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

Episode 54: Show Notes.

Today, we are taking a trip back in time to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as we approach the fifth anniversary of lockdowns across the globe. Joining us to discuss this period is long-time friend Chris, who was traveling the world when lockdowns hit. In our conversation, he shares his experiences of the pandemic abroad, his tumultuous escape abroad as lockdowns were implemented, and the impact of travel restrictions on global tourism. Chris recounts the chaos and uncertainty around travel, how he altered his plans to avoid getting stuck in quarantine, and the lucky decisions that got him to a holiday destination. We learn about his trip to Thailand and Koh Samui, the challenges he faced in trying to find a place to stay during quarantine, what it was like witnessing the shutdown of major tourist destinations, government support for local tourism industries, and the remarkable resilience of the Thai people.

Next, we shift to a happier topic, Chris’ participation in SAS's million-mile promotion and his airline upgrades and mileage strategies before reflecting on the evolving landscape of points and miles. We also learn about Chris’s involvement in revitalizing the Chicago Seminars for the travel community post-COVID and how volunteers and contributors helped raise nearly 30,000 USD for charity. Join us today as we journey back for a fascinating account of navigating lockdown travel!

Key Points From This Episode:

“One thing that [Thailand] did very well was the government subsidies [which] did pay out for hotels to keep their employees.” — Chris [0:20:43]

“There were very few cases of COVID on the island of Koh Samui for the first year and a half.” — Chris [0:25:10]

“I never learned Thai because I just thought I was going home soon.” — Chris [0:33:16]

“I [was] fortunate to only [have] had one medical issue during the two years over there.” — Chris [0:38:09]

“When I went back for the one-year anniversary for the Hyatt Regency opening, I tipped the entire staff that was there for the whole year – because it meant so much to see them again a year later, that's just a year after I'd already left.” — Chris [0:43:09]

“My first points flight was in 1989.” — Chris [01:32:08]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 53: Show Notes

What does it take to plan the ultimate luxury travel experience? In this episode, Tom and Trevor sit down with returning guest Han Chicago, a well-known aviation enthusiast and premium travel expert, to hear about his recent extravagant, multi-leg trip. Han talks about his first-class flights, luxury airline products, and lounge experiences during his lavish adventure. He breaks down his premium airline experiences and what makes certain airlines excel in service and product quality. Hear why he prefers the luxury suite on the A380 over the Emirates Game Changer suite and what it was like flying in the pinnacle of luxury on Etihad's Residence suite. Han explains how he booked The Residence, what the service was like, and why he got a surprise birthday cake. They also discuss industry trends, the pros and cons of A380s, and why Han thinks A380 First Class remains superior to newer A350 suites. Han also shares insights on luxury travel booking strategies and how to acquire more airline miles for top-tier experiences. Join us for a deep dive into luxury aviation, travel hacking, and the quirks of premium airline swag with Han Chicago!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“Turkish [Airlines] is always solid. I don't think you can really go wrong with them.” — @hanchicago [0:11:38]

“I think all loyalty programs should have 24-hour call centers because you are flying globally.” — @hanchicago [0:20:24]

“The A380 [Emirates] product, for me, is still one of the best in the business.” — @hanchicago [0:36:01]

“I am glad I did [The Residence] once. If you are really into this stuff, I think you have to try it once.” — @hanchicago [0:51:51]

“I think people should get on those A380s while they still can. Don't take [them] for granted.” — @hanchicago [1:32:36]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Han Chicago on X

Han Chicago on Instagram

Turkish Airlines 

Etihad

Etihad | The Residence

% Arabica 

DC | @AvGeek4All

Qatar Airways

Oman Air

Emirates

Qantas        

American Airlines

Cathay Pacific 

Frequent Traveler University (FTU) Event

TravelStories Episode 30: First Time Istanbul Visit with Han

Layovers Podcast

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 52: Show Notes

We’ve taken many trips to Australia, but our most recent one was certainly one to remember! In today’s episode, Trevor walks us through his most recent visit down under, and he begins with his domestic flights leaving the USA before detailing his international flight path. We unpack an awkward midair encounter from New Zealand to Australia, why Trevor was pleasantly surprised with his American Airlines flight home, how he and his family maximized their time in Qantas Business and other airport lounges, and the hotels he chose in Australasia. We also learn about the world’s biggest LEGO store, the Taronga Zoo, an unforgettable cookie, and Paddy’s Markets. To end, Trevor shares his final thoughts on Australia and the wonders of being able to walk across one of the world’s major cities.  

