Episodes
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We’re almost at the end of 2024, which means it’s the season to start laying the foundation for earning one of the most extraordinary perks in points travel: the Southwest Companion Pass. With that in mind, it’s time to revisit a conversation from this time last year with Southwest expert Lyn Mettler. A longtime travel journalist, Lyn has been writing about travel and interviewing experts for years. She now teaches hundreds of families this same simple system through her Families Fly Free membership, where her mission is to bring families together through travel.
Discover how to qualify for unlimited flights through the Southwest Companion Pass. We discuss how to decide if the Southwest Companion Pass should be part of your award travel strategy for the upcoming year, and you’ll learn about all the mistakes you need to avoid if you want to qualify for your own Southwest Companion Pass.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/snagging-southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Kevin Zanes, The Points Analyst, is here to share his expert take on the highlights and lowlights, the winners and losers, and the key developments that defined award travel in 2024. Together, we'll be unpacking the most significant events and digging into what these changes mean for points enthusiasts moving forward.
From major devaluations that stung to exciting new partnerships that opened up opportunities, this episode covers all the need-to-know news in the points and miles space. We share our predictions for 2025, our wish lists for the future of award travel, and our ratings for the overall state of the points and miles game.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/2024-points-miles-winners-losers-key-trends-kevin-zanes
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Missing episodes?
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I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Walther, who has been leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass to save money and make unforgettable memories with her family. Michelle is an emergency medicine physician, mom to two amazing girls, and wife to a retired army medic. When she's not saving lives, she's saving miles, turning her love for travel into a family adventure fueled by points and miles. Michelle first earned the Companion Pass five years ago and has been strategically qualifying for it ever since.
Learn everything you need to know about getting great deals with the Southwest Companion Pass. She also shares her tips for earning the pass through organic spend and referrals, finding great deals on Southwest flights, and avoiding common mistakes. If you've been on the fence about going for the Companion Pass, this episode will give you the inspiration and practical advice you need to make it happen.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/maximizing-southwest-companion-pass-dr-michelle-walther
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Kelsi Sullivan grew up in Puerto Rico and Mexico City and has lived in way too many places, but her favorite was when she lived in Sri Lanka for 3 years! Traveling for Kelsi is about connection to people, food, culture, and history. In the travel rewards space, she is a solo traveler who loves a bougie last minute business class deal!
Learn how to take advantage of Mexico City’s strategic location for your next award trip. Kelsi explains why Mexico City is not only an amazing destination for a memorable stopover, as well as a key hub for unlocking unique award redemptions that most people overlook. She even shares her top recommendations for must-see attractions in the city and practical tips for navigating the airport’s hidden gems.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/unlocking-mexico-city-hidden-potential-kelsi-sullivan
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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In this bonus episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Dr. Ona Utuama, the brilliant founder of Tribal Eyes. As a family medicine physician, Dr. Ona experienced firsthand the challenges of finding well-fitting, stylish eyewear. Frustrated with the lack of options, she set out to create a brand that celebrates diversity and offers a perfect fit for every face.
Discover how Tribal Eyes is revolutionizing the eyewear industry by infusing culture, science, and style into every pair of glasses. Dr. Ona shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, expert tips for finding your ideal fit, and exciting plans for the future of Tribal Eyes.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-tribal-eyes-dr-ona-utuama
Tribal Eyes is celebrating their move to a new warehouse with their first-ever warehouse sale! Subscribers can enjoy up to 50% off this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Click here to subscribe and take advantage of this special offer.
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Are you looking for the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life this holiday season? Whether you're shopping for friends, family, or just treating yourself, I've got you covered with 10 fantastic travel-related gift ideas that are sure to delight. From products that make travel easier to subscription boxes that bring the flavors of the world right to your doorstep, there's something for every type of traveler on this list.
Tune in this week as I walk you through each of my 10 travel gift recommendations. Learn about handy travel accessories, artisanal food subscriptions, kid-friendly educational boxes, and even a special service that can help you book a bucket list worthy around-the-world trip on points.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/10-wanderlust-worthy-travel-gifts
Cincha travel belt
Cincha Shark Tank episode
Klipsta flex clip
Tribal Eyes eyewear
Kolkata chai
Bokksu snack box subscription
Global experiences gift card
KiwiCo geography gift box
Little passports gift box
PointSisters award booking service
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Have you been searching for a tool to simplify your award travel bookings? In this bonus episode, I'm joined by Megan Johnston, Community Manager at Daily Drop, to discuss their recently launched all-in-one software: Daily Drop Pro. This innovative platform combines an award search engine, cash flight deal finder, and points community all in one place.
