The Upgraded Points Podcast

Hawaii is one of the most rewarding points destinations out there, but hotel prices vary wildly depending on which island you're on and where you stay. In this episode, Chris and Katie go island by island through Maui, Kauai, the Big Island, and Oahu, breaking down the best steal and splurge hotel options at each one with real cash prices and current points costs. From the Hampton Inn Maui North S...

Booking your first international award flight feels overwhelming until you understand the process. In this episode, Chris and Katie break it down into 4 repeatable steps that work every time, regardless of which airline you're flying, which points program you're using, or which cabin you're booking. Before the main segment, Chris shares how moving to Brazil 16 years ago got him into points and mil...

The Chase Sapphire Preferred just launched a 100,000-point welcome offer , and we're showing you exactly what to do with it. Chris and Katie walk through 6 real trip examples built around 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, with real redemption rates, real flights, and real hotels, so you can go book it yourself. Hawaii on Southwest with Hyatt nights in Waikiki. Walt Disney World at a Deluxe ho...

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card just got its biggest refresh in years, along with a 100,000-point welcome offer! That's a lot to unpack. Before the main segment, Chris covers a major Choice Privileges devaluation that hit Japan hard, with some properties jumping by as much as 200% in points cost overnight. Katie shares a W Seattle stay booked through Chase The Edit, what worked, what didn't, and...

Alaska Airlines just completed its first-ever flight to London, and Katie was on board in business class. In this episode, she breaks down the full experience, from two Seattle airport lounges to the brand new suites product on the 787-9 Dreamliner, full doors, Filson bedding and amenity kits, Salt and Straw ice cream sundaes at 35,000 feet, and an honest take on everything from the food to the sl...

Summer 2026 is here, and award space is already thinning fast. If you haven't booked yet, you're not too late, but the window is closing. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down five tips you can act on right now to lock in your summer travel before the best options disappear. Plus, Chris shares how his family made the most of a trip to Universal Epic Universe and whether it's worth it as a mu...

You might think you're using your Chase points correctly. You're probably not. Before we get into it, Chris shares how his Alaska Airlines account got hacked, what happened, and the steps everyone should take right now to protect their points. Katie recaps a weekend in Montreal, including an inaugural Air Canada flight from Columbus, a stay at the W Montreal, and why the city deserves way more att...

Hilton recently made some significant changes to its loyalty program, so we went straight to the source. Brad Anderson, Vice President of Hilton Honors , joins Chris and Katie for a full breakdown of everything new, including the brand new Diamond Reserve elite tier, what the Confirmable Upgrade Reward actually means for loyalists, and how Hilton is lowering the barriers to existing status tiers w...

Wells Fargo just added two significant transfer partners in less than two weeks, and it's time to take this program seriously. Wyndham Rewards now transfers at a 1:2 ratio, the best available anywhere, and Cathay Pacific just joined at 1:1, opening up Oneworld partner bookings, including American Airlines and British Airways. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the full Wells Fargo transfe...

We're back at Walt Disney World, and we brought a giveaway! ✨ Chris and Katie cover the full details on the Ultimate Summer of Magic Sweepstakes. One lucky winner and three guests will receive a trip to Walt Disney World, including airfare, hotel, park tickets, a $300 Disney Gift Card, and more. Plus, 10 first prize winners will each receive a $50 Disney Gift Card. Enter for your chance to win he...

Welcome bonuses are great, but they're not the whole game. Sometimes you've already got the cards, you've already earned the bonuses, and you still have a big purchase sitting in front of you. So what do you do? In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the spend thresholds and milestone rewards hiding inside cards you probably already have. We're talking free night certificates, elite status, c...

The major hotel programs keep making it harder to get good value from your points. So we're looking elsewhere. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down three programs that don't get nearly enough attention: Accor Live Limitless, I Prefer by Preferred Hotels, and Choice Privileges. We cover the best transfer partners for each, which flexible currencies stretch the furthest, and the specific buck...

It's been one year of The Upgraded Points Podcast, and we're celebrating with our biggest giveaway yet! Before we get to the prizes, there's some big news to cover, including Etihad being dropped as a Membership Rewards transfer partner, and select Chase cardholders can now unlock Hyatt Explorist status for free. Then we break down the full anniversary giveaway, including CardPointers+, Savewise P...

Most people think they’re using their American Express points correctly… but they’re actually losing a huge amount of value. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the biggest mistakes people make with Amex Membership Rewards points, including using points for gift cards, statement credits, and “pay with points” at checkout. They explain why these options deliver poor value, and more importan...

Some of our favorite travel experiences didn’t come from flights… they came from the hotels. In this episode, Chris and Katie share their favorite hotels they’ve ever booked with points, from luxury stays to family-friendly favorites and underrated hidden gems. They break down exactly: - Why each hotel stood out - How many points it cost - What it would have cost in cash - How you can book the sam...

Did you know you can book all-inclusive resorts with hotel points? Many travelers assume these resorts must be paid for with cash, but major hotel loyalty programs now offer all-inclusive properties that can be booked with points. In this episode, Chris and Katie explain how to use Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and more points to book all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond....

Most points and miles content focuses on huge balances and luxury redemptions. But what should you do when you only have a few thousand points sitting in an account? In this episode, Chris and Katie break down smart ways to use small amounts of points and miles so they don’t go to waste. Whether you have leftover airline miles after booking a trip or random points scattered across multiple account...

Airline credit cards might be more important than ever — especially after United’s recent MileagePlus changes that shift outsized benefits toward co-branded cardholders. In this episode, we break down the updates to United’s program that reward airline cardholders with perks many non-cardholders won’t get. We also dive into the broader question this raises: once flexible transferable points were k...

Credit card rewards are shifting in 2026, and if you collect points and miles, these changes matter. In this episode, we break down the biggest credit card trends affecting travel rewards this year, including rising annual fees, tightening airport lounge access, shifting transfer ratios, and potential legislation that could impact how rewards programs operate. We explain what these changes mean fo...

You don’t need two weeks off work to take a meaningful vacation. In this episode, we’re breaking down the best U.S. weekend trips you can book with points and miles. From beach cities to mountain escapes and walkable foodie destinations, these are short getaways that deliver serious value without draining your PTO. We’ll share specific hotel programs to look at, how many points you might need, and...

Japan is one of the most popular destinations in the world, but traveling there with a family can feel overwhelming and expensive. In this episode, Chris breaks down his recent family trip to Japan and exactly how it was booked using points and miles. We walk through the business class flights, 5-star hotel stays, and the real itinerary across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. You’ll hear what worked well,...

Bilt 2.0 launched with three new credit cards and a brand-new currency called Bilt Cash, and the reaction was immediate and brutal. Even seasoned points and miles experts were confused by how the new system worked. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the Bilt 2.0 rollout, explain how the new cards and Bilt Cash program actually function, and take a step back to look at the big picture. The...

How many travel credit cards is too many? It’s one of the most common questions travelers ask, and the answer isn’t as simple as a number. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down how many travel credit cards actually make sense based on your travel goals, spending habits, and ability to stay organized. They talk through common fears around credit scores and annual fees, share signs you might h...

You don’t need an $800+ annual fee to get real travel value. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the best travel credit cards with annual fees under $100, and explain why some of these low-fee cards quietly outperform more expensive options. They cover which cards make the most sense for beginners, families, and points and miles hobbyists, plus how to use them alongside premium cards for m...

Transfer partners are the reason some travelers get $500 in value from their points while others get $5,000. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down what a transfer partner actually is, how it works, and why it’s the most important concept in points and miles. They explain the difference between bank points and airline and hotel programs, walk through real booking examples, and share the most...