In this episode, Chris and Katie take you through their latest travel experiences and dive deep into the world of airport lounge access. Chris shares what it was like flying with Copa Airlines, while Katie talks about scoring an upgrade with American Airlines in Charlotte.

They then explore which credit cards offer the best lounge access, why lounge perks matter for frequent travelers, and which cards are dropping lounge privileges. From the premium American Express Platinum to a no-annual fee card that comes with lounge access, they break down options for every type of traveler.

Plus, Katie reveals a savvy trick for getting the most out of “Grab and Go” offerings at Delta Sky Clubs—enough to feed two people! The episode wraps up with a listener Q&A, so don’t miss it.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 11

[0:30] Introduction

[1:08] Chris talks about his experience flying with Copa Airlines

[4:34] Katie shares about a recent upgrade she had while flying on American Airlines.

[8:14] What credit card should you get for the best lounge access, why travelers would want to have good lounge access, including some cards that are lounge access policies.

[15:47] Chris discusses the American Express Platinum card.

[17:52] Katie brings up another card that offers lounge access without an annual fee.

[19:15] Credit cards that allow travelers to get into airline-specific lounges.

[24:42] Katie talks about her experience with using Delta Sky Club’s “Grab and Go” option and how travelers can get enough food for two people if they plan smartly.

[27:04] Recap: best credit cards for lounge access

[27:20] Listener question

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

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Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/lounge-access/

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share their top business class redemptions that you can actually book with points and miles in 2025, including options on American Airlines, Qatar Qsuites, ANA, Japan Airlines, Condor, and more.

Whether you're planning a dream trip to Japan or want a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, you'll hear real booking examples, points prices, and firsthand tips to help you book smarter.

They also break down the CLEAR Plus price increase, how to get discounts (or even free memberships) through credit cards and airline status, and which travel perks are actually worth it.

Finally, they answer a listener's question: Are points only useful if you book last minute? Find out how to make the most of your points no matter when your travel is for.

Timestamps:

[0:00] Welcome! Chris and Katie kick things off with a fun routing tip—how a stopover in Hawaii could score you a cheaper business class flight to Japan.

[1:00] CLEAR Plus membership is getting a price hike starting in July. Chris explains the new pricing, while Katie shares how to get CLEAR for free or at a discount using credit cards or airline status programs.

[4:10] Chris and Katie start digging into their favorite business class redemptions booked with points, starting with Qatar Airways Qsuites..

[6:30] How to find award space, what makes ANA’s business class special, and why flying from Hawaii can save you a lot. Booking tips for Japan Airlines, Condor, and KLM, plus the importance of using tools like seats.aero to find award space.

[10:00] Why same-itinerary bookings from smaller airports can be a game changer, especially when flights get disrupted.

[13:45] How to find these flights yourself, setting award alerts, and using the right tools.

[15:45] Listener question: Are points only useful if you book at the last minute? Tips for planners and smart redemptions with a 5 to 6 month lead.

[17:00] Final thoughts + wrap-up: Expand your search, sign up for the newsletter, and make your points go further.

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Want to unlock business class for economy prices? Sign up for our free award alerts newsletter and follow us for the latest deals, guides, and tips.

Looking for the best tools to search for award flights and hotels?

In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down the top award flight search tools we personally use to book award travel with points and miles. From free options to paid platforms, we’ll show you what each one does best, plus share a discount for our favorite tool: Seats.aero.

Chris and Katie also share recent travel updates, including theme park trips (Disneyland vs. Epic Universe) and a visit to Greenville, South Carolina. We wrap up with a listener question about speculative point transfers - specifically, whether it’s a good idea to transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Hawaiian in order to take advantage of the Alaska loophole that is closing soon!

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:00] Last week, Chris visited Disney Land for Disney’s 70th anniversary celebration. The celebration is running through the summer of 2026. Next, he went back to Epic Universe for their opening.

[3:27] Katie recently went back to Greenville, South Carolina. She was invited by the Visit Greenville, SC, to go to the BMW Performance Driving Center. She stayed at the AC Hotel in downtown Greenville.

[7:34] The main topic of today’s episode is award search tools. Katie’s favorite is seats.aero, which allows users to search flight options. The pro version is $9.99 per month. Through June 30, 2025, save 20% on an annual subscription with the code UPGRADEDPOINTS.

[11:30] There are lots of award search tools to choose from. One of the most popular is Point.me, which allows you to search over one hundred airlines.

[12:26] Another good tool is Points Yeah, which is free with unlimited searches but has a premium version. Roame is similar, but is a bit more polished.

[13:49] Last fall, Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merged and introduced the ability to transfer points between them. Now through June 30th, you can transfer Amex points to Hawaiian, and then to Alaska. Normally, we do not recommend transferring points speculatively. However, Alaska’s program is good enough to make the transfer worth it.

Read about the best food in every world in Epic Universe: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/universal-epic-universe-best-food/

Use the seats.aero promo code mentioned in the episode: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/seats-aero-promo-code/

Read Katie’s review of the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville, South Carolina: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/grand-bohemian-lodge-greenville-autograph-collection-review/

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

Follow us!

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Looking for a travel credit card with perks that actually deliver value? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris break down their favorite credit card perks, from airport lounge access, travel insurance, to annual resort credits, and more.

Whether you're a frequent flyer or planning a once-a-year getaway, these benefits can help you save money, travel more comfortably, and get more out of every trip.

They also catch up on recent travels (St. Barths and New England) and answer listener questions about canceling award flights, using shopping portals, and maximizing points and miles.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:55] Chris just booked his annual summer trip to New England, a trip that is usually difficult and expensive to book. He paid cash for American Airlines economy, but will get Main Cabin Extra due to his Platinum Pro status.

[4:23] Katie recently visited St Barths. It had a unique European feel for an island in the Caribbean.

[7:20] She stayed at Hotel Manapany, a hotel surrounded by the jungle with gorgeous views. To her surprise, she enjoyed the breakfast buffet there despite generally hating buffets.

[11:20] One of Chris’s favorite cards is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Despite currently having an eye-watering $150 yearly fee, it comes with a $400 yearly resort credit.

[13:03] Katie is a fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge access benefits. The Chase Sapphire Lounges are a small but growing group of luxury lounges.

[13:58] Chris has the Citi Prestige Card, which you can no longer apply for. It is one of the last credit cards that comes with a priority pass with restaurants included.

[15:07] Katie’s next favorite perk is the $50 Saks credit on the Amex Platinum.

[17:03] The Citi Strata Premier now includes travel insurance. For a $95 annual fee, the insurance comes with benefits that make the card worth the fee.

[18:11] Katie’s next pick is the Loyalty Point bonus on American Airlines Executive Mastercard.

[19:06] Chris’s Hilton Aspire Card comes with a CLEAR credit, which goes towards a CLEAR+ account.

[20:46] The Admirals Club access for the American Airlines Executive Card is another one of Katie’s favorites, though she notes that it is only worth it if you are a frequent traveler.

[23:57] Another American Airlines Executive perk that Katie appreciates is the $120 Avis/Budget car rental credit.

[25:10] The Global Entry TSA Pre-Check credits are a common but useful perk.

[27:22] Chris brings up the $25 WiFi credit on his Barclays Aviator Red card that is going away as American Airlines cards move exclusively to Citi and AA rolls out free WiFi.

[28:44] Are shopping portals worth it? Katie says they are. Shopping portals do not cost you anything extra and allow you to earn points, though you may need to turn off your ad blockers.

[30:00] What happens if you cancel a flight you booked with points? Chris says that in many cases, you can get your points back. However, each airline has its own policy, and some have cancellation penalties.

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

Follow us!

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/

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Want to earn more points and miles—without opening a new credit card? It’s possible, and even easy, if you know where to look. From online shopping portals to strategic spending, there are plenty of surprising ways to boost your rewards with everyday purchases.

In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share their favorite ways to earn travel rewards without adding a new card to your wallet. They also cover the launch of American Airlines' new Flagship Suites, Katie’s ongoing Delta status challenge, and answer listener questions about maximizing your rewards.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[0:55] American Airlines’ new Flagship Suites will be debuting on June 5th on the American Airlines Boeing 787-9.

[2:54] Katie is mid-status challenge with Delta, where she has not been very impressed with her status. She has earned Silver status.

[8:10] How can you earn points and miles without opening a new credit card? Katie’s favorite way is by using shopping portals, both through banks and through airlines. Importantly, ad blockers must be turned off for this to work. You can read Katie’s article about how she earned 100,000 points through shopping portals here.

[12:00] The AA portal also allows you to earn loyalty points through online shopping.

[14:33] Simplymiles can allow you to stack promotions, though its deals have been hit-or-miss recently.

[17:02] You can also strategically spend with the credit cards you already have by spending in specific categories. You can get cards for dining, online shopping, and groceries.

Read more: The best credit cards for every spending category.

[21:24] You can refer your spouse or friends to credit cards for additional bonuses, which can be a reliable way to earn if you know someone else in the points and miles game.

[23:26] Another way to earn is by signing up for dining programs at places you like to eat.

[29:35] You can call and tell customer service that you are considering canceling your card and ask if there are any retention offers available.

[31:26] The Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn bonus points on rent without an annual fee.

