Category: Travel
Playing the Points and Miles Game as a Family with @thefrugalandfreetravelers (Ep. 29)

Playing the Points and Miles Game as a Family with @thefrugalandfreetravelers (Ep. 29)

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How can families travel luxuriously without breaking the bank?

Challenge your preconceived notions about cost-effective luxurious travel in this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey podcast. Host DeAndre Coke welcomes Jordan and Courtney from “The Frugal and Free Travelers,” an Indiana-based couple with two daughters who share their love of adventure. 

Together they have mastered traveling frugally yet luxuriously through strategic planning and usage of points and miles. Starting with the Chase Freedom card in 2007 to lavish trips to South America and Disney World, Jordan and Courtney share insights and tips on balancing family, work, and a passion for travel.

Key Highlights:

  • Family Travel Dynamics: Learn how Jordan and Courtney prioritize travel despite a middle-class income, manage long flights with ease, and train their kids to enjoy travel
  • Credit Card Strategy: Discover how they started with the Chase Freedom card and now open multiple cards annually, focusing on transferable points to improve their credit scores
  • Travel Planning: Understand how Courtney handles 80% of research and planning, balancing activities to ensure memorable trips for the entire family
  • Memorable Trips: Hear about their highlights, including hiking in Madeira, exploring Portugal, and using Alaska Airlines miles for South America, plus a budget-friendly stay in Chile and maximizing credits at the Arizona Biltmore
  • Challenges and Solutions: Find out how they overcome challenges like booking four business class seats and hotel rooms for four, emphasizing the importance of earning large points and understanding program availability
  • Advice for Beginners: Receive practical advice on starting small with points, avoiding hoarding, and using them promptly
  • Upcoming Adventures: Get a sneak peek into their future trips to Greece and Turks and Caicos, and dream destinations like Thailand and Indonesia. Follow their journey on Instagram and visit their website for more resources
  • And much more!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Jordan and Courtney: 

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How to Explore Every Country on Earth: A Travel Guide with @hudsonandemily (Ep. 27)

How to Explore Every Country on Earth: A Travel Guide with @hudsonandemily (Ep. 27)

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How can the Herculean task of traveling to every country on Earth change your worldview and inspire others to pursue their dreams?

Join DeAndre Coke as he welcomes Hudson and Emily, a dynamic duo on a mission to visit every country in the world. Together they share their incredible journey—starting with an RV trip across the U.S. to visiting 180 countries—and how a personal tragedy motivated them to live intentionally and embrace a life of travel.

Emily and Hudson discuss the evolution of their travel goals, savvy budgeting strategies, and their transition to full-time content creation. They reveal the joys and challenges of their adventures, from participating in unique cultural practices to experiencing the kindness of strangers. Tune in and discover how their travels have deepened their appreciation for the world’s diversity and humanity.

Key Highlights:

  • Journey Beginnings: The unexpected loss of Hudson’s father inspired their RV trip across all 50 U.S. states, sparking their global travel mission
  • Budget Travel: They initially saved by staying in free locations and continued to budget carefully during their international adventures
  • Content Creation: They transitioned from a lifestyle blog to full-time travel content creators, sharing valuable insights and experiences
  • Cultural Immersion: Memorable experiences include participating in the Mandari tribe’s customs in South Sudan and witnessing the generosity of locals in Afghanistan
  • Upcoming Travels: Excited to visit China, 11 Pacific Islands, and saving the Bahamas as their final destination
  • Future Plans: They plan to settle down after visiting every country, start a family, and continue content creation focused on marriage, travel, and parenting
  • Inspiring Others: They emphasize kindness, intentional living, and the importance of taking the first step toward your dreams

Tune in for these insights and more, as Hudson and Emily’s journey continues to inspire.

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Hudson & Emily: 

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Quick Hits: How to Use AAdvantage Hotels and Online Portals to Boost Your Points & Miles

Quick Hits: How to Use AAdvantage Hotels and Online Portals to Boost Your Points & Miles

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In this week’s Quick Hit episode, DeAndre Coke explains how he used Advantage Hotels, a portal that offers bonus miles and loyalty points for booking hotel rooms. By being a member of AAdvantage and having an American Airlines credit card, DeAndre was able to earn 7,000 miles and loyalty points for his stay. He also discusses the importance of utilizing different strategies, such as dining portals and shopping portals, to earn more miles.

Key takeaways: 

  • Using online booking portals such as Advantage Hotels to to earn bonus points and miles when booking hotel rooms
  • Utilizing different strategies, such as dining portals and shopping portals, to earn more miles when you book online
  • The advantages of credit card benefits, like elite status and room upgrades
  • Bonus miles offered by Amex for Delta cards
  • And more!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

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How to Travel Sustainably and Build Lifelong Connections with Matt Wilson Co-Founder of Under 30 Experiences (Ep. 26)

How to Travel Sustainably and Build Lifelong Connections with Matt Wilson Co-Founder of Under 30 Experiences (Ep. 26)

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How can traveling sustainably change the way you see the world and help you forge lasting relationships?

Join DeAndre Coke as he chats with Matt Wilson, co-founder of Under 30 Experiences. Together they discuss points and miles strategies, as well as how his travel platform can transform your adventures and connect you with others on a deeper level. Discover how Under 30 Experiences evolved from exclusive entrepreneur retreats to welcoming travelers of all ages, and find out how you can take advantage of their unique approach. 

