Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula welcomes Danielle Fiorino to discuss how to travel the world at low cost using credit cards, points, and miles. Danielle shares her experiences from the PointsQuest conference in New York, attending the 2024 Olympics, and traveling to Madrid to see Taylor Swift. They also talk about the benefits of various credit cards, lounge a...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula interviews Emmanuel Crouvisier of CardPointers. They discuss strategies for optimizing credit card spending using the CardPointers app and browser tool, which helps users automatically activate card-linked offers. Emmanuel shares his journey into miles and points, his family's travel history, and how he eventually created CardPo...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsburg delve into Justin's recent travel adventures, focusing on his fourth cruise of 2025 aboard the Celebrity Silhouette. Justin shares insights on low-cost travel using credit card points, miles, and perks, and highlights his experiences with the Celebrity Silhouette, including the variety of food options...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula shares insights from his recent cruise on the Holland America Nieuw Statendam, obtained through a Wynn Las Vegas tier match offer. The episode covers detailed travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and cruise amenities, as well as personal experiences and evaluations of ship facilities, dining options, internet service,...

Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he explores the world of points and miles with Julia Menez from Geobreeze Travel. Discover how to travel at low cost using credit card rewards, benefits, and loyalty programs. In this episode, they discuss the points and miles lifestyle, financial independence, and share tips on maximizing travel rewards. Learn about exciting conference...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and returning guest Mandi discuss a recent casino comp cruise experience on the Carnival Panorama, including tips for traveling at low cost with credit card points and miles. They explore destinations such as Cabo, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta, and discuss onboard activities, food options, and creative spending in the casino. The...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula shares a detailed travel report from his stay at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, utilizing a complimentary offer from Caesars Rewards Diamond Status. Joined by returning guest Mandi, Justin discusses the logistics of their trip, transportation, the luxurious amenities at Atlantis, and the trade-offs they made to stay within b...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and guest Mandi share their experiences from their January 2025 cruise on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady. They discuss how they secured a comp offer, the dining experiences onboard, and various port stops, including Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Bimini Beach, Bahamas. They highlight the ship's amenities, including fitn...

In this Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast episode, host Justin Vacula reviews the newly released Hard Rock MasterCard, launched in December 2024. He discusses earning unity points through various categories such as gaming, food, merchandise, and more, highlighting benefits like free car washes, buffet discounts, and no resort fees with the Icon status. Additionally, the episode touches on the uses of uni...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsburg discuss how to earn MGM Gold and Platinum status using points and miles from credit card rewards. They highlight the benefits of these statuses such as waived resort fees, free parking, lounge access, and dining credits. Detailed insights into the MGM Mastercard's earning potential, including strategi...

Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he discusses how to travel the world at low cost using credit card points, miles, and other rewards. In this episode, special guest Arthur Chow shares his extensive experiences and tips on maximizing travel rewards for trips to destinations like Europe, Japan, and beyond. They also delve into strategies for booking high-value award fligh...

Join host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsburg on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as they delve into strategies for earning Caesars Rewards Diamond Status in 2025. They discuss leveraging the Caesars Rewards Visa credit card and playing video poker on tier multiplier days to unlock waived resort fees, comp hotel nights, and more. For aspiring travelers and gambling enthusiasts, the episode off...

The Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, hosted by Justin Vacula, delves into strategies for traveling at minimal cost using credit card points, miles, benefits, and rewards. The episode highlights upcoming 2025 travel events, including Frequent Traveler University in Dallas, Texas, featuring guest John Ryan. The discussion covers optimizing travel rewards, conference specifics, event speakers, and persona...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses traveling affordably using credit card points, miles, and rewards. He chats with Gideon from the Free-quent Flyer blog about maximizing grocery rewards programs such as Safeway's, including strategic tips for earning and redeeming points, managing multiple accounts, and transferring points to Alaska Airlines. The episo...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula chats with James, host of the Churn and Burn Podcast, about maximizing travel using credit card points and miles. They discuss their origins in the points and miles hobby, favorite travels, spending strategies, and future card plans for 2025. Justin also announces upcoming events and meetups, including ZorkFest 2025, and provide...

Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he shares tips on low-cost travel using points, miles, benefits, and rewards from credit cards. This episode features an insightful interview with James from the Churn and Burn podcast discussing Dell credits, the business platinum card, and creative ways to maximize credit card rewards. Justin also announces various travel events for 20...

This Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast episode features a trip report on a Las Vegas double birthday celebration with guest Mandi Johnson. Highlights include maximizing dining and spa credits, leveraging tier matches for free rewards, and enjoying quality dining at low or no cost. Upcoming travel plans, event appearances, and recent credit card approvals are also discussed, showcasing the potential of cr...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Anna Murphy and Merlin Sutter of the band Cellar Darling. The conversation was originally recorded in 2018 and now has remastered audio. The discussion covers many topics, including their musical journey, the impact of Stoic philosophy on their work, and personal reflections on...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula is joined by returning guest Mark Konchinsky to discuss leveraging the Weis Markets Rewards Program for free groceries and discounted gas. The discussion includes strategies for earning and redeeming points through purchasing prepaid/gaming gift cards, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and GameOn. Justin and Marc discuss strategies...

Justin Vacula and special guest Brian Cohen of Award Magic discuss optimizing American Express membership rewards for flights, hotel stays, and cashback. Justin and Brian address listener questions about speculative transfers and the ANA round-the-world sweet spot. Justin and Brian provide strategies for earning and redeeming points, managing credit cards effectively, and navigating the world of m...

In this audio-remastered episode, Justin Vacula critiques self-proclaimed financial expert Dave Ramsey's views on credit scores and debt. Vacula argues that Ramsey's negative perspective on credit is misleading and fails to acknowledge responsible credit usage. Justin explains how individuals can use credit cards wisely to build their credit scores, earn rewards, and save money without falling int...

This episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, hosted by Justin Vacula, features a detailed discussion with guest Darren Remsburg on maximizing savings through the Giant Pennsylvania Fuel and Grocery Rewards Program. Justin shares upcoming speaking events and meetups, provides tips on using credit card points, and emphasizes the benefits of the Giant program, highlighting strategies to get free g...

Navigating the Changing Landscape of Casino Status Matching and Earning In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, hosted by Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsburg, listeners are guided through the evolving landscape of casino status matching with a focus on Wyndham, Caesars Rewards, and Ocean Casino. The discussion highlights recent changes affecting status matchers, strategies to main...

In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses American Express strategies for 2025 with guest Stephan Krasowski, recorded live at the 2024 Chicago Seminars in Elk Grove Village. They delve into optimal ways to utilize Amex points, miles, benefits, and rewards, including tips on upgrading and downgrading cards, maximizing Amex offers, and ensuring spend thresholds...

You’re listening to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast. I’m your host, Justin Vacula, here to help you travel the world at next to no cost with credit card points, miles, benefits, and rewards. Make money, save money, and take advantage of great deals! Thanks for joining me for today’s episode, a discussion with Riley of the website CardCenter.cc where you can buy and sell gift cards. We talk about gi...