Award Travel 101

Award Travel 101 Team
  • 4.2 (171)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Award Travel 101 Podcast! Founded in 2013 with just 20 members, the Award Travel 101 Facebook group teaches members how to travel the world using points and miles. Today, a community of over 100,000+ people from around the world share, teach and learn how to travel anywhere on any budget. Where are you going with Award Travel?

  1. Meet the Mods- Laura Kofoid

    2D AGO

    Meet the Mods- Laura Kofoid

    Episode 166 of the Award Travel 101 podcast introduces new team member Laura Kofoid, who joins host Angie Sparks for a casual conversation about her background and entry into the points-and-miles hobby. Laura shares how she discovered travel rewards after retiring from a long IT career and looking for a new hobby, eventually becoming deeply engaged in maximizing loyalty programs. The episode also highlights a fun community post debating airplane seat preferences, where most travelers favored window views but often chose aisle seats for practicality—except for parents, who frequently opt for the middle seat to sit between family members. In the news segment, Angie and Laura discuss several updates in the travel rewards world. These include a new partnership between Marriott and Ethiopian Airlines (though with a less favorable transfer ratio), changes to Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles award chart coming in May 2026, and the addition of Wyndham as a transfer partner for Bilt Rewards, further strengthening Bilt’s growing ecosystem. They also critique a newly launched Amex business cash-back card, noting its high annual fee and lack of transferable rewards. Laura shares her recent strategy of picking up United business credit cards due to her Denver hub, while Angie continues searching for valuable new card offers. The episode wraps with a deeper “Meet the Mods” feature on Laura, where she reflects on her biggest wins—like using Hyatt points for a six-night stay in Kauai—and lessons learned, including costly booking mistakes and missed opportunities with sign-up bonuses. She explains her shift from full-price cruising to more strategic travel with upgraded flights and hotel stays. Laura emphasizes her preference for Chase and Amex ecosystems and offers a simple but valuable tip of the week: “HUCA” (Hang Up, Call Again), encouraging persistence when dealing with customer service in travel bookings. Episode Links: Marriott-Ethiopian PartnershipCathay DevaluationAmex Graphite BizBilt Adds WyndhamWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    33 min
  2. Unheralded Credit Card Perks

    MAR 27

    Unheralded Credit Card Perks

    Episode 165 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer, opens with a discussion about booking a safari using points. While some luxury lodge options like the JW Masai Mara and Marriott properties near Kruger were mentioned, the consensus advice was to use points for flights and pay cash for the safari itself. This approach provides more flexibility in choosing camps and experiences, while also allowing travelers to earn rewards or hit a new sign-up bonus through cash spending. In the news segment, the hosts cover several major updates in the points and miles world. ITA Airways announced it will shut down its Volare loyalty program by the end of March 2026, giving members a limited window to redeem points. Citi is devaluing transfer ratios to Choice Hotels and Preferred Hotels, though it is temporarily offsetting this with transfer bonuses to Avianca LifeMiles and Virgin Atlantic. Meanwhile, Chase has increased the sign-up bonus on its Ink Preferred business card to 100,000 points, making it an attractive option for earning rewards on travel and business spending. The main topic focuses on lesser-known credit card perks that can provide significant value if used correctly. These include primary car rental insurance, purchase protection, extended warranties, companion certificates, travel insurance, and cell phone coverage. The hosts emphasize that understanding the fine print—such as exclusions, coverage limits, and eligibility requirements—is key to maximizing these benefits. They wrap up with practical tips: set alerts for award availability and stay flexible with travel plans, as changing circumstances or better deals can arise unexpectedly. Episode Links: ITA Program EndingCiti to Virgin Transfer bonusCiti to Avianca Transfer bonusCiti to Choice/ I-Prefer DevaluationChase Ink Preferred OfferAward Wallet Benefits ListWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    52 min
  3. Unique P1/P1 Relationships

