Award Travel 101

"It was just a palace...if you've been to one...I mean, you've been to them all, right?"Tune in this week for a full recap of Richard and Emily's 10th Anniversary trip to Europe! They offer reviews on flying the new British Airways First Class soft product, Lufthansa Business Class on an A350, the Hyatt Andaz in Munich, Sheraton in Salzburg and more! Congrats to Jonathan Wilwayco for his "Redemption of the Week" - Check out his post in the Award Travel 101 Facebook Group to read up on how he used just over 2 MILLION points and miles to book his family a trip that would have cost them over $55,000 out of pocket!Timestamps2:35 - Full recap on trip itinerary5:50 - Air Canada's "deconstructed lasagna"15:30 - Public transportation in Europe19:00 - Learning about The Sound of Music26:30 - Friday night on a party train to Vienna32:50 - Riding a bike...up a mountain38:58 - Why you always need to have change on you when heading to the restroom42:33 - Check out the new

"There is nothing greater in this world then walking off a flight, scooping up your bag and skipping that massive line of people waiting to pick up their rental car as you head to pick whatever you want to drive from that elite status row..."Anyone who has rented a car knows that it can be a stressful and confusing process! But, what if if didn't have to be? Richard's got some of the best ways to not only ensure that you're getting the best price, but also how to skip those long lines and save from having to pay for extra insurance. After that, he's joined by Wayne Lin, co-founder of GetUpside an app that scores you unbeatable deals on gas, groceries and restaurants. Learn how to save up to 25¢/gal on filling up, 35% on dining out and 15% on your trip to the market. Last but not least, we wrap up the show with a new segment - "Award Redemption of the Week"! So many Award Travel 101 members share their awesome redemptions in the group that we figured why not offer a shou

“An agent informed me she was making an exception and correcting the problem…(by refunding)…me back 65,000 miles and then proceeded to take out 15,000 more.”After Richard's Bonvoy'd anniversary trip battle of wills, it seems like Ed Pizza is set to give him a run for his money. This week's program that is behaving badly is none other than United MileagePlus. Ed recounts all the headaches and hassles from spending 9 hours on the phone for a simple route change request, only to have 170k miles just go missing. Just goes to show that no matter your status level, sometimes you can't get any love. This week the fellas also dish up an intro to manufactured spend. Best case example? Richard spending $10,000 at a Dollar General in one transaction! Tune in to hear the benefits and risks associated with this type of earning strategy.Timestamps2:00 - Richard & Ed = the new Statler and Waldorf3:25 - Spending 9 hours on the phone with United MileagePlus7:45 - Ed is a points hoarder11:00 - Losing op

“I know this is frustrating, I know what we told you was wrong, but there’s nothing we can do about it”Was it just last week we were discussing what to do when loyalty programs behave badly? Sigh. Ed Pizza from Pizza in Motion is back this week to recap with Richard on what has been a very interesting week. Aside from some issues with the Award Travel Advanced Facebook group, Marriott has “Bonvoy’d” the Kerr’s 10th Wedding Anniversary trip to Europe. Tune in to hear an absolutely puzzling story of 12-hr Twitter responses, wrong information and just the totally bizarre inability for Marriott’s customer service team to fix their (self-admitted) mistake.Timestamps2:05 - Updates on Award Travel Advanced Facebook group4:40 - Background on their anniversary trip to Europe9:10 - When you tweet about successful customer service…too soon13:38 - When customer service via Twitter fails17:05 - Hyatt to the rescue23:30 - Keeping perspective & finding a solutionToday's GuestEd Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blo

"People are so bad at complaining...I'm complaining about how bad people are at complaining...that's where we are right now."It might come as no surprise that in this world of made up currencies where points don't matter, loyalty programs may not always follow their own rules - or will change them whenever they feel like it. Sure, there are those moments when a considerate customer service representative might take you by surprise and waive a fee, or open up availability. More often than not however, it's easy to feel like the deck is stacked against you.Complaining can only get you so far. Or, more likely the case you may only have so much time to spend complaining (or fighting for what's right). How do you know when programs are actually acting badly? And, when you do find that moment, what are the best ways to plead your case while having an actual chance at finding resolution or receiving compensation?Timestamps2:00 - The feng shui of rooms at Nobu at Caesar's Palac

"I can't count the number of times you've come into the room and you're like 'I just found...' or 'This is a once in a lifetime trip!' when you literally say that about everywhere...and just said that yesterday."For the miles and points obsessed, occasionally you'll find couples that are equally into maxing out their earnings and redemptions. More often than not however, there's typically one of the two that's more into it than the other. Less common is when that one who is obsessed decides to turn that obsession into a full time job via a Facebook group. Enter Richard & Emily Kerr. This episode is a one on one interview with Richard's "better half" where she answers some of the Award Travel 101 group's best questions about what it's like being married to a points nerd, how they met and her favorite trips they've taken using points and miles.Today's Episode Timestamps3:30 - How Richard & Emily met10:04 - Wha

"If you aren't looking to book those peak holiday dates way ahead of time, then you're gonna be the one who says 'these miles are useless, I can't use them to go see Grandma'."Many people work hard to save points and miles, only to be frustrated by limited availability during peak travel times. Booking award travel during holidays can be challenging, especially with kids. This week, Summer Hull, aka Mommy Points from TPG Family, shares her top tips for maximizing your redemptions during the holiday season.Today's Episode Timestamps3:25 - How can you plan travel a year (or more) in advance?7:40 - Are there "off peak" destinations to travel to on holidays?13:30 - Why you might want to start thinking about holiday 202019:20 - Researching how your vacation house rental codes & a new AwardWallet tool22:25 - How to book award travel "speculatively"Today's Guest - Summer HullWhile studying social work at NYU, she began accumulating frequent flyer m

"It's exciting times in the world of miles and points...but I'm not terribly excited...more so nervous as a cat in a room of rocking chairs..."In the past, airlines had fixed award charts, making it easier to know how many miles you'd need for a trip. But now, that’s less predictable. So, how can you plan your next trip when the rules keep changing? Tune in this week for expert insights from Ed Pizzarello on navigating the shifting landscape of points and miles and find out how to best plan your next trip even if it seems like programs keep on moving the finish line.Today's Episode Timestamps4:48 - The shift to "variable redemption values"8:55 - The next airline rumored to drop their award chart14:30 - Why 2x miles on one card and 1x miles isn't a clear comparison21:40 - Why Richard is using a cash back card right now & how he's earning 3.75% back28:20 - Why Ed says not to burn off your balance right awayToday's Guest - Ed Pizza Ed's father intro

"So I told my wife and son: 'Hey I'm gonna be a blogger!' and they were both scared out of their minds by the idea..."You might think that a full time job writing a travel blog, or perhaps managing a Facebook group dedicated to points and miles, involves all fun and no pain. Besides the illusion that these folks are just swimming in free points and miles, there's a lot that goes into interacting with people from behind a keyboard. One of Richard's very own heroes in the points and miles world, Greg Davis-Kean of Frequent Miler, joins him this week to chat about the real life of those who blog about travel for a living.Today's episode timestamps:1:00 - How Richard was first inspired to start Award Travel 1016:20 - Getting hooked on points and miles9:30 - What led Richard to leave the Navy and start managing a Facebook group16:45 - What does it take to keep blogging year after year22:45 - When you meet an online troll in person29:25 - The newest member of Award Travel Adv

"My husband and I were saving up for a big trip for our family. Over half of the points we were planning to use would be from his accounts. Due to his unexpected passing, are all those points gone or can we still use them?"What happens to our points and miles after we die? On Feb 6th, Greta Anderson posted that very question in our Award Travel 101 Facebook group. Her husband passed unexpectedly at the age of 43, just days before leaving for one of two trips they were planning with points and miles. Greta so graciously shares her experience with Richard on how to secure not only your loved one's points and miles but also how to protect their identity.Show Timestamps1:10 - New features at AwardWallet3:45 - What's AwardTravel Advanced?9:05 - What happens to points and miles after you die?14:30 - A hotel program going above and beyond vs. one doing the bare minimum20:20 - Protecting your credit and identity of those who have passed27:00 - The importance of passwords and willsWhere to Find Us

This week Richard has got a jam packed episode with more information than you'd ever think you'd want to know about buying gas. To start things off, he's got his list of the top programs, stacks and apps that not only get you super cheap gas, but could actually pay you for filling up! He's also joined by Daniel Little, General Manager & Head of Marketing, North America for Shell. The both get to chat about the history of fuel loyalty programs, the differences between programs in different countries and some previews of what's to come from the Fuel Rewards program.Show Timestamps2:03 - How Richard makes money off of "buying" gas5:13 - A new type of gas payment11:40 - The gas app no one knows about18:35 - What's unique about Fuel Rewards23:50 - Technological updates for Fuel Rewards26:55 - Is it worth driving out of our way to save a few cents a gallon?Join Fuel RewardsWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, chec

