Kevin Zanes, The Points Analyst, is here to share his expert take on the highlights and lowlights, the winners and losers, and the key developments that defined award travel in 2024. Together, we'll be unpacking the most significant events and digging into what these changes mean for points enthusiasts moving forward.

From major devaluations that stung to exciting new partnerships that opened up opportunities, this episode covers all the need-to-know news in the points and miles space. We share our predictions for 2025, our wish lists for the future of award travel, and our ratings for the overall state of the points and miles game.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/2024-points-miles-winners-losers-key-trends-kevin-zanes

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Walther, who has been leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass to save money and make unforgettable memories with her family. Michelle is an emergency medicine physician, mom to two amazing girls, and wife to a retired army medic. When she's not saving lives, she's saving miles, turning her love for travel into a family adventure fueled by points and miles. Michelle first earned the Companion Pass five years ago and has been strategically qualifying for it ever since.

Learn everything you need to know about getting great deals with the Southwest Companion Pass. She also shares her tips for earning the pass through organic spend and referrals, finding great deals on Southwest flights, and avoiding common mistakes. If you've been on the fence about going for the Companion Pass, this episode will give you the inspiration and practical advice you need to make it happen.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/maximizing-southwest-companion-pass-dr-michelle-walther

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kelsi Sullivan grew up in Puerto Rico and Mexico City and has lived in way too many places, but her favorite was when she lived in Sri Lanka for 3 years! Traveling for Kelsi is about connection to people, food, culture, and history. In the travel rewards space, she is a solo traveler who loves a bougie last minute business class deal!

Learn how to take advantage of Mexico City’s strategic location for your next award trip. Kelsi explains why Mexico City is not only an amazing destination for a memorable stopover, as well as a key hub for unlocking unique award redemptions that most people overlook. She even shares her top recommendations for must-see attractions in the city and practical tips for navigating the airport’s hidden gems.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/unlocking-mexico-city-hidden-potential-kelsi-sullivan

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this bonus episode, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Dr. Ona Utuama, the brilliant founder of Tribal Eyes. As a family medicine physician, Dr. Ona experienced firsthand the challenges of finding well-fitting, stylish eyewear. Frustrated with the lack of options, she set out to create a brand that celebrates diversity and offers a perfect fit for every face.

Discover how Tribal Eyes is revolutionizing the eyewear industry by infusing culture, science, and style into every pair of glasses. Dr. Ona shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, expert tips for finding your ideal fit, and exciting plans for the future of Tribal Eyes.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-tribal-eyes-dr-ona-utuama

Tribal Eyes is celebrating their move to a new warehouse with their first-ever warehouse sale! Subscribers can enjoy up to 50% off this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Click here to subscribe and take advantage of this special offer.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life this holiday season? Whether you're shopping for friends, family, or just treating yourself, I've got you covered with 10 fantastic travel-related gift ideas that are sure to delight. From products that make travel easier to subscription boxes that bring the flavors of the world right to your doorstep, there's something for every type of traveler on this list.

Tune in this week as I walk you through each of my 10 travel gift recommendations. Learn about handy travel accessories, artisanal food subscriptions, kid-friendly educational boxes, and even a special service that can help you book a bucket list worthy around-the-world trip on points.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/10-wanderlust-worthy-travel-gifts

Cincha travel belt

Cincha Shark Tank episode

Klipsta flex clip

Tribal Eyes eyewear

Kolkata chai

Bokksu snack box subscription

Global experiences gift card

KiwiCo geography gift box

Little passports gift box

PointSisters award booking service

Have you been searching for a tool to simplify your award travel bookings? In this bonus episode, I'm joined by Megan Johnston, Community Manager at Daily Drop, to discuss their recently launched all-in-one software: Daily Drop Pro. This innovative platform combines an award search engine, cash flight deal finder, and points community all in one place.

Megan walks us through the key features of Daily Drop Pro, including its powerful award search capabilities for flights and hotels, cash deal notifications, and the supportive community space called the Pro Lounge. She also shares insider tips on how to maximize the platform's free and paid membership options and how to make the most of their search function.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-daily-drop-pro-megan-johnston

Don't miss out on the Daily Drop Pro Black Friday promo (starting November 25) and get an annual Pro subscription for just $99 here.

Grab your discounted Daily Drop Pro membership here to take advantage of $50 off an annual membership plan during the Black Friday sale!

Get ready for an entertaining and informative discussion as Kevin Zanes, Dr. Sujatha Murali, Kelly from The Points and Miles Doc, and Dr. Andrea Mabry tackle hypothetical questions that will make you think about how you value and use your points and miles. None of the guests were given any warning about what they might get asked, so expect plenty of on-the-spot analysis and friendly debate.

Tune in for a fun game of “Would You Rather” that just might change the way you approach points and miles. Whether you're a seasoned award traveler or just getting started, you'll gain valuable insights from hearing these experts share their thought process on maximizing travel rewards and deciding on some pretty tricky choices.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/would-you-rather-game

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

For today’s conversation, I’m joined by Kamree Price, founder of Our Family Passport and an expert in earning and redeeming Amex points for family travel. Kamree has been to over 50 countries using points and miles, most of them with her blended family of six. She specializes in finding creative ways to maximize the American Express program for herself, and helps others build a points and miles strategy that works for them.

Learn the ins and outs of the Amex ecosystem, including an overview of their rewards cards, how to qualify for welcome bonuses, and the best ways to use Amex points for high-value redemptions. Kamree shares her top tips for earning a million points per year and breaks down everything you need to know to succeed with American Express.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/ultimate-guide-american-express-points-kamree-price

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Lyn Mettler is a longtime travel journalist who has cracked the code on flying her family of four for free, going from one car trip a year to six free flights annually. Through her Families Fly Free podcast and membership, she teaches others her simple system for maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards.

In this episode, Lyn breaks down the recently announced changes to the Rapid Rewards program, including the introduction of assigned seating and new international partnerships. She shares her predictions on how these updates will impact the travel experience and offers tips for making the most of your points under the new system.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-rapid-rewards-lyn-mettler

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Have you ever attended a points and miles conference and walked away feeling like your travel hacking game has been taken to the next level? In this episode, I have Dr. Andrea Mabry back on the podcast to help me unpack our experiences of co-hosting the first-ever Point Me to First Class Conference in Chicago.

From expert talks on maximizing airline programs to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, the three-day event was packed with valuable insights for intermediate to advanced points and miles enthusiasts. There were plenty of key takeaways and a-ha moments from the conference, and we unpack our favorites right here.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/Behind-Scenes-PMTFC-Conference

Sign up for online access to all the conference replays here: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/PMTFCconference

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy