Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

By Sam Simon and Robert Dwyer

A Milenomics Production-- News related to Points and Miles. Tips & Tricks on how to Earn More miles, Maximize Credit Card Rewards, and Travel more than ever before.... more

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The podcast currently has 179 episodes available.

Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition episodes:

July 15, 2025Milenomics NOAF Episode 79: Miles vs. Bank Points
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.
Every major bank has a bank point. Chase UR, Amex MR, Citi TYP, WF Rewards, BofA Rewards, US Bank….
Most of these can be cashed out for pennies (or fractions of) OR can be used in the bank run travel portal for more than a penny.
Finally some of these can be transferred to airlines as airline miles. These have completely different booking methods and tools, along with a varied amount of value based on the flight or hotel booked.
Maximizing value for these miles is a key to earning back the time and money we spend to earn the miles. Example: It almost never makes sense to cash out MR at .6 cents. (news story)
5:51 Bank Point bookings Benefits:
Cancel and points can just come back
Need to book a refundable fare, eating away the value
Open to booking across all alliances and even airlines that have no native point or alliance.
As long as it is in the portal you can book it. Sometimes phone agents can see even more.
1:1 pricing for most airline tickets.
Airline bookings are elite benefit eligible and earn miles
Hotel bookings are now allowing loyalty numbers to sometimes be added for elite benefits
13:09 Airline Miles Benefits:
Massive flexibility for most domestic carrier programs. Cancel as close in as you’d like. Great for provisional flights
Value is not pegged to the dollar cost of a flight, in some cases this results in fantastic values.
Economy fares can be incredibly valuable uses of miles if you’re interested in them for long haul flights.
Newer tools make searching easier, but still a hurdle
19:44 Airline Mile Weaknesses
Pricing is highly dynamic and the programs are each unique and have complex rules and booking channels.
There need to be reasonably priced award seats or your miles can become worth less than a bank point.
Orphaned miles have no benefit outside of the program they’re in.
Phantom space.
Business class fares for more than 2 people become increasingly difficult to book.
Some dates and destinations are effectively blocked out
Large learning curve.
24:27 Bank point Weaknesses
Limited upside potential, each program caps the value somewhere between 1.25 and 2 cents per point
Hotel prices can be inflated, reducing the value earned by the points
The ability to book anything depends on the bank point portal, which sometimes is less robust that a native airline/hotel portal or even an OTA like booking.com
The card associated with the uplift needs to remain open for the points to have uplift. This is impractical for some, and costly if annual fees cannot be eradicated.
31:01 Airline Mile Uses that don’t get enough Discussion
KLM/AF have <20,000 mile ($200 worth of points) nonstop flights one way + about $90. The Equivalent of $600 round trip to Europe is a steal. Compare to about $1300-1800 round trip during peak times. Yes you can pivot to lower cost or 1 stop for less. But nonstop with native international miles is a great deal.
Business class when you’re flexible enough. 50,000-100,000 per person one way.
33:42 Examples where Bank points win:
Domestic flights, nonstop on the day you want.
Can sometimes find first class lower priced than you’d expect.
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.
...more
39min
July 14, 2025TravelStories Episode 61: Osaka Expo 2025 with Brennan
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:
[00:00] Welcoming Brennan Anderson back to the show – our very first guest on this podcast.
[01:30] Understanding what drew him to visit the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
[02:33] Whether the Expo met his expectations, and the Expo’s various name iterations.
[04:25] The level of planning and research needed to explore and enjoy the Expo fully.
[07:30] Fallouts from an unnecessarily complicated ticketing system.
[11:11] Brennan walks us through the highs and lows of his three-day Expo experience.
[12:15] The Saudi Arabia pavilion, the size of the Osaka Expo, and the Australian pavilion.
[16:03] Brennan’s thoughts on traveling and navigating the Expo with a one-year-old.
[18:52] His food experience, a hilarious baby food mix-up, and his advice for when to shop.
[26:12] Highlights from his time in Osaka when he and his family explored the city.
[27:04] Praise for Japan’s kid-friendliness and general accessibility.
[29:08] The train to Tokyo, food in Japan, and Japanese hospitality.
[35:59] Brennan’s travel itinerary – airlines, cities, public transport, and hotels.
[38:59] The ins and outs of the Conrad Osaka, and attendance numbers at this year’s Expo.
