To The Points

Let's face it - There's a rat race for three major card issuers trying to give you the best experience for your annual fees. The question is, who is going to come out ahead? Joe discusses the changes upcoming for the Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, in addition to what could come to the AmEx Platinum! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ T...

It's been a few weeks but we are back and ready to roll this week! Delta has announced new changes to their fares, but are they a bit too extra and too confusing? In addition, Alaska is planning big moves with its inherited larger aircraft, and is United becoming the airline of choice for Fast Wi-Fi? That and more on a news-heavy edition of To The Points! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's...

It's about to get REAL, with the new REAL ID requirements now becoming official as of May 7. What does that mean in terms of delays... or if you don't have one? We'll also discuss potential cuts to EAS (Essential Air Service), Delta's Destination Play, United's Newark Problems, and American proving it's Alpha dominance in DFW. Join us! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's G...

This week, Emily makes a return to the podcast as we discuss how we use points as a couple vs. other strategies that others may use. We also discuss why and how we find the deals that we do, in addition to booking our major trip for 2025 for roughly 95,000 points TOTAL - thanks to credits and deals we have. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is des...

It seems like we have a new Southwest update in its shift in strategy every week, and this week is no exception. This time, the offical word on its new fare classes, seating arrangements, along with a tease on its updated credit card perks. In addition, Marriott acquires another boutique brand that is making waves, AmEx and Chase pause transfers with a major international partner, and JetBlue maki...

This week, Joe drops some exciting news regarding the future of the show, and talking about he and Emily's trip to Upper Michigan for their Anniversary. This includes not 1, 2, but 4 hotel reviews in 5 nights, including the world famous Hotel Walloon off Walloon lake! ⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone looking to not only b...

We're back from Vacation with loads of news to get to! Southwest is slowly rolling out its extra legroom seats, but how can you snag one? Delta is also announcing a new offer with Starbucks and how you can earn Skymiles with Uber on ALL rides. Not to mention, Frontier and Alaska trying to steal your business from Southwest, but in two different ways. What are they? Tune in to find out! ⁠⁠⁠To T...

This week, Joe and his wife Emily talk about how travel has changed for them significantly from when they started dating to now being a power couple that travels as much as they can, without breaking the bank! They also discuss the programs they enjoy using the most and what stands out in terms of travel loyalty. ⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is des...

A unique twist to the hotel series this week, as Joe discusses how Casino Rewards programs and hotel chains have alignments to help you maximize your points on your next trip - But, are the offers from the programs better? Should you use points when you have a comped room or better offer available? Find out on this week's guide episode on To The Points! ⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is...

Lots of news and updates to get to on this week's episode. A new (and VERY good) Avios sign-up bonus is live, Alaska also announcing positive updates for it's MVP Program (not to mention earning elite status on ONE flight!), and an interesting merger between two regional carriers you may not know of. Plus, Carnival is going big with its new ships, while MSC is only getting bigger. Come join us! ⁠T...

Saddle up! This week, Joe talks about some of the most popular stories in Q1 in terms of points and miles, and his thoughts of good and bad changes happening thus far. He also gives a breakdown on what miles he's been earning the most of in Q1, and what Q2 could potentially hold! To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone looking to not onl...

It's no surprise everyone loves the Chase Sapphire Preferred as their first card to go for. In fact, it now has a record-high signup bonus of 100,000 points! Are you eligible for it? Joe discusses what it takes to get it, in addition to a slew of airline route changes, new pricing tools, and a lucrative promotion to win tickets to see Beyonce on the Cowboy Carter tour, thanks to Marriott. To T...

They may not have many high level status perks, but don't look past these two programs that have sneakily found their way up Joe's list of hotel programs! This week, Joe discusses these two underrated programs and why you should keep your eye on Choice & Wyndham, especially thanks to some sneakily good pricing, flexibility, and award availability. To The Points: A Starter's Guide i...

⁠⁠⁠ This week, Joe talks extensively on the new changes upcoming for United's Credit Card Suite and updates to club access. Believe it or not, there's some positive credits being added for some higher annual fees. Are they worth it to you? Plus, new competition in Hawaii, more MGM Rewards incoming, and a cheeky joke for a cheeky airline CEO. To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠...

This week, Joe discusses IHG One Rewards in-depth and how the program has its quirks, pains, but perks on earning points for your next hotel stay at a variety of brands. He also discusses how it stacks up comparatively to the other of the "Big Four" in terms of which program is best for you. ⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone l...

This week, Joe discusses a new approach that Wyndham is taking in terms of earning rewards points via a new debit card offering. Can and will other programs follow suit? Also, a positive change for SkyMiles redemptions, a slightly negative change for United Premier1K members, and the Chase Freedom Q2 categories are out, with a return of a valuable multiplier for this spring. ⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A St...

This week, Joe speaks a bit from his thoughts and data on how travel has changed since COVID19 emerged to the US 5 years ago. While some things have started to rebound back to normal, there are more differences now than there were back then. Some good, some bad, but all thoughtful. ⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone looking to not only br...

We never thought we'd see the day, but it happened. Southwest is officially saying adios to two free bags on all fares, effectively now eliminating the one factor that has made it stay unique among its competitors. In addition, more changes for the Dallas-based carrier and why I feel like the time is come for me to be done with them. But it's not all bad news! Two hotel reviews in DC will...

This week, Joe talks about one of the most accessible, but yet slightly rewarding programs in Hilton Honors. While the reward rates are certainly higher than most, the ability to rack up points quickly through its loyalty programs and credit cards cannot be underestimated. In addition, you can earn top-tier status by just having one card in your arsenal of credit cards! ⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter&...

The title says it all, there's another major devaluation on Southwest Airlines, and it's not surprising at all considering the changes we've seen on the airline over the last year. Plus, can the Northeast Alliance between JetBlue and American make a comeback? Also, Silver Airways nearly bites the dust, Hilton sprucing up some record high Amex offers. A packed episode you don't want...

This week, Joe talks about one of the most expansive (and sometimes frustrating hotel programs) in Marriott Bonvoy! With so many levels of status, rewards, and cards - it's a comprehensive guide of just about everything you need to know about Bonvoy (and avoid getting #Bonvoyed in the meantime!) ⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone looking to not...

It's that time of year when Hyatt announces their award chart changes - and while some properties are getting changed for the worse, it's not as gloom and doom as expected. Joe's also got an award chart update with Lufthansa and Southwest with another Companion Pass Offer. ⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyone looking to not only brus...

This week, Joe begins a series of breaking down Hotel loyalty programs, beginning with one of the best in the business - World of Hyatt! Joe discusses not only how to earn points via credit card spending and how to obtain status, but how this programs one quirk makes it more lucrative than many others in the Hotel Space to this day. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This...

This week, Southwest implemented some new changes and some that we wish we didn't have to report on. Joe also dives into what we may see from the airline coming up in the future. In addition, there's some new lucrative transfer partners that have gone live and bonuses you shouldn't miss out on! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course is designed for anyo...

This week, Joe's Mom joins the program on how far she's come from not knowing a thing about points and miles to redeeming for ultimate redemptions she's always dream of going for. It shows that no matter how much or little you know, just a little education goes the long way, and Joe's Mom is an exact reason why! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To The Points: A Starter's Guide is live!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This course...