The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

This week's Quick Hits comes straight from Maui, where DeAndre and Taryn are celebrating their first wedding anniversary at the Andaz Maui at Wailea. Between diving, enjoying their ocean view suite, and preparing for the next stops in Kauai and Oahu, DeAndre catches up on some major developments in the points and miles world. First up is an exciting update to Creddy, the credit card benefits tracking app that the BoldlyGo community helped beta test. Creddy now offers optional Plaid integration that can automatically connect credit cards and track eligible benefits, potentially eliminating much of the manual work involved in managing multiple cards. DeAndre also highlights several October transfer bonuses, including Rove bonuses to Japan Airlines, Flying Blue, and Qatar Airways Avios, along with new American Express transfer promotions.

The biggest news is a major change to Bilt Rewards. Starting January 1, Bilt's transfer ratio to World of Hyatt will drop from 1:1 to 4:3, meaning a 60,000 point Hyatt redemption will require 80,000 Bilt points instead of 60,000. DeAndre explains why this is particularly frustrating alongside Hyatt's recent award pricing increases and why Chase may become an even more important source of Hyatt points. On the positive side, Hyatt has returned to Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers, creating opportunities to earn additional rewards on eligible direct bookings.

There is also great news for families using Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, with a new program offering 20% of points back on eligible award tickets booked for children ages 12 and under. DeAndre wraps up with American Airlines introducing Cash & Miles bookings and two luxury Hilton properties in Mexico transitioning to all-inclusive resorts, potentially creating exciting opportunities for Hilton free night certificate holders.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: Celebrating Our Anniversary at Andaz Maui

(01:38) Hawaii Trip Plans and Points Travel Festival Chicago

(02:12) Creddy Adds Automatic Credit Card Benefits Tracking With Plaid

(04:14) October Transfer Bonuses From Rove and American Express

(05:20) Bilt's Major World of Hyatt Transfer Devaluation

(07:10) Hyatt Returns to Capital One Shopping and Offers

(07:57) Alaska Atmos Rewards Introduces 20% Back on Kids' Award Flights

(08:54) American Airlines Launches Cash & Miles Bookings

(09:35) Waldorf Astoria and Conrad in Mexico Go All-Inclusive

(10:20) Hawaii Updates and BoldlyGo's Chicago Conference Crew

Key takeaways:

• Creddy Adds Automatic Tracking: Creddy now offers optional Plaid integration to connect credit card accounts and automatically track benefits and credits. BoldlyGo community members can still receive 50% off annual and lifetime plans.
• Rove Transfer Bonuses: Rove is offering 50% bonus transfers to Japan Airlines, 40% to Air France KLM Flying Blue, and 35% to Qatar Airways Avios through the end of October.
• Amex Transfer Bonuses: American Express has a 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue through October 30 and a 20% bonus to Aeromexico through October 31.
• Bilt Devalues Hyatt Transfers: Starting January 1, Bilt Rewards transfers to World of Hyatt will change from 1:1 to 4:3, reducing the value of Bilt points for Hyatt redemptions.
• No Exception for Premium Bilt Cards: Unlike Chase's approach, Bilt's new Hyatt transfer ratio will apply even to premium Palladium cardholders.
• Hyatt Returns to Capital One Shopping: Hyatt bookings are once again available through Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers, allowing eligible travelers to earn additional rewards while booking directly with Hyatt.
• Alaska Atmos Rewards Family Benefit: Members of the Families on the Go community can receive 20% of points back on eligible award tickets for children ages 12 and under, including qualifying partner airline redemptions.
• American Airlines Cash & Miles: American Airlines is introducing flexible Cash & Miles bookings, although DeAndre cautions that these redemptions may not provide the best value.
• Hilton Goes All-Inclusive in Mexico: Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya and Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya transitioned to all-inclusive resorts on October 1, creating potentially valuable opportunities for Hilton Honors members.
• BoldlyGo in Hawaii: DeAndre shares a preview of their anniversary stay at Andaz Maui before continuing to Grand Hyatt Kauai, Ritz-Carlton Waikiki, and Points Travel Festival Chicago.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

Cappadocia may be famous for its sunrise hot air balloons, but planning the perfect trip takes more strategy than simply booking a flight and showing up. In Part 1 of their Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland trip recap, DeAndre and Taryn break down their entire Cappadocia experience, including how stranded Turkish Airlines miles inspired the trip, how they used points and credit card benefits to save thousands of dollars, and the lessons they learned after weather nearly ruined one of their biggest bucket list experiences.

The trip started with Turkish Airlines business class from JFK to Istanbul, followed by an overnight airport stay before continuing to Cappadocia. Once there, DeAndre and Taryn stayed at the incredible Argos in Cappadocia, a cave hotel where Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts credits helped significantly reduce their out-of-pocket cost. They share their thoughts on Turkish food and wine, the hotel's underground caves and spa, the best areas to stay, and the activities that made Cappadocia feel like much more than a destination built around balloons.

