American, Delta, or United).

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Finding Award Space15 Mar 202400:52:41

Finding award space could be difficult and often a frustrating exercise. Joe and Angie outline the steps and give tips on how to improve your results. Flexibility in types of points available, dates of travel, and airline routings. Start your search with your preferred airline, then expand your search out to partner airlines, and compare points needed.

Links to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Never Earn (Just) One Point Again - Maximizing Spend for the Most Rewards08 Mar 202400:49:04

One of the keys in this hobby is maximizing the return on your spend. Joe and Angie talk about the ways to never earn only one point per dollar again. They discuss the idea of building a portfolio/family of cards that return more value.

Some good references.

Our friends at CardPointers also provide a fantastic tool to make sure you are using the best card for every purchase. Get CardPointers and SAVE:

http://cardpointers.com/at101

Links to other Topics discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Card Strategies - Let’s Get Crafty01 Mar 202400:41:59

In this episode's highlight feature, "Let’s Get Crafty," we explore various strategies to maximize credit card rewards tailored to different situations. Whether you have a "Player Two" or are flying solo, Angie and Joe guide you through evaluating upcoming trips and selecting the best cards in 4 scenarios:

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Budget Travel with John Ryan23 Feb 202400:55:12

John Ryan is very young and active in the Award Travel 101/201 community and writes for Bougie Miles. He talks with Joe about how his passion for travel began at a very young age. As primarily an economy flyer he discusses the different ways to approach budget travel.


Contact info for John:

  • john.ryan@fora.travel
  • @vegasteenager on X

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Flexible Over Fixed Points16 Feb 202400:47:55

Joe and Angie talk about the value of transferable over fixed points and how to best leverage them for maximum value utilizing the strength of transfer partners.

 Links to topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Oh P2- What Did You Do?09 Feb 202400:41:20

Many of us in this hobby involve our significant others in our award travel strategy, thereby activating "two player mode" which often allows us to double our earnings. However having a Player 2 does also come with it's own costs and frustrations. We have to make sure that P2 uses the correct cards (labels help) but also travel with them (costing more) to utilize the points they helped earn.

Links to Topics Discussed

Tip of the Week

Marry a P1 (kidding). Shopping portal strategy for valentines day presents. 

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

How to Talk to Muggles09 Aug 202400:48:56

If you have been around this space for awhile you'll inevitably run into issues dealing with "muggles" or those unwise in the magical arts of award travel. Angie and Mike talk about the type of muggles we meet and how to best converse with them without sounding like a crazy person.

Links to topics discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Close-in Booking with Allison Tackette02 Feb 202400:52:32

This week Joe interviews Award Travel 101 community member Allison Tackette who joins us to share tips she's learned over 10 years in the space.

Allison is a former teacher who wanted to get out and see the world, but her time off in the summer often resulted in finding peak season pricing. Travel CAN be expensive if you're always paying cash, but pushing people to the brink helps them get creative!

Leveraging close-in bookings are often the best ways Allision was able to score some killer redemptions. She highlights some of the aspirational flights she was able to score and gives advice on how to find others inside or 14 days or less including:

 Which programs offer you the greatest flexibility?

Where  You Can Find Allison

Instagram: @luckytictac
awardtravelvacations.com

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Strategies for Building Healthy Credit and Better Offers26 Jan 202400:51:37

Having a solid credit history is a paramount goal in the Award Travel hobby. Angie and Joe talk about strategies for building healthy credit and finding better offers.

Links to topics discussed 

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Award Travel to Forbes19 Jan 202400:57:22

Joe is joined by the most frequent guest of the podcast, Toni Perkins-Southam. Many of you may remember Toni as the longest-running Award Travel 101 moderator and community admin. 

Toni spent almost five years in the community (two years as a community manager) before taking a position with Forbes Advisor. Toni shares how she got her start writing with AwardWallet and continued her journey after her tenure at Award Travel 101 from 2017 to 2022.

Toni's Tip of the week

If you are already going crazy, might as well do it someplace cool!

Where To Find Toni

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

How Many Points Did We Earn in 202312 Jan 202400:42:37

Joe and Angie recap their prior year card openings and point earning.
 
Highlight feature: 2023 Trip Recaps

  • Angie: 12 new cards
    • SUB  = 1.4M points
    • Referrals = 390K
    • Points used = 1.2M (double prior year)
  • Joe: 14 new cards
    • SUB = 1.5M points + HH FNA
    • Referrals = 500K
    • Spend = 100K 
    • Shopping portals = 100K

Tip of the week

It's a new year,  with new credits. We mentioned this back in Episode 45, so use all your credits and perks. Don’t wait!

Links to topics discused:

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

New Year's (Award Travel) Resolutions05 Jan 202400:47:58

It's a new year and Joe and Angie talk about their resolutions for 2024, including:

Links to news discussed

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Globetrotting - 197* Countries with AwardWallet's Ryan Smith29 Dec 202300:56:05

Ryan Smith, editor for AwardWallet has accomplished a feat that few achieve. He has visited all 197 recognized countries. Ryan first talks talks his background, introduction to travel rewards and loyalty programs and travel style. He also delves into highlights of his globetrotting journey and how he was able to land some deals to travel for as economical as possible.

Where To Find Ryan

To follow Ryan throughout his travels, you can find him on X (Twitter) at @RyanSmithTravel

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

Festivus, Yes! Devaluations, No!22 Dec 202300:49:47

Angie, Allison, and Joe jump on this week to share the 100K Member Celebration Winner, their newest cards, trip updates, and to bring you an Airing of (2023) Grievances! 

Festivus was created as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas holiday season. The sitcom Seinfeld put their own spin on it, including the airing of the grievances, which consists of each person lashing out at others and the world about how they have been disappointed in the past year. "I got a lotta problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it!" 

We’ve had a lot of negative changes in the Award Travel world in 2023 (25by our count), but here are the program updates that impacted the community most:

  1.  MGM and Hyatt announce Breakup
  2.  British Airways Hikes Avios Awards on American and Alaska & United Makes Major Award Chart Devaluation
  3.  Citi Executive Card Changes (Higher fee, reduced AU benefit)

Full list of all 25 Program Changes

Where to Find Us

  1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook 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. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
  5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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.

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