Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition Sam Simon and Robert Dwyer

0:55 Ranking Bank Points for Domestic Airfare




We’re talking about deeply discounted airfare, not FREE airfare. 



Every one of these programs has a cash out path–that’s great




1:45 Overview: Highs and Lows of each Program



1:59 Chase UR




Talked about the most online, but not as valuable as Amex to us



Much more straightforward than Amex



1 Cent per Ultimate Reward point earned (easy cash out on all card)



5x earning on Office Supply has been around for a long time. 



Earning at high rates, transferring to a CSR/CSP 




3:00 Earning Chase UR 




Easy to use Domestic Partners in United and Southwest



Travel Portal booking is not ideal but does have uplift



Earning with high multipliers and sign up bonuses works well



5/24 limits the number of cards you can get



Can co-mingle points




6:30 Southwest (W/ Chase UR)




Points have become less useful as Ticketless Travel Funds (TTF) have become permanent



Less transfers from UR->Southwest because TTF are so plentiful



If transferring , the best way to earn is still NOT on the Southwest credit cards. 




7:43 Booking with the Chase Travel Portal: 




Price inflation is real (American, others) Be sure to check google flights



Can see inflated prices on flights, issues when canceling



1.25 cents per point / 1.5 cents per point (20% - 33% discount on travel)



Sometimes just taking cash back at 1 cent per point is the way to pay for travel



These points are not ‘free’




10:53 Amex MR Overview




Amex is so generous that they have changed subscribers’ lives



THE most generous bank with respect to SUB, earning bonuses and referrals



The default cash back amount for a MR is 0.6 Cents ($.006) per MR with a few exceptions



Difficult to get rid of these points. 




12:41 Booking Travel with Amex MR




With such easy earning there isn’t a fast enough release valve sometimes



Their travel portal is horrible, but is mandatory for the 35% rebate



Insider fares are lower fares than anywhere else. 



Extremely high annual fee cards needed to release points at high value



To get good redemption rates with points you have to graduate to high annual fee cards



Either churn the card or pay the high annual fee (carrying costs) to get good value



Delta transfers are a great option – 1.1 cents in value per point, transfer 1:1



Holding a Delta card gives a 15% discount as well, works out to around 1.25 cents per point. 




16:26 Earning Membership Rewards




“They’ve gone crazy with the Sign up Bonuses” 



Easier to earn at a moderate level than Chase (or any other bank) 



Many high annual Fee cards, which come with many coupons/credits



Nonstarter for someone just starting out. 




18:55 Difficulties transacting with AMEX




Need High annual Fee Business Platinum for 35% rebate (approx 1.5 cents per point) 



Need High Annaul Fee Morgan stanley (1cpp) or Schwab (1.1 cpp) to cash out MR. 



Cannot co-mingle points across spouses, which means you need 2 of each of these cards!



35% rebate only on airline of choice or business/first fares. 



Extremely tricky to jump through hoops with Amex. 




26:30 Bank of America Premium Rewards




Both of us have had positive experiences with these points



Earning on the Premium Rewards Elite  card ($550 annual fee)



Cannot co-mingle with other point earning cards



No Airline transfer partners. 



Can pool with anyone easily




27:31 Booking Airfare With Premium Rewards




Good Value, affordable flights work well with these points



“Earning is not nearly as easy as Chase/Amex”



Card is churnable



Incidentals can help remove the sting of $550 annual Fee



1 cent per point easy cash out 



20% rebate on airfare, which works out to 1.25 cents per point




29:03 Unique opportunity: 20% discount




There is a Travel portal and you can use it for the uplift



BUT you also can find any flight, any airline and call in getting

While today is all about a long weekend in Madrid, Thomas and Trevor go on their usual tangents to bring you yet another information-drenched and fun-filled episode! We begin with our love for gin and tonic ice cubes and by explaining how today’s episode relates to many of our other Travel Stories. Then, Trevor walks us through his recent airport lounge experiences, how food and drinks compare, how to maximize your points redemptions, and taking short trips in first class versus longer trips in economy. Trevor then explains why he had to drop Mumbai from his Madrid trip itinerary, what you need to be cautious of when walking the streets of Madrid, and the entertainment options that are available in Spain’s capital for both kids and adults. To end, we discuss the evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class (cheers!) and what we like and dislike about recent amenity additions and removals, and we take a closer look at the now-unretired Airbus A340-600. 



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:30] Gin & tonic ice cubes, and how today’s Travel Story links to many previous episodes. 



[01:52] Why taking cheaper flights from the Maldives is not as common as it used to be. 



[03:30] Trevor’s interesting and most recent airport lounge experiences. 



[06:12] Comparing the food and drink quality of the various lounges that Trevor visited.  



[07:40] Virgin Atlantic’s common flight times and standard fleet make up, and some advice on how to maximize points redemption.  



[10:32] Short trips in first class and transatlantic flights in economy. 



[12:07] Understanding Trevor’s Dallas-London-Mumbai-Madrid itinerary. 



[20:44] Madrid: Spain’s lovely capital. 



[26:50] A cautionary pickpocketing tale from Madrid’s 5th Avenue equivalent. 



[32:20] Activities for kids, Museo Nacional del Prado, and exploring food and drinks in Madrid. 



[37:28] Today’s if “you say it, you sip it” phrase is “Lufthansa first-class”.



[37:45] Trevor’s time in Munich, and the ins and outs of the now unretired Airbus A340-600. 



[45:56] The evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class amenities, and where it stands today. 




Quotes:



“I have to say that I’m becoming more and more impressed with this [Chase Sapphire] lounge.” — @tmount [04:04]



“One potential area of friction [was] reduced; removed completely because the [Virgin Atlantic] crew was just absolutely amazing.” — @tmount [09:53]



“Choice Hotels are like the unsung heroes of Europe.” — @tmount [23:33]



“If you’re in that situation; if you’re in an area where you’re going to have no personal space and [be] shoulder-to-shoulder with a lot of people you don’t know, it’s probably a good idea to secure your stuff.” — @TktweetsKim [30:26]



“If we can find those local places, we’re always happier for it.” — @tmount [34:51]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



‘Travel Stories Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip’ 



‘Travel Stories Episode 19: Converting a Maldives Skeptic’



Virgin Atlantic 



Chase Sapphire Lounge 



Capital One Lounge 



United Airlines 



British Airways 



Star Alliance 



Priority Pass 



Lufthansa 



Robert Dwyer on X 



Sam Simon on X 



LifeMiles 



TRYP by Wyndham 



Choice Hotels 



Hyatt Hotels 



Radisson Hotels 



Accor 



Escadaria Selarón 



Museo Nacional del Prado  



Airbus A340-600



Taberna el Rincon de Jose



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

Chatting with Nick Reyes of FrequentMiler



Episode 34: Show Notes.



Few things are as exhilarating as a competitive travel challenge among like-minded peers! Speaking of birds of a feather, today we are joined by fellow travel enthusiast and author, Nick Reyes. Nick is a prime example of how to follow your travel dreams even when your wallet says that you can't, and today, he shares both new and old travel hacks that will help you conquer your next travel challenge! We learn about the evolution of Avianca’s lifemiles program, the flop of Nick's first redemption versus the joys of his most successful one, and how bucket-list adventures are more accessible than you may realize. We also discuss Nick's most complicated (yet worthwhile) travel hack before exploring the wonders of travel as education, the benefits of various rewards programs, the value of reviewing rewards charts, and how to properly plan for a long trip. To end, Nick Reyes shares even more helpful advice for saving time and money on your adventures around the world.



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:40] FTU: How Trevor and Thomas met today's guest, Nick Reyes.



[04:30] How miles and points have evolved since 2013, and assessing Avianca's lifemiles program. 



