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)

Award Travelers Guide to Le Meridien Maldives Resort & Spa

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.

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

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.

You Can Now Convert MGM Rewards Points to Marriott Bonvoy Points — And Vice Versa

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.

Marriott Lifetime Elite Status: What You Need to Earn It and the Perks It Yields

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.

Got American Airlines Elite Status? Register for Complimentary World of Hyatt Status

Hyatt and American Airlines launched a new round of elite-status fast track match-challenges. This time around, AAdvantage elites members have the opportunity to match to get elite status in the World of Hyatt program. Then, you can challenge to keep that status through February 2026 by completing qualifying activities. However, you'll need to register by October 31, 2024 to take advantage of this year's offer.

Why the Chase Ink Preferred Is My Primary Travel Card

Thanks to broad 3X earning categories, travel protections, and a reasonable $95 annual fee, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns its spot in my wallet as my primary card for travel purchases. And now is an excellent time to get this card. Chase just made the 90,000-point bonus much more achievable by nearly halving the spending requirement. Here's my take on why now might be an excellent time to add this card to your wallet.

Millions of Miles Earned, Redeemed, and Flown: Seven Years As a Digital Nomad, By the Numbers

Seven years ago today, on July 2, 2017, my wife Katie and I took off on our first flight as digital nomads. Seven years later, we are still traveling the world full-time with no plans to stop. Thanks to points and miles, we've been able to travel full-time for a lot less than we ever imagined. Here's a recap of how much we've traveled in the past seven years — and how we paid for it.

How To Book Vacation Rental Properties From 15,000 Capital One or Citi Points Per Night

Thanks to Wyndham Rewards' partnership with Vacasa, travelers can book vacation rentals for 15,000 points per night — or just 13,500 points per night if you're a Wyndham Rewards cardholder. Don't have Wyndham points? You can transfer Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou Points to Wyndham at a 1:1 transfer ratio. Here's what you need to know about this potentially lucrative redemption option.

Choice Privileges Devalues Program, Pricing Nights Higher Than Ever Before

The Choice Privileges program became a little less valuable today — or whenever it began ignoring its stated points cap on award nights. Choice seems to have devalued its program without notice. Consequently, prices for a free night have already begun creeping upwards. Here's what you need to know about the Choice Privileges devaluation and why this one stings a little more than most.

Card Question: Do You Need a Chase Sapphire Card Before Getting a Chase Ink or Unlimited?

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card both offer valuable sign-up bonuses. One reader reached out to ask if he needed to have an existing Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® before applying for an Ink card to convert that cash-back bonus into transferrable Ultimate Rewards points. We break down the answer in this post.

Last Call: Transfer Capital One Miles to Virgin Red With a 30% Transfer Bonus

Capital One's ongoing 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Red is coming to an end on May 1, 2024. Sweet spots unlocked by this transfer bonus include domestic Delta flights for under 6k Capital One miles, 39k-mile business class flights to Europe, and ANA business class to Japan starting at 27k Capital One miles. Here's how to take advantage of these great redemption options before this offer ends.