Chasing Airline Status: Is It Worth It?

Airline loyalty programs are supposed to reward us… but lately, they feel more complicated than ever.In this episode, Steph and Andrea break down how airline status actually works, from points vs tier credits to alliances like oneworld and Star Alliance. They share the ways they've earned status, the hacks we’ve used, and the psychology behind why it’s so easy to get sucked in.With recent changes from Qantas and British Airways shifting towards spend-based models, they also unpack what these updates really mean for regular travellers. Is elite status still worth chasing, or are we all just very well-trained customers?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember when travelling meant printing directions, wildly gesturing instead of actually communicating, and just hoping your suitcase would show up eventually? We sure do!In this episode, Steph and Andrea rewind 10 to 15 years and reflect on long-haul journeys, early solo travel adventures, and navigating cities, airports and languages with far less help than we have now. We talk about the travel tools that have changed the way we move around the world, and how different our trips would have been if they had existed back then.There are throwback stories, a bit of “wow, that was stressful”, a few moments of mild existential dread, and plenty of realisations that certain things would have saved us a lot of hassle. We also get into the trade-offs between convenience and control, and whether all this modern travel magic is amazing, or just a little bit creepy.If you have ever lost something important, panicked in a foreign city, travelled solo, or caught yourself thinking how much easier travel feels now, this episode is for you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s our annual New Year’s resolution episode, recorded in real time as Steph rings in 2026 in Melbourne (fireworks included) while Andrea is still very much stuck in 2025.We rewind to last year’s resolutions and ask the hard questions: did we actually do what we said we would? Were the big travel goals met, quietly abandoned, or derailed in truly on-brand fashion? From unexpected detours and solo travel moments to life getting in the way (again), we reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re carrying into 2026.With moving-house chaos, shifting priorities, and a much more realistic approach to travel this year, we talk about staying closer to home, travelling smarter, and setting goals that actually make sense for where we’re at now.Grab a mimosa and join us as we laugh at our past selves, recalibrate our travel dreams, and officially welcome a brand new year.Happy 2026 everyone! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel opens doors to amazing places, and usually, some pretty amazing people. But let's be real, not every encounter is heartwarming. Sometimes, you do meet people who are rude, shady, or just flat out awful. So in todays episode Steph and Andrea share some of those rare but unforgettable run-ins with the worst kinds of people that they've met abroad. They're not the kinds of stories you hope for, but they are the kind you never forget. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever landed in a new place with no plans, just your backpack and a sense of adventure, only to stumble into something incredible? A surprise street festival, a local holiday, or maybe a once a year cultural celebration that you never saw coming? Tune in as we dive into magical moments experienced abroad where no itinerary turned out to be the best plan of all! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever felt personally victimised by a hotel charging more because you dared to travel alone? Or been awkwardly denied a two-seat table like you're some kind of pariah? SAME.In this fiery episode, Andrea and Steph wave the flag for solo adventurers everywhere. From the sky-high single supplement to being rejected by restaurant hosts for daring to dine without a plus-one, the girls share their recent solo travel wins and woes from New Zealand to South America.Expect rants, relatable stories, and a rallying cry for change. Whether you’ve travelled solo or just dreamt of escaping the group chat, this one’s for anyone who's ever felt the sting of being a party of one.Justice for solo travellers? We’re starting the movement.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for a catch up after some amazing travel adventures! With Andrea just getting back from Brazil and Peru, checking off not one but two wonders of the world, and Steph who's been road tripping through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, they swap stories, share some travel tips as always and relive some of the epic, unforgettable moments they got to experience on these trips.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's talk all the shit we didn't see abroad! Steph and Andrea have been to some pretty amazing places around the world and in these amazing places there are plenty of famous landmarks and attractions that we didn't see while there. Now does that matter? Not at all. Because the real magic of travel isn't about the sites that you should see or the things that you should do, but in the moments that you create along the way and the memories that you make. Tune in now to hear about the beauty of traveling without a checklist and all the shit we didn't do abroad! 00:02:23 - The Blending of Travel Time00:03:04 - Travel Choices and Societal Expectations00:03:52 - Minimal Sightseeing in Portugal00:10:39 - Skipping Kruger National Park00:13:05 - Immersing in Local Culture in South Africa00:14:46 - Statue of Liberty Experience00:17:31 - Skipping the Eiffel Tower00:18:44 - Vancouver Tower Visit00:21:18 - Venetian Gondola Ride in Las Vegas00:24:09 - Venice and Budget Travel in Barcelona00:27:06 - Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Stops00:30:00 - Missing the Venus de Milo at the Louvre00:33:53 - Reflecting on Travel During a HurricaneSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life is too short to wait for the perfect time, so it's time to encourage you to just book. that. trip. Money will come and go but time is finite, it's something you can't get back. So Andrea and Steph want you to pack your bags, take that leap, and let adventure be your guide. You will never regret traveling, but you will regret not going. So it's time to dive into why you should just book the trip! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time to dive into the world of travel apps. Let's face it, the app world is blowing up. If you're not using apps in your trip planning, you're already falling behind. That said, which ones are actually worth downloading? Steph and Ange talk about their favourite travel apps that make their trip planning so much easier from packing your suitcase to booking your activities and everything in between. The right app will save you time, stress and maybe even a little bit of money! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/allthestivelearnedabroad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.