Looking for the best travel gear for all your 2026 travel? Travis and Emily are joined by 10xTravel’s social media manager and resident packing expert, Lovan Edwards, to unpack the exact items they bring on every trip. The crew covers luggage picks, backpack setups, flight accessories, and more!

From heated vests to Bluetooth-enabled sleep masks to ultra-efficient backpacks, they're breaking down what actually works after hundreds of flights, international trips, and long travel days. Whether you're a carry-on loyalist or an occasional checker, you’ll walk away with practical, tried-and-tested ideas to upgrade your next trip. 

What the episode covers:

  Carry-on vs. checked bag strategies

Why the right luggage style changes everything

The backpack features that matter most when traveling

✈️ Essential in-flight comfort items

The travel tech we depend on (chargers, mounts, cables, organizers)

  Our favorite wellness and sleep tools for long flights

  Space-saving items we wish we had earlier

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

01:20 Travel Gear Fails

05:53 Debate: Checked Bags vs. Carry-On

11:04 Luggage Preferences: Clamshell vs. Top Load

18:48 Backpack Essentials

30:39 Travel Must-Haves: Headphones and Chapstick

35:04 Heated Vest Demonstration

37:20 Travel Gear Essentials

39:29 Packing Tips and Tricks

40:53 Travel Hygiene and Health

45:03 Travel Organization Debate

55:08 Tech and Gadgets for Travel

01:07:11 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program 

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

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, the team sits down together in person as Bryce records his final conversation as CEO of 10xTravel. For the first time, you’ll hear the full origin story in one place, starting with the moment a college kid with no travel budget stumbled into a hobby that changed his life - and the lives of so many others!

You'll hear about:
• How one spring break search sparked the idea
• The early days of the ebook and the first affiliate conversations
• The ABC News moment that caused the first major traffic surge
• The Money Magazine issue that nearly shut everything down
• How the Facebook group and community meetups took off
• The ways readers helped keep 10xTravel alive during 2020
• The moments that brought the current team together
• What Bryce sees for the next era of the company

This episode looks back at more than a decade of growth, mistakes, lucky breaks, and the community moments that shaped 10xTravel into what it is now. It also sets the stage for what comes next as Travis steps into his new role and the team prepares for the future.

In this episode:
00:00 Introduction
02:13 Bryce's Farewell Announcement
03:29 Bryce's Journey into Points and Miles
10:16 The Birth of 10xTravel
13:03 ABC News Feature and Its Impact
18:36 Transition to Affiliate Marketing
23:03 The Team's Origin Stories
32:42 Unexpected Hotel Mishaps
33:30 Joining the 10x Team
34:26 Creative Job Applications
37:04 Launching the Podcast
39:01 Building a Community
43:41 The Rollercoaster Years
50:10 Surviving COVID Challenges
56:06 A New Chapter for 10xTravel
01:02:10 Final Reflections and Farewell

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

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.

How do business owners actually use credit cards, points, and miles to get the most travel out of their spend? In this episode, the 10xTravel crew sits down with Neill Drake, owner of Antarctica Travel Group, to explore how business owners can use credit cards, strategic spend, and loyalty programs to unlock massive value inside their companies.

Neill shares how his agency grew from a small Facebook group to a thriving operation handling multimillion-dollar seasonal spend, and how he thinks about credit card choices, earning structures, partner programs, and the realities of using points as a business owner. You’ll hear how different industries can approach spend, why some companies benefit from flexibility over optimization, and how a business owner can use points to support team travel, unlock upgrades, and create meaningful perks inside the company.

The episode also touches on the 10xTravel group trip to Antarctica happening in February 2027, and Neill offers insights into what travelers should expect when planning the journey.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:04 Antarctica Adventures

07:20 The Origin of Antarctica Travel Group

12:55 Business Spend and Credit Card Strategies

18:20 Balancing Points and Business Needs

25:29 Maximizing Points and Employee Rewards

35:24 Points vs. Cash Back for Business Owners

39:12 Cash Back vs. Points: Finding the Balance

39:48 The Over-Optimization Phase

41:30 Travel Goals and Family Vacations

42:36 Flexibility in Travel Planning

43:59 Booking Strategies and Redemption Tips

48:01 Business Travel and Points Optimization

52:37 Common Mistakes and Tips for Business Owners

01:00:59 Excitement for the Antarctica Trip

01:11:22 The Unique Experience of Antarctica

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Best Business Credit Cards 

Best Credit Cards for Businesses with Employees

Opening Business Credit Cards with Multiple Business Owners

Best Credit Cards for Small Businesses

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.

