Point Me To First Class

Devon Gimbel MD
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Point Me to First Class is a show for employed professionals, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business owners with higher-than-average personal and/or business expenses who want to learn to leverage them into credit card points to spend on travel. Your expenses are your greatest untapped asset - but learning how to use them to travel the world doesn't have to be confusing or complicated. Each week, Devon Gimbel shares valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points and shows you how to spend them on incredible travel experiences. Interested in learning more about working with Devon? Visit www.pointmetofirstclass.com to learn more. This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like: How do I earn credit card points and use them for travel? How can I make my expenses benefit me? How can I earn as many credit card points for as little spending as possible? How to maximize value from credit card points. How to earn credit card points for travel. Turn credit card points into travel.

  1. HACE 46 MIN

    157. Shifting My Strategy: Why I'm Pursuing Status in Multiple Programs This Year

    For the first time in over a decade, I'm actively chasing status in multiple loyalty programs—and it's a major shift from my usual points strategy.   Historically, status hasn't been a focus for me beyond Hyatt Globalist. But this year, I'm pursuing top-tier or near top-tier status in four programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bilt Platinum, Air France Flying Blue Platinum, and American Airlines Platinum Pro. Listen in as I walk through why these specific statuses suddenly jumped to the top of my priority list, what benefits justify the effort required to earn them, and my exact plan for qualifying for each one.   I also share the four key questions to ask yourself before chasing any status, because the reality is that you don't need status to have a successful award travel experience. From understanding opportunity costs to accessing status benefits through credit cards instead, this episode covers how to evaluate whether pursuing status actually makes sense for your travel style and goals.   Whether you're considering your own status strategy for the year or feeling confident about not chasing status at all, this episode will help you think strategically about how loyalty program status fits into your points plan.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/2026-loyalty-status-strategy    Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    43 min

  2. 23 FEB

    156. Making Large Family Award Travel Actually Work with Dr. Alison Curfman (Part 2)

    Today we're picking up where we left off last week with Dr. Alison Curfman—and diving into what happens after the flights are booked.   Part 1 covered how Alison finds award flights and books hotels for her family of six to eight people when they travel. In Part 2, we're talking about execution—the systems and strategies that make those trips actually run smoothly. Listen in as Alison shares her approach to managing overnight flights with kids, minimizing food costs, and keeping complex multi-city itineraries organized across dozens of bookings.   What makes this conversation different is how much it goes beyond a typical points strategy. We discuss Alison's framework for daily family meetings that give kids a voice and reduce meltdowns, her intentional approach to fostering independence by putting kids in charge of navigation and planning, and the creative ways she uses AI to enhance learning experiences on the ground. We also explore the career and mindset shifts that made her location-independent lifestyle possible, and how she's designed flexibility into both her work and family travel.   Whether you're planning your first big family trip or looking to refine your system for regular international travel, this episode offers practical strategies you can apply immediately.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/award-travel-large-families-part-2/    Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    37 min

  3. 16 FEB

    155. Planning Award Travel for Large Families with Dr. Alison Curfman (Part 1)

    If you've ever thought award travel isn't possible with a large family or group, this episode will change your mind.   In Part 1 of this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Alison Curfman, a pediatric emergency physician, entrepreneur, and relentless optimizer who regularly travels the world with her family—typically six to eight people depending on whether au pairs or grandparents join. After co-founding a healthcare company that scaled to a nine-figure valuation, Alison transitioned into advisory and consulting work that she could do from anywhere. Listen in as Alison walks through her exact strategy for finding business class flights for large groups, her hotel booking approach that keeps everyone comfortable without breaking the bank, and why positioning flights have become part of the adventure rather than a hassle.   We cover how she anchors her trip planning around long-haul flights, builds itineraries around award availability instead of fixed destinations, and uses spreadsheets and organization systems to keep track of multiple bookings across airlines and hotels. Allison also shares practical insights on traveling light with kids, leveraging Hyatt's loyalty program strategically, and combining fine hotels & resorts credits with points to maximize value on family trips.   Whether you're traveling with four people or eight, this episode offers a roadmap for making large family award travel not just possible, but truly enjoyable.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/award-travel-large-families-part-1    Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    48 min

  4. 9 FEB

    154. The Most Memorable Credit Card Points Lessons from Real Travelers

    Have you ever wondered what points lessons other travelers learned the hard way—so you don't have to?   Today's episode is a little different. I recently crowdsourced the biggest points lessons learned in 2025 from members of my community, and the responses were so good. Some were tactical, others were mindset-shifting, and more than a few had me laughing because they highlighted mistakes that are just so relatable in this hobby.   In this episode, I'm sharing the most insightful, surprising, and valuable takeaways from real travelers across the spectrum of experience—from those just starting their rewards journey to seasoned award travel veterans. I've organized these lessons around five main themes: be proactive and be prepared, stay curious and creative, don't let perfect be the enemy of done, automate and plan ahead to prevent year-end stress, and high-value specific tips you need to know.    From transfer timing surprises and phantom award space to the power of flexibility and actually spending your points instead of hoarding them, these real-life lessons will help you earn more strategically, book better redemptions, and navigate award travel with less stress in 2026.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/2025-points-lessons-learned/    Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!  Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    30 min

