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Episode 198 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features Angie Sparks and moderator Laura Kofoid recapping the 16th annual Chicago Seminars, along with the latest points and miles news. The episode opens with a member success story highlighting how Nathan used points and miles to take his family to New York City to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, achieving an impressive 4.6 cents per point redemption. The hosts also discuss several industry updates, including Chase adding luxury vacation rentals through Plum Guide to The Edit credit, expiring credit card offers, Turkish Airlines’ 40% Citi transfer bonus, and new World of Hyatt credit card offers. Angie shares her approval for the Alaska Summit card with its elevated 100K offer, while Laura discusses her new Hilton Business card and plans for a future Hyatt Business application. They also provide updates on recent and upcoming trips, including Chicago, Australia, Cancun, Cabo, and several other destinations.The main topic focuses on the Chicago Seminars, the largest and longest-running event in the points and miles community, which welcomed nearly 600 attendees this year. Founded in 2010, the event continues to bring together enthusiasts to share strategies, learn new skills, and build connections. New additions included hands-on Friday workshops covering tools like Seats.Aero and ExpertFlyer, organized offsite dinners, local networking sessions, and the Saturday night ORDWalk social event. The volunteer-run nonprofit also raised $31,000 for its charitable partners, the Armed Services YMCA and Global Glimpse. Laura shares her first-timer experience, highlighting the valuable educational sessions, helpful conversations, and opportunity to turn online friendships into real-life connections. Both hosts emphasize that attendees leave with new strategies to try, ideas for future redemptions, and a stronger sense of community, regardless of their experience level.Episode Links:Chase The Edit changesPromotions ending soonCiti to Turkish transfer bonusChase Hyatt card new offersWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 197 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Cameron Laufer is joined by member Evan Fleisher to discuss the latest points and miles news, including several notable transfer bonuses. Chase is offering a 30% bonus to three Avios programs, Capital One has a 20% bonus to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and a 30% bonus to Copa (although the transfer ratio makes it less attractive), and Amex is offering a 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic. Chase also launched bonuses to Wyndham and IHG, though the hosts question whether transferring valuable Chase points to IHG is worthwhile. Other topics include Point.me's new hotel search tool, upcoming benefit changes to two Citi American Airlines cards, and community member TJ's impressive achievement of earning 650K American Airlines miles and more than 250K Loyalty Points in just two years. The hosts also share their latest travel plans, including trips to New York, Park City, and Thailand.The main discussion focuses on Bilt's latest program changes, many of which will take effect in 2027. One positive change is that Bilt Cash will now expire 12 months after it is earned rather than following the previous calendar-year expiration policy. However, new cardholders will lose the ability to choose the 4% Bilt Cash earning option and will instead earn up to 1.25X points on housing payments. Existing cardholders and those who open an account by December 31, 2026, can retain the flexible earning option, but must opt out of the new housing benefits before their account anniversary to do so. Annual card credits are also changing; hotel redemptions will be limited to twice per year, and Bilt is introducing new elite benefits, including luxury hotel bookings and rental car status. Daily Rewards, launching January 15, 2027, will offer additional opportunities to earn points, Bilt Cash, and entries into major prizes. Overall, the hosts see some positive additions but believe Bilt Cash is becoming harder to earn and use, making it especially important for existing cardholders to review their options before their next account anniversary.Episode Links:Chase to Avios transfer bonusCapital One to Flying Blue transfer bonusCapital One to CopaAmex to Virgin transfer bonusChase to Wyndham transfer bonusChase to IHG transfer bonusPoint me hotel toolCiti AA card refreshWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 196 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Cameron Laufer and Angie Sparks discuss recent travel rewards news, credit card offers, and updates from their own travel plans. Airbnb is changing its host rules to limit guest chores, while American Express is expanding its Platinum hotel credit into a lodging credit beginning in 2027, including eligible Airbnb Luxe bookings and a new Airbnb Experiences credit. They also cover elevated welcome offers for the Atmos Summit and Ascent credit cards, transfer bonuses from Citi ThankYou Rewards to Cathay Pacific and Capital One to Virgin Red, Chase fourth-quarterspending bonuses on co-branded cards, and Bilt adding JetBlue as a 1:1 transfer partner. The hosts also share updates on their upcoming trips, including Angie’s revised plans for Sydney and Cameron’s potential itinerary changes for Norway.The main topic focuses on answering community questions about maximizing points and miles for travel. The hosts discuss concerns about Amex statement credits for gift card purchases, recommend allowing enough time for travel between destinations when planning an Italy itinerary, and suggest searching directly with airlines and considering positioning flights when award search tools fail to find availability. They also offer strategies for using Chase and Capital One points for a Tokyo Disney trip, and Amex points to help a parent and two children travel internationally through programs such as Aeroplan, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France. Finally, they clarify that spending on a Hilton Aspire card may not count toward the Summit free-night certificate requirement after a product change. The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to community member Mary Burd, remembered for her kindness, joyful spirit, and love of travel, along with her inspiring message: “Take the trip—you won’t regret it.”Episode Links:Amex Platinum hotel credit changesNew Atmos Summit offerCiti to Cathay transfer bonusCap One to Virgin bonusChase Freedom MyBonusBilt adds JetBlueWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 195 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Cameron Laufer and Angie Sparks discuss several industry updates, personal points-and-miles wins, and travel plans. The news includes Rove adding JetBlue as a 1:1 transfer partner with a 20% transfer bonus through November 14, United moving to a fully revenue-based elite qualification system in 2027, and Chase increasing the annual fee on the legacy IHG card to $99. Angie shares her upcoming trip to Sydney, booked using 63,000 American Airlines miles per person for a Hawaiian Airlines nonstop flight from Honolulu, while Cameron discusses booking Singapore Airlines business-class meals and finding Choice Hotels in Ålesund and Bergen, Norway. The hosts also share their latest credit-card decisions, airline loyalty progress, and favorite shopping portals.The main topic is Southwest Airlines' extensive Rapid Rewards overhaul, with changes beginning in 2027. The current A-List and A-List Preferred tiers will be replaced by Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with revised qualification requirements and earning bonuses. Platinum will become the top tier, including Companion Pass benefits, while Companion Pass qualification will require 140,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 100 qualifying flights. Credit cardholders will earn one TQP per dollar spent starting in 2027, and a new premium Southwest credit card with lounge access is planned. The airline will also introduce milestone rewards, launch its Icon Lounges in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville, add Icelandair, Etihad Airways, and China Airlines as award redemption partners, and expand Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet by fall 2027. Cameron and Angie also discuss a potential strategy for earning Companion Pass under the current rules before the changes take effect. The episode wraps up with Cameron's tip to watch for new airline routes, highlighting Lufthansa's planned Columbus-to-Frankfurt service starting next May.Episode Links:Rove Adds JetBlueUnited Status ChangesIHG Legacy card changesSouthwest Status/Companion Pass changesWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 194 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Cameron Laufer and Angie Sparks discuss recent travel news, points redemptions, and their latest trip updates before diving into award search tools. News highlights include Southwest extending its promotion for Rapid Rewards credit cardholders to earn double Companion Pass-qualifying points on select categories through October, Japan Airlines offering targeted members up to 10,000 bonus miles per segment on eligible transpacific flights, and American Express planning new Centurion Lounges in Newark and London Heathrow, along with expansions in Philadelphia and Houston. The hosts also share their latest points and miles activity, including Angie’s Ireland flight and hotel bookings using a combination of award programs and card credits, and Cameron’s need to adjust travel plans after American Airlines canceled flights to Norway. A member redemption success story illustrates how points can deliver tremendous value even for practical trips, with three Hyatt Place rooms near Port Canaveral costing 24,000 points instead of more than $2,000 in cash.The main topic explores popular award search tools and how they can simplify finding flights and hotel stays using points and miles. Tools such as Point.me, Seats.aero, PointsYeah, AwardTool, Roame, Skyscanner, and Points Path each offer different advantages, including broad searches, real-time availability, award alerts, calendar views, and comparisons between cash and points prices. The hosts emphasize that these tools can save time and uncover unfamiliar booking options, but they have limitations: they may not search every airline, miss available award seats, rely on cached information, or overlook credit card discounts. They also discuss hotel search tools such as MaxMyPoint, Open Hotel Alert, and Rooms.aero, which can help users monitor award availability and set alerts. The key takeaway is that award search tools should be a starting point, not the only strategy. Travelers should always confirm availability directly with the airline or hotel program before transferring points and supplement automated searches with manual checks to find opportunities the tools may miss.Episode Links:Southwest 2x Companion Pass point offerJapan Airlines Bonus PromoNew Amex LoungesWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Episode 193 of the Award Travel 101 podcast covers a busy week of points-and-miles news before diving deep into the major revamp of the IHG One Rewards credit card lineup. Cameron and Angie discuss October Flying Blue Promo Rewards, several transfer bonuses from Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Rove, the new Air France/KLM card offer, the United Explorer bonus, and Bilt’s upcoming devaluation of transfers to Hyatt. They also share personal updates, including Angie’s successful Brilliant welcome bonus and ongoing search for Ireland and Australia award flights, while Cameron discusses using Bilt and Strat Elite credits for airport transportation in Bangkok. The episode also touches on the growing challenge of using monthly credits, with the hosts discussing whether some card credits are becoming more trouble than they’re worth.The main topic is Chase and IHG’s sweeping overhaul of the IHG card portfolio, which introduces the $350 IHG One Rewards Premier Select card while significantly changing the existing Premier, no-annual-fee, and Business cards. The new premium card offers a 200,000-point welcome bonus, substantial food-and-beverage and airline credits, 20 elite-night credits, a 60,000-point anniversary certificate, stronger earning potential, and a path toward Diamond status through spending. Meanwhile, the existing cards receive higher annual fees, new credits, additional elite-night benefits, higher Free Night Award caps, and larger welcome offers—but also some meaningful downgrades, including reduced status levels and changes to earning categories. The hosts weigh whether the new benefits justify the increased fees and discuss the uncertain future of the legacy $49 IHG Select card. Angie closes with a timely reminder to start using quarterly credits at the beginning of each quarter rather than waiting until the last minute.Episode Links:Flying Blue Promo AwardsAir France KLM card offerAmex to Flying Blue bonusRove transfer bonusesCapital One transfer bonusesBilt to devalue HyattUnited Explorer cardIHG card refreshWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Episode 192 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features Angie Sparks sharing highlights from her recent 18-day European adventure through Istanbul, Switzerland, and Lake Como. The episode covers current points-and-miles news, including an elevated Southwest business card offer that can help build toward Companion Pass, Citi’s move to lifetime language on some Strata cards, and Bilt adding Amtrak as its 25th transfer partner. Angie and Cameron also discuss their current credit-card spending goals, status pursuits, and upcoming travel plans.The main topic is Angie’s bucket-list trip, where she used points and miles to book premium flights and a wide range of hotels that would have cost more than $25,000 in cash. They discuss her flights on Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and American Airlines, along with stays in Istanbul, Lucerne, Wengen, Zermatt, St. Moritz, and Lake Como. The trip included scenic train rides, mountain excursions, cycling, waterfalls, and visits to attractions including Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat. Angie also shares lessons on lounges, travel credits, flight changes, and packing lighter, while Cameron offers additional suggestions for the Swiss Alps.Episode Links: Southwest Business OfferCiti Strata Lifetime RuleBilt Adds AmtrakWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Episode 191 covers several timely points-and-miles updates, along with practical travel tips and trip-planning updates from Cameron and Mike. The hosts discuss strategies for staying healthy while flying, including wiping down seats, using hand sanitizer and masks, staying hydrated with electrolytes, and taking vitamins or supplements. In the news, they cover upcoming changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card, Qatar Airways easing restrictions on its friends-and-family booking lists, and new Chase Freedom Flex/ Freedom quarterly bonus categories. They also discuss Citi's 25% transfer bonus to Avianca LifeMiles, recent bonuses they received, and their upcoming travel plans, including Japan, Canada, Norway, and future SEC football trips.The main topic focuses on Citi adding Japan Airlines (JAL) as a 1:1 transfer partner and the current 30% transfer bonus, which can significantly reduce the number of Citi ThankYou points needed for a variety of awards. The hosts break down JAL sweet spots, including JAL business and first class to Japan, domestic Japanese flights, Air France/KLM and British Airways flights to Europe, LATAM flights to South America, Bangkok Airways flights around Southeast Asia, and Emirates business class. Examples include JAL business class to Japan for as little as 43,000 Citi points with the bonus and LATAM flights from the U.S. to Santiago for about 47,000 Citi points. They also discuss important restrictions, including JAL's seven-day account-age requirement, the ability to book only for eligible relatives or spouses, and JAL miles' 36-month hard expiration. The episode closes with a tip about using AI to create an engaging way to present an upcoming family trip.Episode Links:Sapphire Reserve Business changesQatar relaxed booking restrictionsFreedom Flex Q4 categoriesCiti to LifeMiles bonusCiti to JAL transfer bonusWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Episode 190 features Erin Kilpatrick sharing how she has built a fully nomadic lifestyle around points, miles, and travel. After selling her home, car, and belongings and moving to Ecuador in 2023, Erin has spent the past several years living one to three months at a time in different countries. Award travel is a major part of making that lifestyle possible, covering roughly 80% of her flights and 30% of her lodging, while she also maximizes credit-card offers, shopping portals, credits, and other opportunities. The episode also covers current points-and-miles news, including changes to the Chase Aeroplan card, Hyatt ending its American Airlines partnership and adding Delta, and elevated Hilton card welcome offers with free-night certificates.A major focus is Erin’s strategy for buying hotel points. She emphasizes that this is not a beginner strategy and should only be used when the math clearly works for a specific redemption. Using a Melbourne Choice Hotels stay as an example, she bought points at 0.57 cents each, reducing a $165 cash rate to about $85.50 in points. She also discusses buying points during unusually low-priced sales, while acknowledging the risks of devaluations and poor redemption values. Erin highlights several under-the-radar destinations she enjoyed, including Penrith in England, Alicante in Spain, and Sofia, Bulgaria.The episode also takes a nuanced look at AI in travel planning. Erin avoids using AI for tasks where established tools are more reliable, such as award searches, points tracking, exact transportation schedules, and precise directions. Instead, she sees AI as a brainstorming partner for building itineraries, researching neighborhoods and transportation options, troubleshooting, and visualizing complicated travel plans. The episode wraps up with advice on renting a car in Ireland, emphasizing the importance of reading rental and credit-card insurance policies carefully, confirming coverage, and obtaining the proper documentation before arriving at the rental counter.Episode Links:Delta/Hyatt partnershipAeroplan card refreshHilton Business card- New offerWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Episode 189 features Cameron Laufer and moderator Bridgette Birk discussing the changing value of points and miles, along with the latest news in the loyalty space. The highlight post asks what travelers are using Avios for now that AA award rates have increased significantly since 2021. Members shared several strong uses, including Qatar Qsuites, JAL business class through British Airways, Iberia business class, Qatar for AA domestic flights, Finnair for longer routes, and LATAM in South America. The news segment covered the Bask Bank American Airlines bonus, Southwest’s plans for 11 new lounges, a 30% Capital One transfer bonus to Japan Airlines, and a 30% Amex-to-Hilton transfer bonus.The episode also includes personal updates from both hosts. Bridgette is working on her Bank of America Atmos Ascent spending and reassessing her card strategy after being denied for two business cards. Cameron discussed whether adding a player 3 as a Bilt Palladium authorized user was worth the extra effort, ultimately deciding the additional earnings weren't compelling enough, while also considering an Alaska Airlines business card. Trip plans included Bridgette’s upcoming Southeast Asia trip, Puerto Rico, and a trip to see Jeff Goldblum, while Cameron discussed planning a Norway trip featuring Bergen and the Lofoten Islands and the challenges of getting there on points.The main topic, “Meet the Mods,” focuses on Bridgette’s journey into travel rewards. After starting with a Southwest card in 2017, she discovered Award Travel 101 and began dedicating significant time to learning from the community. Her standout experiences include Aer Lingus business class, ANA The Room, Andaz Tokyo, The Beekman in New York, Emirates First Class on the A380, and safari flights booked with points. She favors Hyatt, transferable currencies, luxury when possible, and has developed particular strengths in solo travel, hotels, and navigating different cards, banks, and airline programs. The episode wraps with Cameron’s reminder not to overlook cash fares—especially when an award ticket carries high taxes and fees—as sometimes a cash ticket can provide the better value.Episode Links:Bank Bank AA BonusSouthwest Lounges comingCapital One to JAL BonusAmex to Hilton BonusNashville meetup LinkWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our April 2027 Meetup in Nashville now. award.travel/bna2027Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.