Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss!

Ed Pizza, Richard Kerr
  • 4.4 (379)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

Hosted by road warrior and travel expert Ed Pizza, the Miles to Go podcast serves up travel tips, news and reviews you can't afford to miss! Whether you're a points and miles newbie looking to book a dream vacation or you log 100k + miles a year and want the low down on new properties routes and planes, we're bringing you the world's top travel experts and bloggers to share their knowledge and insights with you.

  1. 2d ago

    Our Take On The Crazy YouTube Amanvari Kerrfluffle And American Raises Lounge Prices

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Airline lounge access keeps getting more expensive—and Ed and Richard are wondering who is actually paying these prices. This week on Miles To Go, they break down American Airlines' latest Admirals Club changes, including higher membership prices and a revamped Executive Card. With individual lounge membership now costing hundreds of dollars and family access climbing even higher, the guys debate whether the airline credit card is now the only logical way to buy into the ecosystem. That leads to a broader discussion about whether airport lounges deserve as much weight as they get when travelers evaluate premium credit cards. Crowding, long lines, limited space, and inconsistent food all make Ed question how much real value lounge access adds. Richard also shares a surprise about JetBlue Mint: even on an expensive transcontinental Mint ticket, lounge access still isn't included unless you're flying transatlantic. Then the conversation shifts to a brand-new luxury resort cancellation controversy, where a well-known YouTuber arrived only to find his reservation had been canceled at the last minute. Finally, Richard gives an update on his Frontier GoWild Pass—and admits that, despite owning it, he still hasn't actually managed to use it. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ American Airlines raises lounge prices Admirals Club membership gets more expensive Family access can cost up to four figures Why the Executive Card may be the better path ✈️ AA Executive Card changes Higher annual fee Vacation credits Lyft credit increase AAdvantage Hotels earning More Loyalty Point opportunities ✈️ Are airport lounges overrated? Crowding at Centurion and Chase lounges Limited usefulness at your home airport Why lounge access may not justify a premium annual fee ✈️ JetBlue Mint's missing lounge perk Transcontinental Mint still doesn't include lounge access Discounted paid entry instead Why Ed and Richard find the policy surprising ✈️ A luxury hotel opening controversy A reservation canceled the night before arrival Whether a hotel should cancel a reviewer's stay Why opening-week hotel reviews can be misleading ✈️ Should you stay at a hotel right after it opens? Operational growing pains Incomplete facilities Why both Ed and Richard prefer to wait ✈️ Frontier GoWild Pass update Richard still hasn't used it Limited availability Why it may work better for retirees, students, or flexible travelers ⏱️ Episode 449 Timestamps 0:48 – Vegas heat, travel week setup, and getting started 2:39 – American Airlines raises Admirals Club pricing 6:38 – AA Executive Card changes and whether it's worth $695 10:38 – Are airport lounges really worth premium-card annual fees? 12:20 – JetBlue Mint still doesn't include lounge access on transcon flights 14:06 – M2G passes 9,000 YouTube subscribers 16:53 – Luxury resort cancels a YouTuber's reservation at the last minute 19:42 – Is reviewing a hotel during opening week actually useful? 21:53 – Frontier launches another GoWild Pass offer 22:34 – Richard's GoWild Pass update: has he used it yet?

  2. Aug 5

    The Chase Lounge Debate, Richard's Birthday, and Julian's Very Expensive Honeymoon