The biggest lesson came from the hot air balloon experience itself. Their original flight was canceled because of weather, and conditions remained bad the following morning. Because they had intentionally left multiple mornings available, they eventually got the experience they traveled all that way for. They explain why travelers should plan at least three mornings in Cappadocia, why the earliest sunrise flight matters, what the balloon ride actually feels like, and why having backup activities can turn a canceled flight into another memorable day. From horseback riding through Cappadocia's valleys to Turkish Night, shopping, local food, and watching Balloon Fest, this episode is a practical guide to building a Cappadocia itinerary that does not depend on everything going perfectly.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: The Biggest Mistake You Can Make Planning Cappadocia

(03:05) How Turkey, Malta and Switzerland Became One Trip

(06:32) The Full Route and Our $27,000 Trip Breakdown

(07:40) Using Virgin Atlantic Points for Our Positioning Flight

(10:30) Flying Turkish Airlines Business Class From JFK to Istanbul

(15:11) Turkish Airlines Baggage Rules and What Caught Us Off Guard

(17:07) Overnight at Istanbul Airport and the YOTEL Strategy

(22:00) Arriving in Cappadocia and Staying at Argos Cave Hotel

(26:18) Turkish Food, Wine and Why Cappadocia Surprised Us

(32:18) How to Plan Your Cappadocia Itinerary

(36:00) Our Hot Air Balloon Flight Gets Canceled

(39:07) Why You Need at Least Three Mornings in Cappadocia

(41:00) What Flying in a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Is Actually Like

(45:00) Why You Should Always Book the Sunrise Balloon Flight

(50:00) Horseback Riding, Turkish Night, Shopping and More Cappadocia Experiences

Key Highlights:

• Plan Multiple Mornings: DeAndre and Taryn recommend having at least three mornings in Cappadocia if riding in a hot air balloon is a major reason for the trip.
• Balloon Flights Can Be Canceled: Weather and wind can cancel flights with very little notice, and consecutive cancellation days are absolutely possible.
• Book the Sunrise Flight: They strongly recommend the earliest balloon departure instead of a later morning flight. The sunrise, colors, and hundreds of balloons in the sky are a huge part of the experience.
• Stranded Miles Created the Trip: Around 65,000 Turkish Airlines miles from a previous phantom award booking were approaching expiration, giving them the push to finally plan Turkey.
• $27K Trip for a Fraction of the Cost: The complete Turkey, Malta, and Switzerland itinerary had an estimated cash price of roughly $27,000. They used approximately 518,000 points plus $742 in cash, producing about 5.08 cents per point in value.
• Positioning With Virgin Atlantic: Their Norfolk to JFK positioning flight cost 12,000 Virgin Atlantic points plus $11 instead of roughly $607 in cash.
• Turkish Airlines Business Class Delivered: Despite the older 2-3-2 configuration, they enjoyed the food and service and would happily fly the product again.
• Watch Turkish Baggage Rules: Turkish Airlines was stricter about carry-on weight than they were accustomed to in the United States, resulting in DeAndre having to check his carry-on.
• Istanbul Airport Strategy Matters: For an overnight connection, they used the landside YOTEL inside Istanbul Airport rather than making the lengthy trip into the city.
• Amex Credits Saved Hundreds: At Argos in Cappadocia, they stacked Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits across multiple eligible Platinum cards to reduce the cost of their cave hotel stay.
• Cappadocia Is More Than Balloons: Horseback riding, underground caves, scenic valleys, Turkish Night, shopping, food, wine, and simply watching the balloons from the ground all added to the experience.
• Have a Backup Plan: When their balloon flight was canceled, they turned the morning into a photoshoot and continued exploring instead of allowing the cancellation to ruin the day.
• The Balloon Ride Lived Up to the Hype: Despite years of anticipation, the actual flight exceeded expectations and felt like much more than simply checking off a bucket list item.

Resources:

• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Cappadocia Airport Transfer
• Cappadocia Photoshoot with Flying Dress
• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• DeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre & Taryn:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGo.Travels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

In this YouTube bonus episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke and Taryn take on one of New Zealand's most iconic experiences: a fly, cruise, fly adventure from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Instead of spending 12 to 13 hours traveling by road, they turn the excursion into an unforgettable five-hour journey across the Southern Alps and through one of the most dramatic landscapes of their entire honeymoon.

The experience comes with a premium price tag of around $900 for two people, covering scenic flights in both directions and a two-and-a-half-hour Milford Sound cruise. DeAndre explains why they chose to spend more on the experience, how saving money on flights and luxury hotels with points and miles gave them more room in their travel budget, and why booking several months ahead is especially important during peak season.

