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)

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.

Amex to LifeMiles Transfer Bonus — Book United From 6k Points, Business Class to Europe for 40k Points

Now through February 28, 2025, you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Avianca LifeMiles with a 15% bonus. This transfer bonus opens the door to several incredibly lucrative award redemptions, including 5k domestic United flights, 40k-point business class flights to Europe, ANA first class to Asia for 105k points, or even Lufthansa First Class to Europe for 84k points. Here's a full breakdown of how to maximize this transfer bonus.

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.

I Applied for the U.K. ETA as a U.S. Citizen — Here’s How Long It Took and Which Card to Use

Starting this week, U.S. citizens must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visa before traveling to the United Kingdom. Ahead of my travel to the Scottish isles later this month, my wife and I went through the process ourselves -- one on the website and one through the app. Here's our experience, including which method was faster and how the payments coded on our credit cards.