57. Beginner's Guide - Travel With Points and Miles

[@alexledonio8245]

Yet another episode with a wealth of info whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate! Yes please do part 2! 🩵

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Will do, thank you! Anything you’d like to see or suggest be in Part 2? 🙏🏻

[@User-dh4xj]

@@LetsGetToThePoints any new card recommendations, assuming you have two to three cards already? And how to know whether you have enough cards in your wallet vs when to keep going vs when to close an account and reapply for the card?

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

This would be a great topic for a part 2 episode. The short answer is we can never have enough cards.

[@ellainegalbizoharoz2897]

@@LetsGetToThePoints Velocity strategies, how to maintain a relationship with the banks for the long haul? how have you kept up with your points over the years, especially with a family of 4 or 5?

[@User-dh4xj]

@@LetsGetToThePoints also, if you have cards with transferable points currencies with 4 different issuers, is it better to (1) maintain the different points currencies or (2) consolidate them into one or two different points currencies? How do you maintain multiple cards with annual fees effectively, especially as (1) you get more cards and (2) the annual fees start adding up?

[@ellainegalbizoharoz2897]

I normally don't comment on things, but I was impressed with the knowledge you guys imparted on this episode. I had to stop the treadmill to take notes. Great episode! Please do a part 2!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! We are glad it was helpful. We will work on a Part 2.

[@reneecopeland1095]

Yes to a part 2 episode!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

We’ll work on one!

[@trendari9977]

Well done, with great examples.

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for watching! Happy to hear this! 😍

[@MannetteVG]

Great topic and video! Thank you!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for watching! We hope it was helpful.

[@TheStallion234]

Great as always guys

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@sindymejia6661]

Please let’s go for part 2 ❤

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Part 2 is coming out next week!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@chefmastermikecmm8465]

Wow, this content is almost as valuable as my fav churners 😂

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

We’re hoping to become one of your faves!

[@epeben1]

Phewww, I thought there was no new episode today 😢 Will listen on my afternoon drive home

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

No worries, we are here every Friday 7am eastern 4am pacific…😆

[@CloraM-zt3os]

Just started watching this channel and I really appreciate this video!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thanks for watching! We’re so glad you appreciate it!

[@Lamimada91]

Please do a part 2. Love the show❤

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for letting us know! 💖

[@User-dh4xj]

My biggest annual fees, like auto insurance, happen to be due in the same time of the year (within three months of each other), which I didn’t originally plan for I usually open up a new credit card with a higher minimum spend requirement right before I need to pay all of those annual fees and then pay it all off on time and in full

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

That is a very smart strategy to think ahead and have a card open and ready to go for your high expenses! Earning points for those expenses make the payments less painful.

[@gg13308]

great video

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@reneecopeland1095]

Very good! Thank you

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for watching!

[@nicolerice7656]

Yes please do a part 2

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

We will work on a Part 2!

[@anishshah1550]

Have fun at the Hyatt Centric Lima! I was there a month ago. Breakfast spread was phenomenal! Go walk all the parks in Miraflores... they're beautiful. Hopefully, you got the apple juice welcome amenity :)

[@nicolehaynes7825]

The breakfast was great. We got strawberry juice and it was delicious

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

We didn’t even mention where Nicole is recording from. Did you recognize her location from the video?

[@anishshah1550]

@@LetsGetToThePoints Yes haha. The room design is very distinct. Enjoy Peru!

[@timigau3783]

Love your show! Just one question, how do you handle all the CC after you received the bonus, pay annual fees year after year?

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Good question! Please watch Episode 17's Ask Us segment for our thought process on downgrading, cancelling, etc. Please also stay tuned for next Friday's episode when we talk about this more during our Keeper Card episode.

[@CarlosHdz-rm6sg]

Seems like I catch y’all every time I’m traveling. Currently in the ANA Lounge at Tokyo Haneda heading back to the states for a conference. Another perk of a CC that I own btw. This was a great episode and made me look back to my journey. If I were to start all over again 10 years ago, I would’ve started with a CC that got me Hotel or Transferrable currency and not just bank owned points for cash back. I was in that market for nearly 5 years before I ventured out to the AMEX Plat/Gold, Hilton AMEX, etc. Also, I would’ve gotten P2 involved from the get-go. Nonetheless, a part 2 of this would be great. Lastly, we have all made mistakes in this points and miles journey. The points and miles are yours and do with them what you like; you’ve earned them.

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thanks for your comment, Carlos! We love hearing how viewers would do it all over again if they could. Cash is king for a lot of people, especially for businesses. We think there is a place for cash back cards to round out a card portfolio. Cash can definitely help with offsetting all of the other charges that come with travel.

[@robertwilliams6218]

This was a great episode and I would love a part 2. I just started my journey into points and miles in March 2024. I may have started off the wrong way because I have 4 travel cards ( JetBlue I got in 2016(Meh), Delta AMEX Gold , Chase Saph Perf, and just got the AMEX gold) As of right now I am only wanting to travel in the US since it is just me. Any tips for domestic flight booking with points or which hotel programs are the best if you plan on having your travel be in the lower 48 and maybe Puerto Rico?