    MAR 20

    Unique P1/P1 Relationships

    Episode 164 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features host Mike Zaccheo with guests Tim Kozikowski and Mary Willet, a New Jersey–based couple who are both deeply involved in the points-and-miles hobby. The episode begins with a community question about whether beginners should focus on earning Chase or Amex points. The discussion highlights that most experienced travelers recommend earning both. Chase is often preferred for valuable transfer partners like Hyatt and United, particularly for travelers based near United hubs or those still under the Chase 5/24 rule. Amex is favored for its strong everyday earning rates, especially with cards like the Amex Gold, and for strong airfare redemption opportunities. The broader takeaway from the community discussion is that sign-up bonuses provide the most value, and diversification across programs—sometimes including Capital One and Citi—is generally the best strategy. The hosts also cover recent travel news, including new offers on Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and an improvement allowing members to top off Marriott free night certificates by up to 25,000 points instead of the previous 15,000 limit. Another update highlights the opening of the Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, offering new redemption opportunities with strong room views and potential suite upgrade awards. After sharing upcoming travel plans—such as trips to Texas, Thailand, Japan, and community meetups—the conversation shifts to the main topic: how couples manage a “P1/P1” relationship where both partners actively participate in the award travel hobby rather than one person doing all the planning. Tim and Mary discuss how they each got into the hobby, starting with an Aeroplan credit card in 2022, and how their shared interest shapes their travel strategy. They talk about coordinating credit card applications, managing points balances, dividing responsibilities like spreadsheets and bookings, and occasionally navigating disagreements over points strategy. The episode highlights how collaboration can improve optimization, from staggering applications around rules like 5/24 to pursuing different loyalty programs or business cards. The hosts wrap up with redemption stories, lessons from mistakes, rapid-fire travel preferences, and advice for couples entering the hobby—emphasizing communication, organization, and having clear travel goals while enjoying the experiences points make possible. Episode Links: Marriott Bonvoy Card offersMarriott Now Allowing Top offs up to 25kHyatt Regency Niagara Falls FallsviewWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    58 min
  4. Chile and Patagonia Recap

    MAR 13

    Chile and Patagonia Recap

    Episode 163 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer, opens with a lighthearted highlight from the community about surviving timeshare presentations. Members shared strategies for getting through the required 90–120 minute pitch that often comes with discounted vacation offers—suggestions ranged from setting a visible timer and clearly stating you’re not interested, to humorous tactics like bringing sugar-hyped kids or joking about being fresh out of bankruptcy. The hosts also discussed travel news, including a promotion from Holiday Inn Club Vacations offering bonus IHG points with a discounted stay, the opening of a small but upscale American Express Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas, a 30% Chase-to-Wyndham transfer bonus, and changes to Emirates partner award charts. Angie and Cameron also shared personal updates about credit-card welcome bonuses they’re working on and upcoming trips they’re planning or booking. The main topic focuses on Cameron’s trip to Chile and how to use points and miles to reach South America. Major gateways like Santiago (SCL) and Buenos Aires (EZE) offer multiple award options across alliances. Cameron flew from Cleveland to Santiago via Dallas using American Airlines miles, noting that American and Alaska miles can book business-class awards starting around 50,000 miles one way. Other options include Latam flights from Miami or New York, bookable through partners like Virgin Atlantic or Delta, as well as Star Alliance bookings through Air Canada for United, Avianca, or Copa flights. Once in the region, travelers heading to Patagonia can fly to smaller airports such as Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas using Latam or low-cost carriers like JetSMART, sometimes for cheap cash fares that can be offset with travel portal credits. Cameron also explained that Patagonia trips—especially to Torres del Paine—require careful planning due to complex logistics. His group flew to Puerto Natales, then took a bus and catamaran to begin the famous W Trek, a roughly 50-mile hike over five days. Despite the complicated planning for a group of six, the stunning scenery made it worthwhile. Accommodation options range from affordable hostels to luxury properties, including some bookable with points or through premium travel. Episode Links: IHG Timeshare OfferAmex new Vegas loungeChase to Wyndham bonusEmirates partner chart changesWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    46 min
  5. Hyatt-ageddon?

