By Sam Simon and Robert Dwyer
4.4
5050 ratings
The podcast currently has 160 episodes available.
Episode 45: Show Notes.
We’re always looking to try new things, but our recent trip to Colombia and Spain unlocked new levels of exploring the unknown! We centered the trip around 1 single itinerary, and didn’t have our flights home until more than halfway through the trip. Our exploration of two cities begins in the one with higher altitude than we’re used to: Bogotá, Colombia, and we explain how we devised our itinerary and why we insisted on flying LATAM. We assess the Priority Pass restaurant options at Houston Airport, how Bogotá welcomed us (and especially Thomas!) with a feast of local delights, what hotel hopping is like in Colombia, the attractions and activities of Colombia’s sprawling capital, and the exercise one can get traversing the El Dorado airport lounge. Then, we unpack everything that happened on our flight to our second destination, Madrid, with a brief interlude to the recent spate of airline alliance dissolutions. We discuss our first experience of AC Hotels by Marriot, how exploring new areas in Madrid led to a wonderful steak dinner for Trevor’s birthday, why we changed flights multiple times and what these changes cost, and why many hotels are choosing to consistently shuffle their inventories. To end, we detail the trip home via Germany on Lufthansa First Class, why Lufthansa’s onboard lavatory system always leaves us scratching our heads, the joys of Global Entry’s Mobile App, and an important event to look forward to on the 9th of December, 2024.
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“[Bogotá] reminded me my of first trip to Bangkok and having pomelo; rose apple, and all these tropical fruits that you don’t find here in North America — that’s part of the joy of traveling; going to other environments; other places and being able to experience the local product.” — @TKtweetsKim [0:18:30]
“For better or for worse, I feel like Bogotá is a city of ‘glad I did it once and checked the box.’” — @tmount [0:29:17]
“LATAM, for the price of the ticket, I felt like we got very good value, but I don’t see that as a ‘go out of my way to do.’” — @tmount [0:41:10]
“The thing that insulates us is we do have this miles and points hobby that helps quite a lot – we can at least utilize other currencies other than dollars or euros to help shoulder some of the burden of that financial cost.” — @TKtweetsKim[0:54:30]
“Sometimes, you’ve just got to accept [paying more to change flights] to get the experiences you want.” — @tmount [1:01:37]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
LATAM Airlines
Priority Pass
Emirates
Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
Landry’s Seafood
United Club
Grand Hyatt
JW Marriott Hotel
Monserrate Hill
El Dorado Lounge
SAS
Star Alliance
Qatar
Hyatt Regency Madrid Residences
AC Hotels by Marriot
José Andrés
Lufthansa
DFW’s Mobile App
Coles
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
Episode 44: Show Notes.
Lufthansa’s First Class is revered as one of the more aspirational airline products to flight; Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal (FCT) is among the top 3 airline lounge experiences, and Trevor and Thomas both agree. Miles and Points expert and writer JT Genter joins us to share about himself, and to discuss his first Lufthansa First Class experience. JT and his wife, Katie, are digital nomads, and our conversation begins with a brief look at their recent jam-packed travel schedule. After JT details his approach to living as a digital nomad, he offers some advice, recommendations, and strategies for life on the road. JT's retelling of his LH F experience begins with how he met Trevor at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, before moving on to his arrival and overall impressions of the Lufthansa FCT. He then describes how he felt about the food, drinks, and service aboard Lufthansa’s Retro livery, and why he can’t wait for his next LH F experience. Somewhere in between, we discuss the degradation of travel apps like ExpertFlyer and why this loss of value is a common industry trend, and to end, JT describes his roles and responsibilities as a travel blogger and as the Editor-In-Chief at AwardWallet, and how he would fix common industry pain points to give miles and points a better future.
