The Points Guy Hustle with Zach Griff

In this episode of Keep Hustling, host Aaron Gordon sits down with Zach Griff (aka The Points Guy) to dive into his journey from a South Florida kid obsessed with credit card points to becoming a top travel and loyalty expert. Zach shares how he turned his passion for maximizing miles and loyalty programs into a thriving career, the realities of life on the road (and in the skies), and the hustle required to stay ahead in a constantly changing industry. He offers practical travel hacks for beginners, reveals his favorite airline experience, and discusses the importance of using your points instead of hoarding them. Additionally, Zach reflects on balancing family life with nonstop travel and leaves listeners with an inspiring message about being a person others respect and look up to, no matter what industry they're in.

Get To Know Zack Griff

Zach Griff is a seasoned travel and aviation expert, award-winning content creator, public speaker, and startup advisor. As a senior reporter at The Points Guy (TPG) since 2019, he delivers insightful coverage of the airline industry, travel and product reviews, and in-depth analyses of loyalty programs. Concurrently, Zach is pursuing an MBA at the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, further honing his expertise in business and strategy.

A sought-after voice in the industry, Zach's work has been featured in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, HuffPost, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and the Axios Today podcast, among others. His ability to break down complex travel trends and loyalty programs has earned him recognition as a trusted authority in the field.

An avid traveler since 2012, Zach's passion for exploration began with a last-minute, business-class ticket to the Middle East redeemed through miles. Having visited 57 countries, he continues to share his global experiences through engaging storytelling and expert insights, inspiring others to navigate the world of travel with confidence.

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3 Episode Key Takeaways 1. Turn Passion Into a Career: Zach's story proves that obsessively pursuing what excites you, no matter how niche, can evolve into a rewarding profession. His childhood curiosity about credit cards and points became the foundation for his leadership at The Points Guy.


2. Maximize, Don't Hoard: Don't sit on opportunities waiting for the "perfect" moment. Zach encourages listeners to use their points (and by extension, their resources) boldly and wisely, emphasizing that doing is better than endlessly optimizing.


3. Adapt and Evolve Relentlessly: The changing landscape of travel, credit cards, and content platforms means constant reinvention is the key to long-term success. Zach's career reflects the importance of embracing change, learning new tools, and staying ahead in any industry.

Show Overview

00:00 Unexpected Journey into Travel Hacking

05:53 Lifelong Passion and Evolution

07:24 Passion Drives Content Creation

12:31 Airline Loyalty Program Changes

15:51 Points Redemption: Finding Your Baseline

18:44 JetBlue Travel Challenge Enthusiasm

21:15 Beginner-Friendly Chase Points Strategy

24:05 "The Points Guy Needed for Travel"

27:26 "Luxury Travel Preference: Flights Over Hotels"

32:27 Embracing Integrity and Hustle