Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

Ever wonder what it’s like being married to a points & miles fanatic? In this special episode, Bryce hands the mic to the real MVPs: the P2s, or the partners of the 10xTravel crew. Get an honest, hilarious, and heartfelt look at what it’s really like to live with someone obsessed with airline redemptions, hotel upgrades, and stacking signup bonuses.   You’ll hear from: Ashley (Matt’s wife), wh...

Welcome to the ultimate destination face-off for award travelers: Italy vs. Japan. In this episode, the 10xTravel team compares two of the most sought-after dream trips in the points and miles world. From premium flight redemptions and train travel to luxury hotels and authentic food experiences, which destination gives you more value?   Join Bryce, Travis, Emily, and Matt as they pit ravioli agai...

Ever wonder what award travel pros actually book with their points and miles? In this behind-the-scenes episode, the 10xTravel team pulls back the curtain on their real travel plans, giving an inside look at the strategies and considerations behind their trips. From spring break in The Bahamas to a dive trip in Italy and Ireland, you’ll hear the exact routes, programs, challenges, and creative boo...

Are points and miles worth less than they used to be—or are they just different? In this episode, Bryce is joined by Emily, Travis, and Matt to break down how the value of travel rewards has evolved in 2025. They unpack shifting airline award charts, hotel certificate struggles, and why dynamic pricing isn’t necessarily the end of the world.   Hear what the crew thinks about points and miles deval...

What would you do with your points—book Emirates First Class for a one-time luxury experience or stretch them for two roundtrips in business class to Europe? In this special “Would You Rather?” episode, Bryce and Emily put common points and miles dilemmas to the test.   They debate the trade-offs every points and miles pro faces—quantity vs. quality, domestic weekend trips vs. international dream...

It's time to turn up the heat! In this special hot takes episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis are dishing out their most unfiltered opinions on points and miles travel, credit card strategies, and everything in between.   From questioning the true value of “free night” certificates to debating whether optimizing every point is really worth it, nothing is off-limits. You’ll hear where the crew agrees,...

Thinking about airport lounge access for your next trip, or wondering if it’s actually worth it? In this episode Bryce, Matt, Emily, and Travis share everything you need to know about airport lounges, from stand-out experiences (both good and bad) to how to gain lounge access on your next trip.   The team shares their best and worst lounge experiences across the globe, from exceptional lounge show...

Have you taken flight with the American Airlines AAdvantage program yet? In this episode, Bryce is joined by Emily and Matt to unpack the program details—from earning and redeeming miles to status tiers and program quirks.   Earning AAdvantage miles can be tricky, so the crew is breaking down their thoughts on how to maximize the benefits of the program, including partner information to get the mo...

When it comes to earning and redeeming points for travel, not all credit card rewards are created equal. In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis break down the 3 main types of credit card points—bank transferable points, airline and hotel-specific points, and cashback—to help you optimize your points and miles strategy. From which types of points to prioritize based on travel goals to why flexib...

Are you taking advantage of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club yet? In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis break down the program’s sweet spots and the incredible value it offers for points and miles enthusiasts. Listen in as the crew discusses everything from flying to London for just 6,000 points to booking business class flights to Japan or New Zealand at unbeatable rates. They also explore Vir...

Get ready to track your points and miles redemptions like never before! In this episode, Matt joins Bryce and Emily to introduce the My10x Redemption Tracker, the new tool he developed to help travelers keep track of how they've used their points and miles. In the episode, the crew dives into the innovative features of the new Redemption Tracker and guides listeners through the functionality of th...

This week the 10xTravel team tackles the most controversial topics in air travel. From the great seat recline debate to the dreaded barefoot passenger, Travis, Bryce, and Emily discuss the most shocking faux pas they've come across in their own travels.   Should you put your personal item in the overhead bin? Is it okay to take off your shoes? And who really gets the middle armrest? Tune in as Tra...

