Award Travel 101

This week Angie talks with newest Award Travel 101 moderator Randy Clinton. Randy discusses his background, what got him started in travel rewards and loyalty programs, some of the aspirational products he has flown and how he booked them. He also shares some of his tips for one of his favorite ways to travel, cruises and how to status match for the most benefits.Links to topics discussed:Emirates slashed economy partner award pricing by up to 20%Hilton Surpass 130K + Free Night AwardCruise Status MatchesCarnivalVirgin VoyagesMSCCelebrityOur Hyatt status challenge Globalist challenge is also still going on. You can earn Explorist status with 10 nights or Globalist with 20 nights. You must be a member of Award Travel 201 to have access to this deal.Where to Find Us For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us

Joe is off cruising the Mediterranean so  Mike and Angie are on this week. We talk about some news such as AA rolling back their unpopular changes to how loyalty points would be earned. Finally we ponder quirks in the award travel world that makes us grumpy from restrictive bank rules to the CPP Police. Some links to things we talked about:Targeted World of Hyatt PromosThe return of a popular welcome offer on the Bonvoy Business CardHilton cards are back with elevated bonusesCents Per Point (CPP) calculationsObsession over Chase 5/24Citi Strata PremierWhere to Find Us For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in SEATTLE on AUGUST 16–18, 2024. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit "Out to SEA" on the award.travel website. Supp

 The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:R/T ANA "The Room" Business Class for $2,139R/T Mexico/Central America 17KO/W Emirates First class for 61KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium Highlight feature: Thrifty Travel!Meet Gunnar. Starting as journalist, Gunnar worked his way through the local media scene before landing at Thrifty Traveler as a senior reporter and deal analyst. Award Travel has helped enrich his travels with his Player Two (P2), and they've created fond memories flying some incredible products, by way of his work at Thrifty Traveler.We'll cover:BackgroundIntroduction to travel rewards/loyalty programsHighlightsFamily/solo TravelStrengthsFavorite airline, hotel, credit card programsDealsWe discussed this with Thrifty Traveler Premium founder, Jared Kamrowski, in Episode 41

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:JetBlue Mint Transcon for $988 R/TBusiness to Tahiti for 70KBusiness to Paris for 50K You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekMember Claire spoof postNewsGet an Official Hyatt Globalist (Challenge) - you must be an AT201 memberCiti Strata Premier Virgin Red cruises for 74k pointsTidbits:JetBlue and Etihad GuestAir Canada Promotion45 properties former SLH properties are back:Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary - Episode 48 with Ryan Smith Croatia (4 of them)Cape Fahn Hotel (Koh Samui)What bonuses did we get?AngieWorking on Minimum Spend on new Sapphire PreferredBarclay's AAdvantage Silver (update)JoeAlaska miles issue30% Transfer bonus to Virgin40% Transfer bonus to HiltonWhy?Trip updatesAngie: nothing newJoe:FNA to save $445 for Cleveland Marathon35K Annual Marrio

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Japan/S.Korea for 50K milesJetblue Mint to Rico for $796 R/TSingapore First Class Suites for 59KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekLong time member Erin shared a post discussing the best way to handle a potentially oversold flight when you do have the flexibility to make the change.  NewsNew Qatar Privileges Credit cardBilt ChangesPay Condo FeesNew Hotel Transfer Partner - but don't do it!New Amex Transfer BonusCapital One Removes Restaurant BenefitWhat bonuses did we get?AngieEnhanced Sapphire Card offer - will she get approved?Business Platinum application - can she get another?Aviator Silver - updateMartyAmex refer a friend (10X) - we also discussed this last week for Episode 67: In Our Wallets Right NowChris - Hyatt PromoTrip

 In this episode, we discuss the cards we're putting to work from our wallets. The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Singapore First Class Suites for 59KRound-trip Caribbean for 17KBusiness class to Europe for 45KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekAward Travel will be in Seattle for our fall meet. It’s a great way to make friends and learn tips and tricks not shared elsewhere. Dates are 8/16-8/18. Early bird pricing will be through May 31st! Get your ticket today! NewsShould You Get the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?United Skyrockets Business Class Partner Award Pricing by up to 200%15K Award Flights to EuropeQatar Airways 30% Transfer Bonus From Citi31+ Promos Ending SoonTrip updatesAngieChicago Seminars rebookingMontana - savings on SouthwestAlaska Co

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year.  Recent finds include:OW Business Class to New Zealand for 50KRT to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for 40KRT Premium Economy to Europe for 56KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekCharlie Hagadorn a feature in the paid version of seats.aero one of the award search tools called rooms.aero saves big bucks!NewsElevated American Express Business Platinum offerMr. & Mrs. Smith is now bookable with Hyatt pointsLufthansa First class bookable with LifeMilesNew rules/laws/protectionsTrip updatesAngieReturn flight from IndiaUpdating Southwest CompanionJoeNew Hilton on Clearwater - may use Free Night AwardWhat bonuses did we get?AngieAuthorized User card offersHilton Free Night Awards have been depositedJoeWorking on 10X bonus on Business Gold for 14XHighlight Feature: Nice to Meetcha!We ju

