Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

10xTravel
  • 4.7 (404)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Takeoff is a podcast that will teach you how to save money and travel better. Join Travis, Emily, and Matt from 10xTravel as they teach you the fundamentals of points & miles and dive into the latest strategies, deals, and news in the industry. If you want to travel more (and better) without spending more money, this show is for you.

  1. 4D AGO

    100K Points Challenge: Plan Trips for Solo, Couples & Families

    How far can 100,000 points really go? In this episode, the 10xTravel crew put this question to the test by planning three completely different trips using the same points budget: One for a solo traveler, one for a couple, and one for a family of four. And the results might surprise you! Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Listen as Travis, Matt, and Emily break down a European solo trip built on budget-friendly award flights, a couple’s getaway that balances cost and experience, and a family vacation that proves points can still work at scale. This is not about luxury first class flights or glamorous stays at impressive resorts, but instead about showing what is actually possible when you make smart decisions with limited points. Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    52 min

  2. APR 22

    All-Inclusive Resorts with Points: Best Programs & Hidden Costs

    Are all-inclusive resorts actually the best way to use your points? In this episode, Travis, Emily, and Matt break down everything you need to know about booking all-inclusive resorts with points and miles. Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today From Hyatt’s massive all-inclusive portfolio to underrated options with Wyndham, they're diving into the best programs, pricing strategies, and the hidden details most travelers overlook. All-inclusive resorts promise simplicity, but not everything is always included. Knowing how these bookings really work can be the difference between an incredible deal and a disappointing redemption. If you want to maximize your points, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and avoid common mistakes, this episode walks you through exactly how to do it. What you’ll learn: Best hotel programs for all-inclusive resorts (Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham) How many points you actually need and what affects pricing The pros and cons of all-inclusive redemptions Hidden fees and limitations to watch out for When to use travel portals instead of transferring points Family booking pitfalls and occupancy rules What elite status does (and doesn’t) get you How to decide if all-inclusive is right for your travel style If you’ve been thinking about booking an all-inclusive resort with points, start here before you transfer anything. Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Hyatt's All-Inclusive Properties IHG's All-Inclusive Resorts Hilton's All-Inclusive Resorts All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales networ...

    59 min

  3. APR 8

    Are Repositioning Flights Worth It? Risks, Rewards, and Real Stories

    Repositioning flights can unlock massive points savings, but they can also derail your entire trip if you’re not careful. In this episode, Travis, Emily, and Matt break down one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) strategies in points and miles. From near-miss travel disasters to smart ways to protect your itinerary, you’ll learn when repositioning flights are worth it and when they’re not.   Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place If you’ve ever struggled to find award availability from your home airport or wondered how travelers consistently score better redemptions, this episode will open your eyes to the game changing strategy you'll be eager to try!   Tune in to hear real-world close calls, how to avoid getting stranded, and the simple adjustments that can make the difference between a smooth trip and an airport nightmare.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro + What We’re Covering 00:45 What Is a Repositioning Flight? 02:00 Real Travel Stories + Close Calls 06:30 When Repositioning Goes Wrong 10:00 Why This Strategy Works (Big Savings + Access) 13:00 Best Airports + Where to Reposition 16:30 Advanced Strategies (International + Hidden Routes) 20:00 Biggest Risks You Need to Know 23:30 How to Reduce Risk (Key Rules) 27:30 Same-Day vs Overnight Repositioning 31:30 Hotel + Airport Strategy Tips 35:00 Common Mistakes to Avoid 38:30 Pro Tips (Standby, Adding Legs, Flexibility) 42:00 Final Takeaways: Is It Worth It?   Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today    Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    53 min

  4. MAR 25

    United & Hyatt Loyalty Changes: What Travelers Need to Know

    Hyatt just devalued its points system, and it could impact your next trip more than you think. In this episode, Travis, Emily, and Matt break down the 2026 loyalty program shakeup affecting World of Hyatt and United MileagePlus. They're getting into specific program shifts and what it actually means for your points strategy. Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place From Hyatt’s move toward dynamic-style pricing to United doubling down on rewarding cardholders, this episode uncovers what’s changing, what hurts, and what smart travelers should be doing right now. If you’ve been saving points for a dream redemption, you’ll want to hear this before you book anything. The episode covers: What Hyatt’s new 5-tier pricing system really means Why this feels like dynamic pricing (even if they say it’s not) Which redemptions could cost significantly more soon United’s new strategy for cardholders and elite members How award availability and pricing could shift The biggest risks to your current points strategy What to do before these changes take effect Timestamps: 00:00 Intro to Program Changes 06:00 Hyatt Changes Explained 20:00 Real Impact on Redemptions 37:00 United Updates Breakdown 52:00 Strategy Shifts Moving Forward Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course https://10xtravel.com/free-tools/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_73&utm_content= New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast https://10xtravel.com/new-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_73&utm_content= 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today https://10xtravel.com/10xtravel-plus/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_73&utm_content= Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    1h 9m

