Bougie in a Backpack

This episode is all about how to maximize you holiday shopping! Whether you're listening at the most wonderful time of the year or if you are in a season of making big purchases, here are some tips on how to best leverage that spend for more points and miles! If you listened to our stacking episode 3, this episode covers even more stacking methods. In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat abo...

Today we are talking about the first credit cards we opened! We explain why we opened cards, what we regret, and what we would do differently (so that you don't make the same mistakes!) In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: The first cards that we got Why we regret the first cards we opened Cards that we have been authorized users on Some benefits of being added as an Authorized Use...

Today we are talking about some Hyatt hacks that we like to use! Some of these may seem obvious, and some of these you would only know if you asked. We also talk about some strategies we recommend for maximizing value on free night certificates. In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How to take advantage of the free shuttle bus to places other than the airport Strategies to maximize you...

Today we are taking some questions from our Bougie Mailbag! Mackenzie is live from Ireland and sharing some of the dumb mistakes she has made on this trip, for you to avoid. We discuss apps that you can use to track your points, miles, offers, and credits across multiple award accounts. We also touch on buying groups, the pros, cons, and our personal horror stories. In this episode, Angel and Mack...

Today we are talking about a side hustle that can earn you extra points and miles! You can use side hustle businesses to open business credit cards, as well as earning extra points through business spend. In this episode, we are deep diving into long and short term rentals. Mackenzie is a long-distance long term rental owner as well as an Airbnb Superhost. Angel interviews Mackenzie about all of t...

This episode is all about the Southwest Challenge! We are live from Chicago Seminars, giving you everything you need to know about our Free 3-Day Southwest Challenge In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How to maximize the value of a Southwest companion pass How to stack and earn extra cashback on cruises How to take advantage of card offers Ways to stack on cruises, Airbnb, and how to...

This episode is all about traveling with friends! Whether your friends are travel hackers or not, there are pros and cons to both situations! We are spilling the tea on the postives and negatives, and sharing some of our personal stories and experiences from which you can learn to avoid! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: The pros and cons of traveling with travel hacker friends The...

We are talking all about rental cars today! Inspired by a loaded question we received in the Bougie Mailbag (you can submit your questions here !), we are chatting all things rental cars, driving internationally, rental insurance coverage, status, corporate codes, and mishaps we have had. In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How to obtain an international driving permit, and why you mi...

We are back with a #hotgirlhacks part 3! This time, we are here to help you save money on and earn extra points on fitness classes, gyms, and working out! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: Ways to utilize the Amex Platinum $300 Equinox credit without paying a penny extra A clever hack for finding premium fitness class trainers at lower-end gyms How to stack on gym memberships and fi...

On this episode we are doing some travel recap, including how to travel hack multiple cruises by status matching, and some tips we have about getting your flight rescheduled if you have an issue. Plus, we are answering your Bougie Mailbag questions! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How Angel travel hacked a cruise to Alaska (and only paid port fees), and even how she stacked on the...

Today we are talking about GoPuff! What it is and which credit cards come with a $10 credit each month (it's a lot of cards!). We will give some ideas for what to buy there, and how to stack for extra points and savings! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: Strategies to change your “non-changeable” flights for free that we have recently used The concept of HUCA—Hang up and call ag...

Today we are talking about the Southwest Companion pass! How to earn it, when is the best time to earn it, and why it could be useful to you, and when it may not be worth it for you to get. In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How Angel was able to last minute add a friend to her Southwest flight to save $600 (or would have been 40,000 points) How you can change your companion on the C...

Today we are uncovering some of our favorite free tools to use to help us find the best points or cash deals on hotels! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How to navigate an award or cash hotel booking from the beginning Tips for using hotel and travel credits on various credit cards Tips for earning a maximizing your value out of free night awards Tools for strategizing which hotel...

We are back with the #hotgirlhacks to help you save money on and earn extra points on looking and feeling good! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: Ways to stack and save on laser hair removal treatments How to know past history of credit cards offers to plan for future offers How to time your stacks for the maximum points earning and cashback How to use class pass to save on facials...

Today we are uncovering some of our favorite free tools to use to help us find the best points deals on flights! In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie chat about: How to navigate an award or cash flight from the beginning Tools for strategizing which airport you are flying into and out of to maximize your points Why and when to search through partners for award tickers Breaking down distance based,...

This week is all about airport lounges! Have you ever wanted to get into an airport lounge? Do you ever wonder how people get to go to those exclusive places before a flights? Even if you are already a savvy lounge-goer, there may be a few things you may have never heard before that we expose in this episode... In this episode, we chat about: Update on Mackenzie's health situation The last air...

Ashley from @ashleygetsaround is the back this week! She is the Queen of Cheap Business Class flights, American Airlines Expert, the female George Clooney (if you've ever seen Up in the Air), host of the Travel More Conference, co-host of the Travel Chat podcast with Ashley and Emily. In this episode, we cover: American Airlines Secret top status: Concierge Key How you can talk your way into C...

We have our first guest in this episode! Our dear friend Ashley from @ashleygetsaround is the Queen of Cheap Business Class flights, American Airlines Expert, the female George Clooney (if you've ever seen Up in the Air), host of the Travel More Conference, co-host of the Travel Chat podcast with Ashley and Emily. In this episode, we chat about: Why Ashley goes by a pseudonym on FlyerTalk (a p...

Coming at you live from DC, in note only the same city, but the same room (Angel's upgraded Suite at the Park Hyatt)! This episode is all about different ways to save on clothing and fashion, including while traveling! Did you know that there are several different ways to get designer and higher-end clothing at a fraction of the cost? Or that there are a few ways to save closet space or bag sp...

This episode is all about different ways we save on food, transportation, and other essentials while traveling! Did you know that some hotels offer free shuttles you can use to get around? And some airport lounges allow you to enter and get free food on arrival? In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie touch on: The hotel that Angel paid 3,500 points per night in Mexico and earned status Ways to get i...

This episode is a crash course in stacking! Stacking involves utilizing various tools, offers, and promotions to maximize the amount of points, miles, and cash back you earn for each purchase you make. This episode cover some of our favorite stacks .  Even if you are not brand new to stacking, this episode touches on more advanced ways to not only earn extra points and miles with each purchase, bu...

The episode delves into the fundamentals of points and miles, which is essentially a way to save money on travel. Our strategies involve taking advantage of various rules, promotions, and perks that airlines, hotels, and other programs offer to book travel. While some people may think this only involves points and miles credit cards, there are many different ways to go about it, including knowing...

This episode is all about our weirdest budget travel hacks to save money, (most of these do not even involve credit cards, points, or miles!) In this episode, Angel and Mackenzie talk about: Why and when we will book budget airlines or basic economy How to change your flight time and choose your seat for free if you booked basic economy How to avoid carry-on bag fees and middle seats on budget air...

Introducing Bougie in a Backpack Podcast! Angel from The Pennywise Traveler (@pennywisetraveler) and Mackenzie from Travel Hacks Mack (@travelhacksmack) are your new best travel friends you didn't know you needed, teaching you ways to save and while still traveling and thriving. From sipping champagne in first class for $5.60 plus points, to stacking to save money and earn extra points and mil...