Megan walks us through the key features of Daily Drop Pro, including its powerful award search capabilities for flights and hotels, cash deal notifications, and the supportive community space called the Pro Lounge. She also shares insider tips on how to maximize the platform's free and paid membership options and how to make the most of their search function.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-daily-drop-pro-megan-johnston
Don't miss out on the Daily Drop Pro Black Friday promo (starting November 25) and get an annual Pro subscription for just $99 here.
Grab your discounted Daily Drop Pro membership here to take advantage of $50 off an annual membership plan during the Black Friday sale!
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Get ready for an entertaining and informative discussion as Kevin Zanes, Dr. Sujatha Murali, Kelly from The Points and Miles Doc, and Dr. Andrea Mabry tackle hypothetical questions that will make you think about how you value and use your points and miles. None of the guests were given any warning about what they might get asked, so expect plenty of on-the-spot analysis and friendly debate.
Tune in for a fun game of “Would You Rather” that just might change the way you approach points and miles. Whether you're a seasoned award traveler or just getting started, you'll gain valuable insights from hearing these experts share their thought process on maximizing travel rewards and deciding on some pretty tricky choices.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/would-you-rather-game
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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For today’s conversation, I’m joined by Kamree Price, founder of Our Family Passport and an expert in earning and redeeming Amex points for family travel. Kamree has been to over 50 countries using points and miles, most of them with her blended family of six. She specializes in finding creative ways to maximize the American Express program for herself, and helps others build a points and miles strategy that works for them.
Learn the ins and outs of the Amex ecosystem, including an overview of their rewards cards, how to qualify for welcome bonuses, and the best ways to use Amex points for high-value redemptions. Kamree shares her top tips for earning a million points per year and breaks down everything you need to know to succeed with American Express.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/ultimate-guide-american-express-points-kamree-price
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Lyn Mettler is a longtime travel journalist who has cracked the code on flying her family of four for free, going from one car trip a year to six free flights annually. Through her Families Fly Free podcast and membership, she teaches others her simple system for maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards.
In this episode, Lyn breaks down the recently announced changes to the Rapid Rewards program, including the introduction of assigned seating and new international partnerships. She shares her predictions on how these updates will impact the travel experience and offers tips for making the most of your points under the new system.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-rapid-rewards-lyn-mettler
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Have you ever attended a points and miles conference and walked away feeling like your travel hacking game has been taken to the next level? In this episode, I have Dr. Andrea Mabry back on the podcast to help me unpack our experiences of co-hosting the first-ever Point Me to First Class Conference in Chicago.
From expert talks on maximizing airline programs to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, the three-day event was packed with valuable insights for intermediate to advanced points and miles enthusiasts. There were plenty of key takeaways and a-ha moments from the conference, and we unpack our favorites right here.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/Behind-Scenes-PMTFC-Conference
Sign up for online access to all the conference replays here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Devan Sullivan is the younger of the two Pointsisters. They help their clients check off their travel bucket lists, flying in style and comfort to far-flung destinations like Australia, South Africa, Japan and more. Devan herself has taken two Around the World ANA trips in 2024 alone, including a seven-week delayed honeymoon and a four-week adventure, ending with a Taylor Swift concert.
In this episode, Devan breaks down everything you need to know to book your own ANA Around the World ticket. She explains the complex routing rules, how to find award space, the best ways to get the most value, and common pitfalls to avoid. Even if you're a points and miles veteran, I guarantee you'll learn something new from Devan's deep knowledge of this unique award. And if you're new to points and miles, this episode will open your eyes to what's possible.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/ana-around-the-world-ticket-devan-sullivan
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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My guest this week returning to the podcast is points expert Traci Siegel, a non-practicing attorney who has been using miles and points to travel around the US and the world with her family of four since 2011. She's been teaching friends how to hack their families' travel for years, and now she teaches her followers how to expand their travel budgets through her Instagram.
Tune in this week as we dive into the world of airport lounges. We discuss how lounges can transform your travel experience, share what we believe makes a truly great airport lounge that’s truly worth your time, and explore how to maximize your lounge experience for smoother, more enjoyable travel. Most importantly, you’ll learn how you can access more airport lounges by choosing the right credit cards.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/airport-lounges-using-credit-cards-traci-siegel
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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In this episode, I dive deep into the implications of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger and explore how you can now effectively transfer your Amex points to Alaska Airlines via Hawaiian Airlines. This is a game-changer for anyone looking to book high-value award flights on Alaska and its partner airlines.