[44:30] Final thoughts on traveling in Japan and Expo Osaka, 2025.
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
...more
48min
June 26, 2025TravelStories Episode 60: Memorial Day 2025: Trevor’s Family Trip to Madrid
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:
[00:42] Tom’s fishing trip to Chesapeake and the beginning of Trevor’s Memorial Day vacation on a boat.
[04:33] Trevor and his family’s experience of their first long-haul flight since January.
[09:15] Capital One Landing Lounges, the Jet Blue trip to Boston, and his experience at the Chase Sapphire Lounges.
[16:30] The Jet Blue Trip to Madrid, timing his daughter’s naps, and meal logistics on Jet Blue.
[22:55] Why this experience of Madrid was even better than before and his experience of The Thompson.
[24:37] Dining experiences in Madrid, parks, and other activities Trevor’s family enjoyed.
[28:48] Highlights and lowlights of Valencia which Trevor travelled to on Air Europa.
[33:15] Three incredible architectural sites his family was able to see.
[38:26] Staying at the art hotel, Palacio Santa Clara, eating paella in Valencia, and a visit to the zoo.
[47:15] Coming across protests in Valencia and visiting the old market before flying to Frankfurt.
[51:54] The Valencia Airport and flying Lufthansa to Frankfurt.
[56:08] What Trevor is considering for his next trip to Madrid and what he loved about it.
[58:25] Taking the Spontaneous Escapes Offer from Singapore and getting back to New York.
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:
Hyatt Regency Madrid
Biopic Valencia
Puerto de Indias
Palacio Santa Clara
Queen Sofia Palace of Arts
Musee de les Ciences
Air Europa
Travelstories Episode 8
El Retiro Park
El Calamar
Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges
Jet Blue
Capital One Lounges
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
The Milenomics Podcast Network
...more
1h 8min
June 01, 2025TravelStories Episode 59: Around the World with Hello Kitty
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:
[00:00] Setting the tone and reintroducing the Drinking Word of the Day.
[02:25] Why our Hello Kitty trip from 10 years ago is one of our most memorable adventures.
[03:25] How we found EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jet, and our first boarding debacle.
[07:29] Our onboard experience – so much better than the average 777 flight!
[10:59] Unpacking our slog of an itinerary, and everything we remember about Taipei.
[15:00] Flying to Bangkok and Laos, the Crowne Plaza Vientiane, and activities in Laos.
[21:15] The COPE Visitor Centre, the Mekong River, and beer with ice cubes.
[27:25] A rooftop bar in Bangkok, Thai foot massages, and a Freedom Flight to Singapore.
[31:13] Why taxis are a better option than mass transit in Singapore.
[33:30] Lufthansa First-Class (drink!), and the most interesting purser we’ve encountered.
[40:03] More love for everything Lufthansa First-Class (drink!) has to offer.
[43:34] The joys of having a premium experience in the final leg of your trip.
[45:14] Ranking our Hello Kitty trip: A wonderful experience from beginning to end.
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
...more
47min
May 15, 2025TravelStories Episode 58: No Way Home
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:
[00:00] Our conclusion: Planning the trip home is much harder than it should be.
[01:30] Examples of our partial trip syndrome – travelling without a way back home.
[04:01] Limiting factors: Analysis paralysis, and more reasons why going home is harder.
[08:35] Unpacking Freedom Flights and why we’ll dedicate an entire episode to these.
[11:06] Why the world, in all its expanse, is still widely unattainable for travel.
[12:29] The current state of airline alliances, and the airlines we’d like to try for the first time.
[18:09] Revisiting the merits of flying economy on transatlantic flights.
[19:23] Why it’s becoming even more difficult to visit “unicorn” destinations.
[22:02] How our miles and points experience makes it harder to make decisions.
[23:40] Procrastination paralysis, our upcoming trip to Spain, and incomplete bookings.
[27:39] How pushing hard for the exact travel experience you want limits your other options.
[29:32] What to do when you’re stuck; exploring alternatives to finding your way home.
[31:08] How TK was almost thwarted from a cruise back home.
[37:52] An oddity TK has picked up on, and what this means for September travel.
[44:30] The role of airport lounges in making decisions about going home.
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
...more
48min
April 30, 2025TravelStories Episode 57: Travel Banter with Michael Trager
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!
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:00:49] Introducing TravelZork Travel’s Michael Trager.
[00:03:17] All the details of Michael’s visit to Madrid.