The adventure begins aboard a small Cessna with individual window seats for every passenger. The 45 minute flight becomes an attraction of its own, offering aerial views of glaciers, alpine lakes, waterfalls, mountain ranges, valleys, and even Lord of the Rings filming locations that would be impossible to experience the same way from the road.

Once in Milford Sound, they board the cruise and share practical advice for getting the best views, including heading straight to the upper deck and packing for wind, mist, and rapidly changing conditions. DeAndre also explains why rain isn't necessarily bad news at Milford Sound, since it can create hundreds of temporary waterfalls cascading down the surrounding mountains.

By the end, the verdict is clear: the fly, cruise, fly option wasn't simply a faster way to reach Milford Sound. The flights became two of the most memorable parts of the excursion, making the premium price worthwhile and giving them perspectives they could never have experienced by road or water alone.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Seeing Milford Sound From Above

(01:07) Our Fly, Cruise, Fly Plan

(01:45) Road Trip vs. Scenic Flight

(02:45) Booking the Experience & What It Costs

(04:26) Weather, Cancellations & Rescheduling

(05:44) Check In & Pre Flight Briefing

(06:21) Flying Over the Southern Alps

(08:41) Arriving at Milford Sound

(09:08) How to Get the Best Cruise Views

(09:55) What to Pack for Milford Sound

(11:15) Why Rain Can Make Milford Sound Better

(12:13) Scenic Return Flight to Queenstown

(13:27) Essential Milford Sound Planning Tips

(14:24) Final Verdict: Was It Worth $900?

Key takeaways:

• Flying saves major time: The experience takes about five hours compared with a 12 to 13 hour road trip.
• The flight is part of the adventure: Glaciers, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and mountain views make the journey unforgettable.
• Book early: Scenic flights have limited availability and can fill months ahead during peak season.
• Weather matters: Flight operations depend heavily on conditions, so itinerary flexibility is important.
• Head straight to the upper deck: Getting there early provides some of the best unobstructed cruise views.
• Pack for changing conditions: Wind, rain, waterfall spray, and cooler temperatures can appear quickly.
• Rain can make Milford Sound better: Wet weather creates dramatic temporary waterfalls throughout the fjord.
• The $900 price was worth it: The combination of two scenic flights and the cruise delivered one of their favorite honeymoon experiences.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• We Spent $900 on Milford Sound’s Fly–Cruise–Fly — Worth It? (YT vlog)
• Best Way to See Milford Sound? Fly Into It (Blog Review)
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

This week’s Quick Hits kicks off with the Southwest Companion Pass season officially underway, giving travelers a chance to start planning one of the most valuable companion benefits in domestic travel. DeAndre also covers a new Hyatt promotion offering 3,000 bonus points for every three qualifying nights, targeted Southwest members unexpectedly receiving 5,000 Rapid Rewards points, and a useful American Airlines app feature that can automatically move travelers into a preferred window or aisle seat when one becomes available.

One of the biggest updates comes from Alaska Airlines and Atmos Rewards. Members can now choose how they want to earn rewards based on miles flown, ticket price, or flight segments for flights beginning January 1. Alaska also announced that eligible Bank of America cardholders will eventually be able to transfer points into Atmos Rewards, with a new debit card and upgrades to the Atmos Rewards Visa Business Card also on the way. Hilton is making news too, with a 10,000 point promotion and rumors of an even higher elite status tier called Black Diamond.

The episode wraps with several opportunities for point travelers. Chase may be preparing to add Qantas and Cathay Pacific as 1:1 transfer partners, while some Sapphire Preferred cardholders are seeing targeted 75,000 point offers to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve. Even bigger for families, Philippine Airlines is showing as many as eight business class award seats on some flights to Manila, while American Airlines has strong award availability to Peru with as many as seven seats on select dates. DeAndre also shares updates on the BoldlyGo community ahead of Points Travel Festival Chicago and previews his upcoming anniversary trip to Hawaii.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: A Thank You to the BoldlyGo Community

(01:05) Southwest Companion Pass Season Is Officially Here

(02:13) Hyatt's New 3,000 Point Bonus Promotion

(02:59) Southwest Is Giving Some Members 5,000 Free Points

(03:39) American Airlines Can Now Automatically Find You a Better Seat

(04:52) Major Alaska Airlines and Atmos Rewards Changes

(06:09) Hilton Promotion and the Rumored Black Diamond Status Tier

(07:45) Chase Could Add Qantas and Cathay Pacific as Transfer Partners

(07:58) Targeted 75K Sapphire Reserve Upgrade Offers

(08:34) Up to 8 Business Class Award Seats to Asia and 7 Seats to Peru

Key takeaways:

• Southwest Companion Pass Season: Now is the time to start planning a Companion Pass strategy, which lets a designated companion fly for only the applicable taxes and fees.
• Hyatt Bonus Points: Hyatt is offering 3,000 bonus points for every three qualifying nights, with the opportunity to earn up to 36,000 bonus points.
• Free Southwest Points: Some Rapid Rewards members have unexpectedly received 5,000 bonus points with no registration, spending, or flight requirement.
• American's Automatic Seat Changes: AAdvantage members on eligible single passenger reservations can set seat preferences and have the app automatically move them when a qualifying preferred seat becomes available.
• Big Atmos Rewards Changes: Alaska members can choose to earn based on miles flown, ticket price, or flight segments for eligible flights beginning January 1.
• Bank of America to Atmos: Eligible Bank of America cardholders are expected to gain the ability to transfer points to Atmos Rewards starting in 2027.
• Hilton Black Diamond Rumor: Leaked information suggests Hilton could be testing an even more exclusive elite status tier above its existing levels, although Hilton has not officially confirmed it.
• New Chase Transfer Partners? Reports suggest Qantas and Cathay Pacific could potentially become 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners.
• 75K Sapphire Upgrade Offer: Some Sapphire Preferred cardholders are being targeted for 75,000 points to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve after meeting the required spending.
• Huge Family Award Availability: Some Philippine Airlines flights are showing up to eight business class award seats to Manila, while select American Airlines flights to Peru are showing as many as seven award seats.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

What if your investment portfolio could earn travel rewards without requiring you to spend another dollar on a credit card? In this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke sits down with Harry, co-founder of Silo Markets, a platform that rewards users with credit card style points simply for holding investments or cash. Silo currently offers 0.5 points per dollar of portfolio value annually, meaning a $100,000 portfolio could generate 50,000 points per year while the underlying investments remain invested.

DeAndre approaches the conversation from two perspectives, as a points and miles enthusiast and as a financial advisor. Together, they dig into how Silo actually works, its membership tiers, supported investment and retirement accounts, how existing investments can be transferred without liquidating positions, and how Silo plans to fund its rewards program. Harry also explains the relationship with Interactive Brokers, where customer assets are actually held, and what would happen to those assets if Silo itself were to shut down.

The conversation gets especially interesting when they explore retirement accounts. Traditional IRAs, rollover IRAs, and Roth IRAs can potentially earn Silo points, creating a way for long-term retirement savings to generate rewards that can be used today without withdrawing the underlying retirement assets. They also discuss Silo's current 1 cent per point cash redemption, travel portal, upcoming transfer partners, break-even points for each membership tier, and why most existing users are currently holding their points in anticipation of airline and hotel transfer partners.

DeAndre and Harry also address some of the biggest questions surrounding a newer financial platform, including account protection, fees, investment control, and how Silo differs from platforms like Symphony. Harry ultimately describes Silo's ambition as building a modern version of Vanguard, but with loyalty rewards layered on top of long-term investing. It is a fascinating look at what could happen when two traditionally separate worlds, investing and points and miles, begin to overlap.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Can Your Retirement Account Earn Travel Points?

(02:58) Meet Harry, Co-Founder of Silo Markets

(04:27) What Is Silo Markets and How Does It Work?

(06:30) How Your Investment Portfolio Earns Silo Points

(09:03) Blue, Gold and Platinum Membership Plans Explained

(10:29) Moving Investments to Silo and Supported IRA Accounts

(12:01) How Points Are Calculated and Redeemed

(13:00) Cash Redemptions, Travel Bookings and Upcoming Transfer Partners

(14:00) What Can You Actually Invest in Through Silo?

(18:28) When Does Paying for Silo Actually Make Financial Sense?

(21:23) Where Your Money Is Held and What Happens If Silo Shuts Down

(24:00) Silo's Biggest Limitation and the Push for Transfer Partners

(26:25) Using Retirement Savings to Generate Travel Rewards Today

(30:56) Silo vs. Symphony and Who Controls Your Investments

Key Highlights:

