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. 4d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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?

  4. 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

  5. Jun 17

    The Golden Age Of Points And Miles Is Over-Or Is It?

    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. Is the golden age of points and miles ending—or is it simply evolving? This week, Ed is joined by Summer Hull and Julian Kheel to break down Chase's controversial decision to reduce Hyatt transfer ratios for Sapphire Preferred cardholders while maintaining the existing ratio for Sapphire Reserve members. The discussion goes beyond the headline change and explores what it means for the future of transferable points, premium credit cards, and loyalty programs. Is this a one-off adjustment, or the start of a broader trend where transfer ratios vary depending on which card you carry? The team also revisits Bilt 2.0 several months after launch, discussing which features have worked better in practice than they initially expected and how members are adapting to the new ecosystem. Finally, they tackle a question that has been debated for more than a decade: Are we witnessing the end of the golden era of points and miles, or just another chapter in its evolution? 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 ✈️ Chase changes Hyatt transfer ratios • Sapphire Preferred vs Sapphire Reserve differences • Why the change matters beyond Hyatt • Who is most affected by the new structure ✈️ Is Chase or Hyatt driving the change? • Theories behind the new transfer ratio • What Bilt may tell us in the future • Why everyone is watching closely ✈️ The future of transferable points • Could other partners see different transfer ratios? • Premium card differentiation • Why simplicity may be disappearing ✈️ Is the Sapphire Preferred still worth it? • Who benefits most from the changes • Annual fee considerations • Comparing Preferred and Reserve value ✈️ Bilt 2.0 several months later • Features that proved easier than expected • Mortgage and rent payment experiences • Real-world use of Bilt Cash ✈️ Managing Bilt Cash balances • Rollover limitations • End-of-year planning strategies • Potential redemption opportunities ✈️ Points Path updates • New flexible alerts coming soon • Award repricing opportunities • Benefits available to Slack members ✈️ Is the golden age of points and miles over? • Why this debate never goes away • How loyalty programs continue evolving • Where travelers can still find value   ⏱️ Episode 441 Timestamps  ⏱️ Episode 441 Timestamps 4:02 – Chase changes Hyatt transfer ratios 7:15 – Who wins and loses from the Sapphire Preferred changes? 10:09 – Is Chase or Hyatt responsible for the new transfer ratio? 16:08 – Are hotel transfers still worth it? 20:50 – Will more transfer partners be affected next? 25:00 – Bilt 2.0: what works better than expected? 29:52 – Planning around Bilt Cash expiration rules 31:27 – Points Path updates and new flexible alerts 33:37 – Is the golden age of points and miles ending? 35:48 – Why premium credit cards keep getting more expensive

    The Golden Age Of Points And Miles Is Over-Or Is It?

  6. Jun 10

    The Airline Compensation Rules We Think(?) We Wish We Had in the U.S.

    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 passenger rights are back in the spotlight, and Europe may be making one of the strongest consumer protection programs even stronger. This week, Ed is joined by Julian Kheel from Points Path to discuss proposed updates to EU261 passenger compensation rules, including new requirements that could force airlines to proactively tell travelers when they're entitled to compensation. They also explore JSX's new premium route between New York and Florida, whether semi-private flying is becoming more mainstream, and why loyalty programs continue to evolve in unexpected ways. Plus, Alaska Airlines signals interest in expanding its loyalty ecosystem, OneWorld adds a new hotel partnership, American Airlines appears to be making award pricing changes with Air Tahiti Nui, and Delta rolls out a new checked bag benefit that may not be quite as generous as it first appeared.   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 ✈️ EU261 passenger compensation updates • Proposed changes to Europe's passenger rights rules • Why communication may become a bigger focus • Could the U.S. ever adopt something similar? ✈️ The challenge of airline accountability • What happens when flights are delayed or canceled • Enforcement versus policy • Making passengers whole versus getting them moving ✈️ JSX launches a new New York–Florida route • Teterboro to Naples service begins this fall • The appeal of semi-private flying • Why JSX continues to challenge traditional airlines ✈️ Loyalty programs keep expanding • OneWorld partners with Taj InnerCircle • Extending elite benefits beyond airlines • Why travel ecosystems matter ✈️ American Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui awards • Reports of new dynamic pricing • What travelers are seeing so far • Potential impact on AAdvantage value ✈️ United's credit card award discounts • Large mileage discounts for cardholders • A powerful acquisition strategy • How it compares to Delta's approach ✈️ Alaska Airlines wants more flexibility • Discussion around transferable points • Bank of America's potential role • The upside and downside for Mileage Plan members ✈️ Delta expands checked bag benefits • A second free checked bag for some cardholders • Why the change is more limited than expected • Who stands to benefit most        ⏱️ Episode 440 Timestamps 3:35 – EU261 passenger compensation changes explained 7:51 – Should the U.S. adopt similar passenger protections? 12:05 – JSX launches Teterboro–Naples service 18:50 – OneWorld partners with Taj InnerCircle 22:40 – American and Air Tahiti Nui award pricing changes 25:44 – Why partner award pricing may be evolving 27:34 – United's surprisingly large award discounts for cardholders 29:20 – Slack community and Points Path updates 32:07 – Alaska Airlines discusses transferable points 36:31 – Delta's new checked bag benefit arrives

