Kyle is back from Costa Rica where he was breaking news from the beach! So the guys get caught up on all the latest travel stories, including a little-known Delta SkyMiles card perk he unearthed, new credit card bonus offers and rumors, some good news for travelers who love cheaper fares to Europe (but bad news for airlines), and more!
Plus, a listener challenges one of our recent takes … and the guys come up with a new bit. Yes, another one.
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And be sure to subscribe now to get each new episode every Thursday morning.
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Show Notes
- 00:00 – Recapping Kyle’s Costa Rica trip
- 02:30 – Brian kicks off the show from Kenya
- 03:25 – Summer travel demand to Europe is dropping … and we love it
- 10:00 – A PSA to book (or re-book) your spring break flights
- 13:30 – Introducing our new daily (and free!) Extra Mile newsletter
- 15:35 – New Delta SkyMiles card sign-up offers …and upgrade offers
- 19:40 – Sky Club visits reset – plus our favorite way to add a few extras
- 22:00 – Kyle discovers the sneaky SkyMiles card premium snack perk
- 24:47 – A word from our sponsor: Bilt Rewards
- 25:50 – Rumors swirl about a souped-up Capital One dining card: The Savor X
- 29:05 – Boo: The Amex Platinum increased its spend requirement by 50%
- 31:25 – A sweet transfer bonus to Japan Airlines from Capital One
- 34:00 – Reviewing the Park Hyatt London River Thames
- 36:20 – Listener Question: Why no love for the Bilt Palladium Card (& our “U-Turn”)
- 42:10 – On the Spot: What are your airport code initials?
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
*As a Globalist*…
But really, as a Globalist who travels with two kids and basically only ever uses points (other than Platinum credits for THC) I do think there are aspects that can’t really be replicated elsewhere unless you’re independently wealthy. As Gunnar pointed out the footprint is a challenge and may prevent me from requalifying this year, but there’s just so much that being a Globalist allows me to do that wouldn’t be possible without it unless I drained all of my Amex MRs at 1c each to book via FHR/THC. The combination of milestone rewards and straight Globalist benefits is second to none for a family – I can use 25k points per night (or less) and a suite upgrade award to put our whole family into a great room at a nice hotel with free breakfast and parking. And sometimes I can throw a Guest of Honor award at my extended family so that the cousins can come too! We just wouldn’t be able to travel as much or as well as we do – and with the people we love – with the other disloyal hotel options you mentioned*.
*The Edit with a Points Boost might be the next best thing for our needs but I’ve lost count of my rejections from the CSR personal card.