• Earn Points From Investments: Silo currently offers 0.5 points per dollar of portfolio value annually, paid out monthly.
• $100K Could Earn 50K Points: A $100,000 qualifying portfolio could generate approximately 50,000 Silo points over a year.
• Three Membership Tiers: Silo offers Blue, Gold, and Platinum plans with points earning caps based on portfolio size, reaching up to $1 million on the Platinum plan.
• Up to 500K Points Per Year: A qualifying $1 million portfolio on the Platinum plan could generate up to 500,000 points annually at the current earning rate.
• Retirement Accounts Qualify: Silo supports traditional IRAs, rollover IRAs, and Roth IRAs, along with individual brokerage accounts. Joint and trust accounts can also be supported by contacting Silo.
• Transfer Existing Investments: ACATS transfers allow eligible stocks and ETFs to move from another brokerage without requiring investors to sell those positions first.
• Cash and Travel Redemptions: Points can currently be redeemed for cash at 1 cent each or used through Silo's travel portal covering hundreds of airlines and hotel options.
• Transfer Partners Are Coming: Harry says direct transfer partners are Silo's biggest current priority, with the company targeting several partners before eventually expanding the roster further.
• Know Your Break-Even Point: According to Harry, the approximate portfolio levels needed to break even on membership fees through points are $20,000 for Blue, $50,000 for Gold, and $200,000 for Platinum at the current redemption value.
• Most Users Are Saving Their Points: Harry says 82% of points issued have not yet been redeemed and 80% of customers have never redeemed a point, with many waiting for transfer partners.
• Retirement Savings Can Generate Rewards Today: One of Silo's most interesting concepts is allowing eligible retirement assets to generate points that can be used separately without withdrawing the underlying retirement funds.
• Silo Is Self Directed: Investors remain responsible for choosing and managing their own investments rather than having Silo actively manage the portfolio.

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• DeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre & Taryn:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGo.Travels

Find out more about SiloMarkets:

• Website: silomarkets.com

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

This week’s Quick Hits starts with a potentially major development for Chase cardholders. Reports suggest Chase may be tightening approvals for some business cards, particularly the Ink lineup, with certain applicants potentially facing a 3/24 threshold instead of the familiar 5/24 rule. DeAndre breaks down what is known so far, why the reports remain unconfirmed, and what it could mean for small business owners and sole proprietors. He also reminds readers to use expiring Q3 credit card benefits before the end of September.

Transferable points are also moving fast. Citi ThankYou has added Japan Airlines Mileage Bank as a 1:1 transfer partner and launched a 30% transfer bonus, while Bilt has added Amtrak Guest Rewards as its first rail transfer partner. DeAndre also covers Bilt card upgrade opportunities, Citi’s new once-per-lifetime welcome bonus language on Strata cards, and the approaching changes that will make Chase to Hyatt transfers less valuable for some cardholders starting October 1.

The episode wraps with two useful opportunities for travelers. The Chase Freedom Flex has eliminated foreign transaction fees, making the no annual fee card more useful internationally, while Flying Blue offers an interesting way to earn miles when purchasing eligible Apple products through its dedicated Apple storefront. For anyone considering a new iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods, it could be another opportunity to stack valuable airline miles on a purchase already planned.

Timestamps:

(00:00) A Quick Favor for the BoldlyGo Community

(01:52) Is Chase Changing From 5/24 to 3/24?

(03:02) Last Call to Use Your Q3 Credit Card Benefits

(03:37) Citi Adds Japan Airlines With a 30% Transfer Bonus

(04:30) Bilt Adds Amtrak as Its First Rail Transfer Partner

(05:27) Bilt Card Upgrades and Citi's New Lifetime Bonus Rule

(06:31) Chase to Hyatt Transfers Are Changing October 1

(07:32) Chase Freedom Flex Drops Foreign Transaction Fees

(08:09) Earn Flying Blue Miles When Buying Apple Products

(09:35) BoldlyGo Live Miami Update and Final Thoughts

Key takeaways:

• Chase 3/24 Rumors: Reports suggest Chase may be testing stricter approval requirements for certain business cards, particularly the Ink lineup, although data points remain mixed and Chase has not officially announced a change.
• Use Your Q3 Credits: September is almost over, making this the final opportunity to use quarterly credits that reset at the end of Q3.
• Citi Adds Japan Airlines: Citi ThankYou has added Japan Airlines Mileage Bank as a 1:1 transfer partner and is currently offering a 30% transfer bonus.
• Watch JAL Expirations: Japan Airlines miles expire after 36 months and cannot be extended, making speculative transfers particularly important to consider carefully.
• Bilt Adds Amtrak: Bilt Rewards has added Amtrak Guest Rewards as its first rail transfer partner, creating another option for using points to position for trips or travel around the United States.
• Bilt Card Upgrades: Select Bilt cardholders may now be able to upgrade their cards without a hard credit pull, with some targeted offers reportedly including a bonus.
• Citi Tightens Bonus Rules: Citi has changed the welcome bonus language on its Strata family, replacing the previous 48 month restriction with once per lifetime language for individual cards.
• Chase to Hyatt Changes: Starting October 1, some Chase cardholders will receive less than the traditional 1:1 value when transferring Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt.
• Freedom Flex Gets Better Abroad: The Chase Freedom Flex has eliminated foreign transaction fees while keeping its $0 annual fee and rotating bonus categories.
• Earn Flying Blue Miles on Apple: Flying Blue’s dedicated Apple storefront can offer miles on eligible Apple purchases, including some newer devices commonly excluded from other shopping portals.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

In this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke sits down with Sagar, founder of Creddy, a new app designed to solve one of the biggest problems for serious points-and-miles travelers: keeping track of everything. As premium credit cards add more monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual credits, it becomes increasingly difficult to remember benefits, annual fees, free night certificates, spending goals, points expirations, and other valuable perks. Creddy brings all of that information together in one place, giving travelers a central dashboard for managing their credit card and loyalty strategy.

