Point Me To First Class

If you've ever struggled to find award space—especially in business class—this is the episode you've been waiting for. In this episode, I'm diving into a unique but often overlooked type of airline route called a fifth freedom flight. These flights are legal exceptions in commercial aviation that allow an airline to fly between two foreign countries, neither of which is their home base—and for poi...

No matter how dreamy your destination is, there's one thing that can make or break your trip: sleep. In this episode, I'm joined by sleep therapists Leah Corkum and Marlee Boyle, co-founders of Sleep-Works , a Canadian-based virtual sleep education company helping individuals and families improve their sleep health. With certifications in CBT for insomnia, clinical sleep health, and years of exper...

There's finally a card that rewards you for the one expense that's been completely ignored in the points world: your mortgage. In this episode, I'm talking with Kelley Halpin, CEO of Mesa, about the first credit card that lets you earn points for mortgage payments—plus other major homeowner expenses like daycare, utilities, and home improvement. Kelley shares what makes the Mesa card unique, how i...

Whether your Costco haul includes a 5-pound bag of almonds or a giant sectional sofa, one thing is certain: you're probably not spending just a few bucks. If you've ever wondered how to earn more credit card points on your Costco runs, this episode walks you through four smart, strategic ways to maximize rewards—whether you're shopping in-store, online, or through a workaround like Instacart. You'...

A limited time elevated credit card bonus offer sounds amazing—so should you go for it? In this episode, I break down how to evaluate elevated credit card welcome bonuses so you can make a smart, strategic decision. Using the current Chase Sapphire Preferred offer as a real-world example, I walk through the three questions you need to ask before jumping on any limited-time offer: ✔ Are you even el...

What does it look like to fully optimize your life—not just financially, but how you travel, make decisions, and spend your time? In this episode, I'm joined by Chris Hutchins, host of All the Hacks, for a fast-paced conversation about how to get more value, joy, and efficiency from everything you do. We talk about optimizing credit card rewards, streamlining travel, removing decision fatigue, and...

With changes to credit card processing platforms and fee structures for 2025, the strategy for paying taxes with a credit card—and earning points while doing it—has shifted. In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend and points expert Dr. Sujatha Murali to walk you through the major changes in tax payment processing for 2025—and how to earn huge amounts of points while minimizing fees. We share...

Have you ever stood in front of your suitcase, overwhelmed, unsure what to pack—or panic-ordered outfits days before a trip that you'll never wear again? You're not alone. In fact, this episode might be exactly what your suitcase (and closet) needs. In this episode, I'm joined by Cassandra Sethi, personal stylist and founder of Next Level Wardrobe, who shares her system for making packing simple,...

As someone who has booked over $192,000 worth of travel using points just this year, I've learned that mastering the art of points transfers is the key to unlocking incredible travel experiences. But knowing when and where to transfer your points isn't always straightforward or intuitive, especially when you're new to this hobby.    In this episode, I share 10 do's and don'ts of credit card points...

Do you feel confident in your points redemption skills, or do you suspect you might be missing out on better deals? With a little knowledge and practice, you can learn to stack the key skills needed to get incredible value from your points, and I'm showing you how this week.    Tune in as I break down the six key levels of points redemption skill stacking. I explain how to know which level you're...

I share my top tips for running successful award flight searches gleaned from years of experience booking award travel.   Let's dive into the key differences between searching for cash flights versus award flights, and how to overcome the challenges of information overload and limited award seat inventory. I break down the most important mindset shifts and practical strategies you can start using...

In this episode, I'm joined by DeAndre Coke, a financial advisor and an avid traveler who was ranked by Forbes as one of Virginia's top financial security professionals for two consecutive years. DeAndre shares his experience using an innovative platform called Zil Money to pay payroll with his credit card, racking up huge amounts of valuable rewards points in the process.   Discover which credit...

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of award travel, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples. I break down complex topics like transferable points currencies, positioning flights, and maximizing leftover gift card balances in a way that's easy to understand and apply to your own travel goals.   So grab a pen and paper (or just hit that book...

Are you a medical professional looking for ways to leverage your CME funds for travel? I'm joined by Dr. Courtney Downes, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, Points and Travel strategist, and founder of Prescription to Travel MD. She helps healthcare professionals optimize credit card points and travel hacks for accessible leisure, adventure, wellness retreats, and CME.   Discover how...

From finding award availability to navigating the unique transportation logistics of getting to and from the Maldives, I walk you through everything that went into planning this ambitious trip. I also share my honest review of the flights we took, what it was like staying at the luxurious Park Hyatt Maldives, and how I kept food costs under control at the resort.   If the Maldives is on your trave...

The Travel Mom Squad shares their journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential voices in the award travel industry. We dive into the challenges they faced along the way, the strategies they used to overcome them, and the lessons they learned as they grew their business.   Get ready for an inside look at how these three powerhouse women are changing the face of award trave...

In this special 100th episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of the podcast's journey. I share why I started this venture, reveal surprising statistics about the show, and discuss how I use what I've learned to make the next 100 episodes even better for you.   Whether you're a long-time listener who's been here since day one or you just found your way to the podcast, there's something for every...

In this episode, I walk you through my simple 5-step process for evaluating which rewards credit cards deserve to keep their coveted spots in your wallet for another year. I explain why regularly assessing your card lineup is crucial for aligning your strategy with your evolving points goals and spending patterns.   By the end, you'll know exactly how to decide whether to keep, cancel, or product...

In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Sujatha Murali for part two of our 2024 points recap. Last week, we dove into how many points we earned in 2024 and the strategies we used. This week, the fun continues as we reveal exactly how we redeemed those points. Sujatha and I share our most memorable award trips, our highest value redemptions, and the trips we already have planned for 2025 using poi...

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sujatha Murali for an in-depth look at our 2024 points earning strategies, successes, and surprises. Get ready for a peek inside our wallets as we break down the nitty-gritty details of our points game.   Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of points and miles, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips. Discover...

As another year comes to a close, I have a tradition of looking back and taking stock of how many points I earned, how I earned them, and the value I got from redeeming them. It's an enlightening and even surprising exercise that I believe every points and miles enthusiast should do. I invite you to conduct your own points year in review and even give you a process for getting clear on what went r...

We're almost at the end of 2024, which means it's the season to start laying the foundation for earning one of the most extraordinary perks in points travel: the Southwest Companion Pass. With that in mind, it's time to revisit a conversation from this time last year with Southwest expert Lyn Mettler. A longtime travel journalist, Lyn has been writing about travel and interviewing experts for year...

Kevin Zanes, The Points Analyst, is here to share his expert take on the highlights and lowlights, the winners and losers, and the key developments that defined award travel in 2024. Together, we'll be unpacking the most significant events and digging into what these changes mean for points enthusiasts moving forward.   From major devaluations that stung to exciting new partnerships that opened up...

I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Walther, who has been leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass to save money and make unforgettable memories with her family. Michelle is an emergency medicine physician, mom to two amazing girls, and wife to a retired army medic. When she's not saving lives, she's saving miles, turning her love for travel into a family adventure fueled by points and miles. Michelle first...

Kelsi Sullivan grew up in Puerto Rico and Mexico City and has lived in way too many places, but her favorite was when she lived in Sri Lanka for 3 years! Traveling for Kelsi is about connection to people, food, culture, and history. In the travel rewards space, she is a solo traveler who loves a bougie last minute business class deal!   Learn how to take advantage of Mexico City's strategic locati...