  5. MAR 11

    How to Fly Business Class to Italy Using Points and Miles

    Dreaming about sipping espresso in Milan, exploring the lakes of Northern Italy, or wandering the historic streets of Rome without paying thousands for airfare? In this episode, Travis is joined by Matt and Emily to break down some of the best ways to fly business class to Italy using points and miles. From nonstop routes to creative partner bookings, they explore multiple strategies that can help travelers reach Italy in comfort without paying business class cash prices. Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place You will hear about airline alliances, sweet spots across different loyalty programs, and unique routing ideas that can open up more award availability. If flights are the biggest hurdle in planning a European trip, this conversation will help you understand how to approach your search and uncover opportunities you might have missed. Programs and redemption examples discussed: Flying Blue business class to Europe starting around 60,000 points Avianca Lifemiles business class awards around 63,000 miles Virgin Atlantic partner awards around 75,000 miles Alaska Airlines awards around 55,000 miles Delta One via partner programs for significantly fewer miles than booking direct If Italy is on your travel wish list, this episode will help you start building the strategy to get there using points. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome 00:40 Olympics Curling Chat 03:52 Italy Business Class Setup 10:26 Why Italy Is Worth It 16:18 Flight Options Overview 19:33 Repositioning Stories 20:40 United and Flying Blue Deals 24:48 Air Canada Cautions 25:05 Avoid Overpaying Segments 25:31 Reposition East vs West 26:55 Emirates Fifth Freedom  28:47 Delta One via Flying Blue 30:03 More Programs to Check 30:52 Lifemiles and Ethiopian Routes 32:57 Virgin Atlantic and Alaska Deals 36:47 Booking Timing and Fees 43:35 Cash Fares from Montreal 46:54 Final Takeaways  Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course https://10xtravel.com/free-tools/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_72&utm_content= New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast https://10xtravel.com/new-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_72&utm_content= 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today https://10xtravel.com/10xtravel-plus/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_72&utm_content= How to Plan Your Points Redemption to Italy https://10xtravel.com/mapping-points-redemption-to-italy/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_72&utm_content=

    52 min

  6. FEB 25

    Warm Weather Destinations You Can Book With Points

    Ready to escape the cold and head to somewhere with sunshine? In this episode, Travis, Emily, and Matt reveal their favorite warm weather destinations you can book using points and miles, getting into the details of travel to Mexico, Greece, Costa Rica and more. Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway or planning a bigger international trip, this episode covers destinations that are both aspirational and surprisingly accessible - and all can done with points! This episode will give you ideas you can actually use for your next tropical getaway. Before you book, don’t forget to log your redemptions inside the free 10X Travel redemption tracker so you can keep everything organized! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome: Warm-Weather Trips You Can Book With Points 04:53 Why Costa Rica: Easy Flights + Best Airline Points Plays 11:02 Costa Rica Hotels on Points: Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton & IHG Options 12:47 High-End Redemptions & Resorts (Andaz, Ritz Reserve, Waldorf) 25:25 Costa Rica Trip Planning Tips 27:29 Paros, Greece: Getting There on Points 32:24 Getting to the Greek islands: Aegean Awards vs. Paying Cash 32:59 Visiting Paros: Hotels, Transportation, and Day Trips 36:59 Mexico: The Ultimate Quick Getaway 39:10 Points & Airline Options to Mexico 42:25 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, & Riviera Maya/Cancun 01:01:16 Wrap-up: Tools & Award Booking Help Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Let us book your next award flight for you Everything You Need To Know About Award Booking How to Select Seats on Partner Award Bookings Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    1h 5m

