Award Travel 101

Episode 152 of the Award Travel 101 podcast covers a wide range of timely award travel news, recent booking challenges, and a deep dive into how Angie and Cameron are thinking about points earning as they look ahead to 2026. The hosts open with a community highlight about delayed Amex-to-Delta transfers, reminding listeners that transfers may still be usable even if balances don’t immediately update, and that transfer times vary by program. In the news segment, they discuss several changes affecting travelers, including airlines rolling out free in-flight internet, American Airlines eliminating mileage earning on Basic Economy tickets booked after December 17, Chase reducing Points Boost values for The Edit hotels, and Bilt adding Spirit Airlines as a transfer partner.

Both hosts then share recent bonuses, trips, and booking experiences—good and bad. Angie notes difficulties using Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts credits due to pricing and availability, as well as a frustrating phantom award space issue on United. Cameron details multiple upcoming trips, including booking LATAM business class to Chile via Virgin, taking advantage of a limited Amex-to-Virgin transfer bonus, and finding strong premium economy value on Air France, even if logistics made it less appealing. These examples highlight how flexible points strategies and constant monitoring are often required to secure good redemptions.

The main topic focuses on how many points were earned and spent this year and what that means for 2026. Angie describes a relatively slow year for new card openings but significant spending on major trips, leaving her overall points-positive while planning to cancel or downgrade several cards and target a few specific additions next year. Cameron reports earning 1.8 million points, realizing how heavily he relied on American Airlines miles, and deciding to prioritize earning more of them going forward. The episode wraps with a reminder that calendar-year credits—especially Amex credits—are about to expire, urging listeners to use them before the deadline.

Episode Links:

• Atmos Free Starlink
• American No earning on basic economy
• Chase reduces Points Boost on the Edit
• Bilt adds Spirit

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.  

Episode 151 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic, covers a wide range of travel and points news before diving into a full recap of ZorkFest. In the news segment, the hosts discuss Mesa unexpectedly shutting down accounts, changes to the Ritz-Carlton card’s lounge guest policy, JetBlue’s new Terminal 5 lounge with very limited access, and concerns around a Cathay Pacific transfer devaluation from Amex Membership Rewards. They also highlight year-end checklist reminders, such as expiring credits, point pooling, and spending thresholds. Angie and Joe share recent bonuses, card closures, and points earned, along with detailed trip updates involving Vegas, Japan, Orlando, Phoenix, and upcoming meetups.

The main topic centers on ZorkFest, a unique event that blends traditional travel rewards with casino loyalty programs. Held at the M Resort in Henderson, Nevada, ZorkFest attracts attendees interested in high expected value opportunities, cost-effective stays (including bookings with Choice points), and hands-on learning through labs and live gaming experiences with experts. Both Angie and Joe recount their flights, hotel experiences, and why the event stands out: strong presenters, opportunities for new players, and a focus on maximizing rewards across both travel and casino ecosystems. The hosts note that the event just wrapped up and is likely to return next year.

The episode wraps with miscellaneous trip highlights, community connections, and a “Tip of the Week” emphasizing adaptability. Joe stresses that points and miles opportunities are constantly changing, with earning avenues and redemption paths frequently disappearing. The key takeaway is to stay flexible, plan ahead, and be ready to pivot strategies as programs evolve—an especially timely reminder given the rapid changes discussed throughout the episode.

Episode links:

• Mesa Shutdown
• Ritz Lounge Access
• JetBlue JFK Lounge
• Cathay Devaluation

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.  

Episode 150 of the Award Travel 101 Podcast focuses heavily on year-end strategy, with Mike Zaccheo and moderator Cameron Laufer walking through news, bonuses, trip updates, and the annual housekeeping travelers should tackle before December 31. They open by highlighting a community post about someone just 500 MQDs short of Delta Diamond and discuss creative last-minute options—same-day turn flights, buying MQDs, or leveraging Delta credit card boosts. News items include Royal Air Maroc’s new status match (valid through 2026), a significant Turkish Miles&Smiles partner award devaluation, and Capital One’s upcoming transfer-ratio cut to Emirates. Mike and Cameron also share their own card bonus pursuits and recent travel planning, including Mike’s NYC trip and Cameron’s Singapore Airlines business-class redemption and new Hyatt Globalist status.

The main segment dives into year-end planning across credits, spending, and elite status. Mike reviews the long list of expiring statement credits—hotel credits from Amex, Chase, and Citi; airline incidental credits; and category-specific perks like Amex Dell/Saks/Resy and Hilton’s monthly credits. Cameron covers annual spending thresholds, including Hilton free night certificate triggers, Hyatt spend-based nights, Amex Platinum’s 75K spend for guest lounge access. They also outline status deadlines, reminding listeners that most airline and hotel elite metrics close December 31.

Rounding out the episode, the hosts discuss point pooling and transfer limits—noting strict annual caps for Citi ThankYou, Marriott, and Hilton—plus considerations around buying points and credit-card strategy like triple-dipping and 5/24 checks. The “Tip of the Week” advises booking Alaska Airlines partner awards (such as those operated by AA) under “other person” so you can later manage the reservation directly through American Airlines.

Episode Links:

• Royal Air Maroc Status Match
• Turkish Devaluation
• Capital One to Emirates Devaluation
• Year End Statement Credits
• Year End Hotel Status Strategy

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.  

In this episode of Award Travel 101, hosts Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo dive deep into the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program. They explore the program's extensive hotel network of over 8,900 properties across 34 brands, ranging from budget-friendly Fairfield Inn to luxury Ritz Carlton. The hosts break down the elite status tiers, highlighting that Platinum status offers the most meaningful benefits, including room upgrades, free breakfast, and guaranteed 4 PM late checkout.

The discussion covers Marriott Bonvoy credit card strategies, noting the various cards from Amex and Chase that offer elite night credits and status. They candidly discuss the program's pros and cons, praising its wide footprint and diverse property range while critiquing issues like resort fees on award stays and less-than-impressive benefits for lower-tier status levels. The episode concludes with a key tip: focus on loyalty strategies that genuinely work for your personal travel needs, rather than getting caught up in status-chasing hype.

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.  

Episode 148 of the Award Travel 101 podcast focuses on maximizing points and cashback during Black Friday shopping while also covering the week’s key award-travel news. Angie and Cameron open with a community highlight about stacking rewards on large purchases—using new credit cards for signup bonuses, checking card-linked offers, comparing shopping portals, and leveraging gift-card category bonuses at grocery or office-supply stores. They also touch on programs like Wayfair Professional that sometimes unlock extra savings or rewards opportunities. News updates include a 40% Amex-to-Virgin Atlantic transfer bonus, Frontier’s extended Go Wild Pass, expanded Air France Flying Blue saver availability for elite members, and an elevated $40 TopCashback referral bonus.

The hosts also share their personal points wins and trip planning. Angie is using a new Citi Strata Elite card to cover property taxes and wrap up a United Gateway spending tracker, while Cameron is evaluating Citi and Chase cards for various family members and prepping for future Southwest Companion Pass timing. Travel planning includes Angie’s upcoming Uruguay trip and Cameron’s multi-stop itineraries for Greece and Thailand, including discussions about award pricing, hotel options, and routing strategies on carriers like Qatar, ANA, and JAL.

The main topic—Black Friday shopping—dives into stacking card offers, elevated Rakuten rates, Capital One Shopping deals, Visa gift-card plays via Rove, and portal comparisons using tools like Cashback Monitor. Cameron and Angie outline the best credit cards for holiday spending across different categories and offer strategies like buying gift cards in bonus categories to boost points. They also share must-have travel items recommended by the AT101 community, such as portable fans, chargers, Airfly adapters, and CO₂ detectors. The episode wraps with a tip of the week: using Thrifty Traveler’s credit-card benefits tracker to manage annual credits across multiple cards more effectively.

Episode Links:

• Amex to Virgin 40% Transfer bonus
• Frontier Go Wild Pass
• Air France Award Space for Elites
• Top Cash Back Link
• Amazon Black Friday Deals

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.  

Episode 147 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks with guest Jake Futerfas, dives into maximizing Aeroplan, Air Canada’s loyalty program. Jake, a long-time community member and Aeroplan expert, shares insights on why Aeroplan stands out, how to accumulate points, and the best redemption strategies. The discussion covers sweet spots, partner redemptions, and benefits of the Chase Aeroplan card, including earning toward elite status and leveraging eUpgrades and Priority Rewards to offset dynamic pricing. Jake also highlights perks for United flyers and offers a practical tip: always carry your Global Entry card when flying from Canadian airports with U.S. preclearance.

Listeners are reminded to monitor year-end deals like transfer bonuses, status matches, and point-buying promos. The episode emphasizes strategic planning for both earning and redeeming points, especially with Aeroplan’s flexibility and partner network, making it a valuable resource for travelers looking to optimize their 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.  

In Episode 146, Angie Sparks and Joe Petrovic recap their weekend at Chicago Seminars, highlight a timely AT201 post about preparing for phone theft while traveling, and cover key news including IHG’s 100% points bonus, an elevated United Club Card offer, and early hints of a new Hyatt credit card. They also touch on current transfer bonuses, mileage sales, status matches, and the launch of Bilt earnings through Rakuten.

The main discussion focuses on Chicago Seminars itself—a volunteer-run, charity-driven event where roughly half the attendees are first-timers. Angie and Joe share takeaways from the sessions, standout speakers, and the strong community aspect, noting the event raised nearly $32,000 for charity this year. Travel disruptions added extra drama, with Angie navigating a last-minute cancellation thanks to backup options and miles. They close by encouraging newcomers to attend next year and share an ExpertFlyer tip for checking why a flight was canceled.

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 episode features Mike Zaccheo and Angie Sparks diving deep into the world of credit card statement credits and how to maximize them. The episode begins with a highlight post from member Karen, who detailed her inspiring solo round-the-world trip at age 60, showing how miles, points, and determination can unlock life-changing travel. In news, the hosts cover Flying Blue’s November Promo Rewards offering discounted redemptions from North America to Europe, a 20% Capital One transfer bonus to British Airways, Wells Fargo adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, and a major announcement that Rove Miles will soon support Lufthansa’s Miles & More—its first European transfer option.

Angie shares her latest booking spree, spending 1.3 million points to plan a Switzerland and Istanbul trip, while Mike talks about arranging a Key West getaway for family. They also discuss their travel plans for Chicago Seminars weekend. The main topic focuses on using all available card credits—daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual—across popular cards like the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, Hilton Aspire, and Chase Sapphire Reserve. They break down credits covering everything from Uber, dining, and streaming to resort stays, airline fees, and portal bookings, emphasizing that these perks can dramatically offset annual fees when used strategically.

Links to Topics Discussed

• Flying Blue Promo Rewards
• Capital One to British Airways Transfer Bonus
• Wells Fargo to JetBlue Transfer Bonus
• Credit Card Statement Credit Listing

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.  

Joe returns to host, joined by first-time guest James He and former moderator Eric Holly. The highlight post covers a member’s lost hotel item and how travelers handle forgotten valuables. In the news: Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer devaluation, a new JetBlue–United partnership allowing reciprocal earning and redemptions (with limited premium space), and a rare 25% Chase transfer bonus to Southwest. The team also shares their latest credit card bonuses, milestone progress, and efforts to trim down annual fees.

Trip updates include Eric’s California work travel and future Portugal plans, James’ upcoming premium-class flights to Asia, Africa, and Europe, and Joe’s family trip to Atlanta plus speaking appearances at Chicago Seminars and Zorkfest.

Main topic: JetBlue’s “25 for 25” challenge. Both Eric and James completed it—visiting 25 JetBlue destinations to earn 350K points and Mosaic 1 status for 25 years. Each spent around $3,500 and built trips around existing plans. They explain how to qualify, eligible flights, and why the long-term rewards make it worthwhile. The episode wraps with tips on status matching and using tools like Plastiq to help meet spend goals.

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, Mike Zaccheo and moderator Justin Walter dive deep into Delta SkyMiles after highlighting an inspiring post from Karen, a solo traveler in her 60s who completed a 3-week, around-the-world business- and first-class trip using 326K AA and Virgin miles plus $8.2K in cash for a journey valued at ~$22K. Her itinerary spanned NYC, Tel Aviv, Paris, Tokyo, and Phoenix, with smooth connections, Hyatt stays on points, and carry-on-only travel. She earned 38K miles back and proved that with planning, persistence, and a good points strategy, major bucket-list trips are possible at any age.

In the news, Citi launched the new AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, while Hyatt refreshed its personal card offer . JetBlue announced Mosaic status changes for 2026—more benefits for top elites but fewer perks for lower tiers—while SkyTeam expanded lounge access to 70+ domestic lounges, excluding Delta’s own Elite Plus members. 

The main topic explored how Delta SkyMiles has evolved into a dynamic, spend-based loyalty program where Amex partnerships play a key role. Although miles never expire, the lack of an award chart creates unpredictable pricing, making partner bookings (Air France, Virgin Atlantic) and flash sales the best value opportunities. The hosts discussed Delta’s Medallion tiers, MQD rules, and the shifting role of Sky Clubs as Amex access limits tighten, noting that Delta increasingly positions itself as a “premium brand.” Their advice: always compare award prices across partner programs before redeeming and also evaluate miles vs cash prices.

Links To Topics Discussed

• New Citi AAdvantage Globe Card
• Hyatt Credit Card Offer with Double Elite Nights
• JetBlue Elite Status Changes
• SkyTeam Elite Lounge Access Changes

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.