Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

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Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

The Takeoff podcast is brought to you by 10xTravel (“10xT”) – a website and community with one simple goal: to help you travel more while spending less. 10xT publishes content related to credit card rewards, personal finance, travel, and lifestyle.

  1. Southwest Showdown: Best Places to Visit With Your Companion Pass

    6 NOV

    Southwest Showdown: Best Places to Visit With Your Companion Pass

    You already know how valuable Southwest’s 2-for-1 Companion Pass is. But what’s the best way to fully unlock that value? Well, it depends on who you ask… In this episode, the team goes head to head as they debate the best trips to take with your Southwest Companion pass. Should you take your travel partner on a luxurious island escape, a charming city break, or something in between? Listen as Bryce, Travis, and Matt each make their case for the very best ways to maximize the value of your Southwest Companion Pass and help us crown a winner! In this episode: (00:00) Southwest Companion Pass Trip Ideas (03:56) Southwest Companion Pass Booking Tips (12:54) Washington DC Travel and Accommodations (20:24) Transportation Options and Travel Tips (28:03) Luxury Costa Rica Hyatt Resort (40:45) Southwest Travel Tips and Comparison   Links and Resources from this Episode: How to earn the Southwest Companion Pass Amazing Places to Visit with the Southwest Companion Pass  Take our free points and miles course Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)  My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube  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   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.

    50 min
  2. World's Best Business Class? How to book Qatar Qsuites

    23 OCT

    World's Best Business Class? How to book Qatar Qsuites

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Private Suites. Double Beds. Caviar. And that’s just the beginning… Considered by many travelers (and Skytrax) to be the best business class in the world, Qatar Airways’ Qsuites can be a tough ticket to book on points and miles. Fortunately, today’s episode will tell you how to do just that. Listen as Bryce, Matt, and Travis discuss their own luxurious experiences flying in QSuites, whether or not the double bed is worth the hype, and how to avoid the nightmare of getting switched to a non-QSuite aircraft at the last minute. If you’ve got Qatar Airways QSuites on your business class bucket list, you won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode: (0:00:00) Why QSuites feel more like flying first class class than business class. (0:13:11) Learn about the best seat selection for optimal comfort. (0:18:51) Discover tips for booking QSuites with points and miles. (0:30:40) Understand Qatar Airways’ extensive route coverage and partnerships. (0:39:00) Maximize your lounge experience during Middle Eastern layovers. (0:48:10) Join our community of points and miles enthusiasts for free. Links and Resources from this Episode: How to Combine Avios points  Take our free points and miles course   Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)  My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place  Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/@10xTravel 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  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 conten...

    49 min
  3. Fly with a Friend: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass [2025]

    9 OCT

    Fly with a Friend: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass [2025]

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. A 2-for-1 plane ticket that lets you bring a friend on your next trip? Nope, it’s not too good to be true. It’s the Southwest Companion Pass, and we’re telling you exactly how to get it. In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis delve into the easiest ways to easily earn and maximize this industry-leading companion pass. From the importance of strategically timing your spending to choosing the right cards, you’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes and secure your own Southwest Companion Pass in no time! In this episode: (00:00) Southwest Companion Pass Benefit Guide (03:50) Understanding the restrictions of the pass, changing your companion (13:56) Earning the Companion Pass – two different methods (24:38) Maximizing Pass Benefits (32:44) Strategies for Using the Pass (49:52) Maximizing Southwest Companion Pass Value (55:26) Optimizing Benefits (43:12) Final Thoughts Links and Resources from this Episode: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass   Take our free points and miles course  Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)  My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place  Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube  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 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.

