Tag: Credit Card Offers

Quick Hits: ANA’s Devaluation, How to re-qualify for Chase’s Biggest Bonus & More!

Quick Hits: ANA’s Devaluation, How to re-qualify for Chase’s Biggest Bonus & More!

Is ANA’s legendary around-the-world ticket going away for good?

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke checks in from the Dominican Republic—on a site visit for his upcoming wedding—to bring you the latest news in the world of travel, points, and miles. He breaks down ANA’s significant devaluation, explains the ticking clock on booking their coveted around-the-world ticket, and clarifies who’s eligible for Chase Sapphire Preferred’s elevated 100,000-point offer.

DeAndre also shares the latest updates on Zil Money’s delayed card processing system for payroll and offers a transparent follow-up to a recent discrepancy between a podcast and Instagram about his use of points versus travel insurance for a flight delay. If you’re looking to stay sharp on offers, program updates, and real-life travel hacks, this episode is packed with practical insights—recorded right from paradise.

Tune in to stay ahead on travel strategy and loyalty program changes.

 

Key takeaways: 

  • ANA Around-the-World Ticket: Book by June 24 before ANA eliminates this aspirational redemption.
  • ANA One-Way Redemptions: ANA will finally allow one-way point bookings, offering more flexibility.
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred Bonus: A 100,000-point welcome offer is available—but only if you meet strict eligibility rules.
  • Zil Money Update: The platform is still down due to overwhelming demand; processing is expected to resume soon.
  • Travel Insurance Clarification: DeAndre confirms he used points (not cash) for a Hyatt stay during a flight delay, and breaks down how trip delay coverage varies by card.
  • Trip Delay Insurance Tip: Chase Sapphire Preferred = 12-hour delay or overnight stay; Reserve = 6-hour delay coverage.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

 

 

Revolutionize Your Travel: Must-Have Tools to Plan, Book, and Organize Your Points & Miles Game (Ep. 69)

Revolutionize Your Travel: Must-Have Tools to Plan, Book, and Organize Your Points & Miles Game (Ep. 69)

Have you ever wondered what tools a points and miles expert uses to book smarter, earn faster, and stay organized while traveling?

In this solo episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, host DeAndre Coke breaks down his personal travel toolkit—from the apps that help him choose the right credit card at checkout, to the tools he swears by for booking award flights and organizing itineraries. From automating credit card offers with Card Pointers to searching for award flights with tools like PointsYeah and Seats.aero, DeAndre walks listeners through each step of his travel planning process. He also discusses the value of platforms like Zil Money for earning points on business expenses, and apps like TripIt for keeping itineraries organized. This episode offers practical insights for travelers looking to simplify and optimize their rewards-based travel. 

This post contains affiliate links for some of the products mentioned, but we personally use and pay for most of these services ourselves because we believe in their value. We want to share the best points and miles tools that have helped us maximize our travel rewards.

 

Key Highlights:

  • Card Pointers: An app that helps users choose the best credit card for each purchase and automatically loads Amex and Chase offers without logging in.
  • Zil Money: Platform that lets businesses earn points by processing payroll through credit cards—useful for hitting sign-up bonuses and earning high multipliers.
  • Travel Freely: This tool tracks credit card annual fees and sign-up bonuses and helps users comply with Chase’s 5/24 rule.
  • PointsYeah: Award flight search engine with features like Daydream Explorer and live seat maps, making it easier to spot high-value redemptions.
  • Seats.aero: A power-user tool for finding award seat availability, especially useful for last-minute and expert-level searches.
  • Points Path:  The first award flight search engine that runs directly in Google Flights, and provides both the cash price and points price of many flights.
  • FlightConnections: Visualization tool showing all direct routes between airports—great for mapping international travel and alliance-specific itineraries.
  • Boldly Go Calculators: Transfer Bonus Calculator and Point Redemption Calculator simplify reward math and show real point value.
  • Point.me: Beginner-friendly award search tool that includes step-by-step guides and Amex cardholder access for free.
  • Thrifty Traveler: Subscription service that sends alerts for award availability, mistake fares, and significant cash deals.
  • TripIt: Travel organization app that builds an itinerary from confirmation emails and syncs across devices—even offline. Helpful for keeping track of complex trips and flight changes.

 

Episodes Mentioned:

 

Resources:

 

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

 

 

Quick Hits: Payroll on Credit Card Update, IHG’s Best-Ever Offer, Southwest’s Status Match Deal and more

Quick Hits: Payroll on Credit Card Update, IHG’s Best-Ever Offer, Southwest’s Status Match Deal and more

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke shares a roundup of the latest and most important updates in the world of travel, points, and miles. From Hyatt’s award pricing changes and Chase/Amex transfer bonuses to the IHG One Rewards Business Card’s limited-time offer of up to 200,000 points, this episode is packed with timely insights to help travelers make smarter, more strategic decisions. He also covers Delta’s removal of fuel surcharges on award flights from Europe and Southwest’s new status match opportunity for American Airlines elites—both of which could unlock significant value for savvy flyers.

