Ever look at Google Flights and wonder, "Should I use points for this or just pay cash?"

If you've ever felt unsure about which option gives you the best value, this episode is for you.

In the final episode of our Streamline, Stack, and Save mini-series, I'm joined by Julian Kheel, former editorial director at The Points Guy and senior editor at CNN, now founder of Points Path — a browser extension that works seamlessly within your browser when you're searching flights to show you whether points or cash is the better deal.

Points Path takes the guesswork out of booking. It helps you instantly compare cash fares and award redemptions on Google Flights, showing you where the real value lies so you can make the best booking decision every time.

We talk trends in the award travel landscape, how Points Path focuses on simplicity to take the guesswork out of choosing flights, and why this tool deserves a place in your browser. Whether you're a casual traveler or a seasoned award booker, you'll also hear how its alert feature can track award prices and let you know when they drop — so you don't have to keep checking.

Julian shares how Points Path was designed to focus on simplicity, taking the guesswork out of choosing flights so you always know the best option. With more than 10 years of experience working with some of the most trusted names in the award travel space, Julian brings both insight and innovation to how we think about booking smarter.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/plan-award-flights-faster-with-points-path/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey here and share what you love and want more of! 

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Do you ever find yourself opening multiple tabs, comparing shopping portal payouts, and trying to figure out which site is going to give you the most rewards for your online shopping — only to give up before you actually earn the points?

If that sounds familiar, today's episode is for you.

In this Streamline, Stack, and Save mini-series episode, I'm joined by Avneesh Kohli, founder of Savewise, a powerful tool that shows you exactly how to combine the best shopping portal payouts with card-linked offers — so you can maximize every online purchase without the hassle of manual tracking or endless research.

Savewise is a total game changer for award travelers who want to earn more points without wasting time. The platform automatically finds the best portal and card-linked combinations for each purchase, helping you get the highest payout possible — every time you shop online.

In this conversation, Avneesh and I talk about how Savewise works, why it's become one of my favorite online tools, and how it helps you earn more points with less effort. We also dive into how it fits into a broader points-earning strategy, why automation is key to long-term success, and how you can start using it right now — just in time for holiday shopping.

Whether you're new to the points world or a seasoned award traveler, this episode will help you make every purchase count.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/track-and-save-money-with-savewise/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! 

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here.

If there's one thing nearly every points traveler has done at least once, it's book a flight, hotel, or car rental directly through their credit card's online travel portal. With promises of 5x, 8x, even 12x bonus points, it can feel like the obvious choice. But as I share in today's episode, those tempting multipliers often come at a serious cost—and the reasons why may surprise you.

In this episode, I walk through the top five reasons you should avoid booking through credit card travel portals like Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One. From losing out on elite status perks and upgrades to paying more for the same flights or hotel rooms, I reveal the hidden downsides that don't show up until it's too late. You'll also hear real-world stories from travelers who faced everything from missing reservations to costly rebookings—all because they used a portal instead of booking direct.

Even more importantly, I'll explain how using your points through a portal can devalue them by 2–10x compared to transferring to partners. I share specific examples, including how I used Chase points with Hyatt for a $65,000+ stay that would have cost 3.6 million points through the portal. Whether you're new to points or have been booking this way for years, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter choices with your rewards.

Turn your expenses into points and save tens of thousands of dollars a year on your wishlist travel. Don't miss out! Click here http://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy to know more about my comprehensive online program, Points Made Easy. Enrollment opens on September 20, 2025 to September 27, 2025.

Want to know what's really possible with your points? Don't just take it from me—hear from members who've used Points Made Easy to completely change the way they travel. From business class flights to dream vacations, their results speak for themselves. Watch their stories here - https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/points-made-easy-success-stories

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Erin Casey, a retired hematologist-oncologist turned hospitalist. As a solo points earner without high expenses, Erin wasn't sure if she could earn as many points as those who play the points game with a spouse or friend. Yet, she implemented a strategy to maximize her points, and if you're in a similar situation, you can too.

Tune in this week to discover how Dr. Erin Casey earned over one million points in 2023 without having a two-player strategy. Erin is sharing the specific challenges she faced with minimal expenses. Learn how to start identifying the highest-yield points strategies for you and your specific needs.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/solo-points-earners-dr-erin-casey

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

How do you end 2023 strong and ensure you aren't missing out on any valuable benefits from your rewards credit cards? We're fast approaching the end of the year, so it's time to do some points housekeeping. I'm reviewing five things I do to ensure I'm on track to hit my points and travel goals for the year.

