Episode 52: Q2 5x Categories, Transfer Bonuses, and Heightened Welcome Offers
We’ve got a full show today. Let’s get right into it… 0:25 Q2 2021 5x Categories Chase Freedom Gas Stations Home Improvement Stores Discover…
Minimums, Anchors, and Thresholds
Become a Patron!One of the most frustrating things that comes up almost immediately when you start talking to people about money is the way people treat certain purely regulatory..
The Manifesto Episode 20: With Charlie Barkowski from Running With Miles
Last year year we launched a podcast network, adding the Manifesto hosted by Gideon the Free-quent Flyer to the Patreon Feed. In this episode…
How (I think) the just 4 U double dip works
While I do my fair share of manufactured spend at Safeway, until this week I’d never actually redeemed any of their “just 4 U” loyalty points. Instead, I’ve been taking
What’s the real story behind the zillionaire widow defrauded by her grandsons?
Become a Patron!Via TravelBloggerBuzz, last week I read a fascinating story about the resolution of a FINRA arbitration complaint against two JPMorgan financial advisors by their..
Episode 51: All This Amex Stuff (Credits and More)
Robert: Amex has been ratcheting up the complexity on their offers and benefits. Partially due to covid, wanting to retain customers, and wanting to…
Low Category IHG Redemption – Staybridge Suites Palm Springs
In a normal year, I’d tell you about some great low category hotel redemptions around the world. But in the year of Covid, I have been checking out things near my base of Southe..
One reason to potentially defer your Covid-19 vaccine
If you want to be vaccinated against Covid-19, should you get it as soon as possible? For many, including me, the answer is yes. But there is one travel-related reason you migh..
Disappointed by Alaska Airlines IT, satisfied by their customer service
I wrote a few weeks back about the maze of rules relating to the elimination of change fees by most US carriers. My basic conclusion was that eliminating fees is
What I learned in a week messing around with MGM's fake online slots
On last week’s episode of the Manifesto, I spoke with Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast about a suite of browser and mobile apps you can use to
MEUC: the unemployment insurance top-up no one is talking about
Become a Patron!Since the original CARES act in March, I’ve been trying to provide practical, real-world guidance on the nuances of federal and state aid to unemployed and self-e..
When free changes make it worthwhile to hunt for lower fares
If you’ve been following the airline industry at all for the last 6 months, you know that lots of US airlines have made their COVID-19 change and cancellation fee waiver
Extend Old Cathay Pacific Asia Miles during Covid
TL;DR: Transfer 3000 miles from 2 different partners; miles will be extended after 36 hours.
I had a sizable amount of Asia Miles expire Jan 31, 2021, I just extended them and now..
How to apply to, enroll in, and attend college
Become a Patron!In my Wednesday review of Ron Lieber’s college-cost book I promised my own streamlined take on how to think about higher education. One of the great shortcomings of
Book Review: Ron Lieber just wants to ask questions about college costs (that have obvious answers)
Become a Patron!Before I was a travel hacker, I was a higher education hacker. In fact, the first glimpse I had behind the rickety infrastructure of the modern economy was
Some good discounts on flexible rates at Delaware North properties
For those unfamiliar, Delaware North is a concessionaire that operates hotels, restaurants, and campsites at many parks and forests in the United States. They don’t offer their o..
The right and wrong lessons from the Gamestop trading fiasco
Become a Patron!Like everyone on the internet, for the last few days I’ve been following the fascinating and hilarious story of the little message board that made a small dent
Episode 50: Luxury Family Travel, Points & Miles, and Disney w/Robin from Luxe Recess
Robert chats with Robin Hutson from Luxe Recess about luxury family travel trends, blending points & miles with a trip booked through a full-service…
Things to Keep in Mind About Airline Travel Bank Credits
Editor’s Note: The following Post is Guest written by Matt from Miles Earn and Burn. Special thanks to Matt for putting this resource together….
Episode 49: Grand Reserve World Mastercard
I received an offer via email the other day for a wine-focused rewards credit card I’ve been monitoring for a while, the Grand Reserve…
Episode 48: Booking Travel in 2021
We’re back today with a show we’ve talked about recording for some time now. The topic of booking travel in 2021 is a unique…
What the Times got right and wrong about travel hacking
The New York Times Magazine had an article in yesterday’s paper issue (although, confusingly, it’s been available online since last week) about travel hacking. I spoke to the aut..
Good reasons to own bonds
Become a Patron!For as long as I’ve been writing about money, I’ve been saying almost everybody owns too many bonds. My argument has nothing to do with “risk” or “volatility”