  7. Jun 3

    London Canceled, Frontier's GoWild Pass, and Pricey Seat Assignments

    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. Sometimes travel planning goes perfectly. Sometimes a sick child cancels an international trip less than 48 hours before departure. This week, Richard shares the story of how a long-planned family trip to London unraveled at the last minute, what he learned while canceling flights, hotels, and activities, and how a father-daughter staycation in New York City helped salvage the weekend. The conversation also dives into using AI to build family travel itineraries, including how Richard used Claude to create a detailed London plan complete with maps, transit instructions, and daily schedules. Ed recounts a frustrating travel day involving delayed flights, rental car headaches, and the challenges of fixing travel disruptions even with top-tier airline status. Plus, Richard takes a chance on Frontier's GoWild Pass, Ed reports more positive experiences with Hilton Diamond Reserve treatment, and the guys react to a jaw-dropping United seat assignment price for an economy flight to Europe.     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 canceled London trip • A last-minute illness changes everything • Unwinding flights, hotels, and activities • Lessons from travel plans that fall apart ✈️ A father-daughter New York staycation • Park Hyatt New York • Eloise Tea at The Plaza • Creating travel memories closer to home ✈️ Using AI to build better itineraries • Planning London with Claude • Maps, transit routes, and daily schedules • How AI is changing trip planning ✈️ Why travel disruptions remain frustrating • Flight delays and limited information • Rental car reservation challenges • The reality of fixing travel problems in real time ✈️ Hilton Diamond Reserve update • Additional stays since qualifying • Surprising recognition and amenities • Early impressions of the program ✈️ Frontier's GoWild Pass experiment • Richard buys the promotional pass • How availability really works • Whether the value proposition holds up ✈️ Alaska's new Iceland service • Seattle to Reykjavik on a 737 MAX • Narrowbody flights across the Atlantic • Would either of them actually book it? ✈️ Bank of America Preferred Rewards changes • New qualification requirements • Why longtime users may lose value • What it means going forward ✈️ United's eye-opening seat assignment pricing • Economy Plus pricing to Europe • Standard economy seat costs • The surprising economics of seat selection    ⏱️ Episode 439 Timestamps  0:48 – Richard's London trip is canceled at the last minute 6:12 – What happens when a family trip falls apart 8:34 – The father-daughter New York staycation 10:58 – Using AI to build travel itineraries 17:07 – Travel disruption headaches: delays, rentals, and rebooking 25:48 – Hilton Diamond Reserve delivers another surprise 28:03 – Richard buys Frontier's GoWild Pass 34:31 – Alaska launches Seattle–Iceland service 37:19 – Bank of America Preferred Rewards changes 38:58 – United's shocking $329 seat assignment fee

  8. May 27

    Hyatt's New Award Pricing, 10x Chase Points, and British Airways Fee Increase

    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. Hyatt's new award pricing is officially here — and travelers are still trying to figure out exactly how bad it is. This week on Miles To Go, Ed is joined by Julian Kheel from Points Path to break down Hyatt's new multi-tier award pricing system, including what changed, which properties were hit hardest, and whether this truly changes the value proposition of Hyatt loyalty. They also discuss where Hyatt still trails competitors — especially around free night certificates and "4th or 5th night free" style benefits — and why the next 12 months could be important for Hyatt's long-term strategy. From there, the conversation shifts to a surprisingly valuable new Chase offer through the Paze wallet platform, where Sapphire cardholders can currently earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points with select merchants. Plus, British Airways raises carrier-imposed surcharges yet again, Delta may be expanding free checked bag benefits on its credit cards, and Ed shares another frustrating round of United Wi-Fi roulette while waiting for Starlink to expand across the fleet.  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 ✈️ Hyatt's new award pricing system • Multi-tier pricing officially launches • Which properties increased the most • Why it may impact luxury redemptions more than everyday stays ✈️ Is Hyatt loyalty still worth it? • Why Hyatt still offers strong transfer value • Concerns about aspirational awards getting harder to reach • How loyal travelers may rethink their strategy ✈️ Hyatt's missing benefits • No free night certificate top-offs • Lack of a 4th or 5th night free benefit • Why competitors may now have an edge ✈️ A valuable new Chase earning opportunity • 10x Ultimate Rewards points through Paze • Which merchants currently qualify • Why this could be huge for some travelers ✈️ Air France's growing loyalty strategy • Tiffany Funk taking over Flying Blue loyalty • Air France credit card + Bilt partnership discussion • Earning status through rent and mortgage payments ✈️ Delta may expand free checked bags • Reports of 2 free checked bags on Delta Amex cards • Why the economics may make sense for Delta • Potential impact on card signups ✈️ British Airways raises surcharges again • Carrier-imposed fees increasing significantly • Why Avios redemptions continue getting more expensive • How U.S. programs still differ from European carriers ✈️ United's ongoing Wi-Fi struggles • Starlink rollout reaches ~5% of fleet • Why United Wi-Fi still frustrates frequent flyers • The promise (and risk) of Starlink expansion ⏱️ Episode 438 Timestamps  0:49 – Julian fills in for Richard this week 3:44 – Points Path discounts and award alerts discussion 7:17 – Hyatt's new award pricing officially launches 10:28 – How much worse are Hyatt awards really? 12:22 – Hyatt's free night certificate disadvantages 16:44 – What Hyatt may need to add next 21:16 – Amex fraud/security frustrations 27:06 – Tiffany Funk joins Flying Blue loyalty leadership 34:05 – Chase Paze wallet and 10x Ultimate Rewards opportunity 38:40 – British Airways raises surcharges again

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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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