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In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke covers a mix of travel updates, loyalty program changes, and real world strategies from his own recent bookings. He starts with a reminder about the upcoming Boldly Go community meetup and encourages listeners to participate in the survey to help shape the event.
On the travel side, Global Entry has resumed normal operations after a temporary disruption, though broader government shutdown effects are still impacting airport experiences. DeAndre also shares a key industry insight: rising jet fuel costs could lead to higher airfare, making it smart to lock in flights early and rebook later if prices drop.
He highlights another Hilton devaluation, with award pricing increasing across several popular properties and becoming more dynamic. On a more positive note, American Express is expanding its Resy dining network, making it easier to use dining credits, while Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex users can now activate their new 5X bonus categories.
The episode also includes practical strategy examples, from using points to solve last minute travel challenges to leveraging credit card timing for a massive Amex Business Platinum bonus. The core message is clear: flexibility and a diversified points strategy can unlock better outcomes when plans change unexpectedly.
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In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke and Taryn Gisbert wrap up their 33-day honeymoon with a deep dive into their two-week adventure across New Zealand.
They start with a key lesson learned early: booking ahead is critical, especially during peak travel months from November through February. Their journey begins in Auckland, where they stayed at the Park Hyatt Auckland and enjoyed a walkable city, standout food, and waterfront views. From there, they head to Queenstown, a destination known for dramatic landscapes and adventure. Highlights include a stay at The Spire Hotel Queenstown, the thrilling Hydro Attack ride, a scenic Milford Sound flight, and a visit to Walter Peak farm with a historic steamship cruise. The episode also covers their campervan road trip from Christchurch to Auckland, offering a mix of freedom and logistical challenges. Memorable stops include the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua and the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set.
They close with reflections on flexibility when booking travel with points and miles, along with practical tips for making a long, multi-stop trip run smoothly.
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In this YouTube bonus episode, DeAndre reviews his and Taryn’s stay at Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club, an adults only all inclusive resort set inside the jungle just outside downtown Tulum. The property stands out for its cenote inspired architecture, circular buildings, and winding pools that create a unique design rarely seen at traditional beachfront resorts.
They walk through the overall experience, from their Preferred Club upgrade and swim out suite to the layout of the pools, restaurants, and rooftop party scene. The resort leans heavily into a jungle aesthetic, which creates beautiful views and privacy but can make navigation slightly confusing due to curved paths and segmented buildings.
Since the resort itself is not located directly on the beach, guests use a regular shuttle to reach the dedicated beach club. The system works well for travelers who enjoy splitting their day between pool relaxation and ocean time, though beach focused travelers may prefer a property directly on the sand.
The episode also covers the food, drink quality, and service experience, including standout service from the Preferred Club concierge team. DeAndre shares how they booked the stay entirely with Hyatt points at roughly 25,000 points per night, turning what could have been an expensive luxury stay into a nearly zero out of pocket vacation.
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In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke shares several updates from the points-and-miles world, along with practical travel strategies. He starts with a reminder that tax season can be a strong opportunity to earn points by paying taxes with a credit card, especially when working toward welcome bonuses or using high-earning cards.
He also highlights the Thrifty Traveler Premium price increase and explains why locking in the lower rate before the change can offer long-term value. Community updates include plans for a Boldly Go WhatsApp meetup and a new guest blog review of the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica.
The episode also covers loyalty program news, including Rove Miles adding Scandinavian Airlines as a transfer partner with a limited 20 percent transfer bonus. DeAndre wraps up with reminders about using Amex Platinum Saks credits, a new American Airlines Loyalty Points promotion, and a rare award pricing improvement from Emirates on certain partner flights.
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In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke breaks down one of the most talked about strategies in the points and miles community: running payroll through a credit card using platforms like Zil Money.
DeAndre explains how payroll by credit card works, why it became popular among business owners, and what has changed in 2025. He walks through the mechanics of the process, including how payments are processed, how fees are charged, and how those fees factor into the overall points earning strategy.
The episode focuses heavily on the math behind the strategy. DeAndre explains how earning points on both payroll spend and transaction fees can dramatically increase rewards, especially when using high earning business cards. He also shares his personal recommendations for credit cards that work well with this approach, including the Chase Ink Business Preferred.
Listeners also get a deeper look into the financial and accounting side of the strategy. DeAndre discusses how payroll processing fees should be categorized, how business owners should think about profitability, and why understanding the true value of points is essential before attempting this approach.
The episode closes with insights into current challenges, platform changes, and emerging tools that may reshape payroll by credit card strategies in the future.
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In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre shares several timely strategies across the points and miles world, starting with his own plan to use Bilt points for a future business class trip to Japan. After building a balance of roughly 95,000 Bilt points, he explains how transferring them to Japan Airlines could unlock premium cabin redemptions and potentially open the door for a multi-country trip in Asia.
The episode highlights a number of valuable transfer opportunities, including a 50 percent transfer bonus from RovMiles to Japan Airlines. DeAndre explains how this bonus can help boost JAL balances, while also reminding listeners about JAL miles expiring after three years and the program’s family sharing options. With Japan Airlines discussing long term strategic changes through its Management Vision 2035 plan, he also touches on the potential risk of future devaluations and the importance of booking strong redemptions early.
Beyond JAL strategy, DeAndre runs through several active promotions across loyalty programs. These include a Wyndham transfer option connected with Avios, a Capital One transfer bonus to Preferred Hotels, a strong welcome offer on the Hilton Business card, and a 100 percent bonus sale on IHG points.
He also warns listeners about poor redemption habits, especially using American Express points for Amazon purchases unless a targeted deal dramatically improves the value. The episode closes with thoughts on Hyatt’s evolving award landscape and the importance of being strategic with points balances instead of rushing to burn them.
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In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with Southwest expert Max Craig to break down one of the most powerful benefits in domestic travel: the Southwest Companion Pass.
Max explains exactly how the Companion Pass works and why it remains one of the most valuable tools in the points-and-miles world. The benefit allows one designated companion to fly with you for only the cost of taxes and fees, creating massive savings for couples, families, and frequent travelers within the Southwest network.
The conversation dives into strategy. They cover timing applications to maximize the validity window, choosing the right Southwest credit cards, and avoiding common beginner mistakes when working toward qualification. Max also addresses recent changes at Southwest Airlines, evolving policies, and why the Companion Pass still delivers strong value despite industry shifts.
Listeners will walk away with practical examples, real-world math, and creative use cases that show how the Companion Pass can transform travel plans when used intentionally.
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In this YouTube bonus episode, DeAndre and Taryn take you behind the scenes of their destination wedding at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, sharing why it felt less like a resort wedding and more like renting a private mini city in the Caribbean
After being turned down by dozens of properties for a New Year’s Eve celebration, they pivoted to Casa de Campo for its scale, flexibility, and distinct venues all within one gated estate. From the tiny La Romana airport just minutes away to the sprawling 7,000 acre property complete with golf carts for every guest, the experience felt immersive from arrival.
They walk through each wedding event: an all white beach welcome party at Minitas, a marina side rehearsal dinner at La Casita, a ceremony on the Roman style amphitheater stage in Altos de Chavón, and a reception complete with cold sparks and a Dominican carnival troupe. Each night had a completely different backdrop without ever leaving the property.
Beyond the venues, they break down the real planning details: what surprised them during the site visit, how tastings eliminated food anxiety, the power of villa life for wedding week, and the trade offs that come with such a massive property. They also share how they strategically used wedding spend to unlock major credit card sign up bonuses that later helped fund their honeymoon in business class.
For couples looking for variety, scale, and unforgettable production value, Casa de Campo offers something far beyond a standard beach gazebo template.
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In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre breaks down several important updates affecting points and miles travelers, starting with major changes to Hyatt award pricing. Hyatt is expanding from three award tiers to five, a move that could increase the cost of premium redemptions and shift how travelers think about free night certificates. The change has sparked strong reactions across the travel community as members evaluate long term impact on value.
He also covers a major update from Points Path, the Google Flights plugin many award travelers rely on. The new Points Path Wallet feature allows Founders Club members to track loyalty balances across multiple airline programs without sharing login credentials. Alongside a redesigned interface, the update aims to simplify how travelers search and redeem points.
Beyond program updates, DeAndre shares timely travel news including government shutdown implications for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, safety concerns affecting flights into Puerto Vallarta, and active transfer bonuses across major credit card programs.
The episode also highlights community contributions, including a guest blog post detailing a Marriott points safari redemption. DeAndre closes with a reminder to stay vigilant when redeeming points at checkout with retailers to avoid accidentally burning valuable rewards, and expresses gratitude for the continued growth of the community.
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In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with Azdean, founder of Destinations Morocco and host of the Destinations Morocco podcast, to uncover what most travelers miss about Morocco.
Rather than focusing only on famous landmarks, the conversation explores the deeper cultural experiences that define the country. Azdean shares how dining in local homes, visiting Berber families, staying in traditional riads, and exploring lesser-known regions create a far richer journey than a checklist of tourist stops.
They address common misconceptions around safety and cultural norms, especially for female travelers, and explain how working with trusted local guides elevates both comfort and immersion. Azdean outlines practical tips around currency, transportation, planning timelines, and avoiding common scams, while emphasizing Morocco’s flexibility for luxury travelers, families, and adventurous explorers alike.
The episode also highlights how points and miles can be used to book flights and hotel stays in Morocco, making this bucket-list destination more accessible than many assume. For travelers seeking culture, authenticity, and unforgettable hospitality, Morocco delivers far more than expected.
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