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“It’s now been seven years [that] we’ve been full-time digital nomads. – We want to slow down, but we’re not anywhere close to settling down.” — @JTGenter [03:51]
“The crew was very welcoming once we got on board. We had an incredible crew, probably some of the nicest flight attendants we’ve ever had, which seems to be par for the course with Lufthansa.” — @JTGenter [37:25]
“The whole Park Hyatt motto of ‘luxury is personal’ is so true. Not one size fits all.” — @JTGenter [39:04]
“I can’t wait to [fly Lufthansa First Class] again!” — @JTGenter [43:27]
Longer Quotes:
“The people who are writing about points and miles choose not to write about [the best travel hacks] because they don’t want to kill it off, or they don’t go through the experience themselves. There are a lot of people in the miles and points community who write about it but don’t really live it.” — @JTGenter [47:32]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
JT Genter
JT Genter on X
JT Genter on LinkedIn
JT Genter on Instagram
JT Genter on Threads
Katie Genter on X
Adventures of JT and Katie
JT and Katie's Travel Schedule
AwardWallet
Lufthansa
ZorkFest
Calala Island
Hyatt
Hilton
ExpertFlyer
SeatGuru
AeroLOPA
Chicago Seminars
AwardHacker
ITA Matrix
Seats.aero
EasyPASS
Park Hyatt
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
Episode 43: Show Notes.
As we wave goodbye to summer, Thomas and Trevor walk us through their most recent end-of-season trips: A Carnival cruise and a forgettable Cap Cana experience. We begin with Thomas and his trip aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras, where he explains why he chose Carnival over his trusted Royal Caribbean. Thomas details his itinerary and vacation experience, why the casual dining options were better than expected, how the floating casino and overall entertainment could be improved, and the perils of getting sick on the open sea. Next, Trevor picks up the baton and explains why his most recent Cap Cana trip may be his last. We discover how his previous visits to the resort influenced his most recent one and the stress of traveling out of Punta Cana. To end, Thomas unpacks his experience at the 14th Annual Chicago Seminars for miles and points.
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“If I were doing my fun-match again, I would definitely recommend that you pick one of these newer ships, because I think that’s going to give you your best foot forward for Carnival.” — @TktweetsKim [06:02]
“This was the only cruise I’ve ever been on where I’ve been woken up at 1:30 in the morning with an abandon ship alarm. — We did actually have a false alarm go off in the middle of the night, people were quite distressed.” — @TktweetsKim [19:58]
“It’s hard to go on vacation and have it be so frictionless on your way home. You do your best in planning to make that happen, but I think the reality is you’re always going to have some grating experience trying to get from the resort back to your home.” — @TktweetsKim [37:42]
“There’s always something nice about being able to get up in front of a bunch of people and talk about something that you love.” — @tmount [39:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Princess Cruises
Virgin Voyages
Cap Cana
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
Hyatt Regency Chicago
The 14th Annual Chicago Seminars
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
0:22 Q4 5x Bonus Categories
03:19 JetBlue News
07:34 Southwest News (link)
11:36 Alaska/Hawaiian News
15:06 Chase UR 30% Transfer Bonus to Avios
19:34 Delta: More Routes to Europe in Summer 2025
Episode 42: Show Notes
We Welcome Richrd Kerr, VP of Travel at Bilt Rewards. Richard is a miles, points, and travel enthusiast whose vast experience has led him to lead a prominent facebook group (now Award Travel 101), write for The Points Guy, and ultimately to Bilt Rewards – the loyalty program for where you live. Richard is kind enough to share about Bilt; its some of its metrics; its unique value proposition. Richard carefully dissects common public misconceptions about miles and points. We discuss devaluations, the technological evolution of miles and points and the rise of social media, how Bilt members earn and redeem points, and what the industry looks like five years after the COVID disruption. Richard also shares details about his favorite family trips, how he and his wife homeschool their kids while on vacation, an unforgettable Aman Resort experience, and the eyewatering price of modern hotels. To end, our guest gives us his view of the future of miles and points as he shares helpful advice for finding big savings and great-value deals, and we discuss why Summer travel has been more chaotic than usual in 2024.
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“Our pitch [for Bilt] from the beginning was, ‘Look, this is not the standard. You can’t throw what you’ve always done before; you can’t use the same playbook; you’ve got to do something different to get our members interested.’” — @KerrPoints [0:08:50]
“We’re literally spreading the wealth elsewhere so that the vast majority of our members can win, not just die-hard points and miles people. And I get it, it’s not a message that die-hard points and mile people want to hear, but we’re still doing really cool stuff [for them].” — @KerrPoints [0:15:09]
“A loyalty program—as I have learned over the last three years—is as much of an art as it is a science.” — @KerrPoints [0:16:12]
“There’s nobody writing anymore, because the next generation of folks, 10 years later, has come into Instagram and TikTok, and that’s where they think they’re going to make money.” — @KerrPoints [0:28:27]
“I’ve been commuting from Atlanta to New York for five years now so I knew what hotels cost. What I’ve seen in 2024 for hotel rates in New York City is just mind-boggling. I cannot comprehend who these people are who are paying for these hotels.” — @KerrPoints [0:37:22]
“To everybody who’s followed my story; followed me; wished me well; were supporters when I was in the Facebook days; at The Points Guy read my stuff, I really appreciate it, and it’s just led to this dream job that I’ve somehow landed in.” — @KerrPoints [1:02:25]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Richard Kerr on LinkedIn
Richard Kerr on Instagram
Richard Kerr on X
Bilt
Bilt on YouTube
The Points Guy
Etihad Airways
David Canty on LinkedIn
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Alaska Airlines
Hyatt Grand Central New York
Aman Resorts
Spirit
Frontier
United
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
The Milenomics Podcast Network
I've long been intrigued by the luxury hotel timeshare market, where you get the quality and amenities of a five star hotel combined with the square footage of a residential vacation home.
A prime example of this type of property is Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. Back in the day, Four Seasons managed both a hotel here along with a collection of 1 and 2 bedroom vacation homes. The hotel is now managed by Hyatt (as a Park Hyatt) but Four Seasons still maintains the Residence Club. The golf, tennis, pools, and restaurants make for a fabulous "no compromises" vacation in my book. The only problem I've had is finding another Aviara.
Turns out there's a level of quality above luxury hotel timeshares, called Luxury Fractionals or Private Residence Clubs. With these you get somewhere around a 1/10th ownership of a fully managed vacation home, usually in a resort setting with access to amenities like a golf course, beach, or skiing. The problem here is cost and commitment as these fractionals typically sell for around $200,000 down and $25,000 per year in maintenance fees.
But there are levels to these things. Properties at the top of the Luxury Hotel Timeshare market can get so nice that they're on par with Luxury Fractionals, so much so that owners are willing to trade time between them. The trick is finding owners at "different but like-quality" properties, across brands we may or may not be familiar with, interested in swapping time.
Enter Elite Alliance.
In Ep 236 of our podcast (subscription required) I detailed how we stayed at the Harbor Court Residence Club at the Rosewood Bermuda, booked through Elite Alliance. The stay was fantastic from beginning to end but I was just as intrigued by Elite Alliance's part in this because if I understand how they operate it has the potential to unlock this type of vacation experience at locations all over the world.
This episode is a discussion with Elite Alliance President and Partner Rob Goodyear. We discuss what Elite Alliance is and how they got started, how they vette properties in their portfolio to ensure a consistent quality of experience, what it takes to participate in Elite Exchange, and more.
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
Thanks to Rob for coming on the show!
Episode 41: Show Notes.
Note: The video of this podcast can be viewed on Youtube, find it here.
Family travel can be just as affordable and rewarding as a solo one. To help us gain a better perspective of traveling the world with kids in tow, we are joined today by the renowned travel expert, author, and Senior Editor at Fortune Recommends, Dia Adams, who begins our conversation by highlighting the importance of travel conferences in building community. We discuss Dia’s hit column, What’s in Dia’s Wallet, and what her role at Fortune entails before learning about her affinity for less-lavish hotels, how vendoming has evolved since she first coined the term, how she developed Camp Mom as the perfect family travel hack, and how she’s cultivated travel hacking in her kids. We also unpack the power of perspective, how to have a Disney experience without going to Disney World; what Dia thinks about miles and points devaluations, and how to connect with today’s remarkable guest!
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“I just want people to be a little bit more – I don’t know if you’re following this TikTok trend – a little more mindful, a little more demure about their miles choices.” — @TheDiaAdams [09:24]
“Almost every success I’ve ever had in my career has been due to a rant.” — @TheDiaAdams [14:59]
“I tend to base trips on a vibe these days. Like, how do I want to feel during this trip? Everything else kind of goes from that.” — @TheDiaAdams [32:30]
“One time, there was a last-minute ferry sale to Hawaii, and I asked the kids if they wanted to go to Hawaii, and they’re like, ‘Nah, we’re good. We went last year, we’re good.’ One of the kids actually said to me once, ‘One private island a year is enough for me.’” — @TheDiaAdams [36:57]
“A family of four — for a Spring Break-type vacation — from New York, could fly to Paris and spend a week in Paris and three days at Paris Disneyland for the same price as a week in Orlando at Disney.” — @TheDiaAdams [45:58]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dia Adams
Dia Adams on LinkedIn
Dia Adams on X
Dia Adams on Instagram
Fortune
‘What’s in Dia’s Wallet: The art of destination dupes’
Disney World Hacks
Choice Hotels
Hyatt
IHG Hotels and Resorts
Sky
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Delta
Disney Experiences
Universal Studio Theme Parks
Dutch Wonderland
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Lifemiles
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
The Milenomics Podcast Network
Episode 40: Show Notes.
