JT Genter Latest Posts

Editor-In-Chief
Distance Traveled in 2025
Visited in 2025

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 moving to 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 1.8 million miles on 102 airlines, visited 72 countries, and maintains elite status with 4 airlines (including British Airways Gold, Asiana Diamond, and United Silver) and 6 hotel loyalty programs (including IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, and Marriott Titanium Elite)

JetBlue Adds Award Redemptions on Japan Airlines — Fly Business Class to Japan From 55k TrueBlue Points

JetBlue has been on a roll lately with adding new partner redemption options. Now, we’ve uncovered another exciting addition: Japan Airlines. Like other recent partner additions, the redemption rates are surprisingly good! But if recent history is any indication, these sweet spots might not last long. Here’s what you need to know about this new JetBlue redemption opportunity — and how to book before anything changes.

Join the AwardWallet Blog Team at FTU Dallas (May 2–4, 2025)

Join AwardWallet Blog editors, contributors, and learn from two dozen points and miles experts at Frequent Traveler University Dallas from May 2–4, 2025. This three-day event features in-depth sessions, networking opportunities, and a Friday night open-bar kickoff. Learn how to maximize your travel rewards and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Here's how to register at $100 off — plus a promo code to save an extra $20.

Bask Bank Drops Rates on Cash-Interest Savings Account. Are Earning Miles More Attractive Now?

Bask Bank is best known as the bank that offers an innovative AAdvantage®-mile-earning savings account. Since launching a new traditional cash-interest savings account in 2021, Bask led the way in increasing interest rates. However, today, Bask dropped the earning rate to 4.2% APY due to the recent Federal Reserve interest rate drop. That makes 2 AAdvantage® mile per $1 saved per year even more attractive. Here's a breakdown of your options.

Hyatt Guest of Honor Awards: How To Earn and Easily Redeem This Valuable Perk

One of the major benefits of Hyatt Globalist elite status is the Guest of Honor benefit. On these bookings, Hyatt Globalists can book stays for other members, granting them all of the perks of Hyatt's top-tier elite status. These awards are single-use and you can earn them through Milestone Rewards — including prior to reaching Globalist status. Here's how to earn and use the benefit.

Chase Launches New 80% Transfer Bonus to IHG One Rewards — But Is It Worth It?

Now through April 30, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to IHG One Rewards and receive 80% bonus points. But, you're going to want to do the math before considering a transfer because it may be worth booking through the Chase Travel℠ portal instead. Here are some considerations on how to use your Ultimate Rewards points toward IHG stays for even more value.

MGM Rewards Relaunches Status Match – Get Gold or Platinum Into 2027

MGM Rewards just relaunched its status match offer, giving elite members from competing casino programs a chance to upgrade to MGM Gold or Platinum status to enjoy perks like waived resort fees, priority check-in, and complimentary valet parking. Here’s everything you need to know to take advantage of this MGM status match — including how to extend your matched status into 2027.

Free FoundersCard Membership for CLEAR Plus Members – Here’s How to Claim This Offer

It's not every day that I check my email and find a free one-year trial of something that normally costs a few hundred dollars. But that's the magic happening today. CLEAR Plus members are receiving emails to activate a free one-year trial membership for FoundersCard, the travel-meets-business luxury card that normally carries a steep membership fee. What is FoundersCard, and how do you enroll for the free 12 months of it? Read on.

Miles & More Devaluation: Dynamic Pricing and Partner Award Chart Changes Coming in June 2025

Miles & More just announced "exciting changes" this morning -- which will likely decrease the value of Miles & More miles. As of June 3, 2025, the Miles & More program will adopt dynamic award pricing for awards on Lufthansa Group airlines, adjust its award chart for partner flights, and eliminate its Mileage Bargains program. Here's what to know about these Miles & More program changes.

How To Book Business Class to Europe From 60K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Plus Under $100)

It's often hard to find award availability to Europe in a premium cabin, let alone at a reasonable rate. If you're looking to fly business class, choosing the right credit card points to earn can make all the difference. Believe it or not, you can book business class awards to Europe for as few as 60,000 points each way -- and we'll show you how and which routes are available.

Trailborn Joins the Marriott Bonvoy Program: What Travelers Need to Know About This Outdoorsy Brand

In December, Marriott announced a long-term agreement with outdoor-focused hotel brand Trailborn. Since then, Marriott has moved quickly to integrate the boutique hotel brand into its systems. As of today, Marriott Bonvoy members can now earn Bonvoy points on Trailborn stays and enjoy some elite perks. Here's what to know about this new addition to the Marriott Bonvoy program.

El Al Adds Online Bookings for Virgin Atlantic Awards, Launches Dynamic Award Pricing

Early this morning, El Al added the ability to book Virgin Atlantic awards through its website. That's a welcome addition for a partnership that previously required calling El Al to book. However, with this new addition, we are seeing dynamic award pricing for Virgin Atlantic awards -- instead of the published award chart rates. Here's the full breakdown of the El Al - Virgin Atlantic partnership.

Best Ways to Redeem Amex Membership Rewards Points for U.S. Domestic Flights (From 3k Points!)

American Express Membership Rewards are a notoriously powerful, transferable, loyalty currency. With generous category bonuses and periodic transfer bonuses, it isn’t hard to rack up Amex points. However, it can be difficult determining how to maximize Membership Rewards for simple U.S. domestic award flights. Thankfully by leveraging various airline alliances and partners, there are sweet spots for domestic travel.