This launch is especially meaningful for the BoldlyGo community because members have spent months beta testing Creddy, suggesting features, and helping shape the app before its public release. Sagar walks DeAndre through features including benefit tracking, smart sorting, expiration alerts, keeper card calculations, annual fee tracking, points balances, loyalty programs, vouchers, transfer bonuses, and spending goals. DeAndre also shares how Creddy revealed benefits on cards he didn't even realize existed, while helping him weigh thousands of dollars in annual fees against the value he actually receives.

The conversation also explores where Creddy is heading next, including more automation, additional loyalty integrations, a desktop experience, and potential Plaid connectivity. Sagar explains how community feedback continues to shape the product and shares a special offer for BoldlyGo members. For anyone juggling premium credit cards or trying to make sure expensive annual fees deliver value, Creddy makes an increasingly complicated points-and-miles strategy much easier to manage.

Get Creddy for 50% off the Annual & Lifetime Plans

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: The App That Tracks All Your Credit Card Benefits

(03:55) Meet Sagar and How the BoldlyGo Community Helped Build Creddy

(05:26) Why Sagar Created Creddy and the Problem It Solves

(08:18) Live Demo: Cards, Benefits, Loyalty Programs and Points Balances

(12:14) Keeper Cards: Are Your Annual Fees Actually Worth It?

(14:15) Smart Sorting, Expiration Alerts and Automatic Credits

(18:19) Tracking Cardmember Year Benefits and Hidden Credit Card Perks

(24:11) Points Expirations, Free Night Certificates and Vouchers

(26:42) Tracking Welcome Bonuses, Elite Status and Spending Goals

(28:20) Transfer Bonuses and More New Creddy Features

(30:42) Creddy Pricing and the Special BoldlyGo Discount

(32:53) What's Coming Next: Desktop, Automation and Plaid Integration

(36:31) Community Feedback and Helping Shape the Future of Creddy

(37:39) Final Thoughts and Why DeAndre Is Using Creddy

Key Highlights:

• One Points & Miles Command Center: Creddy brings credit cards, benefits, annual fees, loyalty programs, certificates, vouchers, and spending goals into one dashboard.
• Never Miss a Credit: Users can track monthly, quarterly, semiannual, annual, and cardmember year benefits with expiration reminders.
• Built With BoldlyGo: Members of the BoldlyGo community helped beta test Creddy and suggest features before its official launch.
• Keeper Card Tracking: Creddy helps compare annual fees against the credits and benefits actually being used to evaluate if a card deserves a long term spot in your wallet.
• Smart Benefit Tracking: Benefits can be marked as automatic, manually completed, or hidden so users are not overwhelmed by credits that do not require attention.
• Hidden Card Benefits: Creddy can surface lesser known benefits that cardholders may not realize are included with cards they already have.
• Loyalty & Certificate Tracking: Users can monitor points balances, expiration dates, free night certificates, companion certificates, and other vouchers.
• Spending Goals: Creddy can track progress toward welcome bonuses, elite status, free night certificates, and other spending based benefits.
• Transfer Bonus Tracking: The platform also brings current transfer bonuses into the same ecosystem.
• More Automation Is Coming: Future plans include additional integrations, desktop functionality, and potentially using Plaid to automate more of the tracking process.

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• DeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre & Taryn:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGo.Travels

Find out more about CreddyApp:

• Website: creddyapp.com
• Contact Sagar via email [email protected]

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

In this YouTube bonus episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke and Taryn begin the New Zealand portion of their 33 day honeymoon with four days in Auckland, but almost everything starts going wrong before they even arrive.

The trouble begins at the airport in Fiji, where they discover they're missing the New Zealand Traveller Declaration just minutes before check-in closes. Slow Wi Fi makes the situation even more stressful, but their Oneworld elite status gives them access to the Fiji Airways business class check in line and extra time to complete the required paperwork.

Getting on the plane turns out to be only the beginning. After arriving in New Zealand, they navigate strict biosecurity procedures, delayed luggage, illness, and other unexpected problems that completely reshape their original Auckland itinerary. Instead of packing their days with sightseeing, Auckland becomes the reset they actually need after nearly three weeks of nonstop travel.

Their stay at Park Hyatt Auckland proves especially valuable during the chaos. The hotel's location, spacious suite, and exceptional service give them a comfortable base while recovering, tracking down luggage, and handling medical issues. They still find time to explore the waterfront and Viaduct Harbour, visit Commercial Bay, and enjoy a standout meal at Hello Beasty.

DeAndre also shares some of the biggest lessons from the experience, including completing New Zealand entry documents early, taking biosecurity seriously, placing trackers in checked luggage, carrying travel insurance, and deliberately building recovery time into longer trips. Auckland may not have gone according to plan, but it became an important reminder that successful travel sometimes means adapting rather than trying to force the original itinerary.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Auckland Arrival Chaos Begins

(03:25) The Missing Entry Paperwork Mistake

(06:17) New Zealand’s Strict Biosecurity Rules

(07:34) Our Delayed Luggage Nightmare

(09:40) Tracking Our Lost Bags with SpotMinders #ad

(11:30) Getting Medical Care in Auckland

(13:34) Staying at Park Hyatt Auckland

(17:10) What We Actually Did in Auckland

(19:35) Essential Auckland & New Zealand Travel Tips

Key takeaways:

• Complete entry documents early: Missing paperwork nearly caused them to miss their flight to New Zealand.
• Elite status can matter: Oneworld status gave them access to a faster check in experience during a critical moment.
• Biosecurity is serious: New Zealand has strict arrival procedures travelers need to prepare for.
• Track every checked bag: Luggage trackers became extremely useful once their bags were delayed.
• Travel insurance paid off: Coverage helped reimburse expenses and activities lost due to illness and luggage problems.
• A great hotel adds real value: Park Hyatt Auckland became their recovery base when the trip went sideways.
• Build recovery time into long trips: Auckland's slower pace helped them reset before Queenstown and their campervan adventure.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• Everything Went Wrong Before We Even Arrived in Auckland (YT Vlog)
• Park Hyatt Auckland Review: One of New Zealand’s Best Hotels?
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

This week’s Quick Hits is packed with points and miles updates, starting with a targeted IHG promotion offering 20,000 bonus points after just two qualifying nights. DeAndre also breaks down the newly refreshed Chase Aeroplan Card, which now comes with automatic Aeroplan 25K status, Air Canada credits, and a 15% discount on eligible award flights, but also doubles its annual fee and loses some valuable existing benefits. Other updates include a potential TSA PreCheck pilot allowing full water bottles through security, CardPointers Version 8, a 70% Chase transfer bonus to Marriott, and a delay to Symphony’s anticipated transfer partner launch.

The biggest story comes from Hilton, where elevated Amex Hilton card offers now include free night certificates across multiple cards. DeAndre explains how he and Taryn used a similar Hilton card strategy to accumulate five free night certificates and turn them into an incredible five-night stay at Calala Island in Nicaragua that would otherwise cost around $22,000. The episode wraps with Wyndham’s new four-tier award chart, Qatar Airways reversing its restrictive Avios traveler list policy, and unusually strong business class award availability to Dubai on Emirates and from Paris to New York on Air France.

Timestamps:

(00:00) IHG's Targeted 20K Bonus After Two Nights

(01:30) Chase Completely Refreshes the Aeroplan Credit Card

(02:44) TSA PreCheck Could Allow Full Water Bottles Through Security

(04:13) CardPointers Version 8 and Chase's 70% Marriott Transfer Bonus

(05:57) Symphony Transfer Partner Launch Delayed

(08:09) New IHG Card Offer and Huge Amex Hilton Bonuses

(10:05) How We Used Hilton Certificates to Book a $22K Calala Island Stay

(14:34) Wyndham's New Award Chart

(15:16) Qatar Reverses Its Avios Traveler Restriction

(15:58) Emirates and Air France Open Huge Business Class Award Space

Key takeaways:

• IHG 20K Promotion: Targeted members can earn 20,000 bonus points after two qualifying paid nights within 60 days of registration.
• Aeroplan Card Refresh: The annual fee increases to $195, but new benefits include Aeroplan 25K status, up to $100 in Air Canada credits, and 15% off eligible awards.
• TSA Water Bottle Pilot: TSA is reportedly considering allowing PreCheck travelers to bring full water bottles through security at select airports equipped with newer scanners.
• CardPointers Version 8: The latest update adds improved automatic offer syncing, AI integrations, new widgets, and tools for choosing the best card for a purchase.
• Symphony Transfer Partners: The anticipated rollout has shifted from early September to approximately late October or early November.
• Hilton Free Night Certificates: Elevated Hilton card offers make it possible to earn valuable unrestricted free night certificates through multiple cards.
• $22K Calala Island Stay: DeAndre and Taryn built a strategy around five Hilton free night certificates that could cover an approximately $22,000 five-night stay in Nicaragua.
• Wyndham Award Changes: Wyndham now prices free nights at 5,000, 15,000, 30,000, or 45,000 points per bedroom per night.
• Qatar Reverses Restriction: Privilege Club members can once again redeem Avios for other travelers without maintaining a predefined traveler list.
• Huge Business Class Availability: Emirates is showing up to seven award seats on some North America to Dubai flights, while Air France is showing as many as nine business class seats on select Paris to New York dates.

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join the Mile Protection Waitlist
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGoTravels

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.

Smart Travel Podcast

DeAndre Coke sits down with Carrie Yoder, Creative Director at Frequent Miler, to explore a side of long-term travel that does not always make it onto Instagram. Carrie shares how she and her former partner built a life around travel, points, miles, and extreme flexibility, eventually visiting around 70 countries while spending years living nomadically. What started as an experiment in proving that long-term travel could actually cost less than a traditional lifestyle gradually became their everyday reality.

Carrie takes DeAndre inside the evolution of that lifestyle, from backpacking through Asia on a tight budget to learning how airline miles and hotel points could completely change the way they traveled. She explains why IHG became especially valuable during their nomadic years, how hotel promotions and inexpensive stays helped them build huge points balances, and how points eventually opened the door to experiences that once seemed completely out of reach. But after years of constant movement, travel began to feel different. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences started becoming routine, and Carrie realized she was ready for something she hadn't had in years: a home base.

That realization eventually led her to West Virginia through the Ascend WV program, where she was actually paid to relocate and build a more stationary life. Now, Carrie is entering a completely new chapter. After years of being the P2 in a two-player points strategy, she is learning how to become her own P1, rebuilding her credit card strategy, earning points independently, and deciding what travel looks like when she is no longer traveling simply because she can. The conversation explores travel burnout, identity, solo travel, financial organization, and the surprising challenge of rediscovering travel excitement after seeing so much of the world.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: When the Dream of Full-Time Travel Becomes Too Much

(03:00) Meet Carrie Yoder and Her Role at Frequent Miler

(04:55) How Carrie Started Traveling Full Time

(06:58) Discovering Points & Miles While Traveling on a Budget

(12:00) The Evolution of Nomadic Life and Using IHG Points

(17:47) How Points Changed the Way Carrie Traveled

(19:54) Visiting 70 Countries and What Kept Her Going

(26:04) Why Carrie Finally Walked Away From Nomadic Travel

(30:06) Getting Paid to Move to West Virginia With Ascend WV

(33:11) From P2 to P1 and Rediscovering Points & Miles

(36:45) Rebuilding Credit and Creating Her Own Card Strategy

(43:00) Figuring Out What Travel Looks Like on Her Own

(46:35) Using Daydream Explorer to Find New Travel Inspiration

(49:07) Carrie's Role at Frequent Miler and What's Coming Next

(51:15) Final Thoughts on Nomadic Life and Why She Still Recommends It

Key Highlights:

• Nomadic Life: Carrie spent years traveling full-time and has now visited around 70 countries.
• Travel Can Become Routine: Even extraordinary destinations can lose some of their magic when constant travel becomes everyday life.
• IHG Strategy: Cheap stays, promotions, and award opportunities made IHG especially valuable during Carrie's nomadic years.
• Travel Burnout Is Real: Years of moving constantly eventually left Carrie craving stability, routine, and a permanent home base.
• Moving to West Virginia: Carrie joined Ascend WV, a program offering financial incentives and other benefits to remote workers who relocate to the state.
• From P2 to P1: After years of participating in a two player points strategy, Carrie is now building and managing her own credit card and rewards strategy.
• Rebuilding Credit: Carrie started carefully with a Capital One Savor card while focusing on improving her credit and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
• Travel With Intention: Carrie's biggest challenge now is deciding where she genuinely wants to travel instead of simply chasing another destination.
• Points Feel New Again: Building her own balances has brought back some of the excitement and curiosity she experienced when first discovering points and miles.
• A New Chapter: Carrie's story shows how travel goals and points strategies can evolve dramatically as life changes.

Resources:

• Become a BoldlyGo Member on Patreon
• DeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus Invite
• Join the Mile Protection Waitlist
• Join Symphony today
• BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 Registration
• Check out our Podcast Library
• Become a BoldlyGo Blog contributor
• Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel
• Sign up for our newsletter!
• BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group

Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads

• Get a travel insurance quote here

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

• Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel Again
• Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)
• Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)
• Travel Freely
• Point.me
• FlightConnections.com
• Thrifty Traveler Premium
• LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
• Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!

Connect with DeAndre & Taryn:

• Instagram: BoldlyGo.world
• TikTok: BoldlyGo.world
• Website: BoldlyGo.world
• YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld
• YouTube: BoldlyGo.Travels

Connect with Carrie Yoder:

• Instagram: frequentmiler

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.