    1h 7m
  4. Secrets of a Professional Travel Planner: How a 10xTravel Award Booker Uses Points

    25 SEPT

    Secrets of a Professional Travel Planner: How a 10xTravel Award Booker Uses Points

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Morgan—one of 10X Travel’s top award booking experts.  In addition to detailing her epic world travels, Morgan offers valuable insights into the art of award booking. She also gives her top tips for strategically redeeming points and miles, from minimizing taxes and fees to finding hidden award space and maximizing the value of your rewards. Morgan and the team also share some practical advice on navigating award bookings, uncovering the best routes, and crafting memorable trips, including tips on booking around-the-world itineraries. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:31 Morgan’s Journey to Becoming an Award Booker 04:20 Award Booking Tips and Strategies 07:35 Challenges in Award Booking 14:44 Practicing Award Booking Skills 18:44 Morgan’s Personal Travel Experiences 23:37 Booking Flights Within Europe 24:00 Open Jaws and Flexibility 24:19 Maximizing Points and Lessons Learned 24:54 Understanding Stopovers and Rules 26:22 Booking Process and Backup Plans 28:58 Advice for Award Booking Service Users 30:39 Tips for Successful Award Bookings 35:15 Rewarding Experiences and Memorable Trips 37:57 Third-Party Search Tools and Favorite Routes 43:12 Final Thoughts   Links and Resources from this Episode: Airline Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet Take our free points and miles course  Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)  My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place  Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube   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   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 affil...

    54 min
  5. From Teacher to World Traveler: Supplementing Budget Travel with Points and Miles

    11 SEPT

    From Teacher to World Traveler: Supplementing Budget Travel with Points and Miles

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. Ever thought about quitting your job to travel the world? Then you won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode, long-time 10xTravel group member Michelle joins us to share her inspiring story of leaving her teaching career, living out of a backpack, and traveling the globe using points and miles. Listen as she recounts her unforgettable safari adventure in Cape Town, her favorite points and programs, and how you can learn from her early mistakes. We’ll also dive into Michelle’s top tips for seeing more places by combining a budget travel attitude with points and miles knowledge. New to the world of points and miles? Start your journey with our foundational episodes! Our early episodes of Takeoff by 10XTravel are your ultimate guide to mastering the basics of travel rewards. Whether you’re looking to earn more points, redeem them for maximum value, or simply understand the ins and outs of the points game, these episodes are your go-to resource. Don’t miss out – get caught up now! Chapters: (00:00) Intro and Answering 10xTravel+ Member Questions (07:14) Michelle’s Journey from Teaching to Traveling (10:17) Parental Resistance to Delta Cards (17:15) Travel Decisions Based on Budget (27:15) Flexible Travel (30:19) Flexible and Cheap Travel Booking (35:40) Earn and Burn Strategy for Travel (48:15) Card Opening and Referral Success (54:23) Local Transportation as Cultural Experience (57:30) Budget Travel Tips and Experiences Links and Resources from this Episode: Take our free points and miles course  Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)   My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place   Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube   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   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...

    1h 11m
  6. Hotel Loyalty Program Showdown

    28 AUG

    Hotel Loyalty Program Showdown

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this lively episode recorded in Salt Lake City, Bryce, Matt, Emily, and Travis offer a Thunderdome-style face-off on major hotel loyalty programs. Each host champions a different program—Bryce for IHG, Matt for Marriott, Emily for Hyatt, and Travis for Hilton. They dive into the global reach and quality of properties, hotel credit card portfolios, and elite benefits. The debate highlights the importance of flexibility in travel rewards, encouraging listeners to hop between brands to up their travel game. The episode is full of insights, strategies, and humor, aiming to help listeners make savvy hotel loyalty decisions. New to the world of points and miles? Start your journey with our foundational episodes! Our early episodes of Takeoff by 10XTravel are your ultimate guide to mastering the basics of travel rewards. Whether you’re looking to earn more points, redeem them for maximum value, or simply understand the ins and outs of the points game, these episodes are your go-to resource. Don’t miss out – get caught up now!   Chapters: (00:00) Introduction and meet the hosts (05:43) Global Footprint of IHG Hotels (08:20) Marriott Credit Card Options and Restrictions (17:08) Hotel Chain Brand Consistency  (24:51) IHG and Kempton Hotel Comparison (30:05) Marriott’s Diverse Hotel Brand Variety (40:13) IHG Status Levels and Benefits (44:53) Unique Value of Hilton Rewards Program (53:28) Benefits of Hilton Honors Rewards (59:08) Closing Thoughts: Brand Loyalty vs. Value Maximization Links and Resources from this Episode: Our Monthly Best Cards List Best Credit Cards for Digital Nomads   Take Our Free Points and Miles Course   Marriott Card Eligibility Rules   My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place   Let us book your 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 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 f...