"One complaint came from a member who had (over 1,300) nights with Marriott...That's an average of $266,000 they have spent with this company...and due to tech glitches...properties aren't honoring lifetime status and (other) benefits? It's a bait and switch."If you've said or heard the phrase "I've/You've been Bonvoy'd", chances are high you've been burned by Marriott's problem plagued SPG merger and new program rollout. The stories of former Marriott Rewards, SPG and Ritz-Carlton members missing nights, points, waiting for hours on hold, and more are endless. This week Richard is joined by Shubhayan Mukherjee, co-founder of Bonvoyed.com! Yes folks. You know that there are more than just a few customers on the fringes that are upset when a website launches dedicated to helping members get the support they aren't receiving.Show Timestamps1:30 - Starting out on a positive note with some of the good parts of Marriott Bonvoy12:00 - Three ways

“It’s difficult ... especially for introverts in 2019 where everything can be done online, to have a support network...” This week is a special episode where Richard, as promised, shares a glimpse of what life is like when you run a Facebook group for a living. Tune in to hear the recap of a day which included a surprise ambulance trip to the hospital for his two year old. More than just the fear of the unknown (diagnosis), there’s a fear of finances. Richard highlights the importance of not only having a financial plan, but a support network you can turn to when you find yourself in need.Show Timestamps3:00 — Signs of concussions7:05 — A sight no parent wants to see10:15 — The cost of health insurance14:15 — The power of community and a support system16:30 — Wrapping Mary up in bubble wrap & RecapSamaritan MinistriesWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will

“Three days after you leave the hospital with a broken back, and chemo, and serious multiple myeloma, you decide you're going on this around­-the­-world trip?” The Award Travel 101 community is built around sharing and learning knowledge on how to travel the world with points and miles. A side effect of the community has been the stories of people that meet and interact every day and their stories made possible by a Facebook group. This week we introduce you to Mr. Ike Stanfield of Texas who is currently battling aggressive multiple myeloma cancer. In February 2019, Ike posted to Award Travel 101 that he was cashing in his points and miles and taking a solo trip around the world to Singapore, Delhi, and Doha in first and business classes. During the show, Ike walks us through some of his daily battles that might delay his determination to see his bucket list destinations. Despite the fact that Ike broke his back just one week before he was supposed to leave for his trip, he persevered through pain and su

"The blogs are being told policies before Marriott reservation agents even know whats going on and certainly before front desk agents. No one knows what’s going on.”The Marriott and Starwood merger has been anything but smooth and leadership of the combined portfolio continues to display tone deaf responses to loyal customers. This week Richard and Ed Pizza discuss the continuing struggles of the new Marriott Bonvoy program, how it got to where it is, the current state of trying to be a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist and what Marriott can do to right the ship. Show Timestamps1:12 — Happy Travel Day2:21 — Bonvoy Merger Disaster3:51 — Problems attaching award certificate for an award night? Points advance bookings and more5:19 — Marriott is broken master thread6:55 — New Bonvoy Co-branded card discussion7:34 — Marriott's tone deaf responses10:33 — Has anyone never needed a passport to make a hotel reservation? Probably not18:07 — What could Bonvoy and Lolo Jones have in common?20:18 — “Bonvoyed”24:00 — Is t

“I was a few rows behind anyone with my kids and I just jumped up and ditched my kids and ran to the nearest person and sat down and said “Can I please hold your hand?! I'm just so afraid!” Do you get nervous flying? Or, even worse, do you let that fear keep you from traveling? This week Richard chats with Toni Southam, a long time Award Travel 101 moderator and Paul Borish, a licensed counselor who specializes in helping those with a fear of flying. In the episode Paul and Toni offer some different ways to tackle this fear and other resources to help find what can work best for you. Tune in to hear Toni share what it’s like to be both a points and miles addict and afraid of flying.  Show Timestamps2:20 — Meet Toni, mother of four and points and miles pro.4:54 — Meet Paul, a licensed counselor who specializes in travel anxieties.7:43 — What's a typical flight like for Toni?11:52 — How can you separate rational and irrational fears?15:30 — How did Toni's first flight after working with Paul go?1

Welcome to the Award Travel 101 Podcast!Founded in 2013, the Award Travel 101 Facebook group teaches members how to travel the world using points and miles. Today, our community of over 50,000 people from around the world share, teach and learn how to travel anywhere on any budget. More than just a recap on award travel news and strategy, the Award Travel 101 Podcast offers a glimpse into the stories and lives of our AT101 community members. For our very first episode, you'll get to learn more about Award Travel 101 founder Richard Kerr. From falling in love with travel after moving overseas as a teenager, to joining the Navy. Find out how starting a family lead to learning how to maximize award travel redemptions and eventually running a Facebook group as his full time job!Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are