Landings and Layovers – Details, episodes & analysis

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Landings and Layovers

Briefly Distracted Media

Society & Culture

Leisure

Frequency: 1 episode/20d. Total Eps: 19

"Landings and Layovers" is your weekly gateway to the world's most exciting travel deals and destinations. Each episode, Hosts Matt Fleischman and Marty Paz will spotlight exceptional airfare specials and delve into insightful segments on travel tips and destination deep dives. Whether you're planning your next holiday or just dreaming of distant places, join us as we explore how to travel smarter, cheaper, and more enjoyably. Tune in to discover how to make the most of every trip, from quick layovers to grand landings!

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇫🇷 France - placesAndTravel
10/11/2025
#93
🇫🇷 France - placesAndTravel
09/11/2025
#73
🇫🇷 France - placesAndTravel
08/11/2025
#59

Spotify

No recent rankings available

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https://Notiflyr.com
4 shares
https://notiflyr.com/register/premium/
4 shares
https://chicagoseminars.org/
2 shares

https://amzn.to/4ehSyJX
3 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 53%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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Luxury Travel on a Budget: Hotel Loyalty Secrets with Ben Komenkul

Season 2 · Episode 6

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 • Duration 56:05

From free suite upgrades to turning daily spending into first-class flights, this episode is a crash course in making luxury travel accessible — even on a budget.

✈️ Fare of the Week: SAS Deals to Europe

This week's Fare of the Week (powered by Notiflyr.com):
Roundtrip flights from major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, LA, Miami, NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C.) to European hubs like Amsterdam, Athens, Paris, Prague, and Zurich for $430–$500 on SAS Airlines.

Travel window: September 2025 – May 2026
Includes food and drink, but basic economy rules apply (limited baggage)
Elite SkyTeam members (Delta, Air France, KLM) get added perks like free bags

💡 Pro tip: Book early — these fares will not last.

🏅 Mileage Promo Spotlight: Etihad's Confusing Challenge

We unpack Etihad's latest promotion:

5 million miles for the first person to visit all 15 new destinations
Milestone prizes: 25K miles (5 destinations) or 100K miles (10 destinations)
Messy rules, unclear leaderboard, and potential passport headaches (hello, Russia)

Is it worth chasing? Marty and Matt debate the value — and whether it beats Turkish Airlines' or JetBlue's recent promos.

🎙 Interview: Ben Komenkul's Hotel Loyalty Playbook

Guest: Ben Komenkul — founder of Hotel Secrets Masterclass and Airline Points Academy. He's traveled the world mastering points and loyalty programs, helping thousands turn modest budgets into unforgettable experiences.

What You'll Learn:

How Ben went from La Quinta loyalty to Hyatt globalist (and why you shouldn't chase every status tier at once)
When earning points beats redeeming them
The secret to scoring upgrades without breaking the bank
Why bringing your own pillow might be the best travel hack you've never tried
How to use hotel-branded credit cards and loyalty tiers strategically (plus why Hyatt and Marriott aren't equal)

💡 Pro Tips from Ben

Focus on one program — lifetime status beats juggling low-tier loyalty
Check the fine print — not all vouchers work the same (or transfer to others)
Free agent? Sign up for the program anyway — those points add up
Book first, confirm later — great deals vanish fast; you can always cancel within 24 hours

🛠 Travel Tools We Love

AwardWallet – Track points and expiration dates across programs
FlightAware – Real-time flight tracking (know delays before the airline does)
CardPointers – Optimize credit card perks and benefits automatically
TripIt – Organize itineraries in one app

🧳 New Segment: Term of the Week

We're kicking off a new segment breaking down aviation acronyms. This week: ACARS — Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System. Think of it as an old-school text messaging system for pilots and ground crews… still used today.

🔗 Stay Connected

📌 SEO Tags

#HotelLoyalty #TravelHacks #MileagePromotions #LuxuryOnPoints #LandingsAndLayovers #AwardTravel #SASAirlinesDeals #EtihadChallenge #BenKomenkul

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Exploring Abu Dhabi & The Chicago Travel Seminars

Season 1 · Episode 4

Monday, September 23, 2024 • Duration 30:46

In this episode of Landings and Layovers, hosts Matthew Fleischman and Marty Paz take you on a journey from the sunny shores of Abu Dhabi to the bustling travel community of the Chicago Seminars. Marty recounts his recent birthday trip to the United Arab Emirates, where he experienced both the luxury of a five-star hotel and the challenges of travel mishaps like a canceled car rental. The conversation then shifts to Marty's role as an organizer at the 14th Annual Chicago Travel Seminars, an event dedicated to helping travelers maximize their miles and points, as well as giving back to the community.

