Episode 62: Show Notes

Friend of the show, Han Chicago, is fast becoming one of our most frequent and favorite guests, and today he joins Trevor and Tom to reminisce about his recent transatlantic trip. First, Han walks us through Ben Schlappig’s Lufthansa debacle before explaining how another travel aficionado, Matthew Klint, influenced his itinerary for his transatlantic Memorial Day weekend trip. Then, we learn why Han travelled not once but twice across the Atlantic on the same trip, how airlines change aircrafts without alerting passengers causing booking and seating complications, why flying economy across the Atlantic is a better option now than ever before, the ins and out of the Delta One Lounge at JFK, and Han’s short stay in London. Trevor, Tom, and Han all share similar negative experiences of the Frankfurt airport, and after trying to ascertain why Frankfurt is one of Europe’s least pleasant airports, they all agree that Lufthansa First Class is better in the air than on the ground. We also discuss the new T5 train at O’Hare International Airport, what American Airlines is getting wrong with their new 787 flagship seats, the standout moments from Han’s transatlantic journey, and everything that our guest has planned for the near future. To end, we unpack Boeing’s never-ending woes, Han’s final thoughts on JetBlue’s transatlantic product, and what the future of aviation may hold in terms of Business and First Class layouts.    

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“The devil’s in the details on some of these partner programs.” — @tmount [0:16:14]

“Guys, to me, [the Delta One Lounge at JFK] is one of the best lounges in the US, and it can rival a lot of lounges overseas, too.” — @hanchicago [0:20:54]

“I’m trying to fly all the A380s on all the airlines that still fly them. After Lufthansa, the only one I think I have left now is Korean [Air].” — @hanchicago [0:31:43]

“Frankfurt is one of the least pleasant airports in Europe. Considering you’ve got Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow included there, that’s saying something.” — @TktweetsKim [0:44:57]

“Luckily, I made all my connections. So many times, I could’ve missed something; something could’ve gone wrong. That’s definitely happened to me on these kinds of [trips before], but Memorial Day weekend, it all worked out.” — @hanchicago [1:02:12]

“I’m always looking for that special feeling. And I have to say, as much as we started this episode off about bagging on Lufthansa for this and that, I would say that they deliver that [feeling] for me.” — @hanchicago [1:10:48]

“It’s turbulent times for us in the world, on various fronts.” — @hanchicago [1:12:38]

“Everyone’s planning a new first-class seat, but because of Boeing’s woes, everyone’s putting that off as to when they’re going to introduce it.” — @hanchicago [1:16:34]

“It’s a blessing to get on any of these aircrafts. Let’s never forget. It’s a blessing to be able to fly the way that we fly [and] in the luxury that we get to experience.” — @tmount [1:31:52]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Han Chicago on X

Han Chicago on Instagram 

Episode 30: First Time Istanbul Visit with Han

Episode 53: Aspirational Flying with Han Chicago 

Lufthansa Allegris First Class

‘Frustrating Lufthansa Allegris First Class Upgrade Glitch’ 

‘Lol, Oops: Downgraded From Lufthansa Allegris First Class’ 

‘American’s Brand New Boeing 787 Has Serious Maintenance Issues’

Ben Schlappig on Instagram

Matthew Klint | Live and Let's Fly 

Alaska Airlines

JetBlue

Etihad Airways 

Qatar Airways 

Virgin Atlantic 

Delta One

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Chase Sapphire Lounge 

SkyClub 

Priority Pass  

Korean Air 

Thai Airways 

American Airlines

United Airlines

U.S. Bank 

JonNYC on X

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X 

The Milenomics Podcast Network

We're back! We cut this show as the last segment of a Patreon Episode, and are releasing it here a little delayed for everyone to listen.

0:21 Main Topic: Airline Miles vs Bank Points

0:52 Set the stage: Why is this an important discussion.

5:51 Bank Point bookings Benefits:

13:09 Airline Miles Benefits: 

19:44 Airline Mile Weaknesses

24:27 Bank point Weaknesses

31:01 Airline Mile Uses that don’t get enough Discussion

33:42 Examples where Bank points win:

What about you? What do you think is a strength of Airline Miles or Bank Points that doesn't get enough discussion? Share out here in the comments or on Social media.

Episode 61: Show Notes

The World Expo 2025 took place in Osaka, Japan, and Tom and Trevor had the pleasure of bumping into their old friend, Brennan Anderson. Brennan was our first-ever guest on this podcast, and we are thrilled to have him back as he walks us through his experience in Osaka. Brennan begins by explaining why he and his family chose to travel to the Osaka Expo before detailing how the Expo met most of his high expectations. After listing the various names that the World Expo is known as, we examine the level of research and planning needed to enjoy the Expo to the fullest, the problems we had with the complicated ticketing system, the highs and lows of Brennan’s three days at the Expo, and appreciation for the sheer size of the Osaka installment. Then, we hear our guest’s thoughts about traveling with a one-year-old, his general food experience at the Expo, his advice for when and where to shop as a tourist, and highlights from the rest of his time in Osaka and Japan. We also marvel at Japan’s kid-friendliness, general accessibility, and incredible nationwide hospitality. To end, Brennan details his travel itinerary including the airlines, cities, hotels, and transportation options he utilized, and shares his final thoughts on traveling in Japan.         

