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The Award Travel 101 podcast is back with a crafty way that to see Taylor Swift, a roundup of ways to earn hotel free night credits, and answers to your questions. If you want us to air your question, send us an email or reach out to us in the Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
Shoutout to Thrifty Traveler Premium for partnering with this episode of the Award Travel 101 Podcast
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Some recent examples include:
- QSuite to the Maldives, Africa, and India starting at 70K miles
- Flights to Banff National Park starting at 17K or Mexico for 14K round-trip
- Business class to Europe starting at 45K miles each way
You can even find their guide on “How to Find Cheap Flights.” Use the promo code ‘AT101’ for $10 off your first year at thriftytraveler.com/premium
Award Travel 101 Podcast Show Format
We break each show into six sections:
- Question/Win of the Week — asked or shared by members of the Award Travel 101 community
- News & Enhanced Offers
- What Bonuses Did We Get — which will tell you what credit cards we're working on and why
- Trip Updates
- Highlight Feature
- What You Didn't Know — a feature dedicated to a big or small tip that will help you better maximize the value you receive from your rewards.
How to Listen to the Award Travel 101 Podcast
Previous Episode Show Notes
- 1 — Meet Award Travel 101 Community Administrators Angie & Joe
- 2 — Booking a Dream (African Safari) Trip
- 3 — Creating Memories Through Big And Small Trips
- 4 — 8 Steps to Better Award Travel
- 5 — Cruise (on Points), Racking and Stacking, and Keep or Kick it to the Curb
- 6 — Transfer Bonuses, Hyatt Bonus Journeys, and Benefits of AwardWallet
- 7 — So Many Program Changes with AwardWallet’s JT Genter
- 8 — Hyatt Changes, AA Domestic First Class Routes, and Meet the Mods (Jackie Wisniewski)
- 9 — Sapphire Lounge Opening, New Bonuses, Meet the Mods (Jerod Morales), and Business Class for Six
- 10 — When to Part with Points and Angie's Safari Trip
- 11 — AvGeeks, Spreadsheets, & Cheatsheets – Meet the Mods (Mike Zaccheo)
- 12 — Status Matching for More Value
- 13 — How Often Do You Get a New Card
- 14 – Incredible Trip to New Zealand on Points, Plus a Trip to the Freddie Awards
- 15 — Best Card for Groceries & Award Travel Community Meetup
- 16 — Citi Product Change Rules and Meet the Team: Allison Caraway
- 17 — Husband Cashes in All Their Points AND Programs To Book Round The World Flights
- 18 — Gorgeous Pictures from Iran and Cards That Earn Status
- 19 — The Tools We Use
- 20 — Mistakes We've Made
Award Travel 101 Podcast Episode 21 Show Notes
Question of the Week (From the Award Travel 101 Group)
Diane Ketcham asks: What are the advantages and disadvantages of booking one-way travel?
News & Enhanced Offers
- Marriott Bonvoy increased credit card offers
- New American Airlines policy regarding upgrades on award tickets for elite members
- Plaza Premium lounges rejoining Priority Pass
- Wyndham Rewards status match from hotel programs is back
Trip Updates
- How does Taylor Swift impact both Allison and Mike?
- Allison is planning a new trip to Rio De Janeiro
- Mike booked a trip to Pittsburg to see his son’s favorite YouTuber and has a trip to Europe soon, including a Ted Lasso tour
What Bonuses Did We Get?
- Mike’s recent sign-up bonuses include the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (compare Ink business cards), American Express® Business Gold Card (see current Amex Business Gold offerAAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® (see current Aviator Red offer)
- Allison is working on a 50k bonus on the The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express (see details of earning bonus points on the Blue Business Plus)
Highlight Feature: All the ways to earn hotel free-night certificates
Hyatt
- Category 1-4 free night:
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card: 1 free night award — plus an additional free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. See our World of Hyatt Card review.
- Hyatt Brand Explorer: 1 free night award earned for every 5 brands stayed
- 30-Night Milestone Rewards option: 1 free night award (6-month expiration)
- Category 1-7 or A-D free night
- 60-Night Milestone Rewards option: 1 free night award (6-month expiration)
Marriott — See our AT101 Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card Comparison Chart
- 35k Free Night Award
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (read our Marriott Boundless review here): 1 Free Night Award each cardholder anniversary
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary plus an additional Free Night Award after spending $60k in a calendar year
- 50k Free Night Award
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15k in a calendar year
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15k in a calendar year
- 85k Free Night Award
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (read our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card review): 1 Free Night Award every cardmember anniversary
- The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card: 1 Free Night Award each cardholder anniversary
Hilton
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see the increased offer on the Hilton Aspire): 1 Free Night Reward, plus earn an additional Free Night Reward after spending $60K in a calendar year
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (see our Hilton Surpass review): 1 Free Night Reward after spending $15K in a calendar year
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (see our Hilton Business Card review): 1 Free Night Reward after spending $15K in a calendar year, plus earn an additional Free Night Reward after spending $60K in a calendar year
- Limited time increased offers on Hilton cards include 1 Free Night Reward as part of the current sign-up bonus.
IHG
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (read our IHG One Rewards Premier Card review): 1 free night certificate each cardholder anniversary
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (read our IHG One Rewards Business Card review): 1 free night certificate each cardholder anniversary, plus earn an additional free night certificate after spending $60K in a calendar year
What You Didn't Know
Mike loves the United Club℠ Infinite Card (read our United Club Infinite review here) for its perks and ability to earn PQP towards earning United Premier status.
Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community
For questions, you can join us in the free 95,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.
- If you want to jump into more intermediate and advanced strategies, our Award Travel 201 community ($89.99 annually) is filled with those who want to dig into the weeds, looking for more outsized value.
- To book time with our team to discuss how to better your earning and burning strategies, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
- You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com.
- Meetup sold out, but you can waitlist.
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