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!

On episode 99, Micah and Brian take the time to answer one listener question.  Yes, it was that good of a question and it took us an entire show to answer it.

But first, we hear from Listener Lu as she wants to know about our plans to visit with Steve and Grant in the Land Down Under from the podcast, Plane Crazy Down Under. 

We also provide the correct date for the Sydney Marathon, August 31st. And Brian gets to correct his math and clarify his pricing threshold for international upgrades.

Then we get to answer the question from Listener Paul, "What is our most favorite airplane movie?"

Hint: Just like naming your favorite airplane, naming your favorite airplane movie proved to be just as difficult for Micah!

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 98, Micah and Brian talk about the decision making process in booking his trip to Africa in September. 

But first, we hear from Listener Hendrik. He comments on our "whining" about American's having to pay a fee to visit Europe.

Then Listener Lu wants to know if we have heard about the Pan Am Experience and the extensive aviation collection of Anthony Toth. 

For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk about flight planning. First Brian talks about the decisions and choices made for his trip to Africa, along with some of the tools he used. Then Micah talks about his process and decisions he had to make for the ticket he is getting for his brother Rick.

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 97, Micah and Brian continue our talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his recent trip to Italy on a new airline, Neos. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business since 2001.

As there was so much to talk about, we dive right into the continuation of episode 96 and learn more about Eric and Bella's trip to Italy. Therefore, there is no listener mail or Listener Lu question.

The opening and closing songs are 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 or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 96, Micah and Brian talk with Eric the Mapmaker about his receint trip to Italy on a new airline, Neon. Well, a new airline to us even though they have been in business for a while.

But first, we hear from Listener Mike who joins us from the Airplane Geeks podcast. Mike writes in and wants to know about Premium Economy seating and how they differ between airlines. (Check out this article for more information. ⁠https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/which-airlines-have-the-best-premium-economy/⁠) 

Listener subway Mark writes in about taking public transportation to the airport. Micah and I agree that it's a good idea, just not very convenient in most US cities. 

Listener Lu wants to know our thoughts on people who stand up as soon as the plane lands and the flight attendant turns off the seatbelt sign. 

For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk with Mapmaker Eric about his trip on Neos to Italy. 

Well, there was so much to talk about, we had to break this up into two episodes... so check out the second part of the conversation on episode 97.

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 or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 95, Micah and Brian talk about Brian's flight up to the capital of California, Sacramento. Well, actually the town of Lodi, but close enough. 

But first, we hear from Eric the Mapmaker. Eric tells us about a translation app called DeepL.

Sadly, there was no question from Listener Lu this episode. 

For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk about flying out of Burbank airport. He was also able to check out a new long term parking lot. Then it's all about unpacking his friend’s apartment and picking up some long lost forgotten Central Valley wine from the Klinker Brick winery.

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 or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!

On episode 94, Micah and Brian talk about Brian's media review flight on Aero from the Van Nuys, CA airport to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  

But first, we hear from Listener Mike who tells us his tips on having a second wallet when he travels and what cards, including duplicates, he packs with him.

Sadly, there was no question from Listener Lu this episode. 

For the main segment, Brian and Micah talk about the incredible flight he was able to experience on Aero.  Yes, the flight was provided free of charge to Brian.  However, this does not stop him from expressing his views on the flight and service.  As he will say… it’s all about the Passenger Experience.

In addition to reviewing the flight, Brian was also able to interview Liz Mazzei, Head of Marketing, and Mikael Pelet, Chief Operating Officer at Aero.

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 or October, 2025.

We hope you enjoy the show!