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. This week is a little different—and a lot more fun. Ed is joined in person by Richard Kerr, Summer Hull from The Points Guy, and Julian Kheel from Points Path as the group gathers in Las Vegas to celebrate Richard's birthday. Before diving into travel topics, they swap stories about their first meetings, early podcast appearances, and how surprisingly bad they all are at remembering each other. The conversation then turns to one of the hottest topics in premium travel: Chase Lounge access. The group discusses Chase's decision to eliminate Priority Pass access beginning later this month, whether the change will improve crowding, and how much value lounge access actually contributes to an expensive premium credit card. From there, the discussion shifts to premium credit card economics, the Ritz-Carlton Card's hidden value, whether multiple Amex Platinum cards still make sense, and the challenge of assigning real dollar value to annual fees and lounge access. Finally, everyone weighs in on Julian's honeymoon plans, debating destinations, points strategies, and whether his ambitious itinerary is actually realistic. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard's birthday celebration Recording together in Las Vegas How everyone first met Early Miles To Go memories ✈️ Chase Lounge access changes Priority Pass access ends Longer connection access for eligible Chase cardholders Will the lounges become less crowded? ✈️ How much are airport lounges worth? Valuing lounge access Domestic versus international travel Waiting in line for premium lounges ✈️ The Ritz-Carlton Card Chase Lounge access Flexible travel credits Free night certificate value ✈️ Premium credit card annual fees Sapphire Reserve Venture X Amex Platinum Which benefits actually get used? ✈️ Julian's honeymoon planning Africa versus other destinations Luxury hotels and points strategies How many points will it really take? ✈️ When is another premium card worth adding? Sign-up bonuses Transfer bonuses Credit utilization versus annual fees ⏱️ Episode 448 Timestamps 0:47 – Richard's birthday and how everyone first met 5:49 – Chase Lounge access changes explained 8:03 – Will Chase Lounges become as crowded as Centurion Lounges? 10:07 – Summer reviews Capital One Landings at LaGuardia 11:50 – What are premium airport lounges really worth? 13:39 – The hidden value of the Ritz-Carlton Card 14:14 – Is the Sapphire Reserve still worth keeping? 15:34 – How many Amex Platinum cards are too many? 17:02 – Planning Julian's honeymoon with points

    The Chase Lounge Debate, Richard's Birthday, and Julian's Very Expensive Honeymoon

  3. Jul 29

    These Premium Cabin Awards Still Exist... If You Know Where to Look

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. This week Ed is joined by Clint Henderson from The Points Guy for a deep dive into some of the best premium-cabin award opportunities still available—and why flexibility is becoming more important than ever. Clint shares several recent bookings that include American's new Philadelphia-Prague route, Cathay Pacific's new Seattle-Hong Kong service, Starlux business class, and Japan Airlines First Class, along with the strategies that made each redemption possible. The conversation also explores why holding a United credit card is becoming increasingly valuable, with cardholders gaining access to dramatically better award pricing than non-cardholders. Later, Ed discusses Bilt's latest Rent Day promotion featuring a status match with Accor Live Limitless, explains why he found significant value from Accor Platinum status in Europe, and closes with a candid discussion about Hyatt's growing list of hotels that no longer accept Suite Upgrade Awards—and why that trend is becoming concerning for Hyatt loyalists. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Outstanding premium-cabin award bookings American's new Philadelphia–Prague route Cathay Pacific's Seattle–Hong Kong launch Starlux Business Class Japan Airlines First Class Why new route announcements create award opportunities ✈️ Finding award availability Alaska Mileage Plan sweet spots Positioning flights Acting quickly when inventory appears Tools for tracking award space ✈️ United credit card perks Exclusive cardholder award pricing Quest Card benefits Why United's strategy differs from Delta's Is this the future of airline loyalty? ✈️ Points Path Flex Alerts Monitoring every flight on a route Finding hard-to-book awards Slack Community member benefits ✈️ Bilt's Accor status match Matching Bilt Gold and Platinum Benefits of Accor Platinum status Early check-in, late checkout and upgrades Why Europe and Asia travelers should pay attention ✈️ Award pricing inflation Premium cabin pricing Domestic versus international value Why overseas awards remain one of the best uses of miles ✈️ Hyatt's expanding Suite Upgrade Award exclusions More than 100 excluded hotels Hyatt Regency Anchorage joins the list Why Hyatt loyalists are becoming concerned Is Hyatt drifting toward Marriott's model? ⏱️ Episode 447 Timestamps 0:49 – Clint Henderson joins the show 5:23 – Incredible premium-cabin award bookings and new route opportunities 11:43 – Slack Community updates and Points Path Flex Alerts 14:00 – Bilt's new Accor Live Limitless status match 16:50 – Why United credit cards unlock better award pricing 21:41 – Award pricing inflation and where the best value still exists 23:15 – Hyatt's growing Suite Upgrade Award exclusion list 27:36 – Wrapping up and future travel plans

    These Premium Cabin Awards Still Exist... If You Know Where to Look

  4. Jul 22

    What Are You Actually Supposed To Do With A Hotel Butler?

