travel
Takeoff is a podcast that will teach you how to save money and travel better. Join Travis, Emily, and Matt from 10xTravel as they teach you the fundamentals of points & miles and dive into the latest strategies, deals, and news in the industry. If you want to travel more (and better) without spending more money, this show is for you.
Lavon Edwards shared how he uses points and miles not just for vacations, but as essential infrastructure for his digital nomad lifestyle. He explained that this approach influences his optimization strategies, making his priorities slightly different from those who use points more conventionally.
Lavon Edwards detailed his experience flying Emirates First Class, which cost 186,000 points per person and incurred taxes and fees of approximately $600 to $1000 per person. He opted for the A380 due to its amenities, including the onboard shower, as part of his wedding anniversary trip.
Lavon Edwards suggested Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines as excellent alternatives to Emirates for travel to Africa. Qatar Airways is noted for its business class, while Turkish Airlines offers good connectivity to Europe.
Lavon Edwards discussed the significant cost of safaris, which can range from $300 to $2000 per person per day, depending on the luxury level. He highlighted that points and miles can be used to offset these costs, a strategy he employed himself after spending 186,000 points on flights.
Lavon Edwards clarified that most safari costs typically include food, transportation, and game drives. Additional expenses are usually for optional activities like massages, drinks from the bar, or hot air balloon rides, which are not included in the base package price.
Lavon Edwards advised that tipping the driver is a minimum requirement on safari, as they are integral to the experience and safety. He also suggested tipping camp staff for services like room cleaning, emphasizing that the driver should be prioritized.
Both Travis and Lavon Edwards expressed a strong aversion to checking luggage when traveling. Travis stated that every minute waiting at baggage claim feels like wasted vacation time, and Lavon seemed to consider checking a bag only in a life-or-death situation.
Many people, including family members of podcast hosts, initially perceive the points and miles hobby as a scam due to the "too good to be true" nature of the rewards. Host Travis acknowledges that while tactical details like point transfers are often seen as the main hurdle, the emotional aspect of "what if I get this wrong?" is a significant blocker for many.
Bryce shares that his grandfather, who worked in banking, was skeptical of opening multiple credit cards, believing it was detrimental. Bryce himself harbored anxieties about the points and miles hobby for years, fearing a negative consequence. He found that comparing the hobby to "extreme couponing" helped alleviate these concerns.
Bryce recounts using credit card points for spring break travel in college, initially fearing legal repercussions or a ruined credit score. To his surprise, his credit score actually increased, and he received offers for better credit cards from the same bank. This experience, coupled with discovering online communities like FlyerTalk, normalized the hobby for him.
Travis asserts that much of the credit score advice found online is geared towards individuals needing to qualify for mortgages or car loans within a short timeframe. He argues that this advice is often inaccurate or irrelevant for those participating in the points and miles hobby, as the goal is different, and engaging with credit in this way can be beneficial.
Opening new credit cards does cause temporary negative impacts on credit scores, such as inquiries and a lower average age of accounts. However, these effects are often offset by the increase in total available credit. Travis notes that this is why scores can sometimes increase when someone actively participates in the hobby, building a more robust credit profile.
Many credit card marketing materials suggest points are worth a fixed amount when redeemed through the bank's portal. However, Travis explains that transferring points to airline or hotel partners can yield significantly more value. He acknowledges that this concept can be overwhelming for beginners, especially with numerous transfer partner options.
Morgan advises new users to avoid overcomplicating the points and miles process, suggesting that the first few redemptions might not be optimal but are a necessary learning step. She encourages focusing on the basics: knowing transfer partners and practicing award searches on airline websites, rather than getting bogged down by too many tools or strategies.
Morgan suggests that Chase credit cards are a good starting point for beginners in the points and miles hobby, while American Express and Citi cards are more suited for those looking to advance to more complex redemptions. She notes that while Amex's transfer partners might seem daunting initially, they become manageable with practice.
The podcast hosts emphasize that points are not valuable until redeemed, urging listeners not to hoard them. They acknowledge that initial redemptions may not be the most optimal, but the act of using points is crucial for progress in the hobby. The core message is that accumulating points without using them is a missed opportunity.