  7. FEB 11

    Last-Minute Family Travel with Points: Ryan's Real-World Strategies

    Does family travel with points really require planning years in advance? In this episode of Takeoff, Travis and Emily sit down with Ryan Fernandez, a longtime 10xTravel reader and mom who proves that last-minute family travel on points is not only possible, but actually practical!   Join My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place   In the episode, Ryan shares how she books premium cabin flights for the whole family, pivots plans when trips fall apart, and travels with kids despite tight school schedules and limited availability. From spontaneous award bookings to real-world travel mishaps and insurance wins, this conversation breaks down how families can use points with flexibility instead of stress.   This episode is a must-listen to any family traveler who's interested in the points game!   You'll learn: • How Ryan plans trips around school calendars and sports schedules • Why booking last minute can actually reduce stress • How flexible points make family travel easier • When portals make sense versus transferring points • How to handle last-minute cancellations and pivots • Why convenience often beats “perfect” redemptions • The mindset shift families need to travel more often   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker 03:57 Planning Family Travel with Points 06:49 Last-Minute Travel Strategies 15:37 Handling Travel Mishaps 23:35 Travel Wins and Memorable Trips 25:25 Repositioning and Travel Tips 27:38 Practical Family Travel Tips 29:26 Travel Baseball and Hotel Stays 30:33 Traveling with Kids: Before and After 37:21 Surprising Family-Friendly Destinations 40:02 Planning Future Trips 43:26 Navigating Hotels with Family 45:05 Final Thoughts on Family Travel with Points and Miles   Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course https://10xtravel.com/free-tools/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content=   New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast https://10xtravel.com/new-here/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content=   10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today https://10xtravel.com/10xtravel-plus/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=sn&utm_campaign=Episode_70&utm_content= Stay Connected: Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel Subscribe for more tips on travel, points, and miles! Don’t forget to hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode. Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this website are from companies which 10xTravel will earn an affiliate commission. 10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

    55 min

  8. JAN 28

    Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program for 2026: Alaska vs United vs American

    Which U.S. airline loyalty program delivers the most value in 2026? In this roundtable discussion, the 10xTravel crew debates Alaska Airlines, United MileagePlus, and American AAdvantage to determine which program stands out for earning miles, redeeming points, elite status perks, and partner networks.   Travis, Emily, and Matt each defend one airline program, breaking down recent changes, hidden strengths, and real world tradeoffs travelers need to understand before committing their loyalty. This episode is designed to help you rethink how airline programs actually work in 2026 and whether chasing status still makes sense.   You’ll hear the crew's perspectives on: Which airline miles are easiest to earn in 2026 How redemption value really compares across Alaska, United, and American Whether elite status still delivers meaningful benefits How alliances and partners affect award availability Why some loyalty strategies may no longer be worth the effort   Tune in to learn which which program may work best for how you travel in 2026!   Timestamps: 0:00 Intro: Best Airline Loyalty Program for 2026 01:15 Roundtable Format & Airlines Chosen (Alaska, United, American) 04:10 Icebreaker: Best Airport Lounge Snacks 10:55 How We’re Judging Each Program 11:20 Earning Points: Alaska's Atmos Rewards 16:05 Alaska Credit Cards & “Choose Your Own Adventure” Earning 21:00 Earning Points: United MileagePlus 23:45 United Credit Cards & Star Alliance Earning 31:00 Earning Points: American Airlines AAdvantage 33:30 Earning & Redeeming Points: United & Star Alliance 38:40 United Devaluations & Partner Award Changes 42:55 Redeeming Points: American Airlines Sweet Spots 44:40 Alaska Stopovers & Unique Partner Value 48:10 Elite Status Evaluations 01:05:30 Which Program Is Best for the Average Traveler? 01:08:10 Final Votes & Why American Wins 01:11:00 Why Delta Was Not Included 01:14:30 Listener Spotlight: Family United Redemption to Aruba 01:17:20 Final Thoughts Links and Resources from this Episode: Take Our Free Points and Miles Course New To Points and Miles? Listen to Episodes 1-6 of the podcast Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly) My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place Let us book your next award flight for you Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card 10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today Join us at an upcoming Meetu...

    1h 19m
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Takeoff is a podcast that will teach you how to save money and travel better. Join Travis, Emily, and Matt from 10xTravel as they teach you the fundamentals of points & miles and dive into the latest strategies, deals, and news in the industry. If you want to travel more (and better) without spending more money, this show is for you.

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