  5. 2 FEB

    153. Avios Explained: Understanding Transfers & Maximizing Award Flights

    In a hobby full of rules, Avios prove to be an exception—and understanding how they work can unlock some of the best award flight opportunities available.   In this episode, I'm breaking down everything you need to know about Avios, the points currency used by British Airways, Qatar, Finnair, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and several other airlines. One crucial aspect of Avios that makes them unique among points currencies is their ability to move between partner accounts, which creates opportunities you won't find anywhere else.   Listen in as I walk through what makes Avios so versatile, how to earn them strategically, and how to use their transferability to access better award pricing. I also cover British Airways' Points Boost feature that lets you buy Avios at a fraction of the usual cost, and share practical tips on setting up accounts, avoiding surprise fees, and finding the best value for your award flights.   Whether you're brand new to Avios or looking to squeeze even more value from these programs, this episode will show you how to think strategically about one of the most powerful—and underutilized—points currencies in award travel.   Get full show notes and transcript: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/avios-guide-transfers-sweet-spots    Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    31 min

  6. 26 ENE

    152. Building Wealth Beyond Travel: Financial Planning for High-Earners with Lauren Oschman

    If you've ever wondered what's the difference between just saving money versus creating wealth that actually matters, this conversation is for you.   In this episode, I'm joined by Lauren Oschman, founder of Vestia Personal Wealth Advisors, who grew up watching her interventional cardiologist father work incredibly hard while struggling to balance wealth building with being present at home. That experience shaped her entire approach to financial planning, which she now brings to nearly 600 physician families across the country. We're talking about how to identify what actually matters to you financially, the myths that keep high-earning women from taking control of their finances, and why you don't need to have your act together before working with a financial advisor.   Lauren and I discuss what financial advisors actually do beyond managing investments, the difference between saving money and strategically building wealth, and the biggest missed opportunities she sees among high earners. We get into practical strategies around tax planning over your lifetime, contract negotiation, and estate planning. We also talk about green flags and red flags when choosing a financial advisor and why dual physician households need different approaches to tax strategy. Whether you're just starting to think about wealth building or refining your financial strategy, this conversation offers insights and advice you can actually use.   Get full show notes and transcript: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/financial-planning-wealth-building-lauren-oschman   Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    49 min

  7. 19 ENE

    151. Bilt's 3 New Cards: A Complete Analysis & Strategy Guide

    Have you ever wondered if earning points on your mortgage or rent is actually worth the math? Or whether a card that earns two times points on everything can really compete with what you're already holding? Bilt just released three brand new credit cards, and they're more complex than any card launch I've seen in a while. This isn't just about welcome bonuses and bonus categories— there's an entirely new internal currency called Bilt Cash, along with processing fees to calculate, and real formulas you need to run to figure out if any of these cards make sense for your situation. In this episode, I'm joined by Kelly, the Points and Miles Doc, to break down all three new Bilt cards: the no annual fee Bilt Blue, the $95 Bilt Obsidian, and the $495 Bilt Palladium. We analyze the welcome bonuses, points earning structures, and how each card compares to its closest competitors. We walk through the Bilt Cash system, explain exactly how much you'd need to spend to earn points on housing payments without paying fees, and discuss who these cards actually benefit. We also share why we both applied for the Bilt Palladium within hours of its release and what makes Bilt's transfer partners worth paying attention to. Get full show notes and transcript: http://pointmetofirstclass.com/bilt-credit-cards-2026-analysis Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    1 h y 33 min

  8. 12 ENE

    150. 2025 Points Year in Review: How We Used Our Points, Chose Programs & Planned 2026 Travel (Part 2)

    Today we're picking up where we left off last week in our 2025 points recap. In this second part of our year-in-review series, Dr. Andrea Mabry and I continue to break down the travel we actually booked with all those points we earned in 2025.    We're sharing the total value of travel we booked, our average redemption values, and the specific trips we planned—from family vacations to aspirational first class products. We also reveal what we've already booked for 2026, including trips worth over $300,000 combined.   Andrea and I each share how many points we used to book travel in 2025, what that travel was worth, and what we paid out of pocket in taxes and fees. We talk about booking business class for large groups from non-hub airports, navigating award space challenges and disappointments, and the airline products that delivered exceptional value versus the ones that fell flat.    Listen in as we discuss the strategic decisions behind our redemptions and the lessons we're applying to future travel. Whether you're planning your first award trip or refining your approach to premium cabin bookings, this episode offers real numbers, honest takeaways, and strategies you can apply to your own travel.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/2025-points-redemptions-year-in-review-part-2/   Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

    1 h y 41 min
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Point Me to First Class is a show for employed professionals, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business owners with higher-than-average personal and/or business expenses who want to learn to leverage them into credit card points to spend on travel. Your expenses are your greatest untapped asset - but learning how to use them to travel the world doesn't have to be confusing or complicated. Each week, Devon Gimbel shares valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points and shows you how to spend them on incredible travel experiences. Interested in learning more about working with Devon? Visit www.pointmetofirstclass.com to learn more. This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like: How do I earn credit card points and use them for travel? How can I make my expenses benefit me? How can I earn as many credit card points for as little spending as possible? How to maximize value from credit card points. How to earn credit card points for travel. Turn credit card points into travel.

Información

  • Creador
    Devon Gimbel MD
  • Años de actividad
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodios
    164
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Devon Gimbel MD LLC All Rights Reserved
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Point Me To First Class

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