[08:04] Nick's first redemption.



[12:44] Highlights from his first (successful) miles redemption trip.



[15:06] How once-in-a-lifetime trips become more accessible with miles and points.



[18:23] Exploring the wonders of travel as education. 



[23:09] The most complicated travel hack that Nick has ever executed. 



[34:30] Unpacking various unassuming rewards programs that come with big payoffs. 



[35:20] How flying from certain regions saves points and money, and the value of reviewing reward charts.



[42:22] The ins and outs of Nick's latest travel challenge and how he's planning for it.



[46:20] Why it's important to thoroughly plan your travel, and how to go about it.  



[48:48] Time and money-saving travel tips.



[53:18] How to connect with Nick Reyes.




Quotes:



“Before I discovered miles and points, my wife and I already had the travel itch. And so, we would work really hard, sometimes 60; 70; 80 hours a week, and then we would take a month or two off and go travel somewhere as cheaply as we could.” — @NickatFM [08:26]



“When we traveled on a shoestring budget back in the day, it was always like, 'Well, we're probably never going to be here again so we've got to see and do everything that we can'. And not having that pressure because of miles and points is such an incredibly liberating feeling.” — @NickatFM [15:32]



“[My kids] are learning geography not just by looking at it in a book and memorizing it for a test, but by going to places and seeing things. I think that's incredibly exciting because that's certainly not a world I grew up living in, nor one that I thought I'd be able to provide for my family someday.” — @NickatFM [19:36]



“Air Canada's Aeroplan has been something that has really inspired me to be interested in trying to push the boundaries, because their reward chart was made for people like us that get excited about figuring out, 'Okay, how far can I go? What can I do?'.” — @NickatFM [23:46]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Nick Reyes on LinkedIn



Nick Reyes on Instagram



Nick Reyes on X



Frequent Miler



FT Association | FTU



Avianca lifemiles



Air Canada Aeroplan



Etihad



Turkish Airlines



Eat With



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X 



Milenomics

Are you interested in cruises, and want to capitalize on miles and points, but feel unsure of where to start? Then this episode is for you! Today we sit down with, Debra Schroeder, who first became interested in miles and points back in ’94, when she bought an excess of cereal boxes to capitalize on an American Airlines promotional campaign. Her history with cruising goes back almost as far, starting in ’98. Fast forward to today and Deb has become an expert at optimizing her travel plans. Tuning in, you’ll learn how Deb first started writing her travel blog, Traveling Well for Less, and how she began posting deals and sharing her insights with other avid travelers. We talk with Deb about her evolution as a traveler and her enduring love of cruises, before hearing her advice on how to get the most out of your trips. If you’re curious about cruising or want to take your loyalty membership to the next level, then you won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation with Deb Schroeder!



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:00]  Debra’s involvement in the miles and points community.



[04:18]  What casino programs were like when she started (and how they have changed).



[10:04]  Trends in cruising over the past few years and the current state of cruises.



[14:34]  Booking in advance and how to get lower prices for your cruises.



[18:49]  Recurring issues with food provisions on cruises.



[21:19]  An overview of the traveling that Deb still wants to do.



[24:18]  Cruise loyalty; how Deb obtained her Pinnacle Member status with Royal Caribbean.



[26:59]  An overview of the divisions amongst Pinnacle Members and what caused it.



[32:16]  The huge success of loyalty schemes and how this has impacted cruise lines, airlines, hotel chains, and passengers.



[33:17]  Why Deb, and so many others, have remained loyal to Royal Caribbean.



[34:21]  Comparing Royal Caribbean’s casino loyalty program with other cruise lines.



[38:57]  Deb’s insights into Las Vegas, on-land casinos, and earning perks and points.



[40:54]  Recent news regarding MGM partnerships and upcoming developments.



[43:41]  Deb’s parting advice: don’t wait to take advantage of all the current cruise offers!




