In this episode of the Prescription to Travel MD Podcast, Dr. Courtney Downes sits down with Dr. Devon Gimbel—a physician, travel expert, and founder of Point Me to First Class. Dr. Devon shares how her path from financially anxious resident to points-and-miles pro completely transformed her life, enabling luxury travel experiences she never thought were possible. From her first Lufthansa First Class flight to booking suite stays in the Maldives using points, Devon gives listeners a masterclass in how to make every dollar spent work harder, especially for physicians and business owners with high expenses.

Whether you're curious about leveraging credit card rewards, want to know how to get started in the points world, or are trying to wrap your head around Hyatt’s Globalist status, this episode is filled with actionable insights and inspiring travel stories.

Key Takeaways:

- Credit card points and miles can be part of a smart financial strategy—not just for free travel.

- Everyday expenses are an opportunity to earn valuable rewards if you're intentional.

- Credit cards aren't inherently bad; they can be powerful tools when used responsibly.

- You don’t need to spend more. Just spend smarter to earn travel perks.

- Points can help you save cash on flights, hotels, and even luxury travel experiences.

- Hotel points are often easier to redeem than airline miles, especially for beginners.

- The World of Hyatt program offers great value, especially for family travelers.

- Hyatt makes it possible to book suites with points—saving thousands of dollars.

- Having elite hotel status can lead to major perks like free breakfast, parking, and upgrades.

- Business owners can turn large expenses into award travel through credit card strategy.

- Using points can expand your travel budget without compromising financial goals.

- Courses and community support can make learning about points and miles easier.

Timestamps:

02:00 – Exploring the Origins of a Points and Miles Journey06:00 – Shifting the Narrative Around Credit Cards
10:00 – Leveraging Everyday Expenses for Travel Benefits15:00 – Educating High Earners on Award Travel Strategy20:00 – An In-Depth Look at the World of Hyatt Program25:00 – Enhancing Family Travel Through Smart Redemptions

35:00 – Highlighting Memorable Redemptions and Travel Wins45:00 – Understanding Hyatt Globalist Status and How to Achieve It55:00 – Closing Reflections and Key Takeaways

Follow Dr. Devon Gimbel here:

https://www.instagram.com/pointmeto_firstclass/?hl=en

https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/point-me-to-first-class/id1676984700

https://pointmetofirstclass.com/

Find Dr. Courtney Downes here:

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⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠

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