Welcome to Episode 108 of The Journey Is The Reward! This week, we're navigating some significant changes at United, shooting the Breeze with Micah, and as always, hearing from our incredible listeners.

First up, Listener Melissa is asking for a much-anticipated health update from Micah – and yes, she might have playfully accused Brian of being a pain in Micah's butt! 

Plus, Micah continues to unpack the ever-popular packing segment with some invaluable additional advice.

Listener Lu returns with another intriguing question about spotting famous people on planes. 

Then, buckle up as Brian gives us the lowdown on several recent changes at United Airlines. We'll cover the good (think exciting new global destinations), and the not-so-good (specifically, how frequent flyer miles for upgrades have shifted, and updates to Club and Lounge access). Brian also shares the exciting news that Starlink will be installed on United's entire fleet by the end of 2026!

After sorting through the United updates, Micah shares the experiences of his friends who recently flew on Breeze Airways. They encountered some issues, and we discuss how Breeze handled the situation – good on resolution, but with room for improvement in communication.

As always, our journey is serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their "Welcome" and "Goodbye" songs, recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia, are pure magic.

Ready to experience this musical magic in person and create your own unforgettable memories? Join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at [email protected] for all the details. Let's make some memories and truly enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 107 of The Journey Is The Reward, we once again get to talk with Momma Coleman, thanks to the limo services provided by Chef Kathy.   Sure, it doesn’t sound right at this point but it will make sense as you listen to the episode.   But before we get to the main event, Listener Matt has a follow-on question to my packing skills.

Listener Lu wants to know about the $100 hamburger, as it relates to flight.  Although calling it a $300 hamburger is probably more accurate these days.

Then it’s time for the main segment, Brian’s trip to NJ to surprise Momma Coleman on her 90th birthday and Mother’s Day.

Yes, Momma Coleman had done a reverse commute from living in Florida and returned to her birth state to be closer to her oldest son.  Brian decided he couldn’t stay away and had to help her unpack.

Chef Kathy was there to help… and provide an incredible 90th Birthday carrot cake.

We then get to learn all about Brian’s 9 hour delay getting back home to Los Angeles.   However, as far as delays go, this one worked out OK for our intrepid traveler.

As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. 

Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at ⁠[email protected]⁠ for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 106 of The Journey Is The Reward, our favorite aviation aficionados, Micah and Brian, are back, ready to pack for a trip and navigate the turbulent skies of memory lane. 

First up, we've got a burning question from Listener, Lu! Did Qatar handle the unfortunate dead passenger situation with the grace and dignity they should have or were there areas for improvement.

Then, it's time for some serious travel talk! Micah, clearly envious of Brian's ninja-like packing skills, grills him on how he manages to jet-set for weeks without the dreaded checked baggage. Prepare for the reveal of Brian's mysterious suitcase (ooh, the suspense!) and his coveted tips and tricks. Spoiler alert: apparently, most packing gadgets are dead weight for our seasoned traveler, but he does have some secret weapons in his arsenal for staying fresh as a daisy on those long hauls. 

But wait, there's more turbulence! Our dynamic duo then throws it back to a classic segment from the legendary Airplane Geeks Podcast, Episode 269. The one and only Max Flight wanted to hear how listeners first caught the aviation bug. Brian, ever the enthusiast, penned his story, but a written word wasn't enough for Max! He wanted audio. And who did Brian tap for this crucial mission while under the weather? Our very own Micah, of course! Apparently, Brian's been enjoying Micah's dulcet tones on his previous submissions. High praise indeed!

So, prepare your ears for a heartwarming tale as Micah channels his inner Brian and recounts the pivotal moment his father ignited his passion for all things aviation. But hold on tight, because the journey takes a detour when a certain "pinhead" at the Civil Air Patrol clipped Brian's wings before he even took flight! This leads to a powerful message from Brian himself: don't let anyone ground your dreams!

So, grab your beverage of choice, settle into your favorite ejection seat (just kidding… mostly!), and get ready for another episode packed with listener love, packing prowess, nostalgic narratives, and a healthy dose of "don't let the naysayers win!" It's Episode 106 of The Journey Is The Reward – you won't want to miss it!

As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. 

Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at [email protected] for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

On Episode 105 of The Journey Is The Reward, Prepare for liftoff!  Your intrepid co-pilots, Brian and Micah, chart a course from the tarmac of Burbank to the stratosphere of Seattle. The mission of Brian? To attend the Seattle Aviation and Aerospace Bash, orchestrated by the stellar Isaac Alexander!

But before achieving orbit, our flight crew tackles a query beamed in by Listener Lu. She wondered about a passenger who was confused about why airlines don’t fly in a straight line. Brian and Micah address some decidedly off-course information about the flight, transmitted by none other than Elon Musk. Both Brian and Micah feel he should stick to navigating his own launch vehicles!

Next, Brian asks a question to the listeners: Should purchase a confirmed First-Class ticket on Spirit Airlines, or take a calculated risk on a United flight, hoping for an upgrade to First? 

For the main stage of our journey, Micah and Brian recount the epic trek to Burbank airport – a long walk from a new parking lot without shuttle busses! Then they detail the ascent to Seattle, with a strategic refueling stop in Sacramento. Once again, the flight crews of Southwest provided top-notch service.

Upon landing at the Seattle Bash, Brian engaged in some interviews. In one daring encounter, he gently confronted organizer Isaac Alexander about a slight deviation from the promised mission parameters – a BBQ promised, but Mediterranean seafood deployed!

Despite this minor anomaly, Isaac's event was a great evening for Pacific Northwest Aviation and Space aficionados. Featuring captivating speakers, a treasure trove of aviation SWAG at the freebie table, and a lucky draw where every participant was a winner, it was a truly stellar evening.

The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at [email protected] for all the details.

Episode 104 of The Journey Is The Reward it’s time for a wild ride from pizza critiques to “Paradise” found! So buckle up, adventure junkies!

First up, we're diving headfirst into the delicious drama of Listener Mark's pizza review. Turns out, Momma Coleman's taste buds were NOT impressed… for a second time.  Ouch! Guess not all pies are created equal. 

Then, Micah drops a tech bombshell: the mythical 10-year AirTag battery! Will it survive the test of time? Brian's ready to put on his scientist hat and report back in a decade. We're holding you to that, Brian! 

For the main event, get ready for some travel tales! Brian braved the wilds of Burbank airport, where the power went on a little adventure of its own, and TSA decided to join the reboot party. We're talking United flights, car rental wizardry (learn how to snag those deals!), and a reunion with old pals in Paradise and Ukiah. 

And guess what? Brian finally conquered the Alexander Valley wine tasting quest.  Plus, there was beer. Sierra Nevada beer. 

Oh, and let's not forget the flight home where Brian became the "invisible trash guy" and the "tray table rebel." 

As always, we're serenaded by the soul-stirring sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded straight from the Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia and are pure magic. 

Feeling the FOMO? Experience this musical magic in person and join Brian on an epic group adventure to Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa in late September 2025! Reach out to him at [email protected] for all the details. Let's make some memories and enjoy the Journey as it is the Reward!

The cash back vs points rollercoaster ride is coming to an end on Episode 103!  Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Brian's wallet!  

Angie is in agreement with Brian that points are much more valuable for people who travel over cash back. However, there are several places where Brian can improve his earning potential.

In addition, Angie also goes over some tools that will help people find these incredible redemptions.

The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at [email protected] for all the details.

Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

The rollercoaster ride on Episode 102 continues! Micah and Brian are joined again by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into Micah’s wallet!  No, she is not going to pick pocket him but go over his credit card strategy and make recommendations on how he can improve his wallet

Sadly, this is no question from Listener Lu this week because we have so much to discuss with Micah’s wallet

For the main segment of the show, Angie tries to get Micah to give up his cash back and come over to the dark side of the points and miles game… or is it a hobby?  She goes over the features and benefits of his 11, mostly, cash back credit cards.  Angie shows Micah how a bit of change in attitude will enable him to change his altitude and fly internationally in business class for nearly free!

The show opens and closes with the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs were recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at [email protected] for all the details.

Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride on Episode 101! Micah and Brian are joined by the incredible Angie from the Award Travel 101 podcast for a deep dive into the travel hacking trenches!

But hold on! Listener Lu’s epic question, demanding a look back at 100 shows – the biggest surprises, Brian's legendary journeys, the highs, the lows, and what they'd change – was just TOO juicy to rush! Consider it a cliffhanger, folks, because we're promising a dedicated, in-depth answer in a future episode. Trust us, it’ll be worth the wait!

This week, the battle lines are drawn! It's Brian, the points-wielding maestro, versus Micah, the cash-hoarding strategist! Who's right? Who's wrong? Angie steps into the arena to referee this epic showdown, and let’s just say, the debate gets heated! (Spoiler alert: one episode wasn’t enough! You'll HAVE to tune in to Episode 102 to witness the ultimate verdict!)

And to set the perfect global tone, we're thrilled to feature the breathtaking sounds of the Madalitso Youth Choir! Their vibrant Welcome and Goodbye songs, recorded live at the majestic Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

Want to experience their magic in person? Join us on an unforgettable group trip to Zambia, Botswana and South Africa in late September 2025! Contact Brian at [email protected] for all the details.

Prepare yourself for an episode packed with passion, debate, and some professional moderation. 

On episode 100.5, Micah and Brian continue to play a bunch of recordings and read some listener feedback in the form of congratulations on reaching our 100th episode. There were simply too many for the 100th show.

Then we get to hear from my former co-worker, Robert as he has an interesting quesiton about status and benefits.

We play a poem written by Listener Melissa.

We hear from a Plane Crazy Down Under guy, Grant.

Uli wites in with a very nice birthday wish for me and we hear from Listener Matt in Singapore.

We close out the show with an update on my ever changing flights to South Africa and invite everyone to come along.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 100, Micah and Brian play a bunch of recordings and read some listener feedback in the form of congratulations on reaching our 100th episode.

But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our thoughts on Shake Shack being served on some Delta Airlines flights. 

We keep the food conversation going with feedback from Mark van Raam as he provides more pizza suggestions in Largo FL.

Then the good stuff starts as we hear from Chef Kathy, Pilot Pip, Eric the Map Maker, Listener Clair and Judy, Listener Hendric and we wrap up with a great note from Listener Shreenand.

Oh, there is a final discussion about Electronic Hotel tipping. As usual, Micah, Map maker Eric and I don't exactly see eye to eye on this new concept.

The opening and closing music is provided by the Madalitso Youth Choir as they sing their Welcome song and their Good By song, recorded at the lobby of The Royal Livingston Hotel in Zambia.

And if you would like to hear them sing live, get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn about the group trip we are planning in late September, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!