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Severe weather created another difficult weekend for travelers, and Richard opens the episode with the story of getting his sister home after JetBlue canceled her flight and could not offer another option for several days. The solution involved a train to Baltimore, a Southwest flight and a reminder of why keeping points available for emergencies can be so valuable. Ed then reviews his family's stay at the MGM Skylofts in Las Vegas, including the spacious two-bedroom accommodations, the aging room features and his lingering question about what guests are actually supposed to ask a hotel butler to do. He and Richard compare Skylofts with Aria Sky Suites and consider whether the additional luxury benefits justify the much higher price. The conversation shifts to the complicated Marriott–MGM relationship. Ed explains why MGM Gold status and direct booking can sometimes beat booking through Marriott, especially when resort fees and restaurant spending are considered. Richard also discovers an especially poor Marriott points redemption: nearly 17,000 points to avoid paying a $30 base room rate while still owing the resort fee. Later, the guys debate the best travel movies ever made, discuss whether Boeing should once again be allowed to certify its own aircraft, answer a listener question about choosing a Tokyo hotel for a short visit and examine why domestic award travel has become so painful for families. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Weather disruptions and emergency travel planning A canceled JetBlue flight Taking the train to BWI for a Southwest alternative Why points provide an important travel safety net ✈️ Ed's MGM Skylofts experience The two-bedroom layout Butler service and luxury-hotel benefits Skylofts versus Aria Sky Suites Whether the premium price makes sense ✈️ The Marriott–MGM partnership Booking through Marriott versus MGM Resort fees on Marriott award stays Why MGM Gold can make direct booking more attractive Missing Marriott credit for restaurant charges ✈️ Chase Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point offer Why Richard applied again Rebuilding a transferable-points balance Marriott points versus Ultimate Rewards ✈️ The best travel movies Up in the Air Flight The Terminal Planes, Trains and Automobiles Back to the Future Catch Me If You Can ✈️ Boeing and FAA oversight Boeing regaining some aircraft-certification authority Whether Boeing can adequately oversee itself Increasing financial penalties for safety violations ✈️ Choosing a Tokyo hotel for a short trip Park Hyatt Tokyo versus Grand Hyatt Tokyo Why location may matter more than luxury Staying near a convenient subway station ✈️ Marriott and Japan Airlines A new JAL status-match opportunity Potential benefits for Marriott elites Rumors of JAL becoming a Citi transfer partner ✈️ The rising cost of domestic award travel Expensive flights for families Shrinking partner-award opportunities Why domestic points strategies are disappearing ⏱️ Episode 446 Timestamps 0:48 – Weather cancellations and getting Richard's sister home 2:28 – Ed reviews the MGM Skylofts 6:45 – Marriott points, resort fees and MGM booking strategy 11:26 – Chase Sapphire Preferred's 100,000-point offer 15:11 – Debating the best travel movies ever 21:58 – Boeing regains aircraft-certification authority 26:08 – Slack Community and Points Path benefits 27:35 – Where to stay during a short Tokyo visit 29:39 – Marriott's JAL status match and transfer-partner rumors 31:41 – Why domestic award travel is getting so expensive

    What Are You Actually Supposed To Do With A Hotel Butler?

  5. Jul 15

    Is American Airlines Quietly Becoming the Better Choice?

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Travel doesn't always go according to plan—and this week proves it. Ed and Richard swap stories from a week filled with thunderstorms, flight delays, rental car headaches, and what may be one of the worst Hyatt Place stays either of them has experienced. Richard recounts an unforgettable late-night arrival that included multiple defective rental cars, a chaotic hotel check-in, broken room amenities, and an experience that ultimately prompted him to complete a hotel survey for the first time in years. The conversation also takes a closer look at why American Airlines has quietly become Richard's airline of choice over the past several weeks. Between competitive first-class pricing, consistently excellent onboard service, reliable Wi-Fi, and solid meals, American is making a compelling case while Delta continues to work through operational challenges. Plus, a fascinating discussion about a Lufthansa 787 maintenance mistake, Denver Airport's long-awaited pedestrian tunnels, and Richard's review of the historic Arizona Biltmore. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard's travel nightmare Rental car problems at Atlanta A disastrous Hyatt Place stay Why this finally earned a hotel survey ✈️ American Airlines keeps impressing Competitive first-class pricing Better domestic meal service Reliable Wi-Fi and outstanding crews ✈️ What's happening at Delta? Operational reliability concerns Schedule disruptions How the competitive landscape is shifting ✈️ Lufthansa's 787 maintenance mistake The missing safety pin Why maintenance procedures matter A costly avoidable accident ✈️ Denver Airport's future walkways New pedestrian tunnels Why they're finally being built Whether they'll solve train disruptions ✈️ Arizona Biltmore review Historic resort impressions Citrus Club benefits Surviving 119-degree Phoenix heat ✈️ Slack Community update Points Path Pro discount New Flex Alerts Upcoming member benefits ⏱️ Episode 445 Timestamps 0:47 – Welcome back and summer travel delays 8:08 – Richard's rental car disaster and Hyatt Place horror story 17:30 – Why American Airlines has become Richard's preferred choice 20:49 – Delta's operational challenges and airline strategy 27:22 – Lufthansa 787 nose gear collapse explained 30:09 – Slack Community updates and Points Path benefits 31:00 – Denver Airport's long-awaited pedestrian tunnels 35:10 – Arizona Biltmore review and surviving Phoenix in 119° heat