[00:06:00] The benefits of having ConciergeKey status.
[00:12:07] Debating the value of a premium economy cabin.
[00:16:09] Optimizing your flight from different parts of the US to Europe.
[00:21:09] Reasons why JetBlue is on the Naughty list this week.
[00:29:43] Why is Michael saying farewell to his trip to Greece this summer.
[00:31:26] Getting special awards and upgrades with American Airlines.
[00:34:17] Key considerations for optimizing your trip to Vegas.
[00:35:17] Getting access to the flagship lounge and dining.
[00:41:38] Words of appreciation for connoisseur classes.
[00:44:26] How to balance point accumulation and spending.
[00:49:31] Tips for navigating Marriott points and benefits, including fifth night free.
[00:53:49] The challenges of hotel hopping and the benefits of a good arrival experience.
[00:58:18] Our thoughts on The White Lotus and tourism.
[00:59:46] Getting information right in travel content.
[01:01:43] Your guide to a positive arrival experience.
[01:09:42] Details and Updates for ZorkFest 2025.
[01:15:24] ZorkFest events: dining, live podcasting, master classes, hotel bookings, and private gaming experiences.
[01:18:03] The speaking lineup you can expect from this year’s ZorkFest.
[01:20:22] Booking, tickets, and hotel information.
[01:22:12] What makes ZorkFest such a unique, unmissable event.
[01:25:16] Lessons you can expect to learn on casino loyalty and risk management.
[01:36:11] Why Michael refers to himself as an American Airlines fanboy.
[01:40:52] Where you can find Michael online.
[01:43:07] Parting words for today’s travel banter.
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
...more
1h 48min
April 16, 2025Milenomics² [No Annual Fee] Episode 78: A Heightened Sapphire Reserve Offer and UR Deep Dive
0:25 Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000 Offer
Direct Link
$5,000 min spend in 3 months
$95 annual fee (not waived first year)
This is a higher than usual offer
05:14 Chase Referrals
chase.com/referafriend
10,000 points for each approval (capped at 100,000 per year)
06:30 Sapphire Churning Restrictions
Eligible for welcome bonus if it has been >48 months since you last got a Sapphire welcome bonus (Preferred or Reserve)
5/24 still applies: 5 credit card approvals in the past 24 months (from any bank)
Can’t be approved for a Sapphire Preferred if you currently have a Sapphire card (recommend downgrading to Freedom and waiting a month before applying)
12:09 Two Player Mode
If neither person has a Sapphire card, apply “head on” or through a referral from a friend
Then refer P2
Being an authorized user on a card doesn’t prevent getting the welcome bonus
This will leave you with > 210,000 Ultimate Rewards
13:50 Ultimate Rewards: Value and Utility
Easy 1 cpp cashout
Sapphire Preferred 1.25 of uplift for travel booked through Chase portal
Sapphire Reserve 1.5 cpp of uplift for travel booked through Chase portal (and a $300 per cardmember year travel credit)
Transfer partners: Hyatt, United, Southwest, and more
Points can be co-mingled between household
Inflation in the travel portal is very real.
Prices for hotels and other activities get tough to compare
Flights sometimes are pricing at a premium due to issues with fare classes and airlines wanting direct booking.
It pays to do the math, because a poor redemption can tank the value of your earning, and points are not free.
Cancellation terms not the same with Travel portal bookings vs. booking with miles sometimes.
Pay Yourself Back: erase charges in specific categories at >1cpp.
23:31 CSP/CSR Earning Strategy
Sign up Bonus aside, these two cards are relatively weak in earning.
This creates a bit of an irony–they’re great cards to hold, but better in union with other UR earning cards
Freedoms for 5x categories, some chase Business cards also earn 5x
Over time a stable of chase cards become important
Pooling of points means that the earning of 5x points can then be moved to your sapphire and redeemed for travel at >1cpp
5x at 1.25 = 6.25 cpp, 5x at 1.5 = 7.5 cpp.
28:47 United/Southwest: Opportunity Cost
For some people these cards are taking up slots and spend they want to use on Southwest or United Cards
Might be best to get those cards first, holding them long term, then getting the CSP.
Changes to southwest might make you consider Southwest cards, but be rational, how many trips a year do you actually take?
The travel landscape changes fast, the flexibility of UR allow you to change with it. Southwest points do not.
31:38 Q2 2025 “Point Offer”
Targeted: Seeing increased uplift for United/Delta/Qatar premium cabin flights, and some (mostly nicer) hotels
Sapphire Preferred 1.5-1.75 cpp
Sapphire Reserve 1.75-2.25 cpp
Upgrading from Preferred to Reserve seemed to retain the same “amount” of targeted uplift (ie, was getting 1.5 cpp on Preferred, then got 1.75 cpp on upgraded Reserve)
Might someone be targeted for this shortly after approval? Hard to say. More datapoints needed.
37:10 Live Application.
...more
41min
April 11, 2025TravelStories Episode 56: Two Cruises
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:
[00:45] What this episode will explore: two different cruises.
[04:13] The journey to Jacksonville and Orlando.
[12:05] Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas.
[15:02] Splitting up for lunch on day two before enjoying the ice and aqua shows.
[22:32] Loyalty, points and miles in the cruise community.
[26:39] How ‘Name that Tune’ in the Main Theatre exceeded expectations.
[30:30] Dining on Utopia of the Seas.
[37:04] The casino experience and final thoughts on the Utopia experience.
[41:20] One feature both ships share that we agree all cruise ships should have.
[44:46] Thomas’s arrival on Sun Princess, the buffet, demographic, and entertainment.
[50:56] Ports on the itinerary and why Thomas only got to experience one of them.
[51:26] The specialty dinner he got to enjoy: The Butcher’s Block by Dario.
[55:44] Staff on the Sun Princess in comparison to Royal Caribbean.
[59:30] Gaming and travel-hacking discussions that will follow in future Patreon episodes.
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:
Sun Princess
Star of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Carnival Cruises
MSC Cruises
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
...more
1h 4min
March 28, 2025TravelStories Episode 55: Airline Products We Wish Would Make a Return Flight
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:
[00:37] Today’s topic: Past airline products that we loved, missed, or knew about.
[01:32] Why airlines have let go of some of their more luxurious offerings.
[02:06] What the Thai First Class and Bangkok Lounge experience used to be like.
[06:34] A breakdown of the Thai First Class spa massage offerings.
[09:14] Transport and escort perks in the heyday of Thai First Class.
[11:45] Flying Lufthansa First Class and their unique wide-body experience.
[16:51] The best ground service we had with Lufthansa (and why they should bring it back).
[20:05] Takeaways from Hamad International Airport and how it has changed.
[25:47] Past experiences with JetSmarter and the current jet-sharing economy.
[33:39] The story of our unique travel experiences with Etihad First.
[36:42] How we missed out on the true premium cabin experience with TAM Airways, now LATAM Airlines.
[41:30] Our favorite economy products that no longer exist.
[45:19] The amenity kits we love most, especially from Rimowa.
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
TAM 777-300ER First Class Sao Paulo To New York
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
...more
52min
March 15, 2025TravelStories Episode 54: Looking Back at Covid Lockdowns with Chris
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:
[00:00:50] Introducing Chris, his travel experiences during the chaotic onset of pandemic restrictions, and his unplanned trip to Thailand.
[00:12:01] Navigating Thailand as restrictions were being instituted, and Chris’s odyssey finding a place to stay in Koh Samui.
[00:20:42] The positive effects of government subsidies for tourism during the pandemic, how Chris found community during his stay, and the impact of quarantines.
[00:25:33] Why it was so surreal staying at a beautiful resort with so few people.
[00:29:51] Travel restriction uncertainty: how it stopped Chris from leaving Koh Samui.
[00:33:08] What it was like when travel restrictions started being lifted.
[00:38:09] Living out of a suitcase and a backpack for two years.
[00:41:38] Final reflections and observations on his long stay in Thailand.
[00:44:08] Details of Chris’s participation in SAS's million-mile promotion.
[00:50:45] Takeaways from traveling to China, Hong Kong, Argentina, and more.
[00:59:21] Insights into airline upgrades and mileage strategies.
[01:14:21] What it took for Chris to succeed at the SAS promotional challenge.
[01:20:53] Reflections on the promotion and why he would do it again.
[01:23:10] How Chris helped reinvigorate the Chicago Seminars post-COVID.
[01:31:48] Final thoughts on the changing landscape of travel and words of appreciation for the travel community.
Quotes:
“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:
Chicago Seminars
Thomas Kim on X
Trevor Mountcastle on X
...more
1h 36min

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