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)

Air Canada Sues Seats.Aero for Millions in Damages. Will It Go After Other Points and Miles Tools Next?

Seats.Aero is one of the best new points and miles tools to burst onto the scene in the past year. But now, the service is in jeopardy as Air Canada has filed a lawsuit against the service, seeking millions in damages in its attempts to shut down the service. Here's a recap of the lawsuit's claims and what it might mean for other similar award availability tools such as Point.Me.

Delta Backtracks on 2024 Elite Status, Lounge Access Changes. Adds MQD Boost for Select Delta Cards.

After significant blowback from travelers, Delta just announced a sweeping overhaul of the Medallion elite status requirements and Sky Club restrictions that it just announced a month ago. Delta is rolling back increases to MQD requirements, adding a new MQD boost for select Delta Amex cardmembers, increasing Sky Club visits for select Amex cardmembers, improving Million Miler elite status, adding new Choice Benefits, and more. Here are the full details.

Alaska Mileage Plan ‘Erroneously’ Charging Higher Taxes and Fees on Qatar Awards

Late last week, AwardWallet caught that Alaska severely increased the out-of-pocket costs for awards on Qatar Airways. Rather than charging under $50 out-of-pocket each way, awards are currently pricing as high as $800 one-way. Thankfully Alaska confirmed that these fees are being "erroneously" charged. Here's what you need to know about this situation - and your alternatives in the meantime.

Register Now for Chicago Seminars 2023 Before Price Increase

The original Chicago Seminars is returning to the Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village for yet another year on October 13–15, 2023. And if you don't have your tickets yet, now's the time to register. Ticket prices will increase on September 18, 2023. Here's more information about the event, which AwardWallet writers and editors will be in attendance, and a promo code for AwardWallet readers to get $15 off tickets.

Why I’m No Longer Crediting Flights to the American Airlines AAdvantage Program

I've earned AAdvantage elite status each year since 2015 — including Executive Platinum elite status in all but one year. However, I'm giving up on it. After recent changes to American Airlines' elite status qualification, I'm going to switch, earning Oneworld elite status through another program. Here's what's finally causing me to "break up" with American Airlines and my new strategy going forward.

American Airlines (Re)Adds Free Award Changes for Certain AAdvantage Awards

As part of its switch to dynamic award pricing, American Airlines sunsetted a flyer-friendly policy: Free AAdvantage award changes. Going forward, all AAdvantage awards would be treated like the now-retired Web Special awards. Today, American Airlines is reversing course. On certain eligible AAdvantage awards, you'll now be able to change your award flights without having to cancel, refund, and rebook your flights. Here are the details of this policy change.

How To Maximize the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card 60k Bonus for Flights Within North America

Citi ThankYou Points aren't as well-known as Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards, but there's a ton of value to be found using ThankYou Points. Let's take a look at some of the best redemption options for domestic and short-haul international flights using Citi transfer partners. Here's how to book JetBlue, United, Delta, and American Airlines award flights for 8,000 ThankYou points or less.

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

Six years ago today, on July 2, 2017, my wife Katie and I took off on our first flight as digital nomads. Six 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 six years — and how we paid for it.

The Winners and Losers of American Airlines First Class Upgrade Changes

Effective June 9, 2023, American Airlines is making some big changes to how complimentary upgrades work for AAdvantage elites. Starting then, all elite members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on American Airlines award tickets. However, anytime there are changes to who gets a limited supply, there are going to be winners and losers. Let's dig into the details of what's changing and review who this benefits and who's losing out.