POINT ME TO FIRST CLASS
PODCAST

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.

Start having first-class travel experiences without the first-class price tag.

Points earning strategies

Points redeeming

TRAVEL TIPS

The Hidden Travel Budget Calculator: Estimate Your Points Earning Potential

Find out how many points your everyday expenses could be earning, and what they could be worth in travel, with a first look at the new Hidden Travel Budget Calculator and the reframe that turns ordinary spending into a travel budget you didn’t know you had.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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Points and Miles Q&A: Card Strategy, Transfers, and Award Travel

Work through seven real listener questions on building your points card portfolio, from Bilt versus Chase versus Capital One to the Chase to Hyatt transfer devaluation, plus a fresh Philippine Airlines award route and how to pick the right Hyatt globalist gift award for your stay.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming, Travel Tips

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Beyond Credit Card Spending: Earning Travel Points on Savings using the Symphony App

Find out how a brand-new platform is trying to let you earn transferable travel points on the money you save, not just the money you spend, and learn the questions worth asking before you consider putting any funds in.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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The Biggest Points and Miles Changes of 2026 (Mid-Year Review) with Kevin Zanes

Get a mid-year breakdown of the points and miles stories that mattered most so far in 2026, from the Hyatt award chart overhaul to Chase’s precedent-setting transfer change, and find out which trends are worth watching for the rest of the year.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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Air Canada Aeroplan Guide: Hidden Partner Sweet Spots, Stopovers, and Hotel Redemptions with Anshul Singh

Discover why Air Canada Aeroplan has quietly become one of the most useful airline loyalty programs for award travelers, from the overlooked partner airlines and stopover strategy to using points for polar bears, northern lights, and high-end hotel stays.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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Capital One Business Venture Card Approvals: Data-Driven Approval Patterns Explained

Ever felt like Capital One’s approval process is completely random? Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks collected real approval data from 150+ applicants for the Capital One Business Venture card and discovered there are actually predictable patterns. Learn what her survey revealed about the factors that matter most, the 6-month waiting myth, and how to think strategically about Capital One cards.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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See You in Austin: Point Me to First Class Conference 2027 Details

Registration is now open for the 2027 Point Me to First Class Conference in Austin, Texas (April 29-May 2). Dr. Andrea Mabry and I share why we’re hosting another live event, what makes in-person learning irreplaceable, and all the details about the venue, speakers, format, and how to register for in-person or digital attendance.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming, Travel Tips

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Strategic Guide to Credit Card Product Changes: Tactics for Rewards Optimization

Discover how credit card product changes can help you lower annual fees, hold multiple copies of high-value cards, and access rewards cards that are closed to new applicants. This deep-dive covers the five strategic ways to use product changes to build a stronger, more rewarding credit card portfolio without opening new accounts.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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Credit Card Points Questions Answered: Strategy Shifts and Travel Planning Tips

Get answers to your top points questions—from Rakuten rewards strategy to navigating Chase credit card approvals. Plus, hear how the fundamental advice around earning and using points has shifted over the past decade, including why Chase is no longer the automatic starting point and why co-branded cards are more strategically important than ever.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming, Travel Tips

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Japan Airlines Mileage Bank: Starter Guide to Earning and Redeeming Miles

Learn how to unlock Japan Airlines miles for more than just flights to Japan. Michael Gandara from Nurse Michael Travels breaks down partner award sweet spots, award search strategies, and the practical steps for finding and booking award flights through this powerful but often overlooked program.

Points Earning Strategies, Points Redeeming

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