Quotes:



“The miles and points community, it's a large community, but it's funny how small it is, really. Everybody knows everyone.” — @TktweetsKim [01:38]



“In the last couple of years, there's been leadership change over at Royal Caribbean. So they're doing a lot of cost-cutting and different financial strategies and implementing different things that they didn’t [do] in the past.” — @DebraSchroeder [12:29]



“With all the different changes, they have to submit the manifests to customs, like 72 hours in advance. [So] you can’t get that last-minute deal that the Floridians are used to, where they could just stroll up to the port and book a cruise right there.” — @DebraSchroeder [15:27]



“It's incredible to think how loyal and dedicated customers are. The mania, the craziness of miles and points – extends to cruisers, just as much as people who love airlines and hotels.” — @TktweetsKim [31:25]



“Royal has the best loyalty program of all the cruise lines, in terms of what you get for your status. That is why so many of us have remained loyal to Royal because you get so much more.” — @DebraSchroeder [33:18]



“Get those free cruises now before you miss out on the opportunity! We haven't had these many offers in a long time.” — @DebraSchroeder [44:29]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Traveling Well for Less



Traveling Well for Less on YouTube



Flyertalk



Vanilla Reload



Royal Caribbean



Celebrity Cruises



Carnival



Norwegian Cruise Line



Holland America



Princess



Crystal Cruises



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Subscribe to Milenomics on Patreon



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

A Quick Cairo Trip



Episode 32: Show Notes.



After a two-plus year-long wait, Tom finally used his Qatar booking credit from the pandemic (just in time before the booking expired!). Even though he wasn’t excited about the trip before departure, his wonderful experience of Cairo made him question his initial reservations. Tom details his airport experience in Canada, why he chose to fly out from there instead of America, and whether buying a cheaper ticket to fly from Canada is worth the hassle. He also shares his thoughts on the new Chase Sapphire Lounge in LaGuardia, his inflight experience of Qatar’s Qsuite, what he did during his Doha layover, and everything he loved about being in Cairo for the very first time. In addition, we discuss the convenience of using tour services to expedite airport arrivals and departures in certain countries, the sights that Tom visited in Cairo, whether he’d go back with a nested itinerary, and a quick look at the trips that Tom and Trevor have coming up.



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:59] A high-level overview of Tom’s trip to Cairo. 



[03:03] Thomas explains why he hasn’t been excited prior to departure on recent trips.



[06:38] Why he chose to connect from Canada.  



[08:43] A brief interlude on the brand-new Chase Sapphire Lounge. 



[11:50] His on-ground experience of Canada before departing for Egypt.  



[15:14] What he thinks about the Qatar Qsuite, and the rest of his inflight experience to Doha.



[19:17] Everything that happened during his layover in Doha.



[32:58] What Tom loved about being in Cairo for the first time.   



[35:54] How he used a tour guide service to expedite his arrival and domestic travel in Egypt. 



[40:21] His sightseeing and entertainment experiences in Cairo.  



[45:26] What’s on next for Tom and Trevor.  



[46:25] Whether Tom would go back to Cairo with a nested itinerary. 



[48:36] A quick yes or no: Is buying a cheaper flight out of Canada worth the hassle?




Quotes:



“Lately, a lot of the travel I’ve been having, I’ve been not really excited about it. I was not excited for this trip at all, strangely enough. And, that was so wrong because I realized having come back, it was a great trip. I enjoyed myself tremendously.” — @TktweetsKim [03:03]



“This is not the first LaGuardia flight that I’ve taken this year. And every time I’ve been to LaGuardia this year, it has impressed me.” — @TktweetsKim [11:12]



“Montreal, strangely, for a relatively major city with a lot of international connectivity, the international side of the terminals are not well-equipped, either from a lounge perspective or even from just a retail shopping perspective. It’s kind of small.” — @TktweetsKim [13:59]



“The strange thing was, it rained. It rained in Doha!” — @TktweetsKim [28:42]