    MAR 6

    Hyatt-ageddon?

    Episode 162 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Cameron Laufer and Mike Zaccheo, opens with a listener question that highlights the difficulty of earning American Airlines miles without access to key transfer partners. The discussion underscores why AA miles remain so valuable, especially for premium partner redemptions like Japan Airlines, and explores limited workarounds such as credit card sign-up bonuses or indirect transfer options. The hosts then cover recent news in the points-and-miles space, including Chase adding Wyndham as a transfer partner, transfer bonuses from Citi, and elevated credit card offers across Hilton and United portfolios. They also share personal updates, including recent redemptions, new card strategies, and upcoming travel plans. The main focus of the episode is “Hyatt-ageddon,” a major overhaul of the World of Hyatt award chart. Hyatt is introducing a new pricing structure with expanded tiers and significantly higher point costs—ranging from moderate increases to jumps as high as 67% at peak levels. The hosts explain that while Hyatt is not fully moving to dynamic pricing, the wide pricing bands and lack of guarantees on award availability make it function similarly. Popular properties are expected to price at higher tiers more frequently, reducing the outsized value Hyatt points once offered. Despite the negative reaction from many travelers, the hosts emphasize that this kind of devaluation is common in loyalty programs. They suggest adapting strategies by prioritizing free night certificates, booking high-end properties sooner rather than later, and considering alternatives like other hotel programs or even booking through travel portals. The value of Hyatt elite status—particularly Globalist—is also questioned, with the conclusion that while benefits remain strong, travelers may need to reassess whether pursuing status still makes sense under the new system. Episode Links: Chase adds Wyndam as partnerElevated Hilton Card offersElevated United Card offersBank of America rewards changes  Where to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    49 min
  6. Family Punta Cana Trip Recap

    FEB 27

    Family Punta Cana Trip Recap

    In Episode 161 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks welcomes Justin Walter to share details from his recent family trip to Punta Cana. The episode kicks off with a highlight from member Megan, who creatively paid an $11,000 hospital bill using $200 Visa gift cards purchased at office supply stores—earning a stash of Ultimate Rewards points in the process. In news, Angie covers a 15% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to Avianca LifeMiles, while Justin shares that Emirates Skywards will no longer award miles on Condor-operated flights starting May 1, 2026 (though redemptions remain). Angie also highlights a 40% transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Justin reminds listeners that dozens of limited-time promos across major loyalty programs are ending soon. On the credit card front, Angie shares that her Barclays Aviator card will convert to a Citi Strata card, prompting her to apply early to secure a sign-up bonus—ultimately receiving an unusually generous credit line offer. She also grabbed a no-lifetime-language Hilton Surpass offer that includes a free night certificate, planning to leverage upcoming pool renovation expenses to meet spending requirements. Justin, meanwhile, is working through Amex Business Gold and Delta Business Reserve bonuses for status, while his Player 2 was denied for a Citi AA Platinum Select and is considering a Hilton card with elevated offers. They also preview a packed year of travel, including Phoenix, Morocco, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Vallarta, Vegas, Rome, and Japan. The main topic centers on Justin’s family trip to Punta Cana, where they stayed at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana, booked directly through Hyatt for 29,000 points per night plus $60 per child. They flew nonstop on Delta Air Lines, paying a premium for the convenience. Justin notes this wasn’t their first full-family trip, as grandparents joined them previously. The episode wraps with a practical tip of the week: don’t believe every travel rumor you read online—especially when it comes to loyalty program changes. Episode Links: Amex to Avianca transfer bonusCondor drops Emirates EarningChase to Virgin transfer bonusPromos Ending soon Where to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    40 min
  7. Expert Flyer Tool- Deep Dive