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“The Osaka Expo was huge.” — Brennan Anderson [13:58]

“We’re learning how to travel with a baby. – You can’t do as much as you can without kids, but seeing things through his eyes and what he pays attention to as a one-year-old is really rewarding.” — Brennan Anderson [16:18]

“Japan, in general, is very kid-friendly [and] very accessible.” — Brennan Anderson [16:41]

“It’s one of those things that kind of connects you to an area. It’s great when your kids are able to make friends with somebody local and run around for a little bit. It really just feels like a local experience. It’s a lot of fun.” — Brennan Anderson [27:56]

“Everything we had was delicious. Neither my wife nor I are really that big on Japanese food, but we really loved everything we had.” — Brennan Anderson [31:27]

“Everybody was just so friendly, so hospitable, and really just made you feel at home.” — Brennan Anderson [32:30]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Brennan Anderson on Instagram 

Episode 6: Full-Time Travel with Brennan Anderson 

World Expo 2025, Osaka 

Osaka Castle 

Finnair 

Conrad Osaka

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X 

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Episode 60: Show Notes

This year, only one of us had a Memorial Day trip, at least on a plane, and this episode is all about that! This trip also marks Trevor’s family’s first international long-haul trip since January of this year. From their experience at the Centurion Lounge at Washington, DC’s Reagan-National airport, to managing flights with a toddler, Trevor shares the highlights. We start with Tom’s fishing trip to Chesapeake before diving into Trevor’s vacation, which began on a boat and continued with a JetBlue flight to Madrid via Boston. He talks about lounge experiences, including Capital One and Chase Sapphire, and offers tips for handling naps and meals in-flight. In Madrid, Trevor shares why this visit topped previous ones, from the Thompson hotel to great food. The family then flew to Valencia on Air Europa, explored major sites, stayed at Palacio Santa Clara, enjoyed paella, visited the zoo, and saw local protests. The trip ended with a stop in Frankfurt and a return to New York on a Spontaneous Escapes deal from Singapore Airlines. Tune in to learn what he enjoyed most, what he would do differently, and what he most recommends to listeners. 

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“One of the great advantages of travel is to be able to see some of mankind’s amazing achievements in the arts, and architecture is definitely one of them.” — @TktweetsKim [38:17]

“Valencia is known for [its] paella, and it is truly incredible.” — @tmount [39:47]

“If you’re going to Spain, put Valencia on your list, and if you’ve got kids, put the Bioparc in Valencia on your list.” — @tmount [46:24]

“The city is just so incredibly walkable in Madrid.” — @tmount [56:37]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Travelstories Episode 8

Jet Blue

Trevor Mountcastle on X 

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Around the World with Hello Kitty

Episode 59: Show Notes.

When EVA Air released its Hello Kitty livery on a 777-300ER, we just knew we had to hop on! Today, 10 years later, we reflect on our EVA Air Hello Kitty trip and why this particular adventure is still one of our most memorable. We discuss how we became aware of the Hello Kitty jet, the near-disaster of our first connection, and the wonder of our in-flight experience with Hello Kitty branding, literally, everywhere!  Then, we examine our itinerary, which included stops in Taiwan, Bangkok, Vientiane, Laos, and Singapore, before detailing our experience of the Crowne Plaza Vientiane and other attractions Laos had to offer. We also learn of Tom’s unlikely affair with beer, his aversion to Thai foot massages, why we’re definitely going to do an entire Fifth Freedom Flight episode, and why taxis in Singapore may have saved Trevor’s marriage. To end, we share fond—and socially unacceptable— memories of the entire Lufthansa First-Class (drink!) service, and we rank our Hello Kitty trip as a complete travel experience worthy of high praise.      

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“Everything was Hello Kitty. You had the Hello Kitty-imprinted butter. You had Hello Kitty signage everywhere. Even the toilet paper in the lavatory was Hello Kitty.” — @tmount [08:31]

“That’s probably the only airline experience that I’ve ever had that has been so complete. It was almost like a Disney World-type experience where they just had everything right; everything aligned to Hello Kitty. I was really impressed with that.” — @tmount [09:09]

“Any lounge that provides ice cream – they get an extra star automatically.” — @TktweetsKim [14:43]

“I am absolutely not a beer drinker. I actually usually detest the beverage – [but] for the weather, for the environment, [Beerlao] was just the best beverage.” — @TktweetsKim [24:22]

“I cannot think of a bad Cathay flight that I’ve flown.” — @TktweetsKim [29:37]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

EVA Air 

EVA Air | Hello Kitty Jet

Sanrio | The Official Home of Hello Kitty and Friends 

Lufthansa

Thai Airways 

Bangkok Airways 

Crowne Plaza Vientiane 

COPE Visitor Centre 

Beerlao Lager 

Cathay Pacific 

United Airlines 

The La Première Experience | Air France 

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

No Way Home

Episode 58: Show Notes.