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“You know what? I might just make the stretch to Executive Platinum [on AAdvantage]. It’s going to come down to the wire.” — @tmount [22:08]

“Qantas does earn a little high praise from me for their à la carte dining in general.” — @TktweetsKim [28:30]

“Three of four people responded to me saying, ‘Why on Earth are you trying to get coffee at a hotel in Australia? There’s so much great coffee, just go up the street.” — @tmount [41:50]

“We walked almost everywhere [in Sydney].” — @TktweetsKim [01:04:07]

“Going back to Sydney felt so good because it felt so familiar.” — @tmount [01:05:21]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

American Airlines  

Etihad Airways 

Emirates 

LATAM Airlines 

American Express 

China Eastern Airlines 

Delta 

AAdvantage Executive Platinum 

Qantas | Airport Lounges 

The Centurion Lounge 

Lufthansa 

The Chelsea Lounge 

Park Hyatt | Auckland 

SailGP 

InterContinental | Sydney  

Andy's Travel Blog 

Butterboy 

Taronga Zoo

Hyatt Regency | Sydney 

Healesville Sanctuary 

Sydney Opera House 

Paddy's Markets

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X 

Milenomics | Podcasts

Everyday Carry

Episode 51: Show Notes.

Today’s episode is years in the making as finally, Tom and Trevor sit down and do a deep dive into the everyday carry items you’ll need when traveling. We begin with keeping go kits up-to-date and why Trevor and Tom will always be fans of carry-on luggage. We shift then to our favorite luggage exploring Briggs and Riley, Tumi, Rimowa, and other great roller bag options. Then, we unpack a few must-have travel accessories including portable USB fans, multi-charging cables and adapters, man purses, and much more. Our conversation then turns to clothing as we compare normal clothes to travel clothes versus a combination of both, and we discover why Trevor is a fanboy of lululemon and Tom loves shirts with front pockets. To end, Tom and Trevor discuss eSIMs and other best practices for using your cell phone abroad, and after weighing the pros and cons of using laptops versus tablets, our hosts shares more travel advice and tips, especially for parents traveling with toddlers. 

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“This is an opportunity for everybody to learn, because there’s so many different things that I know I don’t know, and I’m always looking for how I can get more efficient.” — @tmount [02:05]

“Travel’s personal, and I think your gear is personal.” — @TktweetsKim [02:38]

“We call this luggage, but you don’t want to be dragging it around as a burden.” — @tmount [13:24]

“Curate your stuff so that you’ve [only] got what you need for the mission at hand.” — @TktweetsKim [29:37]

“Things keep changing. You have to keep iterating because people change the rules and change things on you all the time. So, it’s important to keep up and continue to iterate your everyday carry.” — @TktweetsKim [1:07:55]

“What’s clear is that we’re very passionate about a lot of this. We’re passionate about what is in our gear [and] what we’re willing to drag pretty much around the world.” — @tmount [1:14:05]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Everyday Carry 

