It’s time to learn how to redeem those points and miles you’ve earned for travel … and while it might seem scary, this is the fun part!
We walk through the basics of redeeming your points – including a step-by-step guide to transferring to partner airlines and hotels, which is (almost) always the best path. Plus, a primer on airline alliances, finding award availability, and some of our best ideas of how to redeem your points for maximum value for your next big trip.
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And be sure to subscribe now to get each new Starter Kit episode every Tuesday morning over the coming weeks!
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In This Episode
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- 00:00 – Do we still get nervous transferring points?
- 02:30 – What should you earn: Points or miles?
- 04:50 – Using credit card points: Travel portals & transfers
- 09:00 – When it makes sense to transfer your points
- 12:30 – A primer on finding that all-important award availability
- 15:50 – Why knowing airline alliances & partnerships is key
- 20:00 – How to transfer points: A step-by-step guide
- 21:30 – Sign up for all your airline programs now!
- 30:05 – Our favorite programs and redemptions to get started
- 36:30 – How to NOT use your points and miles
- 42:00 – Your Vol. 3 Flight Plan!
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
Vol. 3 Flight Plan
- Set up all of your loyalty accounts as soon as possible. Some programs have limitations for brand new accounts.
- Do your homework: Check for availability and all possible options before booking, including the travel portal and other partner airlines
- Get to know transfer partners, alliances, and partnerships so you can make the best redemption, every time.
- Use the Flight Plan from Ep. 1: Use the flights first rule and be flexible to find award availability, just like cash flights.
- Earn and burn: Use those points – they rarely go up in value.
Related Episodes & Stories
- Ep. 5 – The 10 Commandments of Points & Miles
- Ep. 66 – Airline Alliances Episode
- Ep. 73 – The Current State of Award Availability in 2026
- The Master List of Credit Card Transfer Partners
We were in Japan for over a month this spring and when we tallied up our 10 favorite experiences none were in Tokyo and only one was in Kyoto. We loved Takayama, Nagano, wild areas in Shikoku and the Japanese Alps, and the rural areas in Western Honshu. For onsens that aren’t crazy crowded try the area around the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway in the mountains near Kamikochi.
BTW, before you go to Japan go online and listen to Japanese pronunciation of place names. Narita, Haneda, and even Kyoto and Tokyo aren’t pronounced the way you probably think and Japanese speakers might not understand you if you use English pronunciation. (For example, Tokyo and Kyoto are both two-syllables.)
Can I have more info about the vpn to use for getting more points?
Hi Mary, search Rakuten for “Express VPN” or “Nord VPN.” Both regularly offer close to 100% back – 100x points when you have your Rakuten account set up that way – for these purchases. At 100% cash back (100x points), you’re essentially buying points for 1 cent apiece if you don’t plan to use the service. Just don’t forget to cancel before the promo rate expires!