We’re heading back to the high seas! During this episode, Tom shares all the details of his recent trip with Virgin Voyages cruise line, from costs, to rooms, drinking, dining, entertainment, and more. Join us as he gets candid about what he loved, tolerated, and disliked during the trip along with tips for you to get the most out of your booking with them. We discuss the differences between the Virgin Voyages experience and what you would have on Royal Caribbean; from the points-based redemption system to the egalitarian nature of your booking. He even goes into the perks included in your stay! You’ll also hear us touch on the trend of choosing style over comfort or plating over flavor as more businesses start to cater to an Instagram generation. Tom talks about everything from embarking and disembarking to the room service system, configuring his accommodation to suit him and his friend, and more. Don’t miss this informative conversation! Thanks for tuning in.
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“The balcony cabins all come with a hammock and normally I would say this is a gimmick and nobody would use it, but I found it to be very comfortable.” — @TktweetsKim [13:28]
“I have to make [a] shout out to [a] venue I spent quite a lot of time at called the Social Club which was this area with bar games [like] snooker, a bunch of board games, and a bar selling bar food.” — @TktweetsKim [38:33]
“[If] you enjoy white sand and blue water, it’s hard to do better than what the Bimini Beach Club provides.” — @TktweetsKim [43:06]
“CocoCay is constantly evolving, constructing, and innovating.” — @TktweetsKim [48:18]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Symphony of the Seas
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
Episode 39: Show Notes
Are you bored of the usual tourist travel tropes and looking for more? Have you ever wondered how to turn a simple trip into an unforgettable adventure? In this episode, we dive into the art of ‘sightDOING’ with travel expert Becky Pokora, who transforms ordinary travel experiences into extraordinary, hands-on journeys. Becky is a seasoned travel expert and writer passionate about adventure and exploration. As the founder of the travel blog sightDOING, she shares her experiences and tips on active travel and immersive adventures. Becky has a knack for discovering unique destinations and engaging activities, encouraging her readers to dive deeper into their travel experiences. In our conversation, we explore the secret behind authentic travel, why first-hand travel recommendations are superior, and the benefits of going with the flow. Discover strategies for finding the best experience while traveling and helpful resources to get you started. Becky recounts some of her most memorable travel moments, including seeing a volcano erupt, attending an ice festival in China, and experiencing the wonders of Antarctica. She also shares advice for communicating when you don’t speak the local language and red flags to watch out for when looking for accommodation. Join us as we journey into the world of authentic travel with Becky Pokora. Tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
Quotes:
“That first-hand touch from someone that you trust and from someone where you understand their frame of reference is a great way to filter [travel ideas].” — @sightDOING [7:20]
“Sometimes taking what is easy is a legitimate way to plan a trip or plan an activity.” — @sightDOING [10:33]
“Sometimes even when you have fantastic plans, they just get rearranged based on conditions or things you never expected.” — @sightDOING [20:00]
“I like hotels but a lot of places I go don’t have a lot of hotels which means you have to get a little bit more creative.” — @sightDOING [39:01]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
sightDOING
sightDOING on X
sightDOING on Instagram
sightDOING on Facebook
sightDOING on Pinterest
Becky Pokora on LinkedIn
Airbnb
Meetup
Facebook Events
Harbin Ice Festival
Vrbo
Booking.com
Quark Expeditions
The Milenomics Podcast Network
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
0:21 Transfer Bonuses
08:24 United Premium Cabin Awards (on United Metal) Gets Even More Expensive (Live and Lets Fly)
15:21 JetBlue Plus 80,000
16:14 Heightened Amex Bonvoy Welcome Bonuses
Main Topic: Partner Award Bookings
17:59 Qantas As An Alternative to British Airways for Domestic AA Partners Awards
23:42 Booking JetBlue Mint with Qatar Avios
The podcast currently has 160 episodes available.
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