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Recent finds include:Business Class to Paris for 40KPremium Economy to Taipei for $1,994 R/TBusiness class to Seoul on Korean (Rare find) for 75KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekAndrew “Bacon” Goodman - Disney for $375 INCLUDING PARK TICKETS!?NewsHilton/Small Luxury Hotels (Updates)Choice Sweet Spots New Citi AAdvantage Business offerTrip updatesJoeGirl's night & Boy's night without spending $675!What bonuses did we get?AngieTwo Free Hilton NightsJoe20K Referral14X spend Amex Business GoldAlmost done with wife's Citi AAdvantage CardHighlight Feature: 20 Largest Hotel Chains & the Six We're Focusing OnWe came across an interesting diagram ranking the top 20 hotel programs throughout the world.  Do you know which is largest?Some are less familiar, so we ranked the six we most frequently discuss

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Switzerland for 60KJapan for 55K R/TBusiness Class to Europe starting at 45KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekJennifer Jacobs - A tale of caution - vacation club/time-share presentationsNewsAwardWallet’s Roundup of Airline and Hotel Program Sweet SpotsOne Credit Card Issuer Just Increased Its Global Entry Benefit. Will Others Follow?Credit Card Welcome Offers of 100,000 Points (or More!)What bonuses did we get?JackieEnhanced United Business card welcome offerJTSpending toward World of Hyatt card Free Night Award and elite night creditsWyndham Business Card - how will this be maximized (hint: Angie and I discussed this last week)JoeReferral from Amex Business Gold - why is that so important (14X Dining)?Tip for Double dipping this ref

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Europe for 59K pointsBusiness Class to Colombia for 64K miles R/TR/T to St. Kitts for $431You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekPenina Olar - My husband and I are considering a trip to Asia this summer. When is the best time book with points? My husband wants to fly business class but it’s showing the miles to be at 200K per person for one way. Will the price come down if I book closer to our trip? Most likely going in June.NewsZorkcast Episode of “Yo 11 Minutes” 70 - status matchingComplete Guide to Wells Fargo Transfer PartnersAir India Refreshes it’s Flying Returns ProgramIberia Plus Bonus: New Milestone RewardsApplication Fee Is Going up for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI, Kids Will Be FreeWhat bonuses did we get?AngieWhere's m

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Hawaii for 31KFrench Polynesia for 40K R/TOne-way Business class to Paris for 40KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekNew Mod, Anthony Cave - fly to Australia for $100News8 New Airlines Just Joined PreCheck. Here’s A List of All 99 TSA PreCheck Participating Airlines— Iberia is the biggie hereChase Sapphire Reserve and Ritz-Carlton Card Priority Pass Benefit Change: No More Restaurants or MarketsYou Can Now Redeem Choice Privileges Points Online at Preferred HotelsAmex Hilton Honors Business Card Shakeup: Priority Pass Out, Spending Credits In, Higher Annual FeeChicago Seminars 2024 Dates and New Location Just AnnouncedWhat bonuses did we get?AngieHilton Biz cards to get Free Night Award before 6/30JoeCiti AAdvantage 75K welcome offerPr

Mike returns to discuss his journey down under to skip his 40th birthday. I also share some tips on how I put my trip together to join him for just 52 hours on the ground.The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Round-trip to Paris for 38K milesBusiness Class to Vietnam "Nerd Alert" for 40K milesOne-way Business to England/Ireland for 45K pointsYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumNewsUnited Mile PoolingUpdated Ink Cash BonusBilt - American & AlaskaTrack Travel Plans with AwardWalletWhat bonuses did we get?Mike -Chase Ink CashAmex Business CheckingTrip updatesJoeRebooked Southwest - saved how many points?Rebooked Car rental in Caribbean to save $130Backup Flights to Protect optionsHighlight Feature: Points Down UnderMike shares how he created a memorable trip to celebrate his 40th turn around the

In this episode, I interview a long-time friend, who was hesitant to open up credit cards for fear of ruining his credit and overspending. Tune-in to hear how he overcame that fear and is now booking his first international business class flights! These aren't the typical domestic carriers a newer Award Traveler might book either (American, Delta, or United).The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Round-trip Business class to Faroe Islands for under $1,100Business class to S.E. Asia for 50,000 milesPuerto Vallarta & Cabo San Lucas, Mexico under $294You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium Award Travel 101 Podcast Episode 60 Show NotesPOINT.ME  DISCOUNT OFFERIf you didn't catch our LIVE interview Thursday evening (3/14/2024) with co-founder, Tiffany Funk, she's offered the Award Travel 101 comm

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Europe 55K pointsRound-trip to Mexico/Caribbean for 10K milesRound-trip to Zanzibar for $885You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekLee VC - Amex is going crazy!NewsNew Rewards coming from Wells FargoWorld of Hyatt’s Annual Sadness-Inducing Award Changes Announced World of Hyatt Adds the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las VegasWyndham Rewards Is Adjusting Award Prices for Hotel Stays and Vacasa BookingsIt’s Back: Best-Ever 75K Bonus Offer on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® CardNew Hilton Credit Card Offers Provide up to 155,000 PointsTrip updatesAngie - still nothing newJoeReturn from AustraliaEurope/Rome - canceled Waldorf Astoria?Return from St. CroixCanceled Back up Spring Break tripWhat bonuses did we get?AngieAlaska offer hasn&apo

Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year.  Recent finds include:Round-trip to Mexico for 11K pointsBusiness Class to Southeast Asia for 50K milesBusiness class to Europe for 55K milesYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium Join us for Ask Me Anything LIVE Event with Tiffany FunkNew group of modsPost of the WeekWill Weider - long lines at LAS CenturionNewsWhen and How You Can Book Award Flights for Friends and FamilyIncreased Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Offers: Up to 185K Points or 5 Free NightsGet Access to Hidden Award Space with United Credit CardsWorld of Hyatt’s Annual Sadness-Inducing Award Changes AnnouncedLittle-Known Southwest Credit Card Perk: 20% Off Discount Code for Southwest Reward FlightsTRIP UPDATES? Angie - nothing newJoe - Virgin IslandsRebooked GH Seoul again thanks to a member's suggestionWHAT BONUSES DID WE GET? Angie - Alaska card and Venture X Business Joe- Ink Preferred. 20K Frontier Mile

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Business Class to Europe for 50K pointsTapei for 75K milesBusiness class to Hawaii for $582You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the weekXochitl Sierra Hernandez - What would you do if placed in this situation?NewsEtihad Guest ChangesAwards to Book Before They're GoneCapital One to Purchase Discover?American Airlines Trip updatesAngieSafari cancellation Beach day in MayJoeSydney, Australia - How I used a Credit Card Perk/BenefitChase Travel Portal Booking - Does it make sense?$573 savingsChoice Points for HUGE savings - should you buy them?Flexibility vs paying lessHyatt Points, but a catch?What bonuses did we get?AngieWyndham BusinessAlaska CardVenture X BusinessJoeChase InkBarclays AAdvantageHighlight feature: Let’s Get Crafty - Crafting a Credit Card Stra

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Starlux Business Class to Taipei for 75K milesBusiness Class to South America for 39K pointsRoundtrip to Hawaii for under $500You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumHow did your passion for travel begin?"I used to watch planes from the airport. I would ask my mom where each plane was going, and she would make up a place.

 The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:Qatar First Class "Nerd Alert" to Australia for 100,000 pointsJetBlue Mint to London, England for $1,856 round-tripBusiness Class to Paris for 50,000 milesYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium Marianne Michalek Shovan - Why is my car rental more expensive with Amex Discount Code than without?NewsAir France–KLM Flying Blue Award Sweet SpotsAmex Adds ‘Family’ Restrictions to the American Express® Green CardBook Now: Turkish Airlines to Devalue Miles & Smiles, Introduce New Award Charts683 United Award Routes That You Can Book for Just 6,000 Aeroplan PointsTrip updatesAngienothing new (again)JoeUsed 5.5K Virgin miles (per person) to fly Seoul to Jeju Island on Korean (KE) saving over $310 each way. It totaled 13,000 points total for 3 of us (16,5000 with 30%

Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT101” for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide. Recent finds include:ANA First Class "NERD ALERT" for 73KBusiness Class for $2,627 round-trip to IndiaBusiness Class to Istanbul and beyond for 45KYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/PremiumPost of the WeekZee Stacy received a 1099 from Chase and was quite concerned. Is this normal?NewsDelta card changes - are the changes all bad?Marriott promo - promo runs February 13 - April 29Trip UpdatesAngieBoys trip?Montana?Canada or San Diego?Slovenia and CroatiaMikeNew Orleans - used World of Hyatt points and AAdvantage milesPancake Run canceledAustralia!Work travel - Capital One Vs Centurion Lounge.What bonuses did we get?AngieWyndham Rewards Business Earner - Denied Capital One Venture X Business and P2 got Amex popup (meaning no welcome offer) on Amex Business GoldCould the Bank of Americ

Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT101” for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide. Recent finds include:Round-trip business class to Japan for $1,925 (or 125,000 points)Business class to Hawaii for 55,000 milesBusiness class to Germany for 55,000 pointsYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium.Award Travel 101 Podcast Episode 53 Show NotesWe're changing up this week's format, with our very first member interview. Award Travel 101 community member Allison Tackette joins us with tips she's learned over 10 years in the space.BackgroundAllison is a former teacher who wanted to get out and see the world, but her time off in the summer often resulted in finding peak season pricing. Travel CAN be expensive if you're always paying cash, but pushing people to the brink helps them get creative!Introduction to travel rewards and loyalty programsIs it as simple as