Welcome to Episode 95 of the Award Travel 101 podcast! I'm Angie Sparks, joined by Mike Zaccheo. This week, we’re switching things up by saving the highlight post for later, as it ties into our feature on holiday shopping and earning strategies.

News highlights: Alaska is temporarily blocking partner award bookings within 72 hours of departure, but it’s expected to last only a few days. Wyndham’s Earner Business Card has lost its ability to match to Caesars Diamond, signaling a decline in status equivalency options. Meanwhile, elevated offers on United credit cards (70k on Quest, 90k on Club) are good for frequent flyers seeking perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Other deals include a $750 offer on the Capital One Spark Cash card and a 40% discount on Spirit Airlines points.

Highlight Feature - Holiday Earning and Savings: Black Friday is a hot topic, and member Rebecca asked about strategies for earning and burning points during the season. From airline sales to shopping portal deals, there are plenty of opportunities, especially for flexible travelers. Whether you’re buying TVs during the Super Bowl or flowers for Valentine’s Day, timing purchases around seasonal sales can maximize your rewards. And don’t forget: flexibility in travel plans greatly improves your chances of snagging those saver tickets!

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at [email protected]
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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