Rewarding Routes

John Diaz
  • 5.0 (5)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Rewarding Routes is the podcast that helps you turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips to Japan and Asia. Learn how to use points and miles, create fun itineraries, and explore cultural experiences without overspending. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, get inspired to make travel more rewarding.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Hyatt Devaluation: What's Changing, What It Costs and What to Do Now

    #31 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're breaking down the biggest Hyatt news in years the World of Hyatt award chart overhaul. In this episode, we're talking about what's changing in May 2026 and what it means for anyone using Hyatt points for Japan travel. We'll break down the new five-tier pricing system, discuss how the changes hit peak travel seasons like cherry blossom and Golden Week the hardest, and share a real example using our upcoming Hyatt Place Kyoto stay to show exactly what these changes cost in points. Tune in to learn how to protect your points value before May, identify when the new chart actually works in your favor, and make smarter booking decisions for your Japan trips going forward. What You'll Learn from This Episode How Hyatt's new five-tier award chart (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, Top) compares to the current Off-Peak, Standard, and Peak system and why it feels like a step toward dynamic pricingWhy the "Top" tier is the biggest hit, with some categories seeing 50–67% point increases over current peak pricingA real breakdown using Hyatt Place Kyoto (Category 2) how a 7-night stay goes from 56,000 points at standard to 70,000 at Moderate, and from 84,000 to 126,000 points during cherry blossom seasonWhy booking before May could save you tens of thousands of points and what happens to your booking if a hotel's category changesHow to get one month of early access to award availability through the World of Hyatt card or Explorist status, and why that matters more than ever with the new lowest tierFeatured on the Show 📰 Full Hyatt Award Chart Breakdown — The Points Guy: https://thepointsguy.com/news/world-of-hyatt-award-chart-major-changes/📸 Follow John on Instagram for category change updates: @itsjohndiaz🎙️ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a 5 Star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Rewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    24 min

  2. APR 2

    How I Actually Start Planning Every Japan Trip

    #30 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're getting into one of my favorite parts of the whole travel process, the early stages of planning a trip to Japan. In this episode, we're talking about how to start planning your trip to Japan before you even think about building an itinerary. We'll break down how I use Google Maps to save locations and visually spot the neighborhoods that have my interest, discuss how learning about Japan's different regions and prefectures completely changes the way you experience a trip, and I share how I build a simple budget sheet early on so I'm never caught off guard by costs. Tune in to learn how to plan smarter, go deeper, and start building your dream Japan trip one saved pin at a time. What You'll Learn from This Episode How I use Google Maps to save every location that interests me and how over time it helps me see exactly which neighborhoods I should be staying inWhy learning about Japan's regions and prefectures is one of the most exciting parts of the planning process and how it shapes everything from your route to what you eatHow the season you travel in completely changes your experience, whether that's navigating cherry blossom crowds in spring or catching incredible festivals in the summerWhy I start a simple budget sheet early on and how it helps me plan for activities, ryokans, transportation, and more without any last minute stressHow thinking about travel through points and miles allows me to slow down, enjoy the trip, and keep coming back to Japan year after yearFeatured on the Show The Navigatio – A great Japan travel blog worth followingOnly in Japan – John Daub has lived in Japan for nearly 30 years and his passion for the country comes through in every single videoOnly in Japan Go – John's live channel, a great companion to the main channelTDR ExplorerAbroad in Japan – Chris Broad's channel is one of my favorites for Japan contentSam and VictorCurrently HannahTabi Eats – If you love food content from Japan, this one is a must followIf you have questions or want to share how you plan your own trips, reach out to me on Instagram at @itsjohndiaz or shoot me an email at rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.com. I genuinely want to hear how you do things because I'm always learning too. If you got value from this episode, a five star review would mean the world to me. I'll catch you on the next one! Rewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    29 min

  3. MAR 26

    What to Book in Advance for Japan (And How Far Out)