[36:30] Is it better to transfer your points to airlines, or to book directly through your credit card portal? In general, it is better to book through the airlines because you get a more dynamic value.

[38:30] Can you use your travel perks for someone else traveling with you? It depends on the perks. Citi AA Executive allows immediate family and up to 2 guests to join the primary cardmember, while Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can bring up to two guests into Chase Sapphire Lounges for free.

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

Follow us!

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YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/upgradedpointspod

Looking for the best travel deals this summer? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share how to save big on summer travel—including the best glamping destinations, smart credit card strategies, and expert tips on using points and miles more effectively.

Chris kicks things off with a wild story about his family’s recent travel nightmare: three international overnight flights canceled after they arrived at the airport. Katie follows up with her review of the Deluxe Cabin at Ofland Escalante in Utah, a luxury glamping experience worth checking out.

From maximizing rewards for summer getaways to real listener questions answered, this episode is packed with practical advice, real travel stories, and deals you don’t want to miss.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[0:53] Chris’s family has had three international overnight flights canceled after getting to the airport, mostly due to mechanical problems.

[8:11] Katie just got back from Utah, where she visited Ofland Escalante, which is a glamping resort in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

[10:25] Katie stayed in a Deluxe Cabin at the Ofland Escalante. It featured a private bathroom and an outdoor shower.

[13:48] Hyatt has a new promotion where you can earn 20x points for every point you spend at Under Canvas. Additionally, Hilton has a new partnership with AutoCamp with seven locations. Read our review of AutoCamp Zion here.

[18:00] Between AutoCamp and Under Canvas, Katie prefers AutoCamp because they have a vintage airstream option.

[19:11] What are the best cards for last-minute summer redemptions? Katie suggests the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which allow you to use points to “erase” travel charges within 90 days.

[20:31] Another option for more experienced travelers is the American Airlines AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®. After making your first purchase, you can earn 60,000 miles (at the time of recording).

[22:28] The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 100,000 bonus points welcome offer ended.

[24:50] How can your family avoid high prices for summer travel? Your best option is to start planning early. Additionally, find room to be flexible in other areas, like your destination or airline.

[27:20] Katie sometimes buys flights with cash instead of points, particularly when the points value is too low. Upgraded Points has a points valuation article to help you understand point values.

[30:30] How can you keep your kids entertained on long flights? Younger kids can be kept busy with toys and books, while older kids may be able to keep themselves busy with tech. Chris says the key is bringing snacks.

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

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Not sure where to start when planning a Disney vacation? We have tips to help you save on hotels, food, tickets, and more. Plus, we sat down with experts at planDisney to help you plan your next trip to see Mickey Mouse. Chris and Katie also discuss customer service at Virgin Atlantic, the little-known Air Canada Rogue airline, and the massive 100,000 welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

Chris tells us about his recent experience on Air Canada Rogue, and Katie had a great customer service experience with Virgin Atlantic. Next, Chris speaks to planDisney experts about the travel planning hacks you should consider when booking your next Disney trip. Finally, Chris and Katie discuss the exciting new Chase Sapphire Preferred card welcome bonus and, as always, answer your travel questions.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[0:47] Chris recently flew Air Canada Rogue, which is the low-cost carrier of Air Canada. His flight on Delta was delayed, so he ultimately chose to cancel and switch to an Air Canada Rogue flight to Montreal for $100.

[5:19] Katie called Virgin Atlantic to change a KLM flight and faced resistance in her first call, but had a great customer experience on her second call. Hang up and call again, HUCA!

[8:07] In a clip of an interview with planDisney panelists Christine and Matt, Chris asks about what makes planDisney special, mistakes people make while planning Disney trips, and more.

[11:31] The My Disney Experience app is a helpful first step for Disney travelers, along with visiting the Special Offers page. You can watch the full interview on the Upgraded Points YouTube Channel.

[14:46] The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has a massive welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points with only a $95 annual fee. This is a $1,250 minimum value!

Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k Welcome Offer: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-preferred-card-100k-bonus/

[19:38] When you book a Hyatt hotel with points, you do not have to pay any resort fees.

[20:13] Can you apply for a new Chase Sapphire Preferred card if you already have one to get the new welcome bonus? You cannot, but there are ways around it as long as you have not gotten a welcome bonus from a Chase Sapphire card in the past 48 months, nor applied for 5 or more cards in the past 24 months. You can downgrade your card, wait about a week, and then apply again.

Are you eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus? https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-preferred-100k-bonus-points-requirements/

[23:30] One listener asks about flying into New York the day of a flight to Japan to save on hotels. Chris advises against this to minimize the risk of missing the Japan flight in the case of a delay.

Want more out of your points? Explore our guides written by travel and financial professionals on the Upgraded Points website.

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