Tune in this week to discover how to round out 2023 while staying on track with your rewards points. I'm showing you three ways to make sure you're taking advantage of your use-or-lose offers, and I'm discussing everything you need to consider about points transfers, purchasing points, and maintaining your status in your loyalty programs.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/year-end-checklist

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

A LOT has changed in the rewards card world since I got my first points earning credit card in 2012. Join me today to discover the first five rewards credit cards I got when I started my points journey, why I wouldn't recommend most of those cards to people now, and what I would do differently if I was starting all over again. While the cards I'm sharing today may not be perfect for you, this episode is packed with considerations you need to make when choosing your first rewards cards and starting your own points journey.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/credit-journey-started-now

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

Today, I'm joined by another physician-entrepreneur who is taking her travel experiences to the next level by leveraging her business expenses: Dr. Amita Kumar. Dr. Kumar is a primary care physician in San Antonio, Texas. Recently, she decided to take a sabbatical from her clinical practice and since one of her passions is traveling with her family, she has found a more economical way to do so by utilizing credit card points.

She is discussing her love of planning, the kind of planning drama that comes up for her clients, and she's sharing how she helps people overcome their planning blocks so they can start making the most of the points they earn and the time they spend traveling.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/travel-planning-amita-kumar

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

I'm sharing a recent conversation I had on the Analyze Scripts podcast. Analyze Scripts is hosted by Yale-trained psychiatrist Katrina Furey, MD, and psychotherapist Portia Pendleton, LCSW, analyzing the depiction of mental health in TV and film. In this conversation, we discussed the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and what we can learn about ourselves and travel from the characters in the movie. Katrina and Portia are also exploring the world of rewards points themselves, so there's something in this episode for everybody.

Discover what we can learn about ourselves from the characters in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, why this movie is a great insight into the reality of getting out of your comfort zone, and the huge impact that travel can have on our lives.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/analyze-scripts-podcast

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

Last week, Lyn shared how to earn your Southwest Companion Pass and how the pass works. We're picking up right where we left off, discussing the specific points activities that do and don't count toward qualifying for a Companion Pass, and Lyn is sharing a strategy you can use to make sure you qualify for a Companion Pass by early 2024.

Tune in this week to discover how to qualify for unlimited flights through the Southwest Companion Pass. Also, learn three common mistakes you need to avoid when working toward your own Companion Pass, so you don't run into any surprises as you get your hands on your Southwest Companion Pass.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler-2

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

I'm joined by Southwest expert Lyn Mettler, and she's breaking down everything you need to know about the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. In 2015, she discovered how to fly her family of 4 free to all the places she'd written about, going from one car trip a year to flying free six times every year around the US, Europe, and the Caribbean. She now teaches hundreds of families this same simple system through her Families Fly Free membership, where her mission is to bring families together through travel.

Tune in this week to discover why people go nuts over the Southwest Companion Pass. We are discussing whether working to qualify for the Southwest Companion Pass is the right fit for your travel plans, what can go wrong when trying to earn this valuable points-travel perk, and be sure to come back next week when Lyn will be sharing her tips for earning your Companion Pass using a repeatable but tricky process.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler-1

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

I'm an advocate for putting as many of your expenses as possible on rewards credit cards in order to maximize your points potential. But as we all know, there are certain expenses that charge a processing fee, or don't offer a credit card payment option at all. Sometimes it's worth paying the fee, but for those occasions when it doesn't, PayPal BillPay is here to help.

Here to show us how to use this powerful but often overlooked tool is Dr. Sujatha Murali, a physician from Southern California who has been using PayPal Bill Pay to earn points for years now. Whether it's utilities, insurance, or any other bill you're paying by a cheque or bank transfer, you can leverage these into point-earning opportunities starting today, and we're showing you how.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-strategies-dr-sujatha-murali

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

While there are mistakes to be made, there is no one right way of doing points. My guest this week knows this from firsthand experience. After she'd found her feet in the world of points, she took a risk in deviating away from Chase's points ecosystem and started exploring other options in the points space, and she has tons of insights to share about this decision.