  6. Jul 8

    Here's Why Airline Pricing Could Get A Lot More Confusing

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Summer travel is in full swing, and this week Ed is joined by Julian Kheel to cover everything from Caribbean resorts to airline loyalty strategy. Julian shares his recent stay at Secrets St. Lucia, including why the Preferred Club upgrade is worth considering and how the property has held up following Hyatt's recent award pricing changes. The conversation then shifts to a mid-year elite status check. Ed is once again on pace for top-tier status across multiple airlines and Hyatt, while Julian explains why he's largely stopped chasing elite status in favor of maximizing credit card rewards and transferable value. They also discuss the Department of Transportation's proposal to roll back all-in airline pricing requirements, why both believe the move would make airfare shopping more confusing for travelers, and whether loyalty programs are doing enough to justify increasingly expensive premium credit cards. Plus, a look at new Points Path Flex Alerts, Slack community benefits, and why grab-and-go airport lounges may not be the customer win they're marketed to be. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Julian reviews Secrets St. Lucia Hyatt award pricing after the devaluation Why Preferred Club is worth the upgrade Boat transfer versus the winding road ✈️ Are Hyatt all-inclusives still a good value? Current award pricing Cash rates versus points When an all-inclusive vacation makes sense ✈️ New Points Path Flex Alerts Tracking an entire day of flights Custom airline and points filters How Flex Alerts differ from Flight Alerts ✈️ Mid-year elite status check Ed's progress toward another year of top-tier airline status Julian's shift away from chasing airline elites Why Hyatt remains the exception ✈️ Credit cards versus loyalty programs Alaska's premium card value Companion certificates and mileage earning Why transferable rewards continue to gain ground ✈️ DOT considers changing airfare pricing rules Rolling back all-in pricing displays Why transparent pricing matters How the proposal could affect travelers ✈️ Are airport lounge grab-and-go options really an upgrade? Crowded lounges Premium card annual fees Whether travelers are actually getting more value   ⏱️ Episode 444 Timestamps 6:32 – Julian's stay at Secrets St. Lucia 10:06 – Hyatt award pricing after the recent changes 15:00 – Slack community updates and new Points Path Flex Alerts 19:58 – Ed's mid-year elite status review 24:31 – Julian's approach to airline and hotel status 31:12 – Are loyalty programs becoming less valuable? 34:16 – DOT proposal on airline pricing transparency 41:39 – American's grab-and-go lounge concept 49:19 – Premium credit cards, lounge access, and the future of loyalty

    Here's Why Airline Pricing Could Get A Lot More Confusing

  7. Jul 1

    A $2,500-a-Night Wellness Retreat... Was It Worth It?

    Watch Us On YouTube! Enjoy our ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. A shorter episode this week—but no shortage of travel stories. Richard is back from a three-night stay at Miraval Berkshires, and he gives his honest assessment of Hyatt's luxury wellness resort. While the activities, instructors, and relaxation lived up to expectations, the property itself left him wondering whether it's worth the hefty nightly price tag. The conversation compares Miraval Berkshires to the Austin property, discusses how Hyatt's free night certificates work at Miraval, and shares which experiences were actually worth booking. The guys also take a mid-year look at their elite status progress. Richard has intentionally stepped off the airline status treadmill, while Ed reflects on just how difficult it has become for even frequent business travelers to earn enough miles for aspirational family travel. Finally, they close with a candid conversation about life as road warriors, balancing work with family, and why sometimes the hardest part of travel isn't the flights—it's walking away from the people waiting at home. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️  What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard's review of Miraval Berkshires Is it worth 65,000 Hyatt points—or $2,500 per night? The biggest strengths and biggest disappointments Why the property grew on him over three days ✈️ How Miraval Berkshires compares to other Miraval resorts Differences from Austin Activities, dining, and property layout Which resort they'd choose next ✈️ Maximizing a Miraval stay Using Hyatt points and free night certificates Activity credits and paid experiences Which classes were actually worth booking ✈️ A look at the new Miraval Red Sea Hyatt's newest wellness destination Introductory pricing Whether either of them would make the trip ✈️ Mid-year elite status check Richard's decision to stop chasing airline status And his progress toward Hyatt Globalist Why loyalty strategies continue to evolve ✈️ Is airline status still worth pursuing? Rising award prices Diminishing returns for frequent flyers Why flexibility is becoming more valuable than loyalty ✈️ The emotional side of business travel Missing Father's Day with family Long stretches away from home Why coming home matters more than ever   ⏱️ Episode 443 Timestamps 0:47 – Quick intro and Richard's hectic travel weekend 5:05 – Richard's full review of Miraval Berkshires 8:31 – Activities, dining, and whether the experience justifies the cost 12:11 – Would Richard return to Miraval Berkshires? 15:40 – Hyatt's new Miraval Red Sea property 16:30 – Mid-year elite status check 18:15 – Is airline elite status still worth chasing? 19:22 – Ed reflects on two weeks away from home 21:00 – Missing Father's Day and balancing work with family