    #29 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're diving deep into trip planning for Japan. In this episode, we're talking about what to book in advance for your Japan trip. We'll break down the most popular experiences that require early reservations, discuss how far ahead you actually need to book each one, and share the exact activities I'm planning to book for my 2027 Kyoto and Osaka trip including the Nintendo Museum lottery, TeamLab Kyoto, and the Pokémon Cafe. Tune in to learn how to plan your Japan itinerary with confidence, avoid missing out on bucket-list experiences, and build a booking timeline that sets your trip up for success before you ever board the plane. What You'll Learn from This Episode Why booking local tours and cultural experiences early sets the tone for your entire trip The exact booking windows for Japan's most competitive attractionsHow I'm building out my 2027 Kyoto and Osaka itineraryTheme parks, baseball games, and Shibuya Sky — what actually needs advance booking and what doesn't Pro tips for practice runs, JST time conversions, and using apps like KlookFeatured on the Show Klook App — Third-party booking platform for activities, theme park tickets, and transportation across Japan: klook.comAirbnb Experiences — Great source for local guides, photo shoots, cooking classes, and cultural workshops: airbnb.com/experiencesFly Photographer — Photographers available in 350+ cities worldwide including Japan: flyphotographer.comTDR Explorer (YouTube) — Chris's channel is my go-to resource for Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan guides, express passes, and app tips: youtube.com/@tdrexplorerBuy Sumo Tickets — Official source for Grand Sumo Tournament tickets: buysumotickets.comPokémon Cafe Reservations — Official site for Osaka and Tokyo locations: https://www.pokemon-cafe.jp/en/cafe/reservation.htmlNintendo Museum Lottery — Check the official Nintendo Museum site starting 3 months in advance on the 1st of the month https://museum.nintendo.com/en/index.htmlRewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    42 min

  4. MAR 19

    Spring in Japan: Sakura Season, Golden Week & What to Really Expect

    #28 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're diving into everything you need to know about visiting Japan in spring. In this episode, we're talking about spring travel in Japan. We'll break down cherry blossom season and how to chase the bloom, discuss Golden Week and what to expect from crowds and costs and share personal insights from my two spring trips to Japan. Tune in to learn how to plan a spring Japan trip with realistic expectations so you can make the most of the season without the stress. What You'll Learn from This Episode What cherry blossom season actually looks like — crowds, timing, and how to track the bloom forecastHow to still see sakura even if you miss peak bloom in the major citiesWhat Golden Week is and why it matters for your itinerary, bookings, and budgetWhat the weather feels like across March, April, and May — and how to pack for itHow spring affects points availability and pricing for flights and hotelsFeatured on the Show Episodes on flights to Japan — Episode 7Tokyo neighborhoods and where to stay — Episode 15Hyatt hotels in Tokyo and across Japan — Episode 16Reach out to John: rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.comInstagram: @itsjohndiazRewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    24 min

  5. MAR 12

    Starting Small: How I Booked My Family a Weekend Trip to Chicago for $22.40

    #27 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're keeping it close to home...literally. In this episode, we're talking about starting small with points and miles. We'll break down how I booked a Chicago weekend trip for my family using two cards most beginners can actually get, discuss how Companion Pass works and why it's one of the best deals in travel, and share why a $22.40 domestic trip might be the most important booking I make all year. Tune in to learn how to build real confidence with points and miles so when Japan is finally on the calendar, you're ready. What You'll Learn from This Episode How to earn and use Southwest Companion Pass to fly your partner for freeWhy signup bonuses are the fastest way to accumulate points and milesHow to book hotel nights through Chase Ultimate Rewards and transfer to HyattWhat to know about flying with a lap infant before your first family tripWhy starting with a simple domestic trip is the smartest first step toward JapanFeatured on the Show Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus CardChase Sapphire PreferredFollow John on Instagram — @itsjohndiazEmail the show — rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.comRewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    27 min

  6. MAR 5

    How I Booked Japan Airlines Business Class to Tokyo Using Points

    #26 This week we’re breaking down exactly how I booked Japan Airlines Business Class from Los Angeles to Tokyo using points and miles. In this episode, I walk through my entire booking process step-by-step from spotting the award availability to leveraging a Capital One transfer bonus that made the redemption even more valuable. I also share the math behind the booking, including the miles used, taxes paid, and what the same flight would have cost in cash. Along the way, we also touch on some important Hyatt news, including upcoming changes to the World of Hyatt award chart that could increase redemption costs for some of the most desirable hotels. Tune in to learn how I turned everyday spending into a $6,000+ business class flight to Japan, and how you can prepare for similar opportunities in the future. What You’ll Learn from This Episode • How I booked Japan Airlines Business Class for 55,000 miles from LAX to Tokyo • How a Capital One transfer bonus helped reduce the number of points needed • Why flexibility with award travel can unlock rare business class opportunities • Important World of Hyatt award chart changes coming soon • Why you should always have a plan before transferring points to airline programs Featured on the Show Max Miles Points - Instagram @maxmilespoints https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVM1xTQgbDL/?igsh=a2p5ejhjeGthMTBy - how to ACTUALLY find 55,000 point Japan Airlines Business Class flights by Max Miles Points Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card My Referral Link - https://i.capitalone.com/JEbHdVzBz Rewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    30 min

  7. FEB 26

    Level Up Your Travel Strategy with a Player Two

    #25 This week we’re talking about leveling up your travel strategy with a Player Two. In this episode, we’re breaking down what a Player Two actually is, how to leverage referral bonuses and welcome offers, and how to strategically manage things like 5/24, authorized users, and minimum spend requirements. I also share how my wife and I use this system to stack points for bigger trips to Japan and beyond. Tune in to learn how working as a team can unlock more points, bigger redemptions, and more accessible travel experiences around the world. What You’ll Learn from This Episode • What a Player Two strategy is and who it works best for (spouse, sibling, friend, travel partner) • How to stack welcome bonuses and referral bonuses for massive point growth • Why authorized users are different from a true Player Two strategy • How to manage minimum spend together without going into debt • How combining (or strategically splitting) points can fund bigger trips like business class flights and full hotel stays Another Example of someone using a Player Two System Our Credit Card Strategy For Couples (2 Player System) by Daniel Braun  https://youtu.be/Wuftu11aFO8?si=Nyn-7C1MpOFJlMmh Episode 5: How We Took a $15,000 Japan & South Korea Trip for $221 Using Points Rewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    22 min

  8. FEB 19

    Japan Travel Apps That Make Your Trip 10x Easier

    #24 In this episode, I break down the best Japan travel apps to download before your trip the tools that genuinely make navigating, booking, eating, shopping, and staying safe in Japan so much easier. These are apps I’ve personally used across multiple trips, plus a few I’ve researched and added for our upcoming visit (especially traveling with a baby). I also share a quick points-and-miles update: • Capital One → Japan Airlines 30% transfer bonus (ends February 28)  – Improves the transfer from 1:750 to roughly 1:975  – Found business class seats around 70,000 miles per person  – Considering booking for a fall trip • Venture X cardholders now have access to purchase FIFA World Cup tickets (Feb 12–24, while supplies last) Then we dive into the apps  organized by category so you know exactly what to download and why. 🗺 Navigation & Transit • Google Maps  • Mobile Suica (Apple Wallet)  • Welcome Suica App  • GO Taxi 🌐 Internet & Connectivity • Airalo (eSIM)  • Japan Wireless (portable Wi-Fi option) 🗣 Language & Communication • Google Translate  • Papago  • LINE  • WhatsApp 🛍 Shopping & Product Translation • Payke 🍣 Food & Restaurant Planning • Google Maps  • Tabelog  • OpenTable  • Uber Eats 🎟 Experiences & Booking • Klook  • Booking.com 🧮 Practical Tools • iPhone Calculator (currency conversion)  • XE (currency app alternative)  • NERV (earthquake alerts) 🎢 Bonus Apps • Universal Studios Japan App  • Tokyo Disney App  • HappyCow (vegetarian/vegan dining)  • Mama Papa Map (baby facilities)  • Visit Japan Web (customs QR code) Whether you’re navigating Tokyo stations, booking Shibuya Sky at sunset, scanning skincare at Donki, reserving hard-to-book restaurants, or planning your first Japan trip with a stroller this episode is designed to make your trip smoother, less stressful, and more prepared. If Japan is on your radar or you’re planning your next return download these before your next trip and if I missed one you love, send it my way. Rewarding Routes Stan Store  → https://stan.store/rewardingroutes Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/ Email → RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Rewarding Routes is the podcast that helps you turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips to Japan and Asia. Learn how to use points and miles, create fun itineraries, and explore cultural experiences without overspending. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, get inspired to make travel more rewarding.

Information

  • Creator
    John Diaz
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rewarding Routes
  • Show Website
    Rewarding Routes

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