I'm joined by Dr. Azra Khan Salahuddin. Azra is a cancer rehab specialist who started her points journey in earnest in June 2022. We're discussing what to consider when applying for new cards, the problem with running into FOMO on your points journey, and how to decide what's best for you based on the travel you want to experience.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/pros-cons-dr-azra-khan-salahuddin

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

Are you brand new to points, without a bunch of rewards credit cards or points stocked up? Or do you have your points earning down but are not yet confident about getting maximum value from the points you have saved up? Whether you're a self professed newbie to points travel or are looking for your points redemption skills to match your points earning skills, my online course Points Made Easy can help you.

In today's bonus episode, I wanted you to hear directly from a few Points Made Easy course members in their own words about why they joined the course, what they think differentiates it from learning about points travel from piecing together information on the internet or even from listening to this podcast, and what their points balances and travel looks like after getting hands on support inside Points Made Easy.

Please enjoy listening to Kathy, Sachin, and Krishni's stories about their experiences inside Points Made Easy now - and if you're ready to accelerate your points travel expertise now - grab your spot inside Points Made Easy before enrollment closes tomorrow Saturday, October 21.

Join Points Made Easy at https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this week's episode, we're re-airing a fan favorite that so many listeners have loved and revisited. If you missed it the first time, or just need a refresher, this is one you don't want to skip.

I love discussing discrete award travel topics like individual rewards credit cards and how best to leverage them, or the specific airlines and hotels that offer the best value for points. But today, I'm covering something that never gets talked about in the points travel world and yet is one of the secrets to becoming more proficient when it comes to points travel: The Dunning-Kruger Effect and how it relates to award travel competency and success.

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a type of cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their knowledge or abilities, particularly in areas where they have little to no experience. While this may be an unfamiliar concept, you can probably already see why having some background on the Dunning-Kruger Effect makes all the difference when you're learning something new, like points travel.

Tune in to discover how the Dunning-Kruger Effect is impacting how you approach the hobby of points travel. I'm showing you the different stages of the journey when learning the ins and outs of points travel, and how to keep moving through the stages until you reach a point of confidence and competence.

On September 20th, 2025, I'm opening up enrollment for Points Made Easy. Enrollment will only be open for one week and this is your last opportunity to join the course this year, so get on the waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/psycholoy-points-travel/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header

Doors are open to enroll in my 6 months, hands on points master course, Points Made Easy - but not for long. You have until this Saturday, October 21 to grab your spot in Points Made Easy before doors close again until next year.

So today I'm dropping this bonus episode to share with you the stories of 3 Points Made Easy members, in their own words - so you can hear firsthand from prior course members why they joined and what they found inside the course.

Listen in and then head over to https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy to grab your spot inside the course.

The key to leveraging your expenses to earn incredible travel experiences is knowing what to do with those beautiful points once you've earned them, and most importantly, what not to do if you want to receive their maximum value. Specifically, I'm sharing five mistakes you need to avoid when redeeming points for travel.

Discover five mistakes that prevent you from getting maximum value when redeeming points for travel. These mistakes are not only common but also have the largest potential negative impact on your ability to extract a ton of value from your points. I'm sharing what they are and how to avoid these mistakes, so you can get unbelievable value from your points.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-redemption-mistakes-avoid

If part of living your wealthy life includes using points for travel instead of cash, join me in Points Made Easy to learn how to maximize earning and redeeming points for travel. Points Made Easy opens for enrollment from October 14-October 21. Grab your spot on the waitlist at https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy.

How would your travel plans next year change if your travel budget doubled?

Whether you're points curious, a points beginner still getting your legs under you, or more experienced earning points but not yet expert at using them, there are only a few things standing between you and saving thousands of dollars in travel using points.

Join my free masterclass, 4 Secrets to Doubling Your Travel Budget Using Points, on Saturday, October 14 at 10am CST to learn my secrets for points travel and how you can steal them.

Go to https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/secrets to register for this free masterclass!

Did you know you can earn boatloads of American Express Membership Rewards Points through the online shopping platform Rakuten? There are points to be earned on Rakuten, and I'm showing you how to take advantage of some amazing offers in today's episode.

Discover how to use Rakuten to earn a ton of points this winter. Leveraging Rakuten is one of the most lucrative and reliable points-earning methods. It's super simple, and I'm giving you some tips to make your points earning on Rakuten even easier if you're new to the platform.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/rakuten

If part of living your wealthy life includes using points for travel instead of cash, join me in Points Made Easy to learn how to maximize earning and redeeming points for travel. Points Made Easy opens for enrollment from October 14-October 21. Grab your spot on the waitlist at https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy.