Discover the three partner award flights that I'm most excited about booking with my newly acquired Alaska miles, as well as some honorable mentions that you won't want to miss. I reveal exactly how many Amex points I transferred to Alaska via Hawaiian Airlines and discuss why doing the same might be a terrible idea for you.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/amex-to-alaska-3-business-class-award-redemptions
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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There’s one tropical dream destination that makes its way onto many points enthusiasts’ wish lists: Bora Bora. I have a fantastic guest on today’s show who just returned from an incredible anniversary trip to this iconic paradise, flying business class on points, and she's here to spill all the details.
Dr. Chandani DeZure is a returning guest to the podcast. She’s a Board-Certified Pediatrician and a mother of two living in California, and she’s been on some truly amazing trips since she started maximizing points for travel way back in 2014. Tune in this week as Chandani and I dive into everything from overwater bungalows and stunning sunsets to the best ways to book, budget and plan your own getaway to Bora Bora.
Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/planning-bora-bora-getaway-dr-chandani-dezure
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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In this episode, I'm joined by Kristin Addis, creator of Be My Travel Muse, one of the world’s most-read travel blogs, and Parenthood Adventures. Kristin has visited 65 countries and collected 16 passport stamps for her toddler son. She shares her wealth of knowledge on solo female travel, which she has been doing since 2012, and more recently, her expertise in travelling the world with her young family by using credit card points.
Learn Kristin’s tips on everything from the best airlines and accommodations for traveling with kids using points, to essential products and toys for smoother journeys. Luxury trips with an infant will look different to traveling with your young children, but what Kristin has to share will help you create beautiful experiences that you and your kids will benefit from forever.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/globetrotting-young-kids-kristin-addis
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Dr. Kipp Lassetter is a physician and tech entrepreneur with a distinguished background in emergency medicine and healthcare IT. Currently, Dr. Kipp is focused on revolutionizing the real estate industry as the founder of RBN, a startup dedicated to rewarding consumers with valuable points when they buy or sell a home with a top local realtor.
Tune in this week as RBN co-founder and CEO Dr. Kipp Lassetter joins me to explain how to earn points on the purchase or sale of your home. He explains how this program works, the unique ways you can use RBN points, and how you can squeeze extra value out of them. If you have a home purchase or sale on the horizon, you won't want to miss this.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-real-estate-transactions-dr-kipp-lassetter
Get your digital ticket for the Points Made Easy conference here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Melissa Parsons, MD, is a recently retired Board-Certified Pediatrician and now a life coach who helps amazing women learn to love their lives. Today, however, she’s here to talk about how she booked a phenomenal trip just two months in advance, getting amazing deals in the process.
While not everything went perfectly to plan— from a record-breaking heatwave in Barcelona to an uncomfortable train ride— Dr. Melissa and John had the opportunity to enjoy world-renowned cuisine, stunning art, and iconic architecture. Dr. Melissa shares how she made it happen and offers unique travel tips for planning your own dream trip to Spain.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/dream-empty-nest-trip-spain-using-points-dr-melissa-parsons
Get your digital ticket for the Points Made Easy conference here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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In this episode, I sit down with Ben Komenkul, who knows everything there is to know about leveraging points for hotel stays. Ben is a seasoned expert in the world of Points and Miles, with over a decade of experience mastering the art of travel rewards. As the founder of Ben’s Big Deal, he combines his deep understanding of financial services, gained over a 30-year career, with his passion for travel.
Tune in this week to elevate your hotel awards game to the next level. Ben shares his insights on the key differences between using points for flights versus hotels, and reveals the true value of various hotel point currencies. He also provides practical tips on choosing the right hotel brand for your travel needs and style. Ben even shares his secret to getting great treatment from hotels, even without top-tier status.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/hotel-award-travel-fundamentals-ben-komenkul
Get your digital ticket for the Points Made Easy conference here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
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Dr. Suzy Spadafora is back on the show this week. She’s a points and miles pro who has opened over 30 rewards credit cards since 2016, and her P2 has opened 25. She keeps detailed notes on the retention offers she scores each year when annual fees hit. By employing a few simple strategies, Dr. Suzy often convinces banks to incentivize her to keep her cards open with statement credits, bonus points, or waived annual fees.
Tune in today to hear Dr. Suzy's insider secrets for maximizing credit card retention offers. She shares the exact script she uses when calling credit card providers, the most common mistakes to avoid, and how to decide if an offer is worth taking. With her tips, you'll be racking up extra points and perks on your lesser-used rewards cards in no time.
Get full show notes and more information here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/credit-card-retention-call-dr-suzy-spadafora
Get the Travel Freely app here: https://my.travelfreely.com/share?bref=dcw
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