Additionally, DeAndre shares an update on Zil Money, which is once again up and running for all credit cards except AMEX, and unveils the newly rebuilt Best Offers page on the BoldlyGo website, created to prioritize transparency and showcase the most competitive card offers—regardless of affiliate links.

Whether you’re earning, redeeming, or mapping out your next trip, this episode will help you stay ahead of the game in the world of travel rewards.

 

Key takeaways: 

  • Hyatt Award Pricing Update: Many hotels are shifting categories, impacting award stays.
  • IHG One Rewards Business Card: Earn up to 200,000 points with a limited-time offer.
  • Valuable Free Night Certificate: Included with the IHG business card and applicable for redemptions.
  • Chase & Amex Transfer Bonuses: Take advantage of them before they expire.
  • Delta Award Tickets: Fuel surcharges removed for one-way flights from Europe.
  • Southwest Status Match: Available with proof of American Airlines elite status.
  • Plan Ahead: Staying informed ensures better travel redemptions and savings.
  • Use Credit Cards Strategically: These updates reinforce the value of timely applications.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

 

 

 

Quick Hits: Unlock Big Travel Perks with Chase, Southwest Companion Pass, and Marriott Bonvoy

Quick Hits: Unlock Big Travel Perks with Chase, Southwest Companion Pass, and Marriott Bonvoy

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke delivers a rapid breakdown of the latest offers in the points and miles world, focusing on key cards to help you boost your travel rewards. He highlights the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card’s $900 cash-back offer and shares strategies for converting cash back into travel points. 

DeAndre also dives into the Southwest Personal Cards and how earning 135,000 points can unlock the Southwest Companion Pass, offering free travel for a companion. Rounding out the episode, he touches on the Marriott Bonvoy Business card and its offer of five free nights with a spend requirement.

Get the key details fast and learn how to act quickly on these limited-time offers to maximize your travel rewards!

 

Key takeaways: 

  • The Chase Ink Business Unlimited card offers $900 cashback which is 90,000 points
  • You can convert cash back to travel points with certain cards.
  • Earning 135,000 points on Southwest Personal Cards grants the Companion Pass.
  • Timing is critical when applying for the Southwest Companion Pass.
  • The Marriott Bonvoy Business card offers five free nights after meeting the spending requirement.

 

Resources:

 

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Turning Points into Priceless Experiences with Tom Marsden (Ep. 13)

Turning Points into Priceless Experiences with Tom Marsden (Ep. 13)

How did a Toronto native use simple points to unlock world-class luxury travel?

Meet Tom Marsden, a native Canadian turned global wanderer, whose savvy travel strategies turn everyday points into luxurious global escapades. In this fascinating episode of “Revolutionizing Your Journey,” host DeAndre Coke invites us to dive into Tom’s world of strategic travel planning. Discover how Tom’s regular points have paved the way to extraordinary journeys for him and his family.

Key Highlights:

  • From Toronto to Travel Guru: Explore how Tom’s early life fueled his passion for travel and led him to become a mastermind travel strategist
  • Crafting $50,000 Journeys for $2,000: Tom’s Luxury Travel Secrets – Uncover the strategies that enabled Tom’s family to secure an opulent European adventure at a fraction of the regular cost
  • Why Tom Chooses Hyatt: A Look at Globalist Perks – Dive into Tom’s preference for Hyatt, detailing the luxurious family suites and unmatched customer service that come with Globalist status
  • The Road to Hyatt Globalist: Learn about achieving Hyatt’s top-tier Globalist status through smart and ethical travel strategies
  • Extending Luxury with Guest of Honor: Discover how Tom enhanced DeAndre’s Maldives trip using the ‘Guest of Honor’ benefit and its recent changes
  • Tips for Aspiring Travelers: Gain valuable advice on starting your journey and maximizing the value of credit card bonuses and offers
  • And much more!

 

Resources:

Connect with DeAndre Coke: 

Connect with Tom Marsden:

 

About Tom Marsden:

Tom Marsden is a seasoned traveler, originating from Toronto, Ontario. His journey began in 2010, leveraging his business travels to gather points and elite status. As a Hyatt Globalist and lifetime Marriott member, Tom has crafted unique and luxurious travel experiences for his family, turning points into priceless memories. His story is not only about luxurious travel but also about sharing his expertise with others, inspiring them to explore the world through smart and strategic travel strategies.