Marie Kondo 

Briggs and Riley 

Tumi

Rimowa 

Travelpro 

Monos 

Away 

Costco Wholesale | Luggage 

3 in 2 USB C Cable | Amazon 

VASCO Compression Packing Cubes for Travel 

Muji | Bags 

Kenneth Cole | Reaction 

Bellroy 

Lufthansa | First Class

Pat & Mike on X 

Aēsop | Travel 

lululemon 

American Express 

Google Fi Wireless

T-Mobile | International Roaming Plans 

Nomad eSIM 

GigSky 

Cellular at Sea 

Anker 

Unidapt Universal Travel Adapter | Amazon 

Momax 

Baseus 

Microsoft | Surface 

Dell | Pay Credits 

TP-Link | Travel Router 

Rapid Travel Chai

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 50: Show Notes

Are loyalty programs becoming less valuable, or are they evolving to meet the demands of modern travelers? In this episode, we delve into the future of airline and hotel loyalty programs and examine potential innovations and strategies to maximize points. To help us unravel this topic is returning guest Joey Redmond, a passionate traveler and co-host of the new Travel Bros Podcast, where he shares insights and reviews on unique hotels and travel experiences. In our conversation, we discuss the future of the Alaskan and American Airlines partnership, gaps in elite loyalty programs, and the broader impact of mileage programs on consumer behavior. Explore strategies for maximizing hotel rewards through points arbitrage and learn the art of leveraging IHG points and ambassador status for substantial savings. Joey also shares his experience of Turks and Caicos, its charming hotels, and its less-than-ideal airport. Discover unique and interesting boutique accommodations and hear Joey's tips and tricks for finding one-of-a-kind hotels. Join us to uncover how you can maximize your rewards and make your loyalty programs work harder for you in 2025 with Joey Redmond. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“I think we are going to see some major innovation in airline elite loyalty programs.” — @TktweetsKim [0:09:22]

“It is important to look at things outside of the, 'I am only going to pay with points.'” — @tmount [0:22:55]

“Turks and Caicos, I will tell you, is probably the worst airport I have ever been to outside of Africa.” — @joeyredmond [0:31:33]

“You need to realize a lot of these [boutique] hotels are either family-run or [individually-owed] run. You're almost a step above a bed and breakfast and a huge step below a corporate [hotel].” — @joeyredmond [0:47:57]

“What does excite me, generally, is non-traditional hotels or non-traditional new hotels.” — @joeyredmond [1:00:40]

“There is so much information out there [that] I think if you just spend a bit of time you can find unique and interesting hotels.” — @joeyredmond [1:04:15]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Joey Redmond

Joey Redmond on Instagram

Joey Redmond on Twitter

Travel Bros Podcast

Travel Bros Podcast on Instagram

Travel Bros Podcast on Facebook

Travel Bros Podcast on X

Travel Bros Podcast on YouTube

Travel Bros Podcast on TikTok

Alaska Airlines 

Hawaiian Airlines

Dots, Lines & Destinations

American Airlines

Loyalty Status Co

Mark Ross-Smith on X

View from the Wing 

IHG®

IHG® Ambassador Program

One Mile at a Time

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Fast Track Service

Grace Bay Resorts 

Leading Hotels of the World

Virtuoso

Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip

Episode 42: The Points Guy is Bilt for Rewards with Richard Kerr

Milenomics

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 49: Show Notes

In this episode, we welcome Ryan Smith, the news managing editor for upgraded points and a prolific writer published by Award Wallet, TPG, Forbes Advisor, and more. One of the things that makes Ryan special is that he is one of very few people on the planet who have visited every country in the world! Join us as Ryan shares his experience as a writer, traveler, and points and miles user over the years. You’ll learn what it was like for him to travel in business class for the first time before we unpack the airlines diversifying their fleets today. Ryan speaks to three major events in points and miles this year, and as someone with dual citizenship in Brazil, he shares why he recommends going to South America, especially if you have points and miles. We discuss memorable cultural experiences that Ryan has had and what has struck him most from traveling to places that are furthest away from his childhood experiences. We also dive into the details of his experiences in Nigeria and Bhutan, and what makes Bhutan so special. Join us today to hear all this and more!

Key Points From This Episode:

Quotes:

“The average – person might never meet someone who has been to every country, but you could go to a points and miles conference, and there might be three or four of us there.” — @RyanSmithTravel [58:51]

“I enjoy going to places – [where] it feels like, this place ain’t like where I grew up – That’s North Korea, that’s China, that’s Bhutan, that’s Madagascar. I grew up in Ohio outside Columbus and those places feel so different that it’s just really interesting.” — @RyanSmithTravel [01:08:12]

“I don’t want the concierge to send me where all the foreigners are going. I want the people who take the bus to work to tell me what’s something that I shouldn’t miss while I’m here.” — @RyanSmithTravel [01:15:29]

“[Bhutan doesn’t] worry about GDP. They worry about their Gross National Happiness.” — @RyanSmithTravel [01:19:00] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ryan Smith on X

Bluesky

Thomas Kim on X

Trevor Mountcastle on X

Post Production Note: We discussed LCCs possibly working with Apple Tours to add odd routes; this was actually wrong, it was Alaska that started St Louis and Kansas City to Mexico and is further discussed on Dots Lines and Destinations: https://moredotsmorelines.com/2024/07/18/dld-492-whoopsie/