I'm joined by two guests, Dr. Kathy Zhang and her husband Jake Jansen, this week and this is the first time I've had a points travel partnership on the show. They're an amazing example of what's possible when two people come together to maximize their points. Although they experienced some difficulty in the early days, they have a two-player points game that's creating some wonderful travel opportunities.

Tune in this week to discover what a two-player points strategy looks like in practice. Kathy is sharing how she first became interested in points, how she showed her husband Jake why he should get involved, and they're discussing why they decided to join my program despite already redeeming their first luxury points trip.

Get full show notes and more information here: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/travel-points-couples


The Purpose Filter Podcast: https://pod.link/purposefilter
The Purpose Filter Instagram: http://instagram.com/purposefilter

If part of living your wealthy life includes using points for travel instead of cash, join me in Points Made Easy to learn how to maximize earning and redeeming points for travel. Points Made Easy opens for enrollment from October 14-October 21. Grab your spot on the waitlist at https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy.

Today, I'm covering something that never gets talked about in the points travel world but is really one of the secrets to becoming more proficient when it comes to points travel: The Dunning-Kruger Effect. The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a type of cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their knowledge or abilities, particularly in areas where they have little to no experience.

Discover how the Dunning-Kruger Effect is impacting how you approach the hobby of points travel. I'm showing you the different stages of the journey when learning the ins and outs of points travel, and how to keep moving through the stages until you reach a point of confidence and competence.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/psychology-points-travel-competency

If part of living your wealthy life includes using points for travel instead of cash, join me in Points Made Easy to learn how to maximize earning and redeeming points for travel. Enrollment opens in October, so grab your spot on the waitlist here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Dr. Latifat Akintade is a gastroenterologist, money coach, and mother of three beautiful children. She's also the author of the Amazon Bestseller Done With Broke: The Woman Physician's Guide to More Money and Less Hustle, and Latifat is the host of The MoneyFitMD Podcast. Combining her knowledge of personal finance with her skills as a certified life coach, Dr. Latifat Akintade empowers women to take control of their finances and break free from the cycle of financial struggle.

Tune in this week to discover why your travel options are broader than you might think. Dr. Latifat Akintade is discussing how she has managed to take a year-long sabbatical with her family, traveling the world, sharing the truth about job security as we know it, and explaining how she's used points throughout this adventure.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/family-sabbatical-dr-latifat-akintade

If part of living your wealthy life includes using points for travel instead of cash, join me in Points Made Easy to learn how to maximize earning and redeeming points for travel. Enrollment opens in October, so grab your spot on the waitlist here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Two popular rewards cards on the market are the Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited cards. This week, I'm pitting these two cards against each other in a head-to-head comparison to find out which one has the highest potential when it comes to earning points.

Tune in this week to discover how to choose between the Chase Freedom Flex and the Chase Freedom Unlimited. I'm discussing why applying for both of these cards simultaneously may not be viable, and I'm sharing the factors and statistics you need to consider when deciding which of these two cards will be the most rewarding for you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/chase-freedom-flex-freedom-unlimited

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Dr. Suzy Spadafora is a world wanderer with her husband and 2 teenage boys, except for when she's playing tennis or practicing dermatology. She has been travel hacking since 2016, visiting tons of countries including Turks and Caicos, Bonaire, the Philippines, Langkawi Island (Malaysia), Peru, Romania, Amsterdam, and the Seychelles.

In this episode, discover everything you need to know about travel coverage before you need it for a travel mishap. Dr. Suzy Spadafora is sharing her favorite insurance products, walking us through how the claims process works, and covering some of the nuances around insurance and points travel specifically.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/travel-mishaps-insurance-suzy-spadafora

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Joining me today is Dr. Disha Spath, a practicing Primary Care physician and Hospitalist, and the founder and CEO of The Frugal Physician: an award-nominated multimedia company that focuses on personal financial empowerment for healthcare workers. She helps doctors avoid common money mistakes, and she's here to help me break down Chase's 5/24 rule.

Tune in this week for a simple explanation of the Chase 5/24 rule from somebody with a special interest in the rules that govern the most impactful rewards cards. We're discussing some common beginner mistakes, how these mistakes can stop you from getting new Chase rewards credit cards, and how you can avoid them on your own points journey.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/chase-524-rule-disha-spath

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Get my Cash-Back Credit Card Cheat Sheet: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/cashback

If a $595 annual fee premium credit card hits the market, should it automatically earn a place in your wallet?

