Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition Sam Simon and Robert Dwyer

Episode 37: Show Notes



In today’s organic, stream-of-consciousness episode, we take a look at some of our recent travel experiences, explore current industry trends, and share our take on what we think may happen in the not-so-distant future. Our menagerie of travel stories begins with Thomas’s experience of the Rio Las Vegas before diving into the mileage run that took him to Nevada. Then, we explore the current state of the airline industry, possible mergers to look forward to (or be worried about), the lifestyle choices that influence our travel choices, and the implausible airline merger that would be a match made in heaven. We also discuss the evolution of standard airport lounges, asses how they weigh up against membership and rewards lounges, and examine how Trevor’s trip to Charlotte reminds us of the real cost of inflation. For a laid-back, conversational episode that is both fun and thought-provoking, be sure to tune in today!



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:00] Thomas’s experience of the Rio Las Vegas.



[08:12] How Thomas made his way to Vegas: an OG mileage run.  



[10:22] The current state of the airline industry, and possible acquisitions and mergers. 



[14:35] Exploring the finer details of Thomas’s Vegas mileage run.  



[19:35] Ways that travel styles vary and how lifestyle changes influence travel choices.



[23:20] What Thomas thinks about the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Dallas. 



[28:55] The pros and cons of standard airport lounges versus membership lounges. 



[34:18] Why Alaska Airlines and Jet Blue would be the perfect pairing. 



[36:10] What we think about the future of Hawaiian Airlines.



[38:00] Trevor’s quick overnight to Charlotte, North Carolina. 



[42:55] The true cost of inflation.  




Quotes:



“The biggest deterrent for me in any environment for me is tobacco smoke.” — @tmount [04:40]



“Ultimately, when we travel, we want to have options. That’s number one.” — @tmount [28:48]



“Either Jet Blue will have a lounge within the decade or they won’t exist in a decade.” — @TktweetsKim [33:37]



“I don’t know of an airline merger that has happened in less than 24 months.” — @TktweetsKim [37:45]



“That’s only 4,500 Alaska miles, I mean, why not? Honestly, some of these trips that we take, it’s more expensive to pay for the Uber.” — @TktweetsKim [42:42]



“With what it costs to dine out now, it definitely feels like more of a luxury item than it used to.” — @TktweetsKim [44:16]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Rio Las Vegas 



But I’m a Diamond Guest



Hyatt Hotels 



Alaska Airline



United Airlines 



American Airlines 



Delta 



Asiana Airlines



Korean Airlines 



Cranky Flier 



Brett Snyder on LinkedIn 



The Centurion Lounge 



Delta Sky Club 



Chase Sapphire Lounger 



Capital One Lounges 



Priority Pass 



Etihad Airways 



Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse 



Bel-Aire Lounge  



Spirit Airlines 



Jet Blue



Michael Trager on LinkedIn 



Hawaiian Airlines 



Finnair 



Qatar Airways



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

In this episode, we dive into the adventures of Spencer Howard, the founder of Straight To The Points, as he shares his recent Asia Pacific trip experience. Straight To The Points is a service that helps travelers find and book premium airline award tickets using points and miles, helping save time and money. In our conversation, Spencer shares his incredible 6-week journey through New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, highlighting the breathtaking sights and unique experiences he and his family encountered. Hear about his flight on Air New Zealand, what makes it a family-friendly airline, and tips for traveling with a newborn. Discover why convenience is key when traveling with a newborn, the importance of planning, and how he planned the overall trip. We discuss Hyatt alternatives in Sydney, his scenic route to Tokyo, and why you should go to a baseball game in Japan. Spencer also shares his favorite hotel stays, what makes for a great hotel experience, invaluable travel hacks, and more! Join us as we unpack the ins and outs of planning your Asia Pacific trip with Spencer Howard!



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:00] Introducing today’s guest, Spencer Howard.



[01:41] Outline of today’s topic and what listeners can expect.



[03:38] His motivation for the trip and traveling with a newborn.



[06:29] Flying Air New Zealand from Texas, Houston.



[10:00] The main difference between Queenstown and Aukland.



[11:47] Finding a hotel, getting around, and how to use your points in New Zealand.



[15:04] Why he chose convenience over price when making bookings.



[17:15] Spencer’s New Zealand highlights and why he would go back.



[22:05] Sightseeing in Sydney and his stay at the Capella Sydney.



[27:04] His alternative route to Tokyo and changing the itinerary on a trip.



[31:18] His Japan experience, the hotels, and going to a baseball game.



[42:52] What inspired him to go to Japan and how he planned the trip.



[47:28] Find out more about Spencer and his company, Straight To The Points.




Quotes:



“Air New Zealand obviously does not have first-class but they will let you buy the bigger seat. That was worth it.” — @spencerformiles [6:57]



“Convenience matters, I think, when you are traveling with a little one.” — @spencerformiles [15:46]



“[The Capella Sydney Hotel] truly is an amazing hotel that I would prefer to stay in when I go back.” — @spencerformiles [22:35]



“You can get, what I would say is a reasonably priced, nice hotel in Sydney if you are not using points.” — @spencerformiles [24:37]



“Finding the information important to your travel faster I think is important so I am just trying to save people some hours.” — @spencerformiles [50:09]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Spencer Howard on LinkedIn



Spencer Howard on X



Spencer Howard on Instagram



Straight To The Points



Points Wire



Air New Zealand



Virgin Atlantic



British Airways



Air Canada



Cathay Pacific



Small Luxury Hotels of The World Limited



Hilton Hotels in New Zealand



Hotel St Moritz



Capella Sydney



The Park Hyatt Sydney



Andy's Travel Blog



Hyatt Hotels in Japan



Grand Hyatt Tokyo



The Ritz-Carlton



Asia Pacific Airlines



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

0:24 Q3 2024 5x Categories




Chase Freedom: Gas (and other stuff)



Discover: Grocery Stores, Walmart (For the first time in FOREVER!!!)



Citi Dividend: Gas



Why do banks have these cards? To move our spending onto these cards long after the quarter ends.




04:05 Transfer Bonuses




Citi -> Cathay Pacific 15% (7/20)



Chase -> Aeroplan 20% (7/31)



If the space is there and these miles will be used, great to get a discount. Probably not worth speculatively transferring.




08:33 New DeltaOne Premium Lounges Coming in 2024 (OMAAT)




JFK: June



LAX: Late 2024



BOS: Late 2024 (adjacent to already-open 3rd SkyClub in BOS, in International Terminal E)




13:26 Staggering Decline in Usefulness of giftcards.com Visa/MC GC




At one point these were a fantastic way to earn miles and even hit sign up bonuses



Recall buying Amex GC and then flipping those to GC.com. 



Now what can we do with these?



There's certainly a draw with 5-10% off sales. But those are usually small dollar cards 



Scale vs spread



None of this really matters because there's nowhere these cards even work 




19:34 Checking Account with Free ATM Withdrawals Worldwide?




First Republic had this for $15k



Chase requires $75k min balance Sapphire checking to avoid fees



The louses at Chase deactivated First Republic debit cards before the Chase cards arrived. Gah! Do they have the same PIN? I think so? But I go to the ATM infrequently in the US so I’m not sure.



Am I over-thinking it? Just pay the fees? Well, it’s not just the ATM fee, there’s a “foreign exchange rate adjustment fee” that’s a percentage (usually around 3%) of the amount withdrawn on top of the ATM fee:



“Surcharge Fees from the ATM owner/network still apply. A Foreign Exchange Rate Adjustment Fee from Chase may apply for ATM withdrawals in a currency other than U.S. dollars.”



When presented with the question of whether you want to be charged in foreign or USD choose the local currency if your bank here has no Foreign Transaction fees. (Say no to Dynamic Currency Conversion). Example:







But the real scary thing is where the ATM you’re withdrawing from tacks on a dynamic currency conversion fee, they don’t disclose the percentage, the ATM interface makes it confusing to figure out what’s going on, and you end up paying what is or feels like a lot more than you should to take money out of an ATM.



I really just like to be able to withdraw a reasonable amount of foreign currency as I go without worrying about fees adding up.



Schwab Checking has free international ATM withdrawals with no minimum balance



Schwab debit card was expired (never used), I don’t know what the PIN is, and their phone tree sends me in circles. Thought to go in branch but is there no such thing as a Schwab checking branch?



Chatted, guy told me I “may have to speak with Schwab Checking. I thought I was chatting with Schwab Checking!?



Maybe Volcker doesn’t get the credit he deserves



Update as Robert is leaving to Japan and will be using this debit card.




36:48 International Data for Cellphones. Current Status




Being connected is pretty much a necessity at this point



There are multiple ways to handle this, and with multiple price points and [potential] gotchas



How to handle this is also a factor of your current provider, plan, phone and where you’re traveling

Example: In Mexico many plans ‘just work’ as if you’re home.





How do we each play this when we’re outside the country and what pros/cons do these methods have? 



Sam: Complicated, but I want data, and really only want data.  I’ve had a setup for a decade plus that decouples my phone number from a cell provider (think: wifi calling but over mobile data).  That’s nice because I can do everything I want/need with my local number with just a data bucket.

E-SIM has changed the world (literally). Gone are the days of visiting a kiosk in the airp

0:55 Ranking Bank Points for Domestic Airfare




We’re talking about deeply discounted airfare, not FREE airfare. 



Every one of these programs has a cash out path–that’s great




1:45 Overview: Highs and Lows of each Program



1:59 Chase UR




Talked about the most online, but not as valuable as Amex to us



Much more straightforward than Amex



1 Cent per Ultimate Reward point earned (easy cash out on all card)



5x earning on Office Supply has been around for a long time. 



Earning at high rates, transferring to a CSR/CSP 




3:00 Earning Chase UR 




Easy to use Domestic Partners in United and Southwest



Travel Portal booking is not ideal but does have uplift



Earning with high multipliers and sign up bonuses works well



5/24 limits the number of cards you can get



Can co-mingle points




6:30 Southwest (W/ Chase UR)




Points have become less useful as Ticketless Travel Funds (TTF) have become permanent



Less transfers from UR->Southwest because TTF are so plentiful



If transferring , the best way to earn is still NOT on the Southwest credit cards. 




7:43 Booking with the Chase Travel Portal: 




Price inflation is real (American, others) Be sure to check google flights



Can see inflated prices on flights, issues when canceling



1.25 cents per point / 1.5 cents per point (20% - 33% discount on travel)



Sometimes just taking cash back at 1 cent per point is the way to pay for travel



These points are not ‘free’




10:53 Amex MR Overview




Amex is so generous that they have changed subscribers’ lives



THE most generous bank with respect to SUB, earning bonuses and referrals



The default cash back amount for a MR is 0.6 Cents ($.006) per MR with a few exceptions



Difficult to get rid of these points. 




12:41 Booking Travel with Amex MR




With such easy earning there isn’t a fast enough release valve sometimes



Their travel portal is horrible, but is mandatory for the 35% rebate



Insider fares are lower fares than anywhere else. 



Extremely high annual fee cards needed to release points at high value



To get good redemption rates with points you have to graduate to high annual fee cards



Either churn the card or pay the high annual fee (carrying costs) to get good value



Delta transfers are a great option – 1.1 cents in value per point, transfer 1:1



Holding a Delta card gives a 15% discount as well, works out to around 1.25 cents per point. 




16:26 Earning Membership Rewards




“They’ve gone crazy with the Sign up Bonuses” 



Easier to earn at a moderate level than Chase (or any other bank) 



Many high annual Fee cards, which come with many coupons/credits



Nonstarter for someone just starting out. 




18:55 Difficulties transacting with AMEX




Need High annual Fee Business Platinum for 35% rebate (approx 1.5 cents per point) 



Need High Annaul Fee Morgan stanley (1cpp) or Schwab (1.1 cpp) to cash out MR. 



Cannot co-mingle points across spouses, which means you need 2 of each of these cards!



35% rebate only on airline of choice or business/first fares. 



Extremely tricky to jump through hoops with Amex. 




26:30 Bank of America Premium Rewards




Both of us have had positive experiences with these points



Earning on the Premium Rewards Elite  card ($550 annual fee)



Cannot co-mingle with other point earning cards



No Airline transfer partners. 



Can pool with anyone easily




27:31 Booking Airfare With Premium Rewards




Good Value, affordable flights work well with these points



“Earning is not nearly as easy as Chase/Amex”



Card is churnable



Incidentals can help remove the sting of $550 annual Fee



1 cent per point easy cash out 



20% rebate on airfare, which works out to 1.25 cents per point




29:03 Unique opportunity: 20% discount




There is a Travel portal and you can use it for the uplift



BUT you also can find any flight, any airline and call in getting

While today is all about a long weekend in Madrid, Thomas and Trevor go on their usual tangents to bring you yet another information-drenched and fun-filled episode! We begin with our love for gin and tonic ice cubes and by explaining how today’s episode relates to many of our other Travel Stories. Then, Trevor walks us through his recent airport lounge experiences, how food and drinks compare, how to maximize your points redemptions, and taking short trips in first class versus longer trips in economy. Trevor then explains why he had to drop Mumbai from his Madrid trip itinerary, what you need to be cautious of when walking the streets of Madrid, and the entertainment options that are available in Spain’s capital for both kids and adults. To end, we discuss the evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class (cheers!) and what we like and dislike about recent amenity additions and removals, and we take a closer look at the now-unretired Airbus A340-600. 



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:30] Gin & tonic ice cubes, and how today’s Travel Story links to many previous episodes. 



[01:52] Why taking cheaper flights from the Maldives is not as common as it used to be. 



[03:30] Trevor’s interesting and most recent airport lounge experiences. 



[06:12] Comparing the food and drink quality of the various lounges that Trevor visited.  



[07:40] Virgin Atlantic’s common flight times and standard fleet make up, and some advice on how to maximize points redemption.  



[10:32] Short trips in first class and transatlantic flights in economy. 



[12:07] Understanding Trevor’s Dallas-London-Mumbai-Madrid itinerary. 



[20:44] Madrid: Spain’s lovely capital. 



[26:50] A cautionary pickpocketing tale from Madrid’s 5th Avenue equivalent. 



[32:20] Activities for kids, Museo Nacional del Prado, and exploring food and drinks in Madrid. 



[37:28] Today’s if “you say it, you sip it” phrase is “Lufthansa first-class”.



[37:45] Trevor’s time in Munich, and the ins and outs of the now unretired Airbus A340-600. 



[45:56] The evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class amenities, and where it stands today. 




Quotes:



“I have to say that I’m becoming more and more impressed with this [Chase Sapphire] lounge.” — @tmount [04:04]



“One potential area of friction [was] reduced; removed completely because the [Virgin Atlantic] crew was just absolutely amazing.” — @tmount [09:53]



“Choice Hotels are like the unsung heroes of Europe.” — @tmount [23:33]



“If you’re in that situation; if you’re in an area where you’re going to have no personal space and [be] shoulder-to-shoulder with a lot of people you don’t know, it’s probably a good idea to secure your stuff.” — @TktweetsKim [30:26]



“If we can find those local places, we’re always happier for it.” — @tmount [34:51]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



‘Travel Stories Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip’ 



‘Travel Stories Episode 19: Converting a Maldives Skeptic’



Virgin Atlantic 



Chase Sapphire Lounge 



Capital One Lounge 



United Airlines 



British Airways 



Star Alliance 



Priority Pass 



Lufthansa 



Robert Dwyer on X 



Sam Simon on X 



LifeMiles 



TRYP by Wyndham 



Choice Hotels 



Hyatt Hotels 



Radisson Hotels 



Accor 



Escadaria Selarón 



Museo Nacional del Prado  



Airbus A340-600



Taberna el Rincon de Jose



The Milenomics Podcast Network



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X

Chatting with Nick Reyes of FrequentMiler



Episode 34: Show Notes.



Few things are as exhilarating as a competitive travel challenge among like-minded peers! Speaking of birds of a feather, today we are joined by fellow travel enthusiast and author, Nick Reyes. Nick is a prime example of how to follow your travel dreams even when your wallet says that you can't, and today, he shares both new and old travel hacks that will help you conquer your next travel challenge! We learn about the evolution of Avianca’s lifemiles program, the flop of Nick's first redemption versus the joys of his most successful one, and how bucket-list adventures are more accessible than you may realize. We also discuss Nick's most complicated (yet worthwhile) travel hack before exploring the wonders of travel as education, the benefits of various rewards programs, the value of reviewing rewards charts, and how to properly plan for a long trip. To end, Nick Reyes shares even more helpful advice for saving time and money on your adventures around the world.



Key Points From This Episode:




[00:40] FTU: How Trevor and Thomas met today's guest, Nick Reyes.



[04:30] How miles and points have evolved since 2013, and assessing Avianca's lifemiles program. 



[08:04] Nick's first redemption.



[12:44] Highlights from his first (successful) miles redemption trip.



[15:06] How once-in-a-lifetime trips become more accessible with miles and points.



[18:23] Exploring the wonders of travel as education. 



[23:09] The most complicated travel hack that Nick has ever executed. 



[34:30] Unpacking various unassuming rewards programs that come with big payoffs. 



[35:20] How flying from certain regions saves points and money, and the value of reviewing reward charts.



[42:22] The ins and outs of Nick's latest travel challenge and how he's planning for it.



[46:20] Why it's important to thoroughly plan your travel, and how to go about it.  



[48:48] Time and money-saving travel tips.



[53:18] How to connect with Nick Reyes.




Quotes:



“Before I discovered miles and points, my wife and I already had the travel itch. And so, we would work really hard, sometimes 60; 70; 80 hours a week, and then we would take a month or two off and go travel somewhere as cheaply as we could.” — @NickatFM [08:26]



“When we traveled on a shoestring budget back in the day, it was always like, 'Well, we're probably never going to be here again so we've got to see and do everything that we can'. And not having that pressure because of miles and points is such an incredibly liberating feeling.” — @NickatFM [15:32]



“[My kids] are learning geography not just by looking at it in a book and memorizing it for a test, but by going to places and seeing things. I think that's incredibly exciting because that's certainly not a world I grew up living in, nor one that I thought I'd be able to provide for my family someday.” — @NickatFM [19:36]



“Air Canada's Aeroplan has been something that has really inspired me to be interested in trying to push the boundaries, because their reward chart was made for people like us that get excited about figuring out, 'Okay, how far can I go? What can I do?'.” — @NickatFM [23:46]



Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:



Nick Reyes on LinkedIn



Nick Reyes on Instagram



Nick Reyes on X



Frequent Miler



FT Association | FTU



Avianca lifemiles



Air Canada Aeroplan



Etihad



Turkish Airlines



Eat With



Thomas Kim on X



Trevor Mountcastle on X 



Milenomics