Emirates First Class – Revolutionizing Your Journey

Travel Smarter: How to Maximize Every Mile and Point with Julia Menez of @geobreezetravel (Ep. 64)

By BoldlyGo | March 5, 2025

Have you ever wondered how to get the most value out of your points and miles?

In this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey podcast, host DeAndre Coke sits down with Julia Menez, founder of Geobreeze Travel, to break down the best strategies for maximizing travel redemptions. Julia shares her journey into the points and miles space and explains the importance of tracking travel metrics, including cents per point (CPP) and out-of-pocket cost ratios, to ensure you’re getting the best possible value.

They also discuss how to prioritize travel goals, when to opt for luxury versus budget-friendly options, and why transfer bonuses and airline partnerships can significantly enhance your travel experience. Julia highlights Hyatt’s strong redemption value, the best lounges to visit, and the benefits of tracking routes for premium travel.

Whether you’re new to points and miles or looking to refine your strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you optimize your redemptions, minimize expenses, and elevate your travel experiences.

Key Highlights:

Tracking Metrics: Decide if tracking cents per point (CPP) or other metrics aligns with your travel goals.
Fun Over Stress: Points and miles should enhance travel, not add pressure.
Value Over Cost: Travel isn’t just about spending less; it’s about maximizing experiences.
Minimizing Out-of-Pocket Costs: Keeping expenses low is crucial for budget travelers.
Hyatt’s No-Tax Redemptions: Standard room redemptions with Hyatt don’t include additional taxes.
Transfer Bonuses: Using strategic transfer bonuses can significantly boost redemption value.
Tracking Flight Routes: Helps with planning premium cabin redemptions and maximizing luxury.
Best Lounges: The Pier Lounge in Hong Kong is a must-visit for Oneworld Emerald members.
Underrated Travel Programs: Choice Hotels and other lesser-known programs can offer great redemptions.
Luxury on Short Flights: High-end experiences can still be affordable on shorter routes.

Resources:

LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Connect with Julia Menez:

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Our 2024 Recap: Points & Miles Wins, Stunning Stays, and Epic Destinations (Ep. 55)

By BoldlyGo | January 1, 2025

What were your top travel moments this year? In this reflective episode, Taryn and DeAndre take listeners on a journey through their unforgettable 2024 travel experiences and offer a glimpse into their exciting plans for 2025. They share how they accumulated nearly a million points through signup bonuses, their favorite destinations like Bali, and luxurious stays such as Marina Bay Sands. A highlight of the year was their magical night dive with manta rays, but the adventure didn’t stop there—another unforgettable experience was taking a helicopter ride to EDC Las Vegas, avoiding traffic and arriving at the event in just 45 minutes.

Looking ahead to 2025, Taryn and DeAndre have a packed travel itinerary. They plan to dive deep into adventure in Roatan, Honduras, attend a friend’s wedding at Hyatt Ziva while enjoying the Adults-Only Hyatt Zilara Cancun, and celebrate their own wedding in the Dominican Republic. Skiing and snowboarding with friends at Beaver Creek Ski Resort & Spa Hotels is also on the agenda, as well as DeAndre’s plans to attend the Travel More Conference in October. With so much ahead, they remain committed to travel hacking and sharing tips to maximize points, ensuring every trip is memorable and rewarding.

Join them in reflecting on a year of growth and looking forward to new adventures!

Key Highlights:

Podcast Milestone: This marks the first full year of having the podcast, which experienced massive growth and great support from listeners.
Points and Miles: Accumulated nearly a million points through signup bonuses alone.
Favorite Destinations & Stays: Bali stands out as a top travel spot, while Marina Bay Sands in Singapore was a spectacular experience.
Memorable Adventures: The night dive with manta rays in the Maldives was unforgettable, but there’s also a helicopter ride to EDC Las Vegas, which was a first for both Taryn and DeAndre.
2025 Plans: Diving in Roatan, attending a friend’s wedding in Cancun, and hosting their own wedding in the Dominican Republic.
Winter Fun: Skiing and snowboarding with friends at Beaver Creek.
Professional Growth: DeAndre will attend the Travel More Conference in October.
Travel Philosophy: Revolutionize your travels, revolutionize your journeys.

