Point Me To First Class – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr. Suzy Spadafora is back on the show this week. She’s a points and miles pro who has opened over 30 rewards credit cards since 2016, and her P2 has opened 25. She keeps detailed notes on the retention offers she scores each year when annual fees hit. By employing a few simple strategies, Dr. Suzy often convinces banks to incentivize her to keep her cards open with statement credits, bonus points, or waived annual fees.

Tune in today to hear Dr. Suzy's insider secrets for maximizing credit card retention offers. She shares the exact script she uses when calling credit card providers, the most common mistakes to avoid, and how to decide if an offer is worth taking. With her tips, you'll be racking up extra points and perks on your lesser-used rewards cards in no time.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/credit-card-retention-call-dr-suzy-spadafora

Get the Travel Freely app here: https://my.travelfreely.com/share?bref=dcw

Kelly, the Points and Miles Doc, is a returning guest on the podcast, and she has a wealth of knowledge to share on the Capital One transferable points currency. I recently started focusing on Capital One in my own points strategy, so we have a ton to discuss.

Tune in this week to learn everything you need to know about the world of Capital One. We give you an overview of all the Capital One rewards cards, who this points system benefits most, some of the shortcomings and limitations of this points currency, and we show you the best ways to put your Capital One credit cards and points to great use.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/capital-one-points-and-miles-doc

Sign up for the Points Made Easy conference taking place September 20 - 22, 2024 in Chicago here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference

If you have a high monthly credit card spend and want to leverage these expenses to earn even more points, this episode is for you. Signup bonuses are the easiest way to earn a huge points return for every dollar spent, but what I'm sharing today allows you to expand upon this strategy, sometimes with relatively little effort, and earn more points without needing to take out new cards and rely on welcome bonuses.

Tune in this week to learn everything you need to know about Chase Spending Offers. I discuss how Chase Spending Offers make already strong points-earning cards even better, and you'll learn not only how Chase Spending Offers work but also how to integrate them into your overall points strategy.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/racking-up-points-with-chase-spending-offers

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kevin Zanes has a background in data science and analytics that he now uses to scour award programs for the best points deals. So on today's show, we're talking math, data, and how these two things help you land the most amazing points deals.

Tune in this week to discover how data can get you the best value for your points. Kevin is using data and technology to dispel common myths of the award travel community, and he's revealing the math-backed truth about what he calls the single best points-earning credit card on the market. Whether you're new to award travel or a seasoned points traveler, this episode is packed with value and insights you won't find anywhere else.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/analytic-approach-points-travel-kevin-zanes

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Dr. Laura Jana is an Omaha-based pediatrician, social entrepreneur, and award-winning children/parenting book author. From early literacy advocate and 9-year owner of a 200-student educational childcare center to advisor to Mattel, Primrose Schools, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, she is dedicated to addressing the most pressing needs of children, families, and communities.

Hear about an unforgettable trip taken by a member of the Point Me to First Class Community. This trip is on many of your bucket lists, and Dr. Laura Jana is here today to discuss why she decided to book this trip, why you don't need to book all your trips on points, and hopefully inspire you for your next amazing trip, whether you book it using points or not.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/don-t-need-points-trip-dr-laura-jana

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Today, I'm joined by my friend, points-earning expert Dr. Andrea Mabry. She's here to show you exactly how to earn points by paying off your student loans or by paying for your kid's education. This is taking one of your biggest expenses and leveraging it to earn more points, and Andrea's here to show us how to make this part of a financially responsible points strategy.

Discover how to earn tons of points for expenses you already have: student loans or paying for your child's education. You can't use your cards to pay directly towards student loans or a 529 plan, but Andrea is sharing an amazing workaround to earn points from fulfilling these huge expenses.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/paying-student-loans-529-plans-dr-andrea-mabry

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Miraval Resort is an all-inclusive, adults-only health and wellness resort that started in Tucson, Arizona, and has expanded to Austin, Texas, and The Berkshires, Massachusetts. Each location is different but has the same signature approach to wellness. So how do you know what to expect at the different locations and choose which one is right for you? That's exactly what we're diving into today.

I'm joined by Dr. Arpita Gupta DePalma and Dr. Mindy Stimell-Rauch, and we're comparing the three Miraval Resorts and their offerings in terms of accommodation, food, service, and activities available at each location, so you know what to expect and can decide which best suits your needs for your next getaway using points.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/miraval-resort-arpita-gupta-depalma-mindy-stimell-rauch

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Lindsay Bradley started her points and miles journey in 2011 but didn't get into extensive points travel until meeting her P2. After marrying in 2018, they took off to travel the world, doing mini retirements on points and miles. Lindsay has visited 77 countries on all seven continents and has redeemed over $300,000 worth of travel with credit card rewards.

Tune in this week to discover some unique uses of points for premium flights. Lindsay gives her insights into some of the challenges and opportunities of constructing a multi-country trip itinerary, and you'll learn how to put perks like hotel free-nights certificates to use to offset the cost of travel.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/uk-bahrain-oman-qatar-on-points-lindsay-bradley

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

For this conversation about how we think about ourselves in relation to money, I’m joined by one of the most brilliant women that I know, Kara Loewentheil. Kara is the Founder of The School of New Feminist Thought and creator of The Feminist Self Help Society, host of the top-rated podcast UnF*ck Your Brain, and author of the upcoming book Take Back Your Brain.

Tune in this week for a unique insight into how your brain thinks about money. Discover the lies you’ve been taught about yourself and money, particularly if you were socialized as a female, and most importantly, you’ll learn what you can do to break the cycle and build a money mindset that actually serves you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/owning-your-financial-life-kara-loewentheil

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Earning transferable points is key to unlocking some of the best possible deals on flights and hotel stays. But which of the points currency ecosystems best suits your specific needs? Well, there’s a newbie in the transferable points currency family: the Bilt points ecosystem, and it might just be the one for you. To help me explore the Bilt points world, I’m joined by Dr. Suzanne Manzi.

Dr. Suzanne Manzi, a quadruple board-certified physician and Bilt points enthusiast, is a trailblazer in the world of luxury travel. Together with her partner, she founded Doctor Wander Well Travel, a boutique travel agency specializing in curating unforgettable experiences for discerning travelers.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/earn-points-more-everything-bilt-dr-suzanna-manzi

Join the waitlist for Points Made Easy here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy