The Upgraded Points Podcast

On this week’s episode, Chris and Katie dive into one of the best-kept secrets in luxury travel: Leaders Club from Leading Hotels of the World. With the Platinum Card® from American Express now offering complimentary Leaders Club Sterling elite status, cardholders can unlock perks at more than 400 independent luxury hotels in 80 countries — from historic palaces to private island retreats.

They break down how this partnership works, what benefits you actually get (think upgrades, breakfast, and exclusive offers), and how to get the most value from Leaders Club stays — even when booking with points. You’ll also hear how Citi ThankYou Points can open the door to some surprisingly valuable redemptions.

Plus, Katie shares her experience at La Casa de la Playa, one of Mexico’s most stunning Leading Hotels of the World properties, and the duo wraps up with practical advice for beginners building a strong points and miles foundation.

Correction: In this episode, we mention that transferring Citi ThankYou Points to Leading Hotels of the World gives you a rate of 1,000 points = 140 Leaders Club points. However, if you have an eligible Citi card such as the Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier, Citi Prestige, or AT&T Access More, you actually get a better rate of 1,000 points = 200 Leaders Club points.

00:00: The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 28

01:15 Bilt adds Etihad

02:10 Amex Equinox benefit

03:55 Disney price increase

06:03 Leading Hotels of the World overview

07:40 Leaders Club Program

10:45 Sterling Elite Status

13:05 Earning and booking with points

20:32 La Casa de la Playa 

28:21 Listener Q&A

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

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Capital One just made a major move in the points and miles world by adding 3 new transfer partners — Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Chris and Katie break down what this means for your travel redemptions, why now might be the perfect time to use your Capital One miles, and how these changes could make Capital One one of the most valuable travel programs today.

They also share recent travel updates from São Paulo and Thailand, plus an amazing redemption story for an upcoming solar eclipse cruise in the Mediterranean, and answer some listener questions. 

00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 27

01:01 The Westin São Paulo

02:50 The St. Regis Bangkok 

06:46 Capital One’s new transfer partners

14:15 The best program?

18:19 Listener Q&A

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

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Save 20% on Savewise: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/savewise-promo-code/

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we dive into the latest updates shaking up the  travel world, including the major refresh to the The Business Platinum Card from American Express. From new benefits to a bigger annual fee, we break down what these changes mean for cardholders and whether the updates make this card worth it for your business.

We’ll also cover Chase’s updates to The Edit, how to save 20% on a Savewise Pro account, and answer your burning listener questions during our Q&A segment. Whether you’re a points pro or just getting started, this episode gives you practical insights to help you get more value  out of your rewards.

00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 26
01:00 Chase The Edit
07:37 Savewise 20% off code
10:42 Amex Business Platinum Refresh
22:08 1 Major Issue
25:17 Listener Q&A

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

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Traveling should be smooth, not stressful. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the differences between TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry to help you decide which program is the right fit for your travel style. From skipping long security lines to breezing through customs, they’ll share the perks, drawbacks, and insider tips for each option.

You’ll also hear some of the unique ways Chris and Katie have earned American Airlines miles—and how you can use those same strategies to maximize your travel. 

00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 25

01:00 Earning AA miles

06:40 TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry?

13:53 Get them for FREE!

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

Save 30% on CardPointers: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/cardpointers-discount/

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The Platinum Card® from American Express just got a massive refresh for 2025 — with new benefits, new perks, and yes, a higher annual fee. Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know, from the new and updated benefits to whether the card is still worth it after the fee increase.

00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 24
01:00 Universal Halloween Horror Nights
03:45 Flights to Thailand
08:00 Amex Platinum changes
11:30 NEW benefits
21:35 Amex vs. Chase vs. Citi
28:05 Our thoughts
30:09 Listener Q&A

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

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Step inside the magic with us! In this special episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie broadcast live from Walt Disney World in support of our "Magic in the Air" giveaway. They stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and sat down for exclusive interviews (inside the parks!) you won’t hear anywhere else, including Dr. Zak from Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Tara Anderson, Show Director of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away.

From behind-the-scenes insights to unforgettable Disney storytelling, this episode brings you closer to the parks than ever before. Plus, we share tips from our trip, listener questions, and a few surprises along the way.

Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or just curious about what goes on behind the curtain, this one’s packed with pixie dust. ✨

00:00 Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 23

02:00 Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

04:42 Animal Kingdom with Dr. Zak and Allie

13:42 Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away with Tara Anderson 

17:00 Win a trip to Walt Disney World

Enter for your chance to win our Magic in the Air Giveaway!

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com.

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Big news in the points and miles world… Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards. But is this truly an upgrade or just a rebrand? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know: redemption sweet spots, earning structures, and the highly anticipated Atmos Rewards Summit Card with big welcome bonuses.

We also dive into the latest travel and credit card updates, including over 400 new Fine Hotels + Resorts and Hotel Collection properties added by Amex,  special discounts, and more. Plus, a listener Q&A covers planning a dream trip to Thailand using points and miles, and we share expert tips on tools like FlightConnections, Seats.aero, and Roame.

If premium travel for fewer points is your goal, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.

Save 30% on CardPointers+: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/cardpointers-discount/

00:00 Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 22

01:00 Amex adds 400 FHR Properties

02:00 CardPointers+ discount

05:00 Atmos Rewards Overview

10:30 Atmos Rewards Credit Cards

23:03 Listener Q&A

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Is Southwest turning into every other airline? In this week’s episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we’re diving into major Southwest changes that some travelers are celebrating, while others aren’t too thrilled. From elite status perks to new credit card updates, Katie and Chris break down exactly what these shifts mean for your future flights and bookings.

But that’s not all, we are also sharing the details of our brand new “Magic in the Air” Walt Disney World Resort vacation giveaway! Plus, we cover the latest American Airlines and Hyatt status matches, answer listener questions, and more. If you fly Southwest (or want to maximize your rewards), this is one you need to tune in for.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below: 

[0:00] The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 21

[0:50] Walt Disney World Giveaway*

[2:50] American Airlines/Hyatt status match

[6:00] Southwest changes

[8:40] Southwest elite status

[12:17] Southwest credit cards

[19:25] Listener Q&A

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on UpgradedPoints.com

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., age 18+. Void outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:01 AM ET on 09/01/25; ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 09/30/25. Total ARV of all prizes: $9,283.56. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Limit: One (1) Entry per person. For full Official Rules, visit https://upgradedpoints.com/news/win-trip-disney-world-september-2025/ Sponsor: Upgraded Points, LLC, 1155 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704.

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Citi just shook up the points and travel world with major updates and the launch of a brand-new travel rewards credit card. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down what these changes mean for travelers, from new partners and fresh perks to how you can maximize benefits with the latest card on the market.

We’ll cover the biggest travel updates, unpack the details of Citi’s latest moves, and answer listener questions to help you get the most out of your points and miles.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting your rewards journey, this episode gives you the inside scoop on how to stretch your points further.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below: 

[0:00] The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 20

[1:30] Travel updates

[7:54] Citi adds American Airlines

[10:20] New Citi Strata Elite Card

[16:51] Citi Strata Elite Benefits

[22:00] Citi Strata Elite vs. Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

[27:56] Listener Q&A 

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

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We all love to travel—but let’s be honest, not every part of the journey is picture-perfect. From booking mishaps to seat-kicking neighbors, some moments test even the most patient travelers. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie dive into their biggest on-board and hotel pet peeves, sharing the unspoken rules (and rule-breakers) of the travel world.

They’re not alone, either—the Upgraded Points team weighs in with their own top travel annoyances, giving you a peek into what really grinds the gears of frequent flyers. And to wrap things up, we tackle listener questions in a lively Q&A. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes mid-flight or sighed at a slow hotel check-in, this episode will have you nodding—and maybe laughing—along.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below: 

[0:00] The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 19

[1:30] Gondola status challenge

[1:45] Travel pet peeves

[12:10] Hotel pet peeves

[18:43] Upgraded Points staff pet peeves

[29:04] Q&A 

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

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