Points Down Under

Mike returns to discuss his journey down under to skip his 40th birthday. I also share some tips on how I put my trip together to join him for just 52 hours on the ground.

The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Recent finds include:

• Round-trip to Paris for 38K miles
• Business Class to Vietnam "Nerd Alert" for 40K miles
• One-way Business to England/Ireland for 45K points

You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium

News

• United Mile Pooling
• Updated Ink Cash Bonus
• Bilt - American & Alaska
• Track Travel Plans with AwardWallet

What bonuses did we get?

• Mike -
  • Chase Ink Cash
  • Amex Business Checking

Trip updates

• Joe
  • Rebooked Southwest - saved how many points?
  • Rebooked Car rental in Caribbean to save $130
  • Backup Flights to Protect options

Highlight Feature: Points Down Under

Mike shares how he created a memorable trip to celebrate his 40th turn around the sun. I spent 52 hours there too. Both of us flew American and United's longest routes in opposite directions.

Mike - Birthday bucket list trip to Australia

• AA Flagship to LAX
• Greenwich Lounge JFK (former Flagship)
• Dream Hollywood (1 night) - Hyatt Cat 1-7 cert
• 1 day National car rental $60
• Warner Brothers Studio Tour (Viator)
• AA Flagship to SYD
• Qantas F Lounge (salt & pepper squid, minute steak)
• Flagship Lounge
• Hyatt Regency Sydney (4 nights)
• Upgraded to Harbour View Executive Suite
• Bondi Beach, Ocean Pools, Coastal Walk
• Hunter Valley Wine Tour (Viator)
• Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic World & Featherdale Animal Park (Viator)
  Park Hyatt (4 nights)
• Harbour View King room Opera House view
• Bridge Climb
• Opera House Tour
• Manly Beach
• St. Patrick's Day festivities
• United Polaris SYD-IAH-CLE

Joe - Quick turn to SYD 56 hours of travel and 52 hours on the ground

• 5 lounges in IAH
• Polaris 80K (now 100K) UA + $26
• Train $14 each way to CBD and Circular (Key) Quay
• Four Seasons FHR booking
• Lots of Lounges
  AA - bit of fiasco 65K + $80

Tip of the week

People/community make the difference (getting my seat back). I shared a more in-depth piece in our Premium/Paid Award Travel 201 Community.

Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community

For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

1. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com.

Support the AT101 Podcast/Community