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  • Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on AwardWallet are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on AwardWallet (including, for example, the order in which they appear). AwardWallet does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers.

    Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

JT Genter

Editor-In-Chief
Distance Traveled in 2026
Visited in 2026

JT is AwardWallet’s Editor-In-Chief. JT originally joined the AwardWallet team in early 2020 as a freelance editor and writer, but he has been part of the points and miles ecosystem since 2014. Looking for a way to reduce the cost of a trip to China, he found he could sign up for just one credit card to get enough miles to fly round-trip for almost nothing out of pocket.

That experience prompted him to dive headfirst into the world of airline, hotel, and credit card points and miles. After working for a decade as a tax accountant, JT focused his analytical skills on writing about points, miles, and credit cards. He started contributing at The Points Guy in 2015 and published over 2,000 articles on the site before joining AwardWallet in early 2020.

In June 2017, JT and his wife Katie sold or donated nearly all of their possessions to become digital nomads, proving firsthand how points, miles, and credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. JT has logged over 2.1 million miles on 115 airlines, visited 86 countries, and maintains elite status with 6 airlines (including British Airways Silver, Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite, Asiana Diamond) and 5 hotel loyalty programs (including IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Titanium Elite).

Points of Interest: Emirates Slashes Mileage Earnings, IHG Doubles Point Earnings, Marriott Inks New Partnership, And More
Points of Interest: Emirates Slashes Mileage Earnings, IHG Doubles Point Earnings, Marriott Inks New Partnership, And More
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Airlines and hotels routinely make minor changes to their loyalty programs. Many of these modifications fly under the radar, as they're rarely shared with public and aren't objectively flashy. In our second installment of "Points of Interest," we'll introduce you to several changes that have occurred in the loyalty landscape within the past couple of months, including changes to Accor, Choice, Emirates, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham.

Tyler GlattJT Genter
Tyler Glatt & JT Genter
The Unwritten Restriction on American Airlines Companion Upgrades to Beware Of
The Unwritten Restriction on American Airlines Companion Upgrades to Beware Of
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American Airlines AAdvantage elite status members are eligible for first-class upgrades on domestic and certain short-haul international flights. And each status member can nominate one companion to upgrade with them. At least that's how it's supposed to work. Here's what to know about American Airlines companion upgrades -- and one unwritten restriction on these upgrades that I found from experience.

JT Genter
JT Genter
Stack LifeMiles Promotions to Save on Awards (Biz Class to Europe for 18k Points + $365)
Stack LifeMiles Promotions to Save on Awards (Biz Class to Europe for 18k Points + $365)
45

LifeMiles is hosting two incredibly lucrative promotions at the same time. First, you can convert Amex Membership Rewards points to LifeMiles and receive a 15% bonus. Second, you can receive another 125% bonus when transferring LifeMiles to another account. Stack these promotions to book business class awards to Europe by starting with just 18k Amex points.

Patrick StoufferJT Genter
Patrick Stouffer & JT Genter

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Alaska Airlines Revamps MVP Gold 100K Elite Choice Benefits for 2025 (New Choices, Deadlines)
Alaska Airlines Revamps MVP Gold 100K Elite Choice Benefits for 2025 (New Choices, Deadlines)
3

If you're loyal to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program and have earned your way to MVP Gold 100K, it's nearly time to choose your Choice Benefit. Alaska Airlines recently announced revised Choice Benefit options, but these aren't available quite yet. So, what are your choices and the deadline for choosing? Here's what you need to know.

Sam HelmyJT Genter
Sam Helmy & JT Genter

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt

Award Travelers Guide to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
Award Travelers Guide to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa
2

The Le Meridien Maldives is one of the best point values in the Maldives, with overwater villas often even being bookable with Free Night Award certificates earned through Marriott credit cards. My wife and I returned to this property this month for our second visit and were impressed by the excellent service and well-designed villas. However, the resort isn't going to be right for everyone. Here's what award travelers should know about the Le Meridien Maldives.

JT Genter
JT Genter
How To Renew Your Global Entry Membership (And a Trick to Getting a Quick Approval)
How To Renew Your Global Entry Membership (And a Trick to Getting a Quick Approval)
46

Global Entry is a US customs screening program that allows low-risk, pre-approved, international travelers expedited entry into the United States. Since US Customs and Border Protection runs the program, it also allows members to use TSA Pre✓ lines when traveling domestically. It’s an excellent tool for frequent travelers and easy to obtain for free through various travel rewards credit cards.

JT Genter
JT Genter
You Can Now Convert MGM Rewards Points to Marriott Bonvoy Points — And Vice Versa
You Can Now Convert MGM Rewards Points to Marriott Bonvoy Points — And Vice Versa
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Earlier this year, the long-awaited integration of MGM and Marriott Bonvoy took center stage. Outside of making 16 MGM properties bookable with Bonvoy points, the Marriott-MGM tie up offers resort-goers tier match opportunities, reciprocal elite benefits, and more. The "and more" grew today as Marriott and MGM finally made good on a benefit proposed many months ago. Here's why that matters.

Tyler GlattJT Genter
Tyler Glatt & JT Genter
Marriott Lifetime Elite Status: What You Need to Earn It and the Perks It Yields
Marriott Lifetime Elite Status: What You Need to Earn It and the Perks It Yields
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Marriott is one of several hotel loyalty programs that offers lifetime elite status, rewarding its loyal members after years of faithfully staying at its hotels. Lifetime elite members enjoy various benefits depending on which lifetime status level they have achieved. In this guide, we also highlight a way you can slowly progress toward Marriott lifetime status even if you don't stay with the chain frequently.

Ian SnyderJT Genter
Ian Snyder & JT Genter

Reviewed by Tyler Glatt