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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).

Hyatt Guest of Honor Awards: How To Earn and Easily Redeem This Valuable Perk
Hyatt Guest of Honor Awards: How To Earn and Easily Redeem This Valuable Perk
4

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.

JT GenterBen Nickel-D'Andrea
JT Genter & Ben Nickel-D'Andrea

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

MGM Rewards Relaunches Status Match – Get Gold or Platinum Into 2027
MGM Rewards Relaunches Status Match – Get Gold or Platinum Into 2027
0

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.

Mark JacksonJT Genter
Mark Jackson & JT Genter

Reviewed byRyan Smith

Free FoundersCard Membership for CLEAR Plus Members – Here's How to Claim This Offer
Free FoundersCard Membership for CLEAR Plus Members – Here's How to Claim This Offer
13

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.

Ryan SmithJT Genter
Ryan Smith & JT Genter
Miles & More Devaluation: Dynamic Pricing and Partner Award Chart Changes Coming in June 2025
Miles & More Devaluation: Dynamic Pricing and Partner Award Chart Changes Coming in June 2025
0

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.

JT Genter
JT Genter
How To Book Business Class to Europe From 60K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Plus Under $100)
How To Book Business Class to Europe From 60K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Plus Under $100)
1

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.

Mark JacksonJT Genter
Mark Jackson & JT Genter

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

Trailborn Joins the Marriott Bonvoy Program: What Travelers Need to Know About This Outdoorsy Brand
Trailborn Joins the Marriott Bonvoy Program: What Travelers Need to Know About This Outdoorsy Brand
0

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.

JT Genter
JT Genter
El Al Adds Online Bookings for Virgin Atlantic Awards, Launches Dynamic Award Pricing
El Al Adds Online Bookings for Virgin Atlantic Awards, Launches Dynamic Award Pricing
1

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.

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

JT Genter
JT Genter

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

Southwest Airlines Is Selling A-List Elite Status — But Should You Buy It?
Southwest Airlines Is Selling A-List Elite Status — But Should You Buy It?
0

Southwest Airlines is offering Rapid Rewards members the chance to buy their way to the top! Until December 30, 2024, Southwest is allowing members to buy enough Tier Qualifying Points to earn A-List elite status. But, this elite status isn't cheap. So is it even worth it, especially with coming changes to Southwest's seating policies? Let's take a look.

Andrew George BradshawJT Genter
Andrew George Bradshaw & JT Genter

Reviewed byTyler Glatt

From Nightly Upgrade Awards to Annual Choice Benefits: 6 Changes to Marriott Bonvoy Terms
From Nightly Upgrade Awards to Annual Choice Benefits: 6 Changes to Marriott Bonvoy Terms
0

More than any other loyalty program we track, Marriott constantly changes its Bonvoy loyalty program terms and conditions. Some of these changes are minor tweaks. Other times, Marriott makes more substantial changes to its over 34,000-word terms and conditions. Today is one of those days. From changes to Nightly Upgrade Award upgrade windows to more time to select Annual Choice Benefits, here's what you need to know about these changes.

JT Genter
JT Genter