    FEB 20

    Expert Flyer Tool- Deep Dive

    In Episode 160 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks welcomes Claudia Corral and Adrian Pagan from ExpertFlyer to discuss the evolution of one of the original tools in the award travel space. Angie reflects on how, before modern award search engines existed, travelers had to manually check airline sites or rely on ExpertFlyer alerts—often needing to understand complex fare classes to make it work. Now under Red Ventures, the platform has been modernized with a new mobile experience, improved alerts, and upgraded technology aimed at making the tool both more powerful for frequent flyers and more approachable for newcomers. The episode also covers current travel news and community highlights. Elevated offers on Southwest Airlines personal credit cards include up to 40,000 Rapid Rewards points plus a Companion Pass valid through February 2027, while Marriott Bonvoy launched a promotion awarding 2,500 bonus points per stay and bonus Elite Night Credits for stays at unique brands through May 10, 2026 (registration required). In the group discussion, members debated their top “keeper” credit cards, with The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Preferred frequently mentioned. Claudia and Adrian clarify that ExpertFlyer isn’t a points-search engine, but rather a comprehensive flight intelligence platform. It provides real-time seat maps, detailed fare class availability, upgrade space (notably valuable for American Airlines systemwide upgrades), flight schedules, fare rules, and tools like minimum connection times and visa information. Designed for frequent travelers, agents, and families alike, the platform encourages users to master one feature at a time, search flights segment by segment, and set strategic alerts. Looking ahead, the team is focused on improving award and upgrade searches—especially for American Airlines—enhancing seat maps, and refining alerts. A new AI-powered flight status insight feature also translates airline jargon into plain English to help travelers better understand delays or cancellations and potentially support compensation claims. Expert Flyer is offering a promo code so that AwardTravel101 listeners get 30% off an ExpertFlyer Premium Yearly account, the insider tool elite travelers use to fly smarter. Choose Premium Yearly account and use promo code ATPodcast30 at checkout. Eligible until 3/31/2026 Episode Links: Southwest CC Welcome offersWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    56 min
  8. Cruise Recap- And How Points Can Help

    FEB 13

    Cruise Recap- And How Points Can Help

    In Episode 159 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo cover listener tips, loyalty news, and Angie’s recent “actual vacation.” The highlight post addresses how to handle two-factor authentication (2FA) when traveling internationally, especially when using a local eSIM. Community suggestions include switching to authenticator apps instead of SMS and keeping your primary line active for texts and calls while using an eSIM for data. In the news, they discuss a new United Business card offer (100,000 miles plus 2,000 PQP), Air Canada adding ITA Airways as a distance-based redemption partner, a targeted Marriott Bonvoy points purchase bonus, and several loyalty promotions set to expire. They also share updates on their current credit card strategies and upcoming trips. The main topic centers on Angie’s first true vacation in years. After initially considering a resort stay in Anguilla, she and her husband opted for a seven-night Norwegian Cruise Line sailing out of San Juan with a port stop each day. They intentionally limited excursions, choosing instead to relax—reading, enjoying the sun, and unplugging. Angie strategically used a mix of cash, points, and credit card perks to offset costs, including Ultimate Rewards points to book the cruise through Chase Travel, free night certificates at the Caribe Hilton for a pre-cruise stay, and various statement credits for rides, dining, and lounge access. She also highlights how her Southwest Priority card delivered outsized value under the airline’s new seat assignment policy, saving nearly $500 on seat selection and baggage fees. While the trip delivered the relaxation they wanted, Angie notes some declines in NCL’s onboard experience and wouldn’t necessarily recommend that specific ship in the future. Episode Links United Business card offerAir Canada/ ITA partnershipMarriott buy points promoWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

    55 min
See All (202)

4.2
out of 5
171 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Award Travel 101 Podcast! Founded in 2013 with just 20 members, the Award Travel 101 Facebook group teaches members how to travel the world using points and miles. Today, a community of over 100,000+ people from around the world share, teach and learn how to travel anywhere on any budget. Where are you going with Award Travel?

Information

  • Creator
    Award Travel 101 Team
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Award Travel 101
  • Show Website
    Award Travel 101

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