Matt and DeAndre share insights on everything from backpacking trips to supporting local businesses, showing how your travels can be both meaningful and unforgettable. Tune in for practical tips on sustainable travel and making lasting connections along the way.

Key Highlights:

  • Iceland Trip: Matt’s solo trip to Iceland in 2012 inspired the creation of Under 30 Experiences
  • Entrepreneur Retreats: Shifted from exclusive retreats to inclusive travel experiences
  • Supporting Local Communities: Staying at locally owned places and promoting local artisans
  • Cultural Immersion: Prioritizing genuine cultural experiences over typical tourist activities
  • Community Building: Fostering lifelong connections through local meetups, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups
  • Over 30 Experiences: Responding to demand with elevated accommodations for older travelers
  • Diverse Destinations: Upcoming trips to Argentina, Japan, Korea, and Eastern Europe
  • Group Travel Benefits: Encouraging hesitant travelers to start with group trips for a supportive experience

 

Plus, more insights to revolutionize your travel experiences sustainably!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Matt Wilson: 

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Points & Miles Quick Hits: Updates to Southwest Cards, Transfer Points, and Tax Strategies for Business Owners

Points & Miles Quick Hits: Updates to Southwest Cards, Transfer Points, and Tax Strategies for Business Owners

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Starting this week, DeAndre Coke introduces ‘Quick Hits’ – a series of short episodes to share time-sensitive travel and points-related information and updates!

This week’s episode:

  • A new increased bonus offer for Southwest credit cards
  • Transfer bonuses for Chase, Virgin, and Citi are expiring soon
  • Using credit cards for tax payments can earn additional points for business owners

Make sure you have publishing notifications turned on to make sure you don’t miss any of these essential updates!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

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How to Balance a Demanding Career with Luxurious Travel with Brittney Jansen (Ep. 24)

How to Balance a Demanding Career with Luxurious Travel with Brittney Jansen (Ep. 24)

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Do you have a demanding career that keeps you from your dreams of luxury travel? 

Whether the issue is finding the time, or finding the money in your budget, this engaging episode will have you join DeAndre Coke and special guest Brittney Jansen as they reveal how to use points and miles to maximize your travel experiences. Brittney, a traveling physician’s assistant with a unique upbringing in Saudi Arabia, shares her journey of balancing a demanding career with her passion for travel, offering valuable insights, strategies, and some personal anecdotes to make the most of your travel points.

Brittney’s fascinating story spans from her childhood in Saudi Arabia to her recent adventures in New Zealand and Vietnam. She explains how she manages extensive travel despite her demanding job, often taking extended vacations between job transitions. This episode is packed with actionable tips on how to balance work and travel, maximize credit card rewards, and strategically plan your trips.

Key Highlights:

  • New Private Facebook Group: A dedicated space for podcast listeners to discuss points and miles strategies with DeAndre, as well as other players in the points and miles game
  • Travel Adventures: Brittney’s experiences in Vietnam, including riding scooters and exploring Kaapa Island, as well as her adventures in New Zealand, from visiting Milford Sound to scuba diving
  • Credit Card Strategies: Insights on starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, managing points, and maximizing rewards with the Amex Gold card
  • Lux Travel Hacks Course: Brittney’s positive experience with the course, shifting her spending mindset, and empowering her to use points effectively
  • Future Travel Plans: Brittney’s aspirations to visit the Galapagos for scuba diving and her travel goals for Japan, China, India, and Dubai
  • Practical Travel Tips: Coordinating with colleagues for flexible travel time, packing light, and choosing centrally located accommodations using Google Maps
  • Mindset Shift: Brittney’s journey from initial hesitation to strategic spending and the significant benefits of the Lux Travel Hacks course
  • And so much more!

Tune in to uncover Brittney Jansen’s travel secrets and learn how to elevate your travel experiences using points and miles!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Brittney Jansen: 

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Maximizing Points & Miles for Budget-Friendly Luxury Travel with Tim Meade (Ep. 23)

Maximizing Points & Miles for Budget-Friendly Luxury Travel with Tim Meade (Ep. 23)

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Ever wonder how frequent travelers enjoy luxury stays without the high costs? 

In this captivating episode, join DeAndre Coke and special guest Tim Meade as they reveal strategies for using points and miles to elevate your travel experiences. Tim Meade, co-founder of “Wandering Destination” shares how he and his wife have explored 27 countries across six continents using credit card rewards.

From staying in Irish castles to exploring Turkey’s serene landscapes, Tim’s journey is a testament to smart travel planning. DeAndre underscores the podcast’s mission: to help you use credit card points for luxurious yet budget-friendly travel. This episode is packed with actionable tips to elevate your travel game.

Key Highlights:

  • Leveraging Delta SkyMiles: Learn how Tim’s frequent trips to Atlanta earned him extensive travel perks
  • Two-Player Mode: Discover the benefits of couples using separate cards and referring each other for maximum rewards
  • Credit Card Benefits: Insights into the versatile rewards of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Platinum cards
  • Strategic Planning: Use tools like Travel Freely to track spending, bonuses, and manage the Chase 5/24 rule
  • Memorable Destinations: Highlights include a castle stay in Ireland and a cost-free adventure in Turkey during COVID-19
  • Future Travel Plans: Tim and DeAndre’s upcoming explorations in Asia, with tips on optimizing layovers and lounges
  • Plus, more insights to transform your travel experiences with points and miles!

 

Resources:

 

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Tim & Charlotte Meade: 

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