Distance-based awards programs may seem like a thing of the past, but not for Alaska Airlines! In this episode, Travis is joining Bryce to uncover the unique details and perks of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Bryce and Travis jump into a discussion on the unique aspects of Alaska's Mileage Plan, including its distance-based earning structure, a rarity in an industry that’s largely shifted to r...

In this episode of  Takeoff  by 10xTravel, Bryce and Travis share their top travel superlatives for 2024, diving into the best of airline and hotel loyalty programs, redemptions, lounges, and more. Bryce and Travis discuss their top picks for airline loyalty programs, with Bryce favoring Air France’s Flying Blue for its family-friendly benefits and Travis backing United for its extensive partner n...

It's officially 2025, and in this episode Bryce and Travis are sharing their points and miles reflections, accomplishments, and resolutions for the New Year! Bryce and Travis start by discussing their major highlights from 2024, including some fantastic trips and notable points wins. They also each share their biggest learnings and mistakes over the past year and what they would have done differen...

Traveling with kids doesn’t always mean sacrifice, especially when you know how to leverage points and miles for the whole family! In this episode, host Bryce is joined by seasoned family travelers Katie and Raya, who share their wealth of knowledge about navigating the world of points and miles with kids in tow. Throughout the episode, Raya, Katie, and Bryce share essential tips and strategies fo...

  Known for its flexibility and valuable redemption options, Flying Blue is quickly becoming a favorite among points enthusiasts. In this episode, Bryce, Travis, and Matt take you on a deep dive into Flying Blue, Air France, and KLM’s loyalty program. Tune in and learn how to score incredible deals on Europe flights with Flying Blue Promo Rewards, why it’s so easy to earn Flying Blue Miles, some o...

Japan is on everyone’s bucket list—and for good reason. With world-class food, fascinating culture, and a blend of ancient and modern cities, it’s a dream destination for travelers. But how can you make the long-haul trip to Japan without spending a fortune? In this episode, Bryce and Travis walk you through everything you need to know to fly to Japan using points and miles. From luxury options li...

You already know how valuable Southwest’s 2-for-1 Companion Pass is. But what’s the best way to fully unlock that value? Well, it depends on who you ask… In this episode, the team goes head to head as they debate the best trips to take with your Southwest Companion pass. Should you take your travel partner on a luxurious island escape, a charming city break, or something in between? Listen as Bryc...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Private Suites. Double Beds. Caviar. And that’s just the beginning… Considered by many travelers (and Skytrax) to be the best business class in the world, Qatar Airways’ Qsuites can be a tough ticket to book on points and miles. Fortunately, today’s episode will tell you how to do just that. Listen as Bryce, Matt, and Travis discuss their own luxurious exper...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. A 2-for-1 plane ticket that lets you bring a friend on your next trip? Nope, it’s not too good to be true. It’s the Southwest Companion Pass, and we’re telling you exactly how to get it. In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis delve into the easiest ways to easily earn and maximize this industry-leading companion pass. From the importance of strategically...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Morgan—one of 10X Travel’s top award booking experts.  In addition to detailing her epic world travels, Morgan offers valuable insights into the art of award booking. She also gives her top tips for strategically redeeming points and miles, from minimizing taxes and fees to finding hidden award space and maximiz...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Ever thought about quitting your job to travel the world? Then you won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode, long-time 10xTravel group member Michelle joins us to share her inspiring story of leaving her teaching career, living out of a backpack, and traveling the globe using points and miles. Listen as she recounts her unforgettable safari adventure...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this lively episode recorded in Salt Lake City, Bryce, Matt, Emily, and Travis offer a Thunderdome-style face-off on major hotel loyalty programs. Each host champions a different program—Bryce for IHG, Matt for Marriott, Emily for Hyatt, and Travis for Hilton. They dive into the global reach and quality of properties, hotel credit card portfolios, and eli...

Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this episode of Takeoff by 10XTravel, stand-in host Emily, Matt, and podcast newcomer Zach explore the digital nomad lifestyle with Zach, who has been on the road since 2018. Plus, we introduce our newest segment, where we answer your top points and miles questions-from Amex strategies and managing business cards to planning a luxury staycation in Portuga...