Planning the trips are getting harder and harder. The way home often becomes more challenging, with many more constraining factors. This episode we’re unpacking why. We begin with our examples of going on trips without planning the route home before exploring the limiting factors that make the trip home a daunting prospect. We throw some tangents in along the way including a discussion of Fifth Freedom Flights, the current state of airline alliances, the merits of flying non-premium over the Atlantic, and why “unicorn” destinations are harder to visit now than ever before. We also look inward to see how our miles and points behavior limits our choices, how procrastination paralysis leads to incomplete bookings, why alternative routes home when flying may not be an answer, and TK’s troubling cruise moment when looking for a way back home. We end with an oddity that Tom has latched onto and how this may affect your September travel plans, and we discuss why a lack of airport arrival lounges compounds the woes of traveling home. 

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“This has been an unspoken rule, where we’re always seeming to have a lot more difficulty figuring out how we’re getting home than how we get there.” — @TktweetsKim [01:16]

“The world is our oyster, but it’s really not when you think about it. South America is almost unattainable at this time.” — @tmount [11:08]

“It’s possible to fly non-premium over the Atlantic.” — @TktweetsKim [19:04]

“On your way home, you want that experience. You really want that enjoyment to continue. That’s why I prefer not to fly economy over the Atlantic because I feel like the flight home is an extension of the vacation.” — @tmount [21:31]

“A guy can dream. If we don’t dream, then we have nothing to aspire to.” — @tmount [24:39]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lufthansa 

Delta One® 

Ethiopian Airlines

Air India 

Etihad  

Copa Airlines 

Star Alliance

oneworld 

SkyTeam

LATAM Airlines 

Alaska Airlines 

Lufthansa Group 

airBaltic 

LOT Polish Airlines 

ITA Airways

Virgin Atlantic 

Eurowings 

Edelweiss 

Episode 57: Travel Banter with Michael Trager 

Liberia 

Expo 2025 Osaka 

JetBlue 

PLAY Airlines 

Icelandair 

Straight to the Points 

Thrifty Traveler  

United Airlines 

The White Lotus

The Milenomics Podcast Network

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 57: Show Notes.

Sometimes you just need to do some travel banter! And who better to do it with than TravelZork Travel’s Michael Trager? In today’s conversation, we discuss our recent travel experiences and dig into the nitty gritty of points, upgrades, flight paths, and so much more. To kick things off, we hear all about Michael’s recent trip to Madrid and the benefits of American Airlines' ConciergeKey status, which Michael has access to thanks to his wife, Ellen! We then discuss optimal flight paths to Europe from different parts of the US, why JetBlue is on the naughty list this week, and how to optimize your next trip to Vegas. Next, we explore the flagship lounge and dining experience on different airlines, before discussing why it sometimes makes sense to pay for travel (because you can’t do everything on points) and the exceptional cases where we break our own rules. We also dive into Marriott points and benefits, including getting the fifth night free, the challenges of hotel hopping, and the importance of a positive arrival experience; especially if you have your family in tow. Finally, Michael tells us the essential details and updates for ZorkFest 2025, including the festival’s four-star accommodation, their new miles and points labs, their epic foodie and beverage dining experience, the speakers they have lined up, and much more. Be sure to tune in to hear the full scope of our travel banter conversation with Michael Trager!

Quotes:

“The amount of trouble to position to JFK and then to leave, like, three, four, five, six, hours between the flight to then get a lie flat seat for a flight that maybe is six hours of which maybe, if all of the stars align, you get four hours of sleep. And that's like, if you're really lucky.” — Michael Trager [17:33]

“JetBlue is on my very naughty list, really naughty list this week.” — Michael Trager [21:19]

“That has been a thread or a mantra on this podcast, ‘book the flight or book the room you want’.” — @tmount [56:29]

“When you hit the ground, that's going to set the tone for your entire trip.” — @tmount [56:57]

“Nothing's gonna be as good as a nice, quiet hotel room on the ground for you to recover.” — @TktweetsKim [01:04:34]

“Value is so personal, right? People need to respect that, and a lot of people don't. They think that their truth is the only truth.” — @TktweetsKim [01:09:23]

“This is the first time we are truly having ZorkFest at a very bougie casino property with a very bougie, true four-star room product.” — Michael Trager [01:11:01]

