July 7, 2025
Real Estate Investing & Award Travel: Turning Renovation Costs into Award Flights
Episode Description
Have you ever wondered how real estate investments could help you travel more—without spending more?
In this episode, I’m joined by Jaina Pallasigui, a public health professional, real estate investor, and points enthusiast who turned her real estate expenses into business class flights and luxury hotel stays around the world. From managing short-term rentals to using insurance reimbursements and big-ticket renovations to her advantage, Jaina shares the exact strategies she uses to turn every investment dollar into reward points.
We also talk through the mistakes many real estate investors make with credit cards, how to keep your strategy simple, and why some of your biggest expenses may be the key to unlocking unforgettable trips.
This episode is full of creative insights—whether you’re deep in the real estate world or just curious about new ways to maximize your spending.
Turn your expenses into points and save tens of thousands of dollars a year on your wishlist travel. Don’t miss out! Click here to know more about my comprehensive online program, Points Made Easy.
What You’ll Learn from this Episode
- How Jaina turned a $26K renovation into 239,000 points
- The credit cards she recommends for real estate investing
- Why she stopped using the Amex Platinum for everything
- How to pay contractors and property managers in ways that earn rewards
- Tips for using insurance checks or property funds to meet minimum spends
- A simple strategy to maximize points without overcomplicating your setup
- Jaina’s favorite points redemptions from her travel-packed year
Featured on the Show:
- Follow me on Instagram
- Get on the waitlist for the Points Made Easy Course here!
- Get My Cash-Back Credit Card Cheat Sheet!
- If you have any questions or you want me to dive deeper into a specific topic, email me here: podcast@pointmetofirstclass.com
- Follow Jaina on Instagram @Jaina_Anne
- Chase Ink Unlimited®
- Amex Blue Business®
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Park Hyatt Istanbul
- Hello Rentals
Click here to download full episode transcript
Enjoy the Show?
- Don’t miss an episode, follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or RSS.
- Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts.
Point Me to First Class is the show for professionals and business owners with higher-than-average personal or business expenses, who want to learn to leverage these expenses into credit card points they can spend on travel.
Each week, I share valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points, so you can expand your travel and expand your experiences.