    A $2,500-a-Night Wellness Retreat... Was It Worth It?

  8. Jun 24

    A Better Business Class, a New Bilt Partner, and Why Air Canada Stands Out

    Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Richard is back, fresh off a World Cup match at the Meadowlands, and he's got plenty to say about the experience—from the surprisingly smooth transportation operation to the electric atmosphere inside the stadium. Meanwhile, Ed finally checks JetBlue Mint off his list and shares why the experience reinforced one of the biggest challenges facing the legacy carriers: delivering a premium product that feels worth the price. The conversation also dives into Bilt's newest transfer partner, Preferred Hotels, bringing the program back to 25 partners and opening up a new collection of boutique and luxury properties for point redemptions. Plus, a look at Air Canada's little-known airport cafés, why loyalty programs continue marching toward higher prices, and a potentially lucrative Pays promotion that listeners may want to jump on before it disappears. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️  What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard attends a World Cup match • France vs. Senegal at the Meadowlands • New Jersey Transit's surprisingly smooth operation • Why the overall experience exceeded expectations ✈️ Ed finally flies JetBlue Mint • A321 Mint experience review • Seat, service, and onboard Wi-Fi • Why JetBlue continues to stand out ✈️ The state of airline Wi-Fi • American Airlines free Wi-Fi rollout frustrations • JetBlue's connectivity advantage • Why reliability still matters ✈️ The power of points and miles • Using miles to stay for an All-Star game • Last-minute flight changes • Why flexibility remains invaluable ✈️ Admirals Club vs. Delta Sky Club • A tale of two lounge experiences • Food quality differences • How the products continue to diverge ✈️ Air Canada's airport cafés • Complimentary access for elite travelers • Why the concept stands out • Comparing loyalty investments across airlines ✈️ Bilt adds Preferred Hotels • Transfer partner number 25 • One Bilt point to two Preferred points • Boutique hotel redemption opportunities   ✈️ Accor Voyager membership • Discounted membership opportunity • Elite night credits • Whether the math works ✈️ Are loyalty programs becoming too expensive? • Inflation in award pricing • The future of airline and hotel currencies • Where value still exists ✈️ A Pays promotion worth watching • Bonus points opportunities • Why it may not last long • Getting value before the offer disappears ⏱️ Episode 442 Timestamps 1:06 – Richard's World Cup experience at the Meadowlands 7:06 – Ed reviews JetBlue Mint 11:15 – American's free Wi-Fi rollout frustrations 12:44 – Using points and miles to save an All-Star game trip 15:37 – Admirals Club vs. Delta Sky Club 19:36 – Discovering Air Canada's airport cafés 23:31 – Are loyalty programs headed in the wrong direction? 28:07 – Bilt adds Preferred Hotels as partner #25 29:57 – Accor Voyager membership opportunity 32:54 – Pays promotion and bonus points opportunity

    A Better Business Class, a New Bilt Partner, and Why Air Canada Stands Out
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4.4
out of 5
379 Ratings

About

Hosted by road warrior and travel expert Ed Pizza, the Miles to Go podcast serves up travel tips, news and reviews you can't afford to miss! Whether you're a points and miles newbie looking to book a dream vacation or you log 100k + miles a year and want the low down on new properties routes and planes, we're bringing you the world's top travel experts and bloggers to share their knowledge and insights with you.

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