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. 

Dreaming of Thailand’s golden temples, street food, and island sunsets, and want to get there using points and miles? In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Matt share exactly how they did just that, from finding award flights to booking dream hotels on points.

You’ll learn:

Stay to the end for a listener spotlight featuring a honeymoon booked entirely with points, plus details on the next 10xTravel group trip to Thailand!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings

00:44 Meetups and Community Stories

02:50 Thailand: A Popular Destination

03:36 Favorite Thailand References in Pop Culture

09:20 Planning Your Trip to Thailand

09:47 Best Airline Programs for Thailand

13:10 Air Canada and Other Airline Options

14:59 Alaska Airlines and Emirates

18:49 Flying Blue and Premium Cabin Considerations

25:05 Booking Tips for Thailand

25:54 Travel Experiences in Thailand

26:57 Hotel Recommendations in Thailand

35:13 Exploring Northern Thailand

38:35 Exploring Central and Southern Thailand

41:01 Listener Spotlight and Upcoming Trips

45:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Bryce's OG Thailand Trip

How To Fly To Thailand On Points

Thai Cooking School Recommended by Emily

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.

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. 

Planning a family trip? In this episode, Bryce and Travis dive into the real challenges of traveling with kids, and how to use hotel loyalty programs to make it smoother (and cheaper). From Hyatt’s family plan rates to Hilton’s free breakfast perks, they reveal which brands actually deliver value for parents and which ones miss the mark.

You’ll learn how to:

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter

01:20 Traveling with Kids: Challenges and Strategies

02:20 Hotel Pools: Separate or Shared?

06:21 Best Hotel Programs for Family Perks

06:25 Hyatt: Top Choice for Family Travelers

17:15 Hilton: Reliable Breakfast and Family-Friendly Options

21:39 Marriott: Mixed Bag for Family Travel

24:44 IHG: Holiday Inn and Family Travel

28:27 All-Inclusive Resorts: Options and Tips

29:28 Family-Friendly Resort Recommendations

30:15 Exploring International DoubleTree Properties

31:23 All-Inclusive Options with Major Brands

31:43 Hyatt Ziva: Top Choice for Family Resorts

34:20 Booking Tips for Family Travelers

35:05 Hilton's Family Connecting Room Guarantee

39:23 Luxury Hotel Partners and Perks

44:28 Choosing Between Hotels and Airbnbs

46:46 Maximizing Points for Family Travel

51:58 Listener Win Stories and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Make the most of family travel

Check out the best destinations to book for family travel

How to plan family trips using points and miles

How to combine hotel points with friends and family

Stay Connected: Join our Community:

  / 10xtravel

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.

You don’t have to step on a plane or check into a hotel to rack up serious points and miles. In this episode of Takeoff: A Points & Miles Podcast by 10xTravel, Bryce, Emily, and Matt break down the hidden value of airline and hotel shopping and dining portals, and how you can use them to turn everyday purchases into free travel.

The episode covers:

✅ How shopping portals like Rakuten & airline programs actually work

✅ Dining programs that give you bonus miles every time you eat out

✅ Smart stacking strategies with credit cards & seasonal promos

✅ Common mistakes that can cost you points (and how to avoid them)

✅ Real success stories, like turning Apple purchases into free flights

Wherever you are on your points and miles journey, this episode will help you earn more without spending more.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

00:58 Unusual Ways to Earn Points and Miles

05:34 Introduction to Shopping and Dining Portals

06:20 Exploring Shopping Portals

07:36 Exploring Dining Programs

09:33 Rakuten and Hybrid Programs

11:24 Maximizing Points with Shopping Portals

15:31 Tips for Using Shopping and Dining Portals

21:24 Seasonal Promotions and Advanced Strategies

25:39 Common Pitfalls in Using Shopping Portals

27:14 Maximizing Rewards with Dining Programs

28:02 General Points and Miles Strategies

31:18 Effort vs. Reward in Points and Miles

42:02 Listener Success Stories and Tips

44:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Learn How to Use Rakuten

Sign Up for Rakuten and Earn Membership Rewards or Cash Back from Shopping

Sign Up for Mesa to Earn Points on Mortgage Payments

Stay Connected: Join our Community:

  / 10xtravel

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.