“There are things you learn from casino advantage players like Anthony Curtis, or things that you learn from casino loyalty, that can be parsed to the miles and points world technique-wise.” — Michael Trager [01:25:30]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Michael Trager

Michael Trager on LinkedIn

TravelZork Travel

TravelZork

TravelZork on Facebook

TravelZork on X

TravelZork on Bluesky

TravelZork on Instagram

TravelZork on YouTube

TravelZork, ZorkCast (and ZorkFest too!) - Casinos, Vegas, Miles & Points on Facebook

Join the Zork Fest Mailing List

Yo-11 Podcast | ZorkCast on Spotify

BAEC GOLD + GGL + Premier [British Airways Executive Club] Facebook Group

Hyatt Privé Deals Facebook Group

Cunard | Queen Mary 2 + Entire Line | Cruise Deals, Discussion + Promotions Facebook Group

The M Resort and Spa and Casino, Las Vegas

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

0:25 Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000 Offer

05:14 Chase Referrals

06:30 Sapphire Churning Restrictions

12:09 Two Player Mode

13:50 Ultimate Rewards: Value and Utility

23:31 CSP/CSR Earning Strategy

28:47 United/Southwest: Opportunity Cost

31:38 Q2 2025 “Point Offer”

37:10 Live Application.

Two Cruises

Episode 56: Show Notes.

This episode, we head back to the high seas to talk about not one, but two different cruises! Join us as we discuss our experience on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and Princess Cruise Lines’ Sun Princess. In this detailed discussion, we talk about everything from flight Irregular Operations (IRROPS) and loyalty rewards to dining, entertainment and more, drawing out differences, common features, and what we liked and didn’t like. To kick off our conversation, we talk about flights to Jacksonville and Orlando, and some of the unexpected obstacles along the way. Next, we touch on key aspects of the experience at Utopia of the Seas: facilities, dining, casino, and more, before diving into Thomas’s arrival on the Sun Princess. Comparing the demographics on each ship, Thomas shares what he liked about the dining setup and entertainment options, drawing a comparison with other cruise trips. Despite having been sick, Thomas shares a short review of what he was able to partake in, including a specialty European-style dinner. If you’re curious about the newest ships on two different cruise lines, this episode is for you!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“One thing that really jumped out at me is, because it’s such a big ship, [there’s so much to do], there’s an ice show, there’s an aqua show, they have two different shows in the main theatre, they’ve got two different slides—you can’t do it all.” — @tmount [13:59]

“I also suspect that putting their best product out there, their newest ship with all the newest bells and whistles and restaurants, they are converting a lot more who may not have been looking at cruises.” — @tmount [13:34]

“For better or for worse, Royal Caribbean is actually pretty good at delivering a standardized product.” — @TktweetsKim [35:44]

“This trip was trying out the newest ships on two different cruise lines. Utopia of the Seas is the newest ship for Royal Caribbean; Sun Princess is the newest ship for Princess Cruise Lines.” — @TktweetsKim [41:24]

“They are taking every opportunity, on Royal Caribbean, to engage with you and make you feel special.” — @TktweetsKim [56:50]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruises

MSC Cruises

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 55: Show Notes

From COVID to cutbacks, there were a lot of reasons why airlines let go of some of their more luxurious offerings. Today, we dig into the airline products that no longer exist and reflect on the standout examples we loved, missed, or otherwise knew about. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane and discuss everything from exceptional service to the most comfortable sleep we’ve had up in the air! We describe our top first class experiences with Thai and Lufthansa, noteworthy changes at Doha, Qatar’s international airports, and our most memorable trips using JetSmarter, the Uber for private jets. You’ll also hear about our unique experience with Etihad Airways, the true premium cabin experience we both missed out on, our favorite economy products that no longer exist, and the amenity kits we prize above all others. Discover the joy of a massage at the Thai Royal First Lounge in Bangkok, the most exceptional ground services we’ve come across, and what services we miss the most!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“We're talking about Thai Airways’ first class lounge, offering a full spa-caliber massage. – You have this oasis among air world, where for an hour you were just in the lap of luxury like no other.” — @tmount [06:48]

“The overall experience [at Hamad International], I thought, was really exclusive, almost more exclusive than the current experience. But I think the current experience is more luxurious.” — @tmount [23:16]

“JetSmarter was all about ‘How do we monetize all these dead legs, all these private aviation flights that they do just to position these planes to where they actually need to be.” — @TktweetsKim [27:04]

“I'm still going to go give LATAM another shot. And if they announce a new business class product, I will be right in line to fly them again.” — @tmount [41:02]

“If I was having to fly over the Atlantic in economy, I would not mind doing it on an A380 in Air France economy.” — @TktweetsKim [43:48]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

TravelStories Episode 53: Aspirational Flying with Han Chicago

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X