Award Travel 101

"If you aren't looking to book those peak holiday dates way ahead of time, then you're gonna be the one who says 'these miles are useless, I can't use them to go see Grandma'."

Many people work hard to save points and miles, only to be frustrated by limited availability during peak travel times. Booking award travel during holidays can be challenging, especially with kids. This week, Summer Hull, aka Mommy Points from TPG Family, shares her top tips for maximizing your redemptions during the holiday season.

Today's Episode Timestamps

• 3:25 - How can you plan travel a year (or more) in advance?
• 7:40 - Are there "off peak" destinations to travel to on holidays?
• 13:30 - Why you might want to start thinking about holiday 2020
• 19:20 - Researching how your vacation house rental codes & a new AwardWallet tool
• 22:25 - How to book award travel "speculatively"

Today's Guest - Summer Hull

While studying social work at NYU, she began accumulating frequent flyer miles on trips to visit family in Texas. Her love for miles and points grew, especially after having her two daughters, as she saw how they could help families travel affordably. In 2011, she launched the Mommy Points blog to show that miles and points are for families, not just business travelers. In 2018, Mommy Points was acquired by The Points Guy, where it now continues as part of TPG Family, with Summer leading the content.

Resources

• American Airlines Award Map Tool
• Southwest Low Fare Calendar

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

"It's exciting times in the world of miles and points...but I'm not terribly excited...more so nervous as a cat in a room of rocking chairs..."

In the past, airlines had fixed award charts, making it easier to know how many miles you'd need for a trip. But now, that’s less predictable. So, how can you plan your next trip when the rules keep changing? Tune in this week for expert insights from Ed Pizzarello on navigating the shifting landscape of points and miles and find out how to best plan your next trip even if it seems like programs keep on moving the finish line.

Today's Episode Timestamps

• 4:48 - The shift to "variable redemption values"
• 8:55 - The next airline rumored to drop their award chart
• 14:30 - Why 2x miles on one card and 1x miles isn't a clear comparison
• 21:40 - Why Richard is using a cash back card right now & how he's earning 3.75% back
• 28:20 - Why Ed says not to burn off your balance right away

Today's Guest - Ed Pizza

Ed's father introduced him to travel at a young age, sparking a lifelong passion. As an early road warrior, Ed mastered earning points and miles to enjoy global travel in comfort. Now a husband and father of two, he aims to share the world with his family while maintaining his love for comfy seats and nice hotels. A decade ago, he launched Pizza in Motion to share his travel expertise and enthusiasm, and he also hosts the podcast Miles to Go.

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

"So I told my wife and son: 'Hey I'm gonna be a blogger!' and they were both scared out of their minds by the idea..."

You might think that a full time job writing a travel blog, or perhaps managing a Facebook group dedicated to points and miles, involves all fun and no pain. Besides the illusion that these folks are just swimming in free points and miles, there's a lot that goes into interacting with people from behind a keyboard. One of Richard's very own heroes in the points and miles world, Greg Davis-Kean of Frequent Miler, joins him this week to chat about the real life of those who blog about travel for a living.

Today's episode timestamps:

• 1:00 - How Richard was first inspired to start Award Travel 101
• 6:20 - Getting hooked on points and miles
• 9:30 - What led Richard to leave the Navy and start managing a Facebook group
• 16:45 - What does it take to keep blogging year after year
• 22:45 - When you meet an online troll in person
• 29:25 - The newest member of Award Travel Advance
• 35:00 - Geekiest thing Greg has done to earn points and miles

Today's Guest - Greg Davis-Kean
After business travel opened his eyes to the perks of frequent travel, Greg turned to online travel forums and blogs to find ways to keep his elite status with less travel. After getting hooked to the world of points and miles, and developing techniques to maximize earnings with every dollar spent, within six months, Frequent Miler was born and he had a new full time career. Also check out Frequent Miler Insiders

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

"My husband and I were saving up for a big trip for our family. Over half of the points we were planning to use would be from his accounts. Due to his unexpected passing, are all those points gone or can we still use them?"

What happens to our points and miles after we die? On Feb 6th, Greta Anderson posted that very question in our Award Travel 101 Facebook group. Her husband passed unexpectedly at the age of 43, just days before leaving for one of two trips they were planning with points and miles. Greta so graciously shares her experience with Richard on how to secure not only your loved one's points and miles but also how to protect their identity.

Show Timestamps

• 1:10 - New features at AwardWallet
• 3:45 - What's AwardTravel Advanced?
• 9:05 - What happens to points and miles after you die?
• 14:30 - A hotel program going above and beyond vs. one doing the bare minimum
• 20:20 - Protecting your credit and identity of those who have passed
• 27:00 - The importance of passwords and wills

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

This week Richard has got a jam packed episode with more information than you'd ever think you'd want to know about buying gas. To start things off, he's got his list of the top programs, stacks and apps that not only get you super cheap gas, but could actually pay you for filling up! He's also joined by Daniel Little, General Manager & Head of Marketing, North America for Shell. The both get to chat about the history of fuel loyalty programs, the differences between programs in different countries and some previews of what's to come from the Fuel Rewards program.

Show Timestamps

• 2:03 - How Richard makes money off of "buying" gas
• 5:13 - A new type of gas payment
• 11:40 - The gas app no one knows about
• 18:35 - What's unique about Fuel Rewards
• 23:50 - Technological updates for Fuel Rewards
• 26:55 - Is it worth driving out of our way to save a few cents a gallon?

Join Fuel Rewards

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

"One complaint came from a member who had (over 1,300) nights with Marriott...That's an average of $266,000 they have spent with this company...and due to tech glitches...properties aren't honoring lifetime status and (other) benefits? It's a bait and switch."

If you've said or heard the phrase "I've/You've been Bonvoy'd", chances are high you've been burned by Marriott's problem plagued SPG merger and new program rollout. The stories of former Marriott Rewards, SPG and Ritz-Carlton members missing nights, points, waiting for hours on hold, and more are endless. This week Richard is joined by Shubhayan Mukherjee, co-founder of Bonvoyed.com! Yes folks. You know that there are more than just a few customers on the fringes that are upset when a website launches dedicated to helping members get the support they aren't receiving.

Show Timestamps

• 1:30 - Starting out on a positive note with some of the good parts of Marriott Bonvoy
• 12:00 - Three ways to use those Marriott Bonvoy Points
• 13:50 - The Mysterious Mister M
• 16:22 - Bonvoy'd goes viral
• 18:00 - The problems are everywhere
• 25:00 - Is there an entitlement issue?

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

“It’s difficult ... especially for introverts in 2019 where everything can be done online, to have a support network...” 

This week is a special episode where Richard, as promised, shares a glimpse of what life is like when you run a Facebook group for a living. Tune in to hear the recap of a day which included a surprise ambulance trip to the hospital for his two year old. More than just the fear of the unknown (diagnosis), there’s a fear of finances. Richard highlights the importance of not only having a financial plan, but a support network you can turn to when you find yourself in need.

Show Timestamps

• 3:00 — Signs of concussions
• 7:05 — A sight no parent wants to see
• 10:15 — The cost of health insurance
• 14:15 — The power of community and a support system
• 16:30 — Wrapping Mary up in bubble wrap & Recap

Samaritan Ministries

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

“I was a few rows behind anyone with my kids and I just jumped up and ditched my kids and ran to the nearest person and sat down and said “Can I please hold your hand?! I'm just so afraid!”

Do you get nervous flying? Or, even worse, do you let that fear keep you from traveling? This week Richard chats with Toni Southam, a long time Award Travel 101 moderator and Paul Borish, a licensed counselor who specializes in helping those with a fear of flying. In the episode Paul and Toni offer some different ways to tackle this fear and other resources to help find what can work best for you. Tune in to hear Toni share what it’s like to be both a points and miles addict and afraid of flying.  

Show Timestamps

• 2:20 — Meet Toni, mother of four and points and miles pro.
• 4:54 — Meet Paul, a licensed counselor who specializes in travel anxieties.
• 7:43 — What's a typical flight like for Toni?
• 11:52 — How can you separate rational and irrational fears?
• 15:30 — How did Toni's first flight after working with Paul go?
• 19:43 — Paul describes a typical timeline for recovery.
• 22:30 — Tactical Breathing
• 24:35 — What kind of emotional support animal is Paul? 

Today's Guests

Paul Borish, MA, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and long time award traveler in PA. In his private practice, he specializes in treating fear of flying (aviophobia) and other travel related anxieties. Utilizing a combination of tele-counseling and in person services, Paul works with clients all over the globe.
Check out his website Travelerspsych.com or reach him by email at: [email protected] 

Toni Southam is a moderator for the Award Travel 101 community and travels internationally with a family of six using points and miles. Despite her love for travel and points, her biggest fear is heading to the airport and taking a flight. Paul has been coaching her to help her anxiety. 

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

"The blogs are being told policies before Marriott reservation agents even know whats going on and certainly before front desk agents. No one knows what’s going on.”

The Marriott and Starwood merger has been anything but smooth and leadership of the combined portfolio continues to display tone deaf responses to loyal customers. This week Richard and Ed Pizza discuss the continuing struggles of the new Marriott Bonvoy program, how it got to where it is, the current state of trying to be a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist and what Marriott can do to right the ship.

Show Timestamps

• 1:12 — Happy Travel Day
• 2:21 — Bonvoy Merger Disaster
• 3:51 — Problems attaching award certificate for an award night? Points advance bookings and more
• 5:19 — Marriott is broken master thread
• 6:55 — New Bonvoy Co-branded card discussion
• 7:34 — Marriott's tone deaf responses
• 10:33 — Has anyone never needed a passport to make a hotel reservation? Probably not
• 18:07 — What could Bonvoy and Lolo Jones have in common?
• 20:18 — “Bonvoyed”
• 24:00 — Is there hope? What Marriott needs to do to improve

Today's Guest

Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the Boarding Area network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur.

Resources

• Marriott Is Broken #MasterThread in Award Travel 101
• Bonvoyed.com
• Contact Marriott 

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

“Three days after you leave the hospital with a broken back, and chemo, and serious multiple myeloma, you decide you're going on this around­-the­-world trip?”

The Award Travel 101 community is built around sharing and learning knowledge on how to travel the world with points and miles. A side effect of the community has been the stories of people that meet and interact every day and their stories made possible by a Facebook group. This week we introduce you to Mr. Ike Stanfield of Texas who is currently battling aggressive multiple myeloma cancer. In February 2019, Ike posted to Award Travel 101 that he was cashing in his points and miles and taking a solo trip around the world to Singapore, Delhi, and Doha in first and business classes.

During the show, Ike walks us through some of his daily battles that might delay his determination to see his bucket list destinations. Despite the fact that Ike broke his back just one week before he was supposed to leave for his trip, he persevered through pain and surgery and still completed his around the world points and miles trip. Make sure to listen to his inspiration and words of wisdom as he walks us through each part of his two week adventure.

Show Timestamps

• 3:30 — Meet Ike 
• 8:45 — Ike's health diagnosis
• 12:30 — Ike's around the world itinerary
• 17:00 — Getting treated well at the Hilton Singapore
• 19:30 — “What did you reflect on while you were there?”
• 22:30 — Ike's advice for those facing challenges
• 28:30 — Ike's words of wisdom 

Resources

• Contact Ike
• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027

Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!

Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.