The Upgraded Points Podcast

Capital One just made a major move in the points and miles world by adding 3 new transfer partners — Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Chris and Katie break down what this means for your travel redemptions, why now might be the perfect time to use your Capital One miles, and how these changes could make Capital One one of the most valuable travel pro...

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we dive into the latest updates shaking up the  travel world, including the major refresh to the The Business Platinum Card from American Express. From new benefits to a bigger annual fee, we break down what these changes mean for cardholders and whether the updates make this card worth it for your business. We’ll also cover Chase’s updates to The Ed...

Traveling should be smooth, not stressful. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the differences between TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry to help you decide which program is the right fit for your travel style. From skipping long security lines to breezing through customs, they’ll share the perks, drawbacks, and insider tips for each option. You’ll also hear some of the unique ways Chri...

The Platinum Card® from American Express just got a massive refresh for 2025 — with new benefits, new perks, and yes, a higher annual fee. Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know, from the new and updated benefits to whether the card is still worth it after the fee increase. 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 24 01:00 Universal Halloween Horror Nights 03:45 Flights to Thailan...

Step inside the magic with us! In this special episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie broadcast live from Walt Disney World in support of our "Magic in the Air" giveaway. They stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and sat down for exclusive interviews (inside the parks!) you won’t hear anywhere else, including Dr. Zak from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tara Anderson, Show Direc...

Big news in the points and miles world… Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards. But is this truly an upgrade or just a rebrand? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know: redemption sweet spots, earning structures, and the highly anticipated Atmos Rewards Summit Card with big welcome b...

Is Southwest turning into every other airline? In this week’s episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast , we’re diving into major Southwest changes that some travelers are celebrating, while others aren’t too thrilled. From elite status perks to new credit card updates, Katie and Chris break down exactly what these shifts mean for your future flights and bookings. But that’s not all, we are also shar...

Citi just shook up the points and travel world with major updates and the launch of a brand-new travel rewards credit card. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast , we break down what these changes mean for travelers, from new partners and fresh perks to how you can maximize benefits with the latest card on the market. We’ll cover the biggest travel updates, unpack the details of Citi’s la...

We all love to travel—but let’s be honest, not every part of the journey is picture-perfect. From booking mishaps to seat-kicking neighbors, some moments test even the most patient travelers. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast , Chris and Katie dive into their biggest on-board and hotel pet peeves, sharing the unspoken rules (and rule-breakers) of the travel world. They’re not alone, e...

Think hotel elite perks are only for top-tier travelers? Think again. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie reveal insider tips on how to unlock elite hotel benefits—like room upgrades, late checkout, and free breakfast—even if you don’t have elite status. From smart booking strategies to credit cards that do the heavy lifting, they break down how you can travel like a VI...

Big hotel brands are getting a boutique glow-up, and now your points can unlock some seriously stylish stays. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down the key differences between Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and Mr & Mrs Smith hotels, plus how to book them with points through Hyatt and Hilton. We also cover the latest travel news: a new promo code for Roame, fres...

Looking for credit cards that don’t charge an annual fee but do offer real value? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down the best no-annual-fee cards for both personal and business use. They also cover the new TSA shoe removal rule, listener Q&A, and smart tips to help you choose the right $0 annual fee card for travel, rewards, or cash back. Whether you're...

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris uncover the most common mistakes beginners make when redeeming credit card points and miles — and how to avoid them. From picking poor-value redemptions to misunderstanding sign-up bonuses and how they impact your credit score, they explain the rookie traps that can cost you big. You’ll also learn how to calculate cents-per-point valu...

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris are diving deep into the latest buzz in the world of travel and points—and there’s big news for American Express cardholders. Chris kicks things off with updates on his upcoming trip to Japan, sharing more details on his exciting itinerary. Meanwhile, Katie takes us back in time with stories from her stay at a historic hotel in Panama...

Welcome to The Upgraded Points Podcast , where hosts Katie and Chris break down everything you need to know about traveling smarter, flying better, and making the most of your credit card points. From insider airline updates to the best cards for travel perks, they’ve got your journey covered, no gate changes required. In this episode, we learn about the one promo you could use to help lock in eli...

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast , Chris kicks things off with how he cleverly redeemed credits and points—plus, he shares a wild story about flying on a plane that looks like a turtle (yes, really!). Katie dives into her recent trip to Europe, breaking down exactly how she booked it using points and sharing savvy tips to help you save big on your own European getaway. After a quick...

In this episode, Chris and Katie take you through their latest travel experiences and dive deep into the world of airport lounge access. Chris shares what it was like flying with Copa Airlines, while Katie talks about scoring an upgrade with American Airlines in Charlotte. They then explore which credit cards offer the best lounge access , why lounge perks matter for frequent travelers, and which...

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share their top business class redemptions that you can actually book with points and miles in 2025, including options on American Airlines, Qatar Qsuites, ANA, Japan Airlines, Condor, and more. Whether you're planning a dream trip to Japan or want a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, you'll hear real booking examples, points prices,...

Looking for the best tools to search for award flights and hotels? In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down the top award flight search tools we personally use to book award travel with points and miles. From free options to paid platforms, we’ll show you what each one does best, plus share a discount for our favorite tool: Seats.aero. Chris and Katie also share recent travel...

Looking for a travel credit card with perks that actually deliver value? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris break down their favorite credit card perks, from airport lounge access, travel insurance, to annual resort credits, and more.  Whether you're a frequent flyer or planning a once-a-year getaway, these benefits can help you save money, travel more comfortably, and...

Want to earn more points and miles—without opening a new credit card? It’s possible, and even easy, if you know where to look. From online shopping portals to strategic spending, there are plenty of surprising ways to boost your rewards with everyday purchases. In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share their favorite ways to earn travel rewards without adding a new card...

Looking for the best travel deals this summer? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share how to save big on summer travel—including the best glamping destinations, smart credit card strategies, and expert tips on using points and miles more effectively. Chris kicks things off with a wild story about his family’s recent travel nightmare: three international overnight fli...

Not sure where to start when planning a Disney vacation? We have tips to help you save on hotels, food, tickets, and more. Plus, we sat down with experts at planDisney to help you plan your next trip to see Mickey Mouse. Chris and Katie also discuss customer service at Virgin Atlantic, the little-known Air Canada Rogue airline, and the massive 100,000 welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred...

Should you believe the hype behind the new Epic Universe theme park? And should you be buying points as a casual traveler? In today’s episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie discuss the new Universal Epic Universe theme park, the Universal Terra Luna and Helios Grand resorts, sign-up bonuses, and more. Plus, find out about the lesser-known Mexican city that will become a go-to trav...

Is premium economy worth it, or is it just another way for airlines to charge you more for economy? In today’s episode of Upgraded Points, Chris and Katie discuss premium economy, the new Delta Sky Club lounge in Atlanta, and answer listener questions to help you get the most out of your points and miles.  Chris and Katie begin by discussing their experiences and opinions on premium economy. Origi...