Want to fly to Asia in business or first class without breaking the bank? In this episode of Takeoff by 10xTravel, Bryce, Emily, Travis, and Matt reveal the exact strategies, airlines, and loyalty programs that unlock luxury premium cabin flights across the Pacific, all with points and miles.

The crew covers:

Whether you’re after ANA’s world-class service, JAL’s new first-class suites, or EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flight, this guide will help you turn points into unforgettable journeys.

In this episode:

0:00 Introduction

4:10 Why premium cabins to Asia are the holy grail

8:00 ANA via Virgin Atlantic (unicorn deal)

15:00 Cathay Pacific, JAL & EVA Air highlights

25:00 StarLux & emerging premium options

32:00 Singapore Airlines quirks & waitlisting

42:00 Availability trends + when to book

50:00 Best overall products & value redemptions

57:00 Listener win: first business class redemption

59:00 Wrap-up & resources

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Learn How To Search ANA Availability

Master ANA Sweet Spot Awards

Fly to Thailand With Points

Check Out the Cathay Pacific Asia Award Charts

Stay Connected:

Join our Community:  / 10xtravel

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.

Tired of hearing about the same points and miles hot spots like Japan, Italy, and the Maldives? In this episode, Bryce, Emily, Travis, and Matt reveal the underrated destinations that should be on your radar, and how to get there with points and miles.

From Nicaragua’s volcano adventures to Belize’s reef diving, Valencia’s family-friendly beaches, and even wine country in South Australia, the crew shares the hidden gems that offer incredible experiences with better availability, fewer crowds, and excellent redemption value.

They'll take you through the best points and miles strategies to book these destinations, surprising hotel options in each spot, and pro tips for maximizing award flights, boutique hotels, and portal bookings. Tune in, and get ready for your next, unexpected adventure!

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Reunion

01:02 Travis' European Adventures

02:30 Diving in Northern Ireland

04:42 Bryce's Chaotic Return from Europe

09:13 Underrated Destinations Overview

10:57 Travis' Pick: Nicaragua

25:16 Emily's Pick: Belize

37:56 Matt's Pick: Adelaide and Southern Australia

44:56 Bryce's Pick: Valencia, Spain

47:36 Travel Tips: Points, Miles, and Booking Strategies

56:22 Underrated Destinations: Hidden Gems Around the World

57:48 Honorable Mentions: More Hidden Treasures

01:00:57 Final Thoughts and Fun Banter

01:14:25 Wrapping Up

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Book ANA Business Class with Points and Miles

Book Award Space with United MileagePlus

Book Award Space with Avianca LifeMiles

Stay Connected: Join our Community:  / 10xtravel

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 hilarious and honest follow-up to one of our most popular episodes, Bryce, Emily, and Travis tackle a brand-new batch of travel faux pas submitted by listeners and inspired by their own recent adventures.

From the fiery debate over kids in premium cabins to the eternal question of whether it's ever okay to go barefoot on a plane, the 10xTravel crew breaks down the weirdest, worst, and most relatable travel etiquette dilemmas out there.

You'll hear:

Before you go, tell us: What’s YOUR biggest travel pet peeve? Drop a comment or leave us a review with your favorite (or most infuriating) travel faux pas!

In this episode:

00:00 Intro & pet peeves (including roundabouts)

04:50 Kids in business class

13:10 Bare feet on planes

20:55 Overhead bin wars & lounge space hoarders

30:40 Taking hotel amenities: classy or klepto?

36:00 Sharing elite status: smart or shady?

44:45 Booking multiple award flights: fair game or foul?

47:00 Friends & points

51:00 Gate lice, lounge to-go food, and taking plane selfies

57:00 Faux Pas Confession Time!

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

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

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

Plan your family travel redemption strategy

Learn more about airport lounge access

Listen to Episode 44: Travel Faux Pas Part 1

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.