“There’s a handful of countries that I just won’t enter without having that [tour] expediter service now. I don’t know if that’s lifestyle inflation or just being a good traveler, but I mean, it makes such a difference.” — @tmount [37:30]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Qatar Airways  



Qatar Qsuite



‘Episode 15: Summer Travel and the Longest Way Home’  



LaGuardia Airport  



American Airlines



Chase Sapphire Airport Lounge  



Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport



Delta Sky Club 



Boeing



Airbus 



Park Hyatt 



Lufthansa 



Hamad International Airport 



Hyatt Regency 



Straight to the Points 



Alaska Airlines



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 31: Show Notes.



When you talk to folks in the community, people have strong opinions about Hyatt’s Baha Mar property, and its not just in one direction. Luckily, today’s guest, Joey Redmond – who has been on the show twice before – is here to tell us all about Baha Mar, a resort in the Bahamas that he has found himself returning to year after year as an ideal vacation spot for him and his family. Tuning in you’ll hear all of Joey’s top tips, from navigating your flights to making sure you do all your restaurant bookings in advance – and what to do if you don’t have a reservation! He tells us about his favorite activities at Baha Mar, including the water park, Baha Bay, and why it’s such a big highlight for him and his family every year. We also discuss how best to use their loyalty program, what you can do to maximize the Hyatt Globalist experience, and what to expect from the Baha Mar casino. For a full account of Joey’s tips and insights on Baha Mar, be sure to tune in for this fun and informative conversation with one of our favorite guests! 



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:00] What makes Baha Mar such a special destination.



[01:39] Tips on how to navigate Nassau airport and the trip home.



[05:28] Joey’s thoughts on large luxury properties and why Baha Mar doesn’t feel crowded.



[07:15] Why you should book your trip to Baha Mar and the restaurants in advance.



[10:11] What to expect from restaurant prices and budgeting advice.



[14:54] Joey’s favorite restaurants and meals, plus tips on where to eat without a reservation.



[20:33] How to maximize the Hyatt Globalist experience at Baha Mar.



[25:19] Why using points is usually the best option (and when it isn’t).



[28:18] An overview of the water park, Baha Bay, and why it’s such a big highlight.



[32:02] Other water activities and pools you can spend time at, and what the beach is like.



[34:23] What to expect from the Baha Mar casino.



[36:01] One of the weirdest things about their loyalty program.



[38:45] A recap of the benefits and drawbacks of Baha Mar.



[39:27] Why Joey has returned to Baha Mar with his family so many times.



[41:30] An overview of what it’s like flying to Baha Mar from different places in the US.



[45:26] Where you can find Joey online and get in touch.




Quotes:



“You can always find somewhere to eat. It's just a matter of the better the restaurant, the more planning needs to go into it.” — @joeyredmond [13:17]



“It's a pretty diverse buffet. We usually stay five nights [and] I don't really get sick of it.” — @joeyredmond [19:30]



“Baha Bay is the name of the water park. And it's four acres right on the beachfront. It's a lot of fun. If you're a person that likes water parks or likes water activities, I think you could easily fill two, three, four days there.” — @joeyredmond [28:28]



“Generally you're not going to see anyone at the casino during the day. [That] is what I found.” — @joeyredmond [35:36]



“I think islands always have a lot stacked against them [when it comes to] having good foods. So the fact that [Baha Mar] was able to curate a food and beverage program with so many varied and different options. I think it's actually pretty impressive.” — @TktweetsKim [43:56]



“One of the biggest selling points [seems to be] the closeness that you've got for having everything all in one place.” — @tmount [41:34]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Baha Mar



Hyatt Regency Grand Puerto Rico



Hyatt Globalist



Hilton Waikoloa Village



Travel Stories Episode 7: Top Tips for the Vegas Strip



Travel Stories Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip



Joey Redmond



Joey Redmond on Instagram



Joey Redmond on Twitter



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X