Resources:

LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

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Our Maldives Return Recap: Luxury Redemptions with Qsuites, Emirates First-Class and More! (Ep 54)

By BoldlyGo | December 25, 2024

Ever wondered how to turn your dream trip to the Maldives into a reality using points and miles?

In this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey Podcast, DeAndre and Taryn share their unforgettable return to the Maldives, offering insider tips on planning luxury travel without breaking the bank. From flying Qatar Airways’ Qsuites to diving with manta rays on ScubaSpa and navigating chaotic airport experiences, they break down every aspect of their journey. They also discuss their stay at Bandos Maldives, vibrant nightlife, and a first-class Emirates flight that redefined luxury. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just dreaming of one, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration.

Ready to take your travel game to the next level? Start planning your Maldives getaway with these expert tips!

Key Highlights:

Qatar Airways Qsuites: Experience unparalleled comfort and luxury in the sky.
Reservation Confirmations: Always confirm directly with resorts to avoid issues.
Airport Challenges: Prepare for a chaotic and hot experience at the Maldives airport.
Diving with Manta Rays: Enjoy a magical and unforgettable underwater adventure.
Scuba Spa Experience: Combine luxury and diving on a unique liveaboard journey.
Emirates First-Class: Redefine air travel with exceptional luxury and service.
Family-Friendly Resorts: The Maldives offers great options for families and vibrant nightlife.
Layover Strategies: Enhance long-haul travel with smart layover hotel choices.
And much more!

Resources:

LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:
- Use coupon code “BOLDYGO” for a 50% discount!
BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group
Truicity Wealth Management

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Youtube Music | RSS | More

Mastering Points and Miles with Kelly of @pointsandmilesdoc (Ep. 28)

By BoldlyGo | June 26, 2024

Mastering your points and miles rewards strategies can transform your travel experiences, even with a demanding career!

In this episode of the Revolutionizing Your Journey podcast, hosted by DeAndre Coke, we welcome Kelly, the doctor behind Points and Miles Doc. Kelly, an academic surgeon in Los Angeles, has perfected the art of using travel rewards to create luxurious experiences while managing a busy medical career. From her humble beginnings with an American Airlines credit card to flying first-class on Emirates, ANA, and Singapore Airlines, Kelly’s journey is rich with insights.

Kelly’s travel rewards journey began with an American Airlines credit card, initially using points for domestic flights. Her passion for luxury travel ignited when she experienced business-class comfort on a long-haul flight, driving her to explore more efficient ways to maximize travel rewards on a budget.

Kelly shares her strategies for balancing a demanding schedule, setting boundaries, and leveraging points and miles to craft unforgettable travel experiences. Packed with valuable tips, this episode caters to both seasoned travelers and newcomers to the world of travel rewards.

Key Highlights:

Journey Beginnings: Kelly’s foray into points and miles began in earnest in 2015 with an American Airlines credit card
Budget Travel: She has accumulated and redeemed over 6 million points, booking approximately $375,000 worth of travel without spending $6 million
Content Creation: Kelly balances her demanding career with content creation, providing resources and courses for professionals interested in travel rewards
Cultural Immersion: Highlights include flying Emirates First Class from Singapore to LAX, exploring Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, and experiencing the luxury of Singapore Suites
Travel Strategies: Kelly emphasizes the importance of not being loyal to one system, taking advantage of outsized offers, and booking travel far in advance to fit a busy schedule
Physician Wellness: She stresses the need for physicians to take vacations to avoid burnout, noting that well-rested doctors are more effective
And much more!

Tune in to discover how Kelly’s strategic use of points and miles has elevated her travel experiences and how you can apply her techniques to your own travel planning.

Resources: