Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

10xTravel
  • 5.0 (2)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Takeoff is a podcast that will teach you how to save money and travel better. Join Bryce, Emily, Matt, and Travis 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.

  1. 2D AGO

    Last-Minute Family Travel with Points: Ryan's Real-World Strategies

    Does family travel with points really require planning years in advance? In this episode of Takeoff, Travis and Emily sit down with Ryan Fernandez, a longtime 10xTravel reader and mom who proves that last-minute family travel on points is not only possible, but actually practical!   Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place   In the episode, Ryan shares how she books premium cabin flights for the whole family, pivots plans when trips fall apart, and travels with kids despite tight school schedules and limited availability. From spontaneous award bookings to real-world travel mishaps and insurance wins, this conversation breaks down how families can use points with flexibility instead of stress.   This episode is a must-listen to any family traveler who's interested in the points game!   You'll learn: • How Ryan plans trips around school calendars and sports schedules • Why booking last minute can actually reduce stress • How flexible points make family travel easier • When portals make sense versus transferring points • How to handle last-minute cancellations and pivots • Why convenience often beats “perfect” redemptions • The mindset shift families need to travel more often   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker 03:57 Planning Family Travel with Points 06:49 Last-Minute Travel Strategies 15:37 Handling Travel Mishaps 23:35 Travel Wins and Memorable Trips 25:25 Repositioning and Travel Tips 27:38 Practical Family Travel Tips 29:26 Travel Baseball and Hotel Stays 30:33 Traveling with Kids: Before and After 37:21 Surprising Family-Friendly Destinations 40:02 Planning Future Trips 43:26 Navigating Hotels with Family 45:05 Final Thoughts on Family Travel with Points and Miles   Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course https://10xtravel.com/free-tools/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content=   New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast https://10xtravel.com/new-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content=   10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today https://10xtravel.com/10xtravel-plus/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content= Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    55 min

  2. JAN 28

    Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program for 2026: Alaska vs United vs American

    Which U.S. airline loyalty program delivers the most value in 2026? In this roundtable discussion, the 10xTravel crew debates Alaska Airlines, United MileagePlus, and American AAdvantage to determine which program stands out for earning miles, redeeming points, elite status perks, and partner networks.   Travis, Emily, and Matt each defend one airline program, breaking down recent changes, hidden strengths, and real world tradeoffs travelers need to understand before committing their loyalty. This episode is designed to help you rethink how airline programs actually work in 2026 and whether chasing status still makes sense.   You’ll hear the crew's perspectives on: Which airline miles are easiest to earn in 2026 How redemption value really compares across Alaska, United, and American Whether elite status still delivers meaningful benefits How alliances and partners affect award availability Why some loyalty strategies may no longer be worth the effort   Tune in to learn which which program may work best for how you travel in 2026!   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: Best Airline Loyalty Program for 2026 01:15 Roundtable Format & Airlines Chosen (Alaska, United, American) 04:10 Icebreaker: Best Airport Lounge Snacks 10:55 How We’re Judging Each Program 11:20 Earning Points: Alaska's Atmos Rewards 16:05 Alaska Credit Cards & “Choose Your Own Adventure” Earning 21:00 Earning Points: United MileagePlus 23:45 United Credit Cards & Star Alliance Earning 31:00 Earning Points: American Airlines AAdvantage 33:30 Earning & Redeeming Points: United & Star Alliance 38:40 United Devaluations & Partner Award Changes 42:55 Redeeming Points: American Airlines Sweet Spots 44:40 Alaska Stopovers & Unique Partner Value 48:10 Elite Status Evaluations 01:05:30 Which Program Is Best for the Average Traveler? 01:08:10 Final Votes & Why American Wins 01:11:00 Why Delta Was Not Included 01:14:30 Listener Spotlight: Family United Redemption to Aruba 01:17:20 Final Thoughts Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetu...

    1h 19m

  3. JAN 14

    Travel Emergencies: How Points & Miles Can Save the Day

    Flight canceled? Missed connection? Weather delays or last-minute emergency travel? Travel doesn’t always go according to plan. But Travis, Emily, and Matt are here to show how points and miles can help! In this episode, the crew shares real stories of canceled flights, unexpected reroutes, and last-minute bookings, plus the strategies they use to stay calm and get where they need to go without paying outrageous cash prices. From travel insurance to considering point value in emergencies, they're covering everything you should know before you book your next trip. In the episode: 00:00 Introduction: Using Points & Miles During Travel Emergencies 02:00 Icebreaker: Marry, Date, Dump 12:30 Defining Travel Emergencies 14:45 Cancellations, Weather, Family and Medical Emergencies 15:30 Travis's Hurricane Evacuation Story 17:30 Point Value During Emergencies 18:30 Booking Backup Flights With Points 23:45 Credit Card Benefits Explained 26:00 Filing Travel Claims 28:00 Handling Travel Disruptions 35:15 Best programs for Last-Minute Award Bookings 36:45 Transferring Points: Tips & Mistakes 40:00 Credit Card Protections vs Travel Insurance 46:00 The Crew's Advice For When Things Go Wrong 49:00 Final Thoughts Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetup  Credit Cards with Emergency Medical Coverage Credit Cards with Travel Insurance Credit Cards with Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance Credit Cards with Trip Delay Insurance Stay Conn...

    52 min

  4. 2025-12-31

    2025 Points & Miles Recap: Top Trends from the 10xTravel Community

    2025 was anything but boring for points and miles. In this episode, the 10xTravel team reflects on the biggest wins, losses, and debates that dominated the 10xTravel Facebook Group this past year. From controversial airline changes to once-in-a-lifetime wins, the community had a lot to say - and not everyone agreed. You'll hear community takes on: Southwest’s major changes and why travelers are divided ANA ending its legendary Round the World award The actual state of points and miles What a 1 million point win actually means in real travel value How travelers are adjusting strategies for 2026 This episode is part reflection, part debate, and part reality check for anyone planning to use points and miles in 2026 and beyond. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:52 Year-End Reflections and Favorite Changes in Points and Miles 09:27 Crazy Things Done for Points and Miles 16:53 Is the Credit Card Points and Miles Game Dying? 26:47 Navigating Facebook Algorithms for Travel Deals 27:23 Maximizing Virgin Atlantic Miles 28:29 Planning a Round the World Trip 31:41 Winning a Million Points Giveaway 34:16 Strategies for Earning Hyatt Globalist Status 40:14 Southwest Airlines Policy Changes 48:08 Wrapping Up 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026 Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetup Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner si...

    52 min

  5. 2025-12-17

    Essential Travel Gear We Never Fly Without (Featuring Lovan Edwards)

    Looking for the best travel gear for all your 2026 travel? Travis and Emily are joined by 10xTravel’s social media manager and resident packing expert, Lovan Edwards, to unpack the exact items they bring on every trip. The crew covers luggage picks, backpack setups, flight accessories, and more! From heated vests to Bluetooth-enabled sleep masks to ultra-efficient backpacks, they're breaking down what actually works after hundreds of flights, international trips, and long travel days. Whether you're a carry-on loyalist or an occasional checker, you’ll walk away with practical, tried-and-tested ideas to upgrade your next trip.  What the episode covers: Carry-on vs. checked bag strategies Why the right luggage style changes everything The backpack features that matter most when traveling ✈️ Essential in-flight comfort items The travel tech we depend on (chargers, mounts, cables, organizers)   Our favorite wellness and sleep tools for long flights  Space-saving items we wish we had earlier In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker 01:20 Travel Gear Fails 05:53 Debate: Checked Bags vs. Carry-On 11:04 Luggage Preferences: Clamshell vs. Top Load 18:48 Backpack Essentials 30:39 Travel Must-Haves: Headphones and Chapstick 35:04 Heated Vest Demonstration 37:20 Travel Gear Essentials 39:29 Packing Tips and Tricks 40:53 Travel Hygiene and Health 45:03 Travel Organization Debate 55:08 Tech and Gadgets for Travel 01:07:11 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program  Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetup Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this...

    1h 10m

  6. 2025-12-03

    Inside the 10xTravel Origin Story: Bryce’s Farewell Episode

    In this special episode, the team sits down together in person as Bryce records his final conversation as CEO of 10xTravel. For the first time, you’ll hear the full origin story in one place, starting with the moment a college kid with no travel budget stumbled into a hobby that changed his life - and the lives of so many others! You'll hear about: • How one spring break search sparked the idea • The early days of the ebook and the first affiliate conversations • The ABC News moment that caused the first major traffic surge • The Money Magazine issue that nearly shut everything down • How the Facebook group and community meetups took off • The ways readers helped keep 10xTravel alive during 2020 • The moments that brought the current team together • What Bryce sees for the next era of the company This episode looks back at more than a decade of growth, mistakes, lucky breaks, and the community moments that shaped 10xTravel into what it is now. It also sets the stage for what comes next as Travis steps into his new role and the team prepares for the future. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction 02:13 Bryce's Farewell Announcement 03:29 Bryce's Journey into Points and Miles 10:16 The Birth of 10xTravel 13:03 ABC News Feature and Its Impact 18:36 Transition to Affiliate Marketing 23:03 The Team's Origin Stories 32:42 Unexpected Hotel Mishaps 33:30 Joining the 10x Team 34:26 Creative Job Applications 37:04 Launching the Podcast 39:01 Building a Community 43:41 The Rollercoaster Years 50:10 Surviving COVID Challenges 56:06 A New Chapter for 10xTravel 01:02:10 Final Reflections and Farewell Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetup Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclos...

    1h 5m

  7. 2025-11-19

    A Business Owner’s Guide to Turning Company Spend Into Free Travel

    How do business owners actually use credit cards, points, and miles to get the most travel out of their spend? In this episode, the 10xTravel crew sits down with Neill Drake, owner of Antarctica Travel Group, to explore how business owners can use credit cards, strategic spend, and loyalty programs to unlock massive value inside their companies.   Neill shares how his agency grew from a small Facebook group to a thriving operation handling multimillion-dollar seasonal spend, and how he thinks about credit card choices, earning structures, partner programs, and the realities of using points as a business owner. You’ll hear how different industries can approach spend, why some companies benefit from flexibility over optimization, and how a business owner can use points to support team travel, unlock upgrades, and create meaningful perks inside the company.   The episode also touches on the 10xTravel group trip to Antarctica happening in February 2027, and Neill offers insights into what travelers should expect when planning the journey.   In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:04 Antarctica Adventures 07:20 The Origin of Antarctica Travel Group 12:55 Business Spend and Credit Card Strategies 18:20 Balancing Points and Business Needs 25:29 Maximizing Points and Employee Rewards 35:24 Points vs. Cash Back for Business Owners 39:12 Cash Back vs. Points: Finding the Balance 39:48 The Over-Optimization Phase 41:30 Travel Goals and Family Vacations 42:36 Flexibility in Travel Planning 43:59 Booking Strategies and Redemption Tips 48:01 Business Travel and Points Optimization 52:37 Common Mistakes and Tips for Business Owners 01:00:59 Excitement for the Antarctica Trip 01:11:22 The Unique Experience of Antarctica   Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today

    1h 20m

  8. 2025-11-05

    How to Travel to Thailand Using Points and Miles

    Dreaming of Thailand’s golden temples, street food, and island sunsets, and want to get there using points and miles? In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Matt share exactly how they did just that, from finding award flights to booking dream hotels on points.   You’ll learn: How Bryce’s original $20K Thailand redemption turned into 10xTravel’s viral success story Emily’s experience recreating that trip years later (and what’s changed since) The best airline programs for Thailand (ANA, Air Canada, Alaska, and more) Which hotel redemptions deliver the most luxury for the fewest points How to plan multi-stop routes and avoid 30-hour economy journeys Insider tips for Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and the southern islands What to know before you go: best months, routes, and realistic costs   Stay to the end for a listener spotlight featuring a honeymoon booked entirely with points, plus details on the next 10xTravel group trip to Thailand!   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings 00:44 Meetups and Community Stories 02:50 Thailand: A Popular Destination 03:36 Favorite Thailand References in Pop Culture 09:20 Planning Your Trip to Thailand 09:47 Best Airline Programs for Thailand 13:10 Air Canada and Other Airline Options 14:59 Alaska Airlines and Emirates 18:49 Flying Blue and Premium Cabin Considerations 25:05 Booking Tips for Thailand 25:54 Travel Experiences in Thailand 26:57 Hotel Recommendations in Thailand 35:13 Exploring Northern Thailand 38:35 Exploring Central and Southern Thailand 41:01 Listener Spotlight and Upcoming Trips 45:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today

    47 min
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Takeoff is a podcast that will teach you how to save money and travel better. Join Bryce, Emily, Matt, and Travis 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.

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