    1h 2m
  7. Unlock the Digital Nomad Life: Travel the World Using Points! (PLUS 8 Days in Portugal & Spain for Under 400k Points!)

    13 AUG

    Unlock the Digital Nomad Life: Travel the World Using Points! (PLUS 8 Days in Portugal & Spain for Under 400k Points!)

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. In this episode of Takeoff by 10XTravel, stand-in host Emily, Matt, and podcast newcomer Zach explore the digital nomad lifestyle with Zach, who has been on the road since 2018. Plus, we introduce our newest segment, where we answer your top points and miles questions-from Amex strategies and managing business cards to planning a luxury staycation in Portugal’s wine country using points and miles. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world of points and miles, this episode has something for everyone. Hit play, take notes, and get ready to take your travel game to the next level! New to the world of points and miles? Start your journey with our foundational episodes! Our early episodes of Takeoff by 10XTravel are your ultimate guide to mastering the basics of travel rewards. Whether you’re looking to earn more points, redeem them for maximum value, or simply understand the ins and outs of the points game, these episodes are your go-to resource. Don’t miss out-get caught up now! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and meet the hosts 00:42 Beginner’s guide to points and miles (episodes 1-6) 01:29 The digital nomad lifestyle explained 04:22 NEW: Listener Q&A segment 04:57 Voicemail 1: Amex card strategies 09:50 Voicemail 2: Canceling business cards 11:38 Voicemail 3: Year 2 points and miles strategy 18:21 Zach’s first business class experience 28:46 Is the Capital One Venture X worth it? 33:31 Best hotel credit cards for nomads 42:43 Airline loyalty vs. flexibility 48:09 Planning a luxury European vacation with points 55:51 Closing thoughts and resources Links and Resources from this Episode: Our Monthly Best Cards List: Learn more about the credit cards mentioned in this episode Best Credit Cards for Digital Nomads Take Our Free Points and Miles Course Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch 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.

    1h 7m
  8. Ep 30: Our Australia and New Zealand Trips

    31 JUL

    Ep 30: Our Australia and New Zealand Trips

    Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure. What’s better than finally getting to visit Australia and New Zealand? Doing it on points and miles. In this 1-on-1 episode, Travis and Emily compare notes from their trips down under. From debating first vs. business class to the nicest hotel Emily’s ever stayed at, you’ll get all of their best tips for visiting Oceania in style.   In This Episode:  Finding award flights to Australia and New Zealand Beating jet lag on a 17+ hour journey Reviewing the Park Hyatt Sydney American Airlines first vs. business class Making the most of an IHG free night Resources & Links: Got a question for the podcast? Submit it here!   Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)   My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Take our free points and miles course   Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Let us book your award flight for you  Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card  10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today  10xTravel Facebook Group   10xTravel Instagram   10xTravel TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@10xtravel.com Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube    The Takeoff podcast is brought to you by 10xTravel – a website and community with one simple goal: To help you travel more while spending less. Tune in to hear the 10xTravel team give you a clear path to entering the exciting world of traveling with points and miles. 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.

    1h 7m
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The Takeoff podcast is brought to you by 10xTravel (“10xT”) – a website and community with one simple goal: to help you travel more while spending less. 10xT publishes content related to credit card rewards, personal finance, travel, and lifestyle.

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