In this special 100th episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the podcast’s journey. I share why I started this venture, reveal surprising statistics about the show, and discuss how I use what I’ve learned to make the next 100 episodes even better for you.

Whether you're a long-time listener who's been here since day one or you just found your way to the podcast, there's something for everyone in this episode. I genuinely appreciate each and every one of you for being part of the Point Me To First Class community and for supporting the show. Let's celebrate this milestone together!

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/podcast-turns-100

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this episode, I walk you through my simple 5-step process for evaluating which rewards credit cards deserve to keep their coveted spots in your wallet for another year. I explain why regularly assessing your card lineup is crucial for aligning your strategy with your evolving points goals and spending patterns.

By the end, you'll know exactly how to decide whether to keep, cancel, or product change every card in your portfolio. I also share my top tips for safeguarding your points and your credit score before making any big moves. If a credit card checkup isn't part of your yearly financial routine yet, this episode will convince you to make it a habit!

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/annual-credit-card-checkup

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Sujatha Murali for part two of our 2024 points recap. Last week, we dove into how many points we earned in 2024 and the strategies we used. This week, the fun continues as we reveal exactly how we redeemed those points. Sujatha and I share our most memorable award trips, our highest value redemptions, and the trips we already have planned for 2025 using points.

Get ready for an inside look at how we plan our award travel, the programs we rely on most, and our best tips for maximizing your own points redemptions. Whether you're looking for practical advice or just some vicarious travel thrills, this episode has you covered.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-earning-rundown-dr-sujatha-murali-part-2

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sujatha Murali for an in-depth look at our 2024 points earning strategies, successes, and surprises. Get ready for a peek inside our wallets as we break down the nitty-gritty details of our points game.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of points and miles, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips. Discover how you can optimize your credit card portfolio, take advantage of transfer bonuses, and turn your everyday expenses into incredible travel experiences. Plus, don't miss our predictions for the top points trends to watch in 2025!

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/points-earning-rundown-dr-sujatha-murali-part-1

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

As another year comes to a close, I have a tradition of looking back and taking stock of how many points I earned, how I earned them, and the value I got from redeeming them. It's an enlightening and even surprising exercise that I believe every points and miles enthusiast should do. I invite you to conduct your own points year in review and even give you a process for getting clear on what went right and what maybe went wrong in 2024 for you.

I walk you through my process step-by-step and share some of my own key takeaways from this year's analysis. By the end, you'll be equipped to evaluate your own points performance and make data-driven decisions for your 2025 points strategy.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/step-by-step-points-review-guide

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

We’re almost at the end of 2024, which means it’s the season to start laying the foundation for earning one of the most extraordinary perks in points travel: the Southwest Companion Pass. With that in mind, it’s time to revisit a conversation from this time last year with Southwest expert Lyn Mettler. A longtime travel journalist, Lyn has been writing about travel and interviewing experts for years. She now teaches hundreds of families this same simple system through her Families Fly Free membership, where her mission is to bring families together through travel.

Discover how to qualify for unlimited flights through the Southwest Companion Pass. We discuss how to decide if the Southwest Companion Pass should be part of your award travel strategy for the upcoming year, and you’ll learn about all the mistakes you need to avoid if you want to qualify for your own Southwest Companion Pass.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/snagging-southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kevin Zanes, The Points Analyst, is here to share his expert take on the highlights and lowlights, the winners and losers, and the key developments that defined award travel in 2024. Together, we'll be unpacking the most significant events and digging into what these changes mean for points enthusiasts moving forward.

From major devaluations that stung to exciting new partnerships that opened up opportunities, this episode covers all the need-to-know news in the points and miles space. We share our predictions for 2025, our wish lists for the future of award travel, and our ratings for the overall state of the points and miles game.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/2024-points-miles-winners-losers-key-trends-kevin-zanes

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Walther, who has been leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass to save money and make unforgettable memories with her family. Michelle is an emergency medicine physician, mom to two amazing girls, and wife to a retired army medic. When she's not saving lives, she's saving miles, turning her love for travel into a family adventure fueled by points and miles. Michelle first earned the Companion Pass five years ago and has been strategically qualifying for it ever since.

Learn everything you need to know about getting great deals with the Southwest Companion Pass. She also shares her tips for earning the pass through organic spend and referrals, finding great deals on Southwest flights, and avoiding common mistakes. If you've been on the fence about going for the Companion Pass, this episode will give you the inspiration and practical advice you need to make it happen.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/maximizing-southwest-companion-pass-dr-michelle-walther

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy