In this episode the Award Travel 101 podcast, "Book Early, Book Often" Mike and "Backup" Joe share their latest strategies and news updates. Mike discusses his recent approval for the Hawaiian Airlines personal card and transferring 100,000 MR points with a 20% bonus, taking inspiration from Greg and Nick at Frequent Miler. Joe shares his success with a 250K Business Platinum card and his travel plans, including a status match trip to Atlantic City and a booking for a concert using a Hyatt certificate.

The hosts also challenge conventional travel norms, encouraging listeners to make decisions that suit their personal preferences. Mike emphasizes not fearing layovers, ignoring the obsession over credit card rules like 5/24, dismissing the "CPP Police" and not blindly following popular travel trends.

Joe adds that fringe options like lesser-known airlines or using cash when it makes sense can often provide better value than sticking to mainstream choices. He also reminds listeners that award travel is almost never "free travel."

Links to Topics Discussed

• Washington Residents: Earn Delta SkyMiles for Seahawks Passing Yards
• Five New Southwest Promotions to Earn A-List Elite Status Faster
• Latest Marriott Bonvoy Promotions: Bonus Points on Two-Night Stays, up to 10K Points per Night at Select Brands, and More
• Bilt and Walgreens Partnership. Extra points on pharmacy purchases but beware of the fine print!

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 Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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