Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

Flying Blue just changed its award pricing, and there's a lot to unpack. In this episode of Takeoff, Travis and Lovan break down what changed with Flying Blue award tickets, what the new fare types include, and what it all means if you're planning to use Flying Blue miles for Air France or KLM flights.

✈️ Try 10xTravel+ free for one month: Use promo code PODCAST

 In the episode, Lovan and Travis share what partner booking looks like, and walk through a workaround that could help you book Air France flights for significantly fewer miles and much lower taxes and fees by using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles instead.

 The episode covers:
• The 2026 changes to Flying Blue award tickets
• The difference between Light, Standard, and Flex awards
• What's included at each level
• How to effectively book with Flying Blue partners

Instructions for How to Book Your Air France Flight With Japan Airlines (JAL) Over the Phone:

Resources mentioned in the episode:
• seats.aero

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Takeoff is back! After a summer break, Travis Cormier is joined by Lovan Edwards as the recurring co-host for a new chapter of the podcast. And to kick things off, they’re tackling 10 of the most frequently asked questions in points and miles.

~ What points should you earn for a specific destination?
~ Which points currency should you focus on?
~ Will opening more credit cards hurt your credit?
~ And how do you know which card to apply for next?

Travis and Lovan are answering these questions and more!

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

✈️ Try 10xTravel+ free for one month: Use promo code PODCAST

In the episode, they're getting into the realities of last-minute award travel, whether you should use points for flights or hotels, how transfer partners work, and what to know before relying on award search tools. Plus, they discuss how to keep track of your points, cards, annual fees, and benefits without turning your points and miles hobby into a second job.

Whether you're brand new to points and miles or you've been earning rewards for years, this episode tackles some of the questions that come up again and again.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

We’re wrapping up the summer with the final episode from the archives, but this isn’t the end of the journey. On September 23, Takeoff: A Points & Miles Podcast by 10xTravel returns with something new, including a few exciting changes to the show!

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Before we get there, we’re revisiting past conversations with 10xTravel's Lovan Edwards, a frequent traveler who has a unique perspective on making points and miles work as part of everyday life. In the episode, Lovan shares his thoughts on a range of topics, from booking unique travel (like an African safari) to why he never checks bags on his flights.

Learn from this travel pro, and stay tuned for what's coming next here on Takeoff!


Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Do you know how many points and miles you actually have? Not just in your favorite airline or hotel program, but across all of your cards, airlines, hotels, and bank accounts. And more importantly, do you know roughly what all those points are worth?

In this episode, Travis digs into a problem that even experienced points and miles enthusiasts run into: having plenty of knowledge about the hobby, but not having a clear picture of what you already have. Drawing from four years of Takeoff conversations, the episode explores why spreadsheets become difficult to maintain, how keeping track of points can create unexpected mental load, and why not knowing your balances can affect everything from credit card decisions to booking trips.

The conversation also gets into a less obvious problem: what happens when you have hundreds of thousands of points but hesitate to spend them because watching the balance drop feels like a loss.

And eventually, the team reveals what they built to help you see your points balances, upcoming annual fees, card recommendations, and past redemptions in one place.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today



Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Points and miles can look complicated from the outside. But for many beginners, the biggest obstacles aren't finding the right transfer partner or choosing the perfect credit card. It's actually the fears and uncertainty that come with getting started that hold people back.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place 

In this episode, Travis and the team tackle four of the most common concerns listeners have about the points and miles hobby:• Is this really legitimate, or is it too good to be true?• Will opening credit cards hurt my credit score?• How am I supposed to make sense of all the information and tools?• Should I save your points for a huge trip, or use them along the way?

The conversation explores credit score misconceptions, analysis paralysis, the importance of starting with the basics, and why your first few redemptions don't need to be perfect. And if you've been accumulating points but hesitate to redeem them, this episode offers a different way to think about the value of your rewards.

 Listen in and see which of these four common fears might be holding you back from getting more value from your points and miles.

Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

In this episode we cover: points and miles for beginners, how to use credit card points for travel, award travel explained, maximizing transfer bonuses, airline transfer partners, business class on points, economy award redemptions, repositioning flights, how to book flights with points, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, British Airways Avios, Iberia Avios off-peak, Avianca LifeMiles, Air France Flying Blue, Aeroplan, Aeromexico, Wyndham Rewards hotel points, Hilton points transfer, how far 100,000 points goes, business class to Italy on points, cheap flights to Europe with miles, Costa Rica on points, Spain on points, and points and miles trip planning.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place https://10xtravel.com/my10x/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=

From relaxing on Spain's southern coast to planning a couples getaway in Costa Rica and breaking down recent business class bookings to Italy, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can apply to your own award travel planning.

Whether you're new to points and miles or looking to get more value from your existing balances, you'll walk away from this episode with a better understanding of how experienced travelers approach award bookings.

Original Episodes From This Episode:
Ep. 76 - 100K Points Challenge: Plan Trips for Solo, Couples & Families https://10xtravel.com/podcast/100k-points-challenge/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=

Ep. 72 - How to Fly Business Class to Italy Using Points and Miles https://10xtravel.com/podcast/fly-business-class-to-italy-with-points/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=

Ep. 41 - 2024 in Review: Points Wins, Mistakes, and 2025 Goals https://10xtravel.com/podcast/points-and-miles-resolutions-2025/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=

Ep. 70 - Last-Minute Family Travel with Points: Ryan’s Real-World Strategies https://10xtravel.com/podcast/last-minute-family-travel-with-points/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_82&utm_content=

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com.The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Looking for smarter ways to earn and use travel rewards? In this episode, the 10xTravel team is sharing some of our favorite points and miles strategies to help you get more value from every point you earn.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today


From choosing the right credit card for your spending, to overlooked earning opportunities and advanced booking techniques, this episode is packed with practical strategies that can help you travel farther while spending less.

If you're just getting started on your points and miles journey or you're looking to sharpen your award travel skills, this is a must-listen!

Timestamps:
00:00 Points and Miles Strategies
00:47 Types of Credit Card Earning
17:36 Shopping Portals & Dining Programs
31:23 Travel Points Emergency Fund
38:23 Repositioning Flights Explained
47:10 10x+ New Tools

Original Episodes From This Episode:

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Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Where should you travel next with points and miles? In this compilation episode, we're bringing together some of the best destination recommendations from past 10xTravel episodes to help you plan your next award trip.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today


From luxury resorts in the Bahamas to affordable adventures in Indonesia and Thailand, African safaris in Kenya, wine country in Australia, island hopping in Greece, and classic favorites like Italy and Japan, the 10xTravel team is highlighting destinations that offer outstanding value and tons of fun for points travelers.

Featured destinations include:

If you're deciding where to use your points next, this episode is full of ideas that can help you maximize every redemption.

Timestamps:
00:00 Destinations for Points Travel
00:50 Great Value: Indonesia, The Bahamas, and Thailand
04:54 Adelaide, Australia: Wine Country & More
11:37 Booking Lovan's Kenyan Safari
17:24 Belize: An Underrated Destination
24:20 Visiting Paros, Greece on Points & Miles
33:33 Italy vs. Japan for New & Experienced Travelers

Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Some of our favorite trips nearly never happened! This episode is exposing the 10xTravel team's biggest travel close calls, near misses, and last-minute saves.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today

From a honeymoon flight that was canceled just weeks before departure to weather disruptions, repositioning flight risks, missed opportunities, and last-minute award booking victories, these stories highlight the realities of points and miles travel and what it takes to recover when things don't go according to plan.

Tune in and get ready to learn some valuable lessons on flexibility, backup plans, and staying calm when travel chaos strikes.


Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

In this special episode, we’re revisiting some of our best conversations and segments focused on family travel with points and miles.

Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today


From booking award flights for a family of five to hotel strategies, travel planning tips, and surviving long-haul flights with kids, this episode brings together practical advice and real-world experiences from multiple past episodes into one packed resource for traveling families.

This episode covers:
~ Booking award flights for families
~ Best hotel strategies for parents traveling with kids
~ Points & miles programs that work best for families
~ International travel with children
~ Last-minute trip planning
~ Flying with toddlers, kids, and larger families

If you want to travel more as a family while spending less, this episode is packed with helpful insights and proven strategies from experienced travelers and points and miles experts. Tune in to take your family travel further!


Original Episodes From This Episode:

Stay Connected:
Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders
Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog
Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel
Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.