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

We will work on a Part 2! Welcome to the points and miles hobby. We suspect there will be lots of travel for you in the near future! For the best points to earn, we like the transferable points currencies like Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One. Check the Flight Connections website to see what airlines serve your home airport and the destinations you want to go to so you have an idea of what points to earn. For hotels, the big three Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott are great options. But if you want a taste of elite status, you can get status just by certain top tier cards from Hilton and Marriott.

[@SudhaShri]

Great Info. How do you accumulate say 300000 points for 2 Business class to Asia? i.e how many CC do you need to open? how long it takes?

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

This would be a great question to answer on the show. Please send us a video question!

[@jaimerogers1587]

Would love a part 2! Miquel, where would I locate the RT Emirates for 100K (and change) you mentioned between JFK and MIlan and Newark and Athens, I seem to only find the 174K, perhaps I’m going about this incorrectly? Many thanks!!

[@TravelSergeant]

Hello! Thanks for watching! These aren't easy to find but at those rates, they're definitely worth searching. Here's how I search: 1.) Search using a desktop computer, not the app 2.) Enter either JFK -> MXP or EWR -> ATH and Check the "Classic Rewards" box 3.) Enter roundtrip dates and check the "My dates are flexible (-/+3 days)" box -- this will allow you to search a week at a time 4.) Continue this process one week at a time until you see the 108K rate for roundtrip. I like to search Wednesday to Wednesday since that will show me one week at a time for both, outbound and return Here's quick dates I found for JFK->MXP: Depart February 3, 4 and Return on February 7-13. Try those dates so you can see the Saver rates.

[@jaimerogers1587]

@@TravelSergeant Amazing, thank you! I’ll give it a shot. Or twenty:) 🙏🏼

[@jaimerogers1587]

@@TravelSergeant It worked on the desktop, thanks for such detailed instructions. Much appreciated!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

The comments section is where the real answers are 🤣✅

[@TravelSergeant]

@@jaimerogers1587 New York (JFK) to Milan (MXP) Depart Jan 19 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22 Depart Jan 21 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22 Depart Jan 26 - Jan 28 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22 Depart Feb 3-4 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22 Depart Feb 9 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22 Depart Feb 11 & Return Jan 28- Feb 22

[@fredjohnson3336]

i also like Nicole got the Amex Plat before the Gold and am still regretting not being able to get the welcome offer. in debating if the Gold is still worth it with no offer, i made the decision to get the Amex blue cash preferred as an alternative, even though it's cash back instead of points. i really did it for the grocery and gas was just a bonus. i have the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Freedom Flex, which covers me pretty well. do you think i made the right call not getting the Amex Gold in my case? thanks and love the show!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Hello! To decide on Amex Gold without a bonus, we recommend calculating how much you would spend on dining, groceries, and the other multiplier categories to see if the points you’re getting for that amount outweigh the fee. You may want to be on the lookout for any no lifetime limit offers on the Amex Gold. An alternative is going for the Business Gold for 4x on dining.

[@amyvo9776]

Yes lart 2 please

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Part 2 is out! See Episode 65.

[@JohnWeek-il5nk]

new sub here

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thanks for subbing!

[@kymressler7668]

I got the Chase Sapphire Preferred and will get the 60,000 signup bonus, but I don’t think I can justify the high fees. Should I downgrade card before renewal? Loved the episode!

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Each of us keeps this $95 annual fee card to have the ability to transfer to partners. If you value this transfer benefit, we recommend keeping the card.

[@monkeyfamilyadventures]

I definitely need to share this with some friends, very good walkthrough for beginners! Question for Serena, with your daughter 12 and almost 13, how do you think you’ll approach the Hyatt breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children 12 and under? Would it be like Nicole and mention the gentleman there said it’s included? 😂

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Thank you for sharing with friends!!!

[@PassionForPoints]

Hi Monkey! I think it will be a my mileage may vary situation everywhere we go. I will have to hope they comp my 13yr old. But if not, I guess P2 stays in the room and we sneak food to him. Hahaha! J/K….sort of. 😉

[@monkeyfamilyadventures]

@@PassionForPoints haha. Makes sense!

[@reliev33]

any chance of going in a deep dive for points. aero I come from using expert flyer but they killed so much avaliblity with airlines that I didn't renew.

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Hi! Do you mean seats.aero? We have several episodes in which we dive into setting alerts and how to find award availability. Let us know if that’s what you mean.

[@reliev33]

@@LetsGetToThePoints yes was watching on my phone sorry must have deleted it :) when I searched on youtube all I saw was 1 min shorts. If you have an episode number I could search by that. thanks in advance

[@LetsGetToThePoints]

Please see episodes 13,14,15,16,22,25,26,29,36. You can skip ahead with the embedded time stamps.

[@reliev33]

@@LetsGetToThePoints lol awesome thanks not sure why KZbin search didn't show me these thanks

[@reliev33]

@@LetsGetToThePoints thanks i got in around ep50 didn't realize you were all bloggers before makes sense. Also didn't realize you lost one. Im probably going to sign up to this once I know my schedule for next year thanks for this !