Michael, after a year of accumulating 1.4 million points and being rejected by Chase for new cards, inquires about strategies for the second year. He specifically asks about whether to get rid of cards or change his approach, seeking advice on progressing in the hobby.
The podcast discusses the psychological aspect of points hoarding, where individuals become hesitant to spend their accumulated points due to a fear of losing them or the feeling of 'you can't have your cake and eat it too.' This hesitation can be draining, as it undermines the purpose of earning the points in the first place.
The common objections to the points and miles hobby – perceived scams, credit damage, complexity, and saving points – are rooted in natural human instincts like trust, protection, learning, and value preservation. However, when applied to this hobby, these instincts often lead to inaction, which has its own hidden costs.
Addressing concerns about point devaluations, the hosts explain that having flexible currencies is advantageous. While some transfer partners may devalue their award charts, other partners often provide alternative booking options. This flexibility helps users navigate inflation and benefit from diverse redemption opportunities.
The podcast emphasizes the versatility of flexible or bank transferable points, likening them to a "Swiss army knife" in a traveler's toolkit. Hosts Emily and Bryce explain that these points can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering greater potential for outsized value compared to co-branded points. They highlight that holding five major transferable point currencies grants access to 27 airline and 7 hotel partners.
The podcast highlights the strategic advantage of transfer bonuses offered by banks, which can increase the value of transferred points by 20% to 50%. For example, a 25% transfer bonus means 4,500 bank points can be converted to 6,000 airline points. This strategy allows travelers to save points or further reduce the cost of award bookings.
To effectively book award travel, the hosts stress the importance of maintaining a diverse points portfolio. Bryce illustrates this by explaining that having access to multiple transferable points allows flexibility when specific award availability arises. For instance, if an award alert for a Flying Blue flight is received, having points transferable to Flying Blue is crucial, rather than being limited to only one airline's points.
While flexible bank points offer significant value, Bryce notes that their primary drawback is the learning curve involved in understanding their redemption options. He contrasts this with co-branded cards, which people often choose due to brand association rather than optimal value, missing out on better earning potential through transferable points.
A trade-off for the flexibility of bank-issued points is the absence of airline-specific perks. Unlike co-branded airline credit cards, which often offer benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and status accelerators, cards associated with transferable points do not typically include these benefits.
The speaker recommends Indonesia as a top destination for points and miles travelers due to its strong value proposition. While flights may require more points, the cost of ground experiences like hotels and activities is significantly lower, making the overall trip more affordable.
The Bahamas, particularly the Baha Mar resort, is presented as an excellent value for points and miles users due to its proximity and award availability. The speaker notes that the resort can be booked for as little as 20,000 points per night, though some taxes and fees apply.
Thailand is recommended as a great value destination due to abundant award availability on numerous airlines flying into Bangkok. The country offers a wide range of hotels and experiences where money stretches further, making it an excellent option for points and miles travelers.
Adelaide and the Barossa Valley in South Australia are highlighted as overlooked destinations with significant value for points travelers. The region boasts renowned wine country, a strong food scene, and unique hotel options, including a non-stop flight from San Francisco with flat seats.
A planned Hyatt Regency hotel in Adelaide, which was slated to open in 2023, has been canceled. The project was reportedly scrapped in late 2024, leaving fewer high-end hotel options in the area for points and miles travelers.
One speaker details their experience booking a safari trip to Kenya with Emirates first class. Despite initial difficulty finding award availability from JFK, they successfully repositioned through Toronto to secure the flight, incurring significant taxes and fees upon touching Dubai.
Japan, particularly Osaka as a gateway, is recommended for its on-the-ground value, including high-quality and affordable food, experiences, and transportation. While flights may require a significant number of points, the overall trip value remains high due to these factors.
Italy, with a focus on Rome, is highly recommended for points and miles travelers due to ample award availability on various airlines into Rome. The city offers numerous hotel options bookable with points and provides excellent value for money with its food, history, and activities.