Travel Inspired

Airline Miles & Credit Card Points: How to Earn, Transfer & Book Business Class Flights

Rob and Kerri Stuart Episode 169

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Ready to start planning your next adventure using points and miles? Click here CreatingMagicVacations.com and fill out the Plan a Vacation form. Rob & Kerri can help you map out your destination, points strategy, and everything in between.

What if your everyday spending on groceries, gas, and dining out could land you in a business class seat flying over the Atlantic — for a fraction of the price? In this episode of Travel Inspired, travel agents and bestselling authors Rob & Kerri Stuart break down exactly how they use airline miles, credit card points, and smart award travel strategies to fly business class to Europe — and how you can too.

From understanding your credit score (and why Credit Karma's number isn't the one that matters) to choosing the best travel credit cards, transferring points to airline partners, and finding award availability with seats.aero — this is the practical, no-fluff guide you've been looking for. Rob and Kerri share their personal journey: the credit score hurdles, the American Express business cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and how they've used these exact strategies for every flight they've taken in 2026.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE

Why your FICO score matters more than your Credit Karma score — and how to check the right one

The difference between airline-specific miles (Delta, United) and flexible transferable points (Chase, Amex, Capital One)

The best travel credit cards for sign-up bonuses (SUBs) and everyday earning

How to use seats.aero to find business class award availability across 24+ loyalty programs at once

The #1 rule: never transfer your points until you're ready to book

A simple 3-step action plan to get started — even if you're brand new to points travel

Whether you're dreaming of your first international business class experience or looking to sharpen your award travel game, this episode delivers real-world insight from travelers who've done it — not just theorized about it. No fluff, no gatekeeping. Just the strategies that actually work.