In this episode, I take a detailed look at Citi's newest addition to the transferable points landscape: the Citi Strata Elite Card. From its standard 80,000-point welcome bonus to the elevated 100,000-point offer available through certain channels, we'll walk through exactly what you get when you open this card. You'll hear how its bonus categories actually work, why the time-restricted "Citi Nights" dining perk is so unusual, and what makes its non-category 1.5x earning stand out—or not—compared to other cards.

We'll also dig into the real value of the credits, including the split Blacklane credit, the merchant-specific Splurge credit, and the 2-night minimum hotel portal credit—plus where this card shines with American Airlines lounge passes and where it falls flat next to Citi's own mid-tier options and the retired Prestige card. Before you sign up for the welcome bonus, I'll share the points expiration rules that can cost you big if you cancel after a year, and what I think this launch reveals about the next wave of premium rewards cards.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/citi-strata-elite-card-review/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header 

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Once you're sold on the value of earning points for your expenses, you might be overlooking cash-back rewards credit cards and focusing only on points-earning cards. But that would be a mistake, because some cash-back cards are actually points earning cards in disguise.

Discover everything you need to know about earning points using cash-back cards. I'm sharing which specific cash-back cards can earn you points, the details of how to leverage these cards to earn points, and how valuable these cards can be as part of an overall rewards card portfolio.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/cash-back-cards-transferable-points

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Get my Cash-Back Credit Card Cheat Sheet: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/cashback

Stephanie Jones is a physician and a mother of two girls. She has a lifelong love of travel and has always been the trip planner of the family. However, she has always operated on a strict budget, doing the most travel for the least amount of money. When she discovered points travel, an entirely new world of opportunities opened up.

Discover the realities of getting started navigating the world of points and miles. Stephanie is sharing how she removed the overwhelm from learning about points travel, the details of her first rewards trip, and everything she's learned in the early stages of her points travel adventure.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/getting-started-points-travel-stephanie-jones

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

When multiple people own a business, creating a rewards credit card plan becomes a little more complex. However, there are ways to navigate this situation so you don't miss out on using your business expenses to earn points. Here to discuss this topic is Dr. Andrea Mabry, a dermatologist and co-founder of Pinnacle Dermatology, a dermatology practice located in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Dr. Andrea Mabry is an expert when it comes to creating a rewards credit card and points plan that incorporates your business partners. If you want to know how you and your business partners or co-owners can create a cohesive plan that benefits everyone involved, this episode is for you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-sharing-business-dr-andrea-mabry

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

How do you get your partner or spouse on board with joining you in earning and using points for travel? Maggie Reyes is a Master Certified Life Coach and Modern Marriage Mentor who specializes in helping driven, ambitious women create their best marriages without waiting for their partners to change or adding more work to their lives. 

Maggie is discussing how to see what's going on in your partner's brain when you come to them with a points proposition, and she's sharing her tips for bringing your partner along with you in these conversations, rather than trying to convince them or asking for permission.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/partner-points-maggie-reyes

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Is it a good idea to speculatively transfer points from a credit card account to an airline account? This is a particularly relevant question this week because three of the major transferable points currencies (Amex, Chase, and Capital One) are currently offering transfer bonuses when you move points from your credit card accounts to specific airline transfer partners for a limited time.

Discover whether it's a good idea to speculatively transfer your flexible points to take advantage of bonuses. I'm sharing the specific offers that are on the market as of July 2023, and I'm showing you the risks you need to consider when trying to maximize the potential value of your transferable points.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/speculative-points-transfers

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by my client and good friend, Dr. Bonnie Koo, a points-travel convert. We're discussing one of our shared loves: the World of Hyatt Loyalty Program.

Discover everything you need to know about the World of Hyatt Loyalty Program. We're discussing why Hyatt's Loyalty Program is our favorite hotel rewards program, some of the amazing upgrades that make Hyatt a great choice for families, and why you don't need to stay with Hyatt super frequently to take advantage of some unique and unrivaled offerings.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/world-of-hyatt-dr-bonnie-koo

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

With the Olympics taking place in Paris next summer, there will be a significant impact on travel to Europe in 2024, and you can expect some unique challenges to arise.

Discover how to navigate the obstacles of planning a family trip to Europe in 2024. Whether you're going for the Olympics, planning to travel all summer long, or just organizing a short getaway with your family, this episode covers everything you need to know about using points to reduce out-of-pocket costs while traveling during a busy period.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/rewards-travel-europe

Want to learn how to use points to travel business class to Europe next summer? Come to my Secrets to Finding Business Class Award Flights to Europe workshop on July 15th, 2023: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/europe2024 

Do you know the difference between a charge card versus a credit card when it comes to accumulating points? It's possible that you have one, or even a few, without realizing that they're not exactly the same thing as a traditional credit card. So today, we're taking a closer look at what makes a charge card different from a credit card.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/charge-cards-vs-credit-cards

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm welcoming back Kelly, The Points and Miles Doc, to the podcast. We're talking about points strategies when you have a points partner, commonly referred to as a P2 or player two in the points travel world.

Discover how to choose a partner for your points and miles journey. We're discussing some of the common misconceptions around who can be your P2 in the game of credit card points, the advantages of having a player two, and how to make decisions regarding your own P2 strategy so you can diversify and maximize your points potential.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/p2-strategies-maximize-points

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by two guests who are here to discuss a points-earning opportunity that could potentially earn you one million or more American Express Membership Rewards Points. Leslie and Demma have recently leveraged the purchase of a home to earn a huge points reward, and they're here today to share their experiences and advice with all of us.

Discover how to get potentially one Amex Point per dollar of the purchase price of your home, with no limit on the number of points you can earn, and without needing to use a credit card for the purchase.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/1-million-points-one-purchase

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

If you've ever been confused about airport lounge access—what counts, what's changed, and what's still worth it—you're not alone.

In this episode, I welcome back guest Traci Siegel for an updated look at lounge access using rewards credit cards in 2025. We unpack the biggest changes to credit card lounge access this year, including new restrictions on who gets in and when.

From premium travel cards like the Amex Platinum and Capital One Venture X to underrated options and family-friendly picks, we're breaking down which cards actually deliver on their lounge promises—and which ones have quietly downgraded their perks.

If you're trying to figure out which card is best for your personal travel style, or you've ever been turned away at a lounge counter and thought, "Wait, I thought this card included access," this episode is for you.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/airport-lounge-access/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Earlier this month, United Airlines increased its award prices across the board for economy and business class flights on United and partner-operated international flights without any advanced notice to its frequent flyer program members. After this points devaluation, it now costs roughly 33% to 55% more points for any award flight booked through United. The worst part of this news is that United points aren't transferable.

Discover how to protect yourself from points devaluations by leveraging transferable points. I'm showing you how to keep your options open when accumulating awards-travel points, how to see whether you will be disproportionately affected by a points devaluation, and how you can act now to protect yourself against the instability of points as a currency.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-devaluations

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Julia Menez is a points strategy coach, speaker, and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast. Having traveled to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars using points and miles in the process, Julia has distilled the strategies from top award travelers around the world and shares them with her audience.

Discover some of the amazing things we can learn when we diversify the conversation around points travel and discuss our mistakes along the way. Julia Menez is sharing why your points journey doesn't have to start out a certain way in order to be successful, her favorite lessons she's learned from opening up the conversation on her own podcast, and her strategic tips for points travel that everyone can benefit from.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/luxury-travel-strategies-obstacles-mistakes-julia-menez

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

You guys have a lot of questions. So, we're doing something a little bit different this week. Instead of me teaching you about a specific topic within the world of credit card points travel, I'm bringing you a listener Q&A. 

I'm talking transfer bonuses, airline-specific cards, business credit cards, and maintaining a good relationship with banks. I'm also providing a framework for understanding the reasoning behind these answers, so you can decide what's best for you.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/rewards-travel-qa

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

My guest this week is Dr. Priyanka Venugopal, a physician-turned-coach for high-achieving working moms. Priyanka and I have been working together for a while, and she's here today to tell us about her first trip with her husband and kids all together to visit their extended family in India. Not only was this trip booked using points, but it was Priyanka's first-ever first-class flight.

Discover why your points journey doesn't have to be planned out a certain way. As an entrepreneur, Priyanka didn't realize how many points she was accumulating. However, when she learned what she was sitting on and how to leverage those points, she was able to book four first-class tickets going halfway around the planet. She just needed to ask for help to make it happen.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/fly-first-class-priyanka-venugopal

Grab your spot inside Points Made Easy: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

There's a big difference between loving the idea of using points to save thousands of dollars on travel and actually knowing how to earn and redeem points for the travel experiences that matter most to you - listen in on this bonus episode to hear exactly how Points Made Easy can help you bridge that gap and what that has to do with the time Devon got hopelessly lost in the souks in Marrakesh.

To join Points Made Easy before doors close on May 26, visit: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/joinpointsmadeeasy

My guest this week, Cherie, is a client in my Points Made Easy program who recently sent me a message saying that she had redeemed points worth $20,000 in travel in just one year. I immediately had so many questions and I knew I needed to get her on the podcast.

Cherie is a pediatrician and the founder of Doctor Moms Lounge, a membership designed to help women physicians take the busywork out of "momming" so they have time for what matters to them most. Discover how she went from having zero points-earning credit cards to redeeming $20,000 worth of rewards travel in just 12 months!

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/redeeming-20000-points

Get on the waitlist for my online course, Points Made Easy, here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

There are some amazing sign-up bonus offer on the market right now. Even if you utilize several different methods of earning points for your expenses, new card sign-up bonuses are still the easiest way to earn lots of points quickly. However, you want to be absolutely sure that when you get approved for a new rewards credit card, you don't make a mistake that's going to cost you your sign-up bonus. This week, learn how to avoid common sign-up bonus snafus.

Get full show notes and more information here: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/sign-up-bonus-snafus

Get on the waitlist for my online course, Points Made Easy, here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by Kelly, a surgeon and points enthusiast based in Los Angeles, California. At work, she serves as a division director for her surgical field while working on projects regarding sustainability in healthcare. On the side, she loves promoting intentional reward travel to prevent burnout among medical professionals, which I think is an incredible mission.

Discover why rewards travel offers a unique opportunity for physicians who want to travel more. Kelly and I are discussing the travel experiences she's been able to take that wouldn't have been possible without points, how reward points free up money to spend in a sustainable way, and Kelly's tips for leveraging your expenses as a medical professional so you can have more luxurious travel experiences.

Get full show notes and more information here: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-miles-physician

Get on the waitlist for my online course, Points Made Easy, here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by Dr. Payal Patel Ghayal, an amazing physician who's here to share her story of points travel with all of us today. Discover the mindset side of points travel and what stops high-achieving professionals from getting started on their points travel journey. Payal is sharing her experience as a Woman of Color sitting in the front of the plane, the fun and play involved with points travel, the value of picking one place to start, and her advice for anyone else thinking about starting their points travel journey.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-travel-dr-payal-patel-ghayal

Get on the waitlist for my online course, Points Made Easy, here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In the second part of the Paying Your Taxes by Credit Card series, I'm sharing everything you need to know about which credit cards are best for paying taxes, how to leverage and maximize the points you can earn, and what you need to keep in mind when choosing which card or cards you want to use to pay them.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/paying-taxes-credit-card-2

If you've ever hesitated before transferring points—or wondered if a redemption was "good enough"—this is the episode you've been waiting for.

In this conversation with Greg Davis-Kean (a.k.a. Frequent Miler), we unpack how to think more strategically about the value of your points. Whether you're sitting on a big stash or navigating your first transfer, you'll hear expert insight into when to redeem, when to wait, and how to use point valuations as a guide—not a rule. We also dive into the psychology behind redemption pressure, real examples of high-value bookings, and why your goals should always shape your strategy.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/point-worth-frequent-miler/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header 

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

If you're a high-earning professional or a self-employed business owner, your tax expenses represent an enormous points-earning opportunity that you may not even be aware of. So, tune in this week to start evaluating whether this doing so is the right decision for you, the fees involved, and the potential payoffs in the form of credit card points. Be sure to come back next week for part two, where I'll be sharing the specific cards that will allow you to maximize your rewards.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/paying-taxes-credit-card

Is hanging on to these store-specific credit cards and using them despite not earning points and miles from these purchases a good idea?

In part two of my rewards vs. cash-back credit cards showdown, I help you decide whether you could be further ahead by using store-specific cash-back credit cards for certain purchases, or if you'd be better off using your rewards cards for the same purchases.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/rewards-cash-back-credit-cards-2

Discover a framework that will help you evaluate your own personal situation to accurately determine whether cash-back credit cards or rewards credit cards are the best way for you to leverage your expenses. Over the next two episodes, I'm walking you through how I think about comparing the potential returns of cash-back credit cards and points-earning credit cards, so you can make the decision that gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/rewards-cash-back-credit-cards