Episode Highlights:

Birthday in Abu Dhabi: Marty shares his birthday adventure at the Conrad Hotel in Abu Dhabi, detailing the hotel's incredible service, family-friendly pools, and beautiful views of the Persian Gulf. Marty and his family also explore local dining spots, enjoying Middle Eastern cuisine, sushi, and fresh local dishes, all while navigating the highs and lows of traveling with a toddler.
Flight Deals of the Week: Discover an exciting fare deal brought to you by Notiflyr.com, where Air France, KLM, and Delta Airlines are offering incredible round-trip flights from Bilbao and Madrid, Spain, to major U.S. cities, including New York, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Marty explains how savvy travelers can use this deal to create back-to-back vacations and even enjoy a business class experience at a fraction of the regular price.
Chicago Travel Seminars: Marty offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Chicago Seminars (Facebook) where over 300 travel enthusiasts and experts gather to discuss how to earn, use, and maximize travel points. Topics covered include , , , and . Marty's presentation on status matching will help travelers understand how to leverage their VIP status from one airline, hotel, or rental car company into multiple perks across the travel industry.

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Unforeseen Adventures: Travels, Troubles, and Tips

Season 1 · Episode 3

Friday, September 20, 2024 • Duration 00:56

Episode Summary:
Join host Matt Fleischman and world traveler Marty Paz in a lively discussion about their recent travel experiences, from unexpected airline deals to memorable mishaps. In this episode, they explore affordable travel opportunities, share personal anecdotes from trips to Africa and the unexpected events on a cruise, and delve into the pros and cons of traveling with family.

Featured Segments:

Deal of the Week: Notiflyr.com presents an exceptional travel deal to Africa, featuring airfare as low as $753. Remember to use promo code Podcast for a 20% discount on your annual membership.
Travel Tales: Marty shares a mix-up during a family trip involving different airports, and Matt recounts his solo travel experiences in South Africa.
Family Travel Insights: From navigating with toddlers to dealing with unexpected changes, Matt and Marty discuss the challenges and joys of traveling with family.
Listener Q&A: Matt and Marty answer listener questions about managing travel hiccups and offer tips for smoother adventures.

Promotions:

Visit notifier.com and use promo code Podcast for exclusive deals and savings.

Next Week's Preview:
Marty will share insights from his recent trip to the UAE, and Matt will discuss upcoming travel plans and podcast developments.

Closing Remarks:
Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Landings and Layovers. Don't forget to subscribe for more travel tips, stories, and deals. Safe travels, and see you next week!

Check out our sponsor Notiflyr.com and use the code PODCAST when signing up for 20% off the premium membership.

Traveling with Kids with Jody Nichols

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 • Duration 44:05

Show Notes

Episode Description: Welcome to "Landings and Layovers," the podcast for affordable travel adventures. I'm your host, Matt, and with me today, as always, is Marty. We have a special guest, Jody Nichols, who will share his invaluable insights on traveling with kids. From managing long-haul flights with a four-year-old to preparing for a new addition on the way, Jody's experiences and tips are sure to make your family travel smoother and more enjoyable.

Episode Highlights:

Marty's Travel Adventure:

Marty shares a recent adventure involving a bus detour that led to a delayed podcast recording but made for an interesting story.

Deal of the Week:

Check out an incredible roundtrip fare from Kuwait to New York City in first class for just $1,150. Normally costing around $10,000, this deal includes luxurious experiences with Qatar Airways and American Airlines.

Interview with Jody Nichols:

Background: Jody talks about his journey from Alabama to Atlanta, then Sydney, and now Singapore. He also discusses his work as a data streaming software sales specialist and his love for travel hacking.
Traveling with Kids: Jody shares practical advice on managing family travel, including tips for traveling with young children and maximizing travel points.
Unique Travel Experiences: Hear about Jody's family trips to Bali, the Maldives, and Japan.
Travel Hacks: Learn about using local thrift stores for travel clothing, the benefits of flying coach with kids, and useful travel tech tools like portable Wi-Fi routers and noise machines.
Kids' Entertainment: Recommendations for keeping kids entertained on flights, including favorite shows and apps.

Sponsor Information:

This episode is brought to you by Notiflyr.com. Sign up and select your favorite airports to receive the best airfare deals right when they happen. Use promo code PODCAST for 20% off your annual premium membership.

Landings and Layovers – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

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Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Landings and Layovers – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other16

Amazon7

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other16

Amazon7

Instagram3