How Loyalty Programs Shape Holiday Travel Decisions

WEBVTT
NOTE
This file was generated by Descript
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Welcome to Travel Buddy,
presented by Switchfly.
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In this podcast, we talk about all
things travel, rewards, and loyalty.
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Let's get to it.
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Brandon Giella: Hello and welcome to
another episode of the Travel Buddy
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podcast presented by Switch Fly.
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Today we are talking about how loyalty
programs shape holiday travel decisions.
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So we are sitting at the very early
part of November, travel is coming
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up, everybody's thinking about
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and we are
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all making these calculation decisions.
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Should we go and visit family?
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Or not, and how do we pay
for those flights points?
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cash credit card?
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How is this gonna work?
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And I'm thinking about, you know,
when you think about travel and visit
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family, you have, of course, your
pros to go see the family is that you
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go and see the family and the cons
are that you go and see the family.
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And there might be some people that
love that and other people have
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some consternation around that.
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and then of course you could,
go abroad or go to some other
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city, and that's always fun.
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And sometimes you can find
some really cheap deals.
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And then, so you have a pro there.
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And then the con is that.
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you might miss time with your family, and
either that's sad for you or they will
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be upset with you, and so you have to
make this calculation problem every year.
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So I have made this decision, once before
where, and I think this, this relates to
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this topic where my family was gathering
in Tampa and the flights to Tampa for
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Thanksgiving were like $500 a piece
and we saw flights to Rome round trip.
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From Dallas for like $280.
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And so we did not go see my family for
Thanksgiving and we went to Rome and it
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was great, even though I miss my family.
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So I know people have these kind of,
decisions and thinking through where
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to travel, but I wanna start with
talking about why, holiday travel.
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Particularly as it relates to
loyalty programs is such a big deal.
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And so when we're thinking about making
these decisions where we wanted to travel,
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a lot of times because there is super
high demand, there is very high pricing
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as it relates to flights especially.
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So how do we get around?
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Should I go, where can I afford this?
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You know, how can I afford
this, this, decision?
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And so I wanna see how can points
help us make this decision.
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Loyalty programs specifically.
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So, Ashley, I will start with you, Ashley.
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You have, been around the block on
making travel plans for others as a, a
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travel advisor, and you yourself are a.
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World renowned, world traveler.
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and you have a particular, vacation
in mind where you went to Peru, and I
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wanted to see if you could talk about
that decision about going to Peru and
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how that influenced your, your kind of
thinking through this kind of problem
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of thinking about, holiday travel.
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Ashley Martinez: Definitely.
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Well, thank you for that
kind introduction, Brandon.
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So historically in the US market,
the Sunday after Thanksgiving
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is the busiest time to.
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Travel, annually, so.
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That being said, you get, I'm, I
love that you got that cheap flight
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to Rome, but sometimes coming back
as everyone you know, there, there's
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great flight deals, maybe leaving and
getting out of the states, but coming
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back can be, quite challenging as
everybody might have the same idea.
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So that is what I actually have an
upcoming trip to Peru this Christmas.
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And I had a lot of different
points on different platforms.
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And so the, the engineering me,
the travel advisor me was how do I
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maximize the points that I have with
different programs to build an itinerary
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that, is economical, affordable,
and I get to go to a great place.
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So I started
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Brandon Giella: Okay.
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Ashley Martinez: at
multiple dis destinations,
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specifically in South America.
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And I guess for context here,
I, I had points on American,
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I had points on Southwest.
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And how could I maximize those?
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So I started looking at different
destinations and on all of the
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airlines directly to see where I
could use my points, and I found that.
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leaving on New Year's Eve was a great
day, as there are a lot of different
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travel deals, but my problem was
I could get almost anywhere in the
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world on New Year's Eve, no one really
wants to travel on New Year's Eve,
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Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
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Ashley Martinez: to maybe if you're
leaving on Thanksgiving Day or
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if you leave on Christmas Day.
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Those are great days to travel, but
it was coming back so as everyone
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maybe was leaving, but how, how do
I find a travel deal coming back?
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So what I was able to do
was maximize my point.
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By, leveraging different airlines.
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So I live in a small,
more or a smaller market.
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So being in New Orleans, we
don't have necessarily a lot of
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great international destinations.
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we only one international flight
to London, which, which I love.
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But what I decided to do was, where
could I get myself somewhere else in the
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US that I can maybe find a flight deal?
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So I was able to use Southwest points
to get myself to Fort Lauderdale.
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And then we will be taking, taking
the train or a bus to, the Miami
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airport and flying out of Miami.
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Brandon Giella: Okay.
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Ashley Martinez: so definitely a
combination of maximizing a flight deal
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and in what I had, which were points.
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And then similarly, on the way back,
I was able, to get myself from South
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America, from Peru to Miami, and
then I'll use points to get myself
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from Miami back to New Orleans.
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Brandon Giella: Fascinating.
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Okay.
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So the engineer in you putting all
this together, like, okay, let me map
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this out on a spreadsheet or on like
a Google map and like see where I can,
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I can get, I think that's interesting
and I, I, there's so many different
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components where you're actually
putting together a bunch of different
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modalities to where you need to go.
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So it's like flying to another city,
then maybe a bus or a train down to
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another city to fly where you need to go.
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That's interesting.
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Ashley Martinez: I would say the best
resource I've found to help plan for a, a
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trip like that is if Google has a feature.
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If you're looking through
Google fights, I can put.
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Orleans to anywhere and it will search a
destination anywhere in the world and give
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Brandon Giella: Huh.
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Ashley Martinez: and
compare flight prices.
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So I found that to be
a really helpful tool.
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So similarly, I will use, okay, I know
I can get myself to Miami, which is a
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larger airport with more destinations,
Miami to anywhere, where can I go?
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And
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Brandon Giella: Hmm.
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Ashley Martinez: land on Peru.
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Brandon Giella: Fascinating.
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Okay.
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So this is a, a really interesting point
that, we've got some articles that I, i
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I want to include in the show notes that
I think will be helpful for listeners.
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But, but one of the things is,
thinking about how typically when
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you plan travel, it is like, I know
I want to go to this destination.
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I wanna go to this city.
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How do I get there?
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And maybe I can do some math and use
some points and, and make it happen.
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Or you could flip that and say,
I wanna travel at this date.
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The destination is less important.
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Maybe there's a dozen different
places that would be fun to
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travel to that I haven't been to.
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What, what can work?
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And then so by flipping that around,
maybe you actually get really great
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deals to, you know, like for us, the,
the trip to Rome was not on our radar
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until I saw this incredible price
and I was like, well, we gotta go.
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So I went to Rome.
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so Rachel, I wanna bring you in to,
to talk about that how, when you're
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thinking about these travel decisions
and how loyalty impacts that decision,
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thinking about the destination
first might actually, or, or might
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actually hinder your, decision.
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You should actually think about what are
my points, what are my programs, what's
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available to me as far as the destination?
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And then make that decision.
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Is that how you, how you see it?
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Rachel Satow: Yeah.
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So you actually, it tying back to
your, your initial equation that
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you were discussing regarding the
holidays of like, do I go see my
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family or do I go somewhere else?
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I think, a lot of times when you do have
distant family, it becomes that that
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question comes in into play a lot more
often than you would you would like.
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and it becomes a.
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Do I spend these very valuable points
that I spent all of my money on,
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Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
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Rachel Satow: earning to go somewhere
that it might be pretty expensive
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for me to actually travel just to
see family, or could I get a better
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deal somewhere else and say, sorry,
maybe you guys can come with me.
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Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
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Rachel Satow: do we do, do we
do family abroad this year?
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so that's, that's a.
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A great, like, tie into that equation,
is it, you know, loyalty programs
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can really make that decision a
little bit more difficult because
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with the available points that they
have or miles that they have, they
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now have this greater, this greater
emotional weight to decide between.
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so I think.
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To, to answer your question, yeah, going
the route of, of flexibility might be
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the best way to help make that decision.
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and, you know, seeing any destination
in the world, opening that up a little
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bit, opening up those parameters
might be a better way to ensure
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that you're maximizing your points.
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Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
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I, I know there's a, there's,
so there's several different,
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I guess, decision factors going
into thinking about holidays.
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One is where, so we've talked about
that instead of maybe thinking
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about the city first, think about,
points first or program first.
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but then there's also a matter of timing.
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So regarding timing, when you're
thinking about making this decision
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for holiday, it's a, it's a.
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A little late now maybe to think about
Thanksgiving, travel, maybe holiday
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travel for, for Christmas and so on.
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so Ashley, I know you have some
thoughts, given your background on
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how to plan effectively for the time.
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So we've got location and then timing.
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How do you see whether, somebody
needs to plan or buy an airfare early
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or late, or is there like a sweet
spot that makes that make sense for
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people thinking about this decision?
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Ashley Martinez: Definitely
I, I love this topic.
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I think timing is critical as, so for
example, with Switch Fly, we get the
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week off between Christmas and New
Year's, which is an amazing perk and
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benefit of working at the company.
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But that kind of.
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I know I wanted to travel
within that timeframe.
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So similarly, maybe with
Thanksgiving and I would say it's
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never too late to plan a trip.
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So
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Brandon Giella: Oh, okay.
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Got it.
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Ashley Martinez: traveling for
Thanksgiving or Christmas, you
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definitely still have time.
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And so maybe, you know, you get that day
after Thanksgiving, so you wanna leave.
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the Friday after Thanksgiving.
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So when should we be looking
at buying a potential flight?
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They say, you know, the word on
the street is internationally.
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Six months ahead is a good, sweet spot in
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terms of deals and domestically six weeks.
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So six months internationally,
six weeks domestically.
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However, however, I would say, and just
to give some context for every, how
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flight pricing works are, there are a
range of fair classes on an airplane.
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There's almost, there's up
to 20 different flat fair
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classes So multiple fair classes for
first class business, premium economy,
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and economy, there are certain allotment
of seats for each of those classes.
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So once those seat groups have
been sold, that's typically
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where you see that price bump.
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Go.
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So once they have filled a fair class,
then they will go to the next fair class.
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And that's where you see has typically,
as it gets closer to the actual departure,
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you'll see a higher price.
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However, where you can get those
last minute deals are definitely in
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using loyalty programs and points.
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Brandon Giella: Hmm.
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Ashley Martinez: Airlines
want to drive revenue.
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Their best margins are on
putting travelers in seats
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and from ancillary products.
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So maybe
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Brandon Giella: they
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Ashley Martinez: just wanna
just get you on the plane so
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then they can upsell a bag.
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Or maybe you buy an upgrade or maybe
you're buying even wifi on the plane.
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Hmm.
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There goal is to drive travelers and get
what they like to call butts in seats.
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So you can definitely find
some last minute flight deals.
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I would highly recommend using
programs and points, and one of the
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best ways, and I, and I'm doing this
for Peru, so for example, I'm flying
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American Miami to Lima, but I booked
that flight through Qatar Airways.
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Using my points with guitar since
they're one World Alliance Partners.
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So definitely there's also some
other ways where you can get flight
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deals through Partner Airlines.
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Great resource for that is, how to Win
At Travel by Brian Kelly, the Points guy.
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So lots of different ways
to maximize and find deals.
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Brandon Giella: Fascinating.
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Okay.
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This sounds so complicated.
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And like you have to be an
engineer to like figure this out.
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And I know there's tools to, to do that
and, and we can talk more about that.
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And I, and I have some, some
questions maybe around that.
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But, but before that I, I, I'm curious
and, and I wanna get all three of you
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to, to chime in on this is, you mentioned
fair classes and so there's upgrades,
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there's, you know, you can get a first
class C business, class C maybe a economy
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plus, which I've never done before.
00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:55.539
Strictly economy.
00:12:55.909 --> 00:12:59.509
but I'm, I'm curious how you guys think
about, like, whether you get bags on a, on
00:12:59.509 --> 00:13:03.499
a, you know, credit card loyalty program,
or if you're just part of a loyalty
00:13:03.499 --> 00:13:05.629
program, if there's like lounge access.
00:13:05.869 --> 00:13:09.319
How do you guys think about like,
you know, some of these other things
00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:13.249
that are, that are beyond just the
seat, whether you should upgrade,
00:13:13.699 --> 00:13:15.649
you know, bags, et cetera, et cetera.
00:13:15.699 --> 00:13:18.429
for being a part of these loyalty
programs, how does that factor
00:13:18.429 --> 00:13:20.964
into how and when you decide
to travel for the holiday?
00:13:25.859 --> 00:13:28.949
Ashley Martinez: I definitely think
there, when factoring or analyzing
00:13:28.949 --> 00:13:31.079
prices, you have to factor the all in.
00:13:31.409 --> 00:13:33.809
So for example, if I'm flying
with Southwest and I get a
00:13:33.809 --> 00:13:36.959
free checked bag, but maybe the
base fair is a little higher.
00:13:38.109 --> 00:13:41.829
But compared to another carrier, I need
to take in an account, I'm gonna have to
00:13:41.829 --> 00:13:43.779
pay for a checked bag on another carrier.
00:13:43.989 --> 00:13:47.379
So I, I think those are, are
great way or definitely need to
00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.429
think about the all in price.
00:13:48.429 --> 00:13:51.429
But maybe you only have a couple
thousand points on an airline.
00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:53.289
You can use that for a checked bag.
00:13:53.499 --> 00:13:58.269
So if you pay the base fare in cash,
you can do upgrades and points or
00:13:58.269 --> 00:14:00.819
other ancillary options in points.
00:14:00.849 --> 00:14:02.229
And that's a great way to leverage.
00:14:02.229 --> 00:14:05.319
Maybe you have a smaller balance,
but you can leverage 'em on some
00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:07.114
other, Ancillary items such as a bag.
00:14:07.934 --> 00:14:08.414
Ian Andersen: Well,
00:14:08.459 --> 00:14:08.729
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:14:08.864 --> 00:14:12.994
Ian Andersen: and something else to
always be aware of, of your points,
00:14:13.024 --> 00:14:16.234
whether it's, through a credit card
or through direct through the airline
00:14:16.234 --> 00:14:21.404
or whatever it is that, always running
promotions for extra points, right?
00:14:21.404 --> 00:14:22.154
And extra miles.
00:14:22.154 --> 00:14:29.024
So, for example, I know my, I have a,
United, loyalty club, credit card, and,
00:14:29.194 --> 00:14:31.804
for groceries, I get double points, right?
00:14:31.804 --> 00:14:32.284
So
00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:32.999
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:14:33.034 --> 00:14:36.634
Ian Andersen: try to make sure
to that card whenever I go buy
00:14:36.634 --> 00:14:38.704
groceries and then just pay it off.
00:14:39.154 --> 00:14:42.364
so really make sure that that.
00:14:43.174 --> 00:14:45.424
you're not just spending on travel.
00:14:45.424 --> 00:14:48.634
Like that is not the only thing
earning you points and miles, right?
00:14:48.634 --> 00:14:53.644
Like really be tactical about how to
spend, You know, if that means like
00:14:53.674 --> 00:14:56.974
running up that credit card every month
and then just paying it off or whatever,
00:14:57.214 --> 00:15:00.244
you obviously don't want to be stuck
with all that credit card debt, but if
00:15:00.244 --> 00:15:06.124
you can be, pretty smart about it, you
know, and, and how you're, you're using
00:15:06.124 --> 00:15:10.804
it and paying it, you can really double
down on a lot of the points and, know,
00:15:11.194 --> 00:15:16.174
the, make sure you're checking out the
website, make sure you're signed up to
00:15:16.174 --> 00:15:18.064
the newsletter, you know, they're always.
00:15:18.829 --> 00:15:23.629
I, I'm constantly getting
emails for, you know, go to
00:15:23.629 --> 00:15:25.279
Home Depot this week and you get
00:15:25.924 --> 00:15:26.144
Brandon Giella: Huh.
00:15:26.479 --> 00:15:26.719
Ian Andersen: or, you
00:15:26.844 --> 00:15:27.264
Brandon Giella: Really?
00:15:27.484 --> 00:15:27.704
Huh.
00:15:27.949 --> 00:15:28.309
Ian Andersen: may be.
00:15:28.309 --> 00:15:29.899
So, just
00:15:29.904 --> 00:15:30.184
Brandon Giella: Interesting.
00:15:30.289 --> 00:15:33.169
Ian Andersen: that, wanna
step back just one sec.
00:15:33.289 --> 00:15:38.179
On the vacation, around the holidays,
one of the things that makes it
00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:44.629
tough is, so obviously Thanksgiving
is an American holiday and.
00:15:45.004 --> 00:15:50.344
That can be very tough for,
you know, in the US travel.
00:15:50.704 --> 00:15:53.854
but like Christmas, you
know, is a world holiday.
00:15:54.034 --> 00:16:00.814
and people tend to have, especially people
with kids, their, their kids tend to be
00:16:00.814 --> 00:16:03.634
off school, or less at the same time.
00:16:03.784 --> 00:16:04.084
Right.
00:16:04.084 --> 00:16:06.094
So that's something that
makes it really tricky.
00:16:06.094 --> 00:16:09.154
So if you can be flexible on.
00:16:09.529 --> 00:16:13.519
We don't have to celebrate Christmas
as a family on Christmas day kind
00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:18.549
of stuff, or you know, New York, new
Year's or, you know, whatever it is.
00:16:18.909 --> 00:16:24.099
I think Ashley mentioned this earlier,
we almost always fly Christmas day
00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:26.259
just 'cause it's like half the price
00:16:26.514 --> 00:16:27.234
Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:28.989
Ian Andersen: or the day after, right?
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:34.899
we try to fly, we'll fly on Thanksgiving
day often, and then maybe take an extra.
00:16:35.589 --> 00:16:39.189
Day off work and come back that
Monday instead of the Sunday.
00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:39.789
Right?
00:16:39.789 --> 00:16:45.859
Just 'cause, if you're able to stretch
and, and most of them, most airlines
00:16:45.859 --> 00:16:50.839
do it now, most, vacation, booking
platforms, do it now, but we'll kind of
00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:56.059
give you a glimpse of what, a day or two
before and the day or two after, where
00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.919
you're looking what the price looks like.
00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:02.039
So, try to keep that in mind
of, of building in a flex.
00:17:02.889 --> 00:17:05.889
a couple of days on either
side and you can really save
00:17:05.889 --> 00:17:07.389
a lot of money on, on travel.
00:17:09.604 --> 00:17:09.824
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.469
Interesting.
00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:15.469
I am, I'm curious if you guys think that.
00:17:15.989 --> 00:17:22.409
Status for some of these programs is more
useful or you get more bang for your buck
00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:27.749
out of the, out of the holiday period
than other periods throughout the year.
00:17:27.749 --> 00:17:29.709
Is that something that
resonates with you guys?
00:17:30.569 --> 00:17:34.169
Ian Andersen: I think a tad, and, and
I don't want to monopolize it, but
00:17:34.169 --> 00:17:40.499
the, the thing about holiday travel
is it is so culturally relevant that
00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:46.919
most travel platforms and travel
providers, really craft their entire
00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:49.379
sales strategy around the holiday
00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:49.839
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.459
Ian Andersen: Right?
00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:53.039
It's like toy manufacturers.
00:17:53.684 --> 00:17:59.844
Make what, 75% of their product or profits
within the last, month of the year, right?
00:17:59.974 --> 00:18:00.194
Brandon Giella: Mm.
00:18:00.484 --> 00:18:02.044
Ian Andersen: it's very
similar with travel.
00:18:02.104 --> 00:18:06.034
Probably not to the same degree,
but definitely very heavily weighted
00:18:06.034 --> 00:18:06.994
towards the end of the year.
00:18:06.994 --> 00:18:11.629
So, a lot of times their promotions
and stuff are geared towards that
00:18:11.654 --> 00:18:14.334
holiday, increasing the holiday travel.
00:18:14.554 --> 00:18:16.054
so if you.
00:18:17.674 --> 00:18:22.504
If you're looking at the, the tiered,
you know, or, or various status
00:18:22.504 --> 00:18:26.914
structures, a lot of times it's
easier to kind of make up that, that,
00:18:27.004 --> 00:18:32.744
whatever purchase requirement, to hit
that next level in the holiday season
00:18:32.744 --> 00:18:36.014
because they're trying to make it
easy for you to travel in the holiday
00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:36.479
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:18:36.749 --> 00:18:36.809
Ian Andersen: So.
00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:37.439
Brandon Giella: Interesting.
00:18:37.889 --> 00:18:38.189
Rachel Satow: Yeah,
00:18:38.249 --> 00:18:38.549
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:18:38.969 --> 00:18:40.409
Rachel Satow: I would
absolutely agree with that.
00:18:40.409 --> 00:18:42.969
I think, status perks are definitely.
00:18:43.424 --> 00:18:47.204
Amplified during peak crowds,
whether that be during the
00:18:47.204 --> 00:18:49.394
holidays or other timeframes.
00:18:49.394 --> 00:18:51.644
I mean, we're thinking about
this in the perspective of,
00:18:51.914 --> 00:18:53.324
of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
00:18:53.374 --> 00:18:57.104
but you know, when you think about
the 4th of July as well, that
00:18:57.124 --> 00:19:01.384
timeframe is, you know, status perks
really, really come to shine during
00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:01.739
Hmm.
00:19:02.014 --> 00:19:04.664
during those, peak crowds
and peak travel times.
00:19:04.664 --> 00:19:05.834
I mean, when you think about it.
00:19:06.174 --> 00:19:11.484
There are some benefits that might
feel small, like a free bag or,
00:19:11.484 --> 00:19:15.684
or priority check-in when you're
doing just, you know, regular travel
00:19:15.684 --> 00:19:17.304
or, or sometimes business travel.
00:19:17.304 --> 00:19:22.434
But like when you're thinking about
the extra hundreds of thousands of
00:19:22.434 --> 00:19:26.004
people that are also now traveling
alongside you during this timeframe,
00:19:26.224 --> 00:19:29.344
that priority check-in feels a lot better
00:19:29.344 --> 00:19:33.144
than that two hour line you're gonna be
waiting in, especially, you know, not
00:19:33.144 --> 00:19:34.939
to, not to call out Houston for the, the.
00:19:36.159 --> 00:19:42.129
Long lines that are going on right now,
but like I could absolutely imagine that
00:19:42.129 --> 00:19:44.679
that priority check-in is gonna gonna go
00:19:44.989 --> 00:19:48.739
miles pun intended, for, for the holidays.
00:19:48.739 --> 00:19:52.819
than you know, just if you're
traveling on a random weekend and
00:19:52.849 --> 00:19:55.909
you know, I don't even know, March.
00:19:56.584 --> 00:20:00.664
Brandon Giella: Purely anecdotally,
I'll say that is the primary
00:20:00.664 --> 00:20:04.854
factor in me even considering
the, American Airlines world Elite
00:20:04.854 --> 00:20:07.074
MasterCard for the Advantage program.
00:20:07.444 --> 00:20:11.824
I'm in DFW, so I am, it is an
American hub, and I hear that.
00:20:12.344 --> 00:20:15.554
you know, I applied mostly American and I
hear those sales pitches like constantly
00:20:15.554 --> 00:20:19.424
and I get all the mailers and I have
opened two of them and sat them on my desk
00:20:19.424 --> 00:20:24.164
for weeks and stared at this thing and
used Chachi PT to tell me the benefits and
00:20:24.464 --> 00:20:28.984
costs associated with that versus the, the
American, American Express Platinum Card.
00:20:29.104 --> 00:20:33.484
And I have thought about this for years,
and it is just for that reason though,
00:20:33.544 --> 00:20:35.254
literally I want to cut the line.
00:20:35.284 --> 00:20:38.764
I want my bags free, and I want to get
upgraded when it comes around to it.
00:20:38.959 --> 00:20:39.409
Rachel Satow: Yeah.
00:20:39.634 --> 00:20:41.614
Brandon Giella: Is that worth $800 a year?
00:20:41.614 --> 00:20:44.374
I don't know, but I, but
I think about it a lot.
00:20:44.689 --> 00:20:45.709
Rachel Satow: it depends, Brandon, are,
00:20:46.234 --> 00:20:46.744
Brandon Giella: I know.
00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:47.329
Rachel Satow: Houston?
00:20:48.439 --> 00:20:50.609
Brandon Giella: Nope, nope.
00:20:50.714 --> 00:20:53.114
Rachel Satow: the, the other thing,
the other thing that I think, you know,
00:20:53.144 --> 00:20:55.184
status really comes into play here is.
00:20:56.129 --> 00:20:59.969
with winter typically comes
rather large snowstorms in the
00:21:00.364 --> 00:21:00.784
Brandon Giella: Mm-hmm.
00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.279
Rachel Satow: and around the world.
00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:06.869
And you know, lounge access during
those delays or snowstorms can make a
00:21:07.124 --> 00:21:07.619
Brandon Giella: Yes, yes.
00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:09.059
Rachel Satow: when you have, you know.
00:21:09.719 --> 00:21:13.989
Two young ones like yourself, who
definitely would feel the pain of sitting
00:21:13.989 --> 00:21:17.349
in just like a regular, regular gait
00:21:17.724 --> 00:21:19.014
Brandon Giella: Yes, yes,
00:21:19.449 --> 00:21:21.699
Rachel Satow: little more,
you know, private section.
00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.059
So
00:21:22.764 --> 00:21:23.304
Brandon Giella: yes.
00:21:23.529 --> 00:21:25.719
Rachel Satow: those statuses
definitely come into play here.
00:21:26.184 --> 00:21:27.084
Brandon Giella: Can confirm.
00:21:27.084 --> 00:21:29.454
I was in a lounge in my last airport trip.
00:21:29.484 --> 00:21:34.099
This was a few weeks ago, and
there was multiple blowouts in our.
00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:38.859
Waiting for our flight and it was
nice to have like a nice bathroom
00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:43.659
in the lounge rather than the public
bathroom, if I may say so myself.
00:21:43.719 --> 00:21:45.009
So yes, totally agree.
00:21:46.209 --> 00:21:46.809
Totally agree.
00:21:46.809 --> 00:21:50.319
But, so that brings up a, a great, a
great point on, on one of the segments
00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:52.059
that we wanted to touch on was about.
00:21:52.389 --> 00:21:57.279
the, like, the stress blackout dates,
you know, holiday rush travel, like
00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:00.549
yes, we're talking about winter holidays
right now, but the same is true for
00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:04.289
whether it's Memorial Day, July 4th,
labor Day, different, different kind
00:22:04.289 --> 00:22:07.789
of, weekends that people take off
and, and, and do some traveling.
00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:10.769
And so there's a lot of,
like you said, long lines.
00:22:10.769 --> 00:22:14.069
There's just a lot of stress about
maybe a flight gets canceled, a flight
00:22:14.069 --> 00:22:15.809
drops, you know, for whatever reason.
00:22:16.424 --> 00:22:20.564
And that's a huge, huge benefit of
being in a good loyalty program.
00:22:21.374 --> 00:22:21.884
So yeah.
00:22:21.884 --> 00:22:22.364
That's great.
00:22:22.904 --> 00:22:23.054
Rachel Satow: I
00:22:23.074 --> 00:22:23.364
Brandon Giella: yeah.
00:22:23.534 --> 00:22:24.869
Rachel Satow: that point, you know.
00:22:25.689 --> 00:22:29.139
We just talked about status and one of
the things on the, on the other side
00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:31.839
to consider when you're thinking about
like all of the stress of travel, et
00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:36.759
cetera, is that, you know, you may
have these, these benefits coming into
00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:40.869
play, like the lounge access and the
priority boarding and the check bag, but.
00:22:41.104 --> 00:22:41.224
Brandon Giella: I.
00:22:41.484 --> 00:22:45.294
Rachel Satow: One of the things that
you would want the most, I think is
00:22:45.354 --> 00:22:49.914
upgrades are going to be a lot harder
because the flights are usually packed.
00:22:50.244 --> 00:22:57.774
So to both Ian and Ashley's point, idea
of traveling on an off peak day, just,
00:22:57.774 --> 00:23:01.224
you know, a couple of hours later,
if you can wait one more day to fly
00:23:01.224 --> 00:23:03.474
on the actual holiday, might make it.
00:23:03.754 --> 00:23:06.874
So that you can even stretch that,
those perks a little further because
00:23:06.874 --> 00:23:10.084
you know those award seats definitely
become harder to come by when you
00:23:10.284 --> 00:23:10.644
Brandon Giella: That's right.
00:23:10.924 --> 00:23:11.704
Rachel Satow: packed flight.
00:23:12.984 --> 00:23:13.434
Brandon Giella: That's right.
00:23:13.494 --> 00:23:13.944
That's right.
00:23:15.024 --> 00:23:15.714
Well, what else?
00:23:15.714 --> 00:23:18.839
So, you know, one thing that we had
mentioned was maybe there's a way
00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:23.219
to you pay with cash or credit card,
or you pay with your loyalty points.
00:23:23.249 --> 00:23:26.369
Is there anything around that that
might be useful for listeners to
00:23:26.369 --> 00:23:29.639
know where you can kind of mix
the way that you pay for travel?
00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:33.359
So, again, just to kind of, to, to
summarize in a way is when you're
00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:35.609
thinking about this decision,
there's where you're going.
00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:38.579
So we touched on that first, and
then there's, when you choose to.
00:23:39.314 --> 00:23:42.634
Either, you know, go or, when
you make that purchase decision.
00:23:43.174 --> 00:23:44.524
But then there's how you pay.
00:23:44.834 --> 00:23:47.714
so you know, you can get those
upgrades, you can get a, a
00:23:47.714 --> 00:23:49.424
mix of points in, in cash.
00:23:49.424 --> 00:23:51.859
Like how, how does that factor into the
way that you guys think about travel?
00:23:55.214 --> 00:23:56.114
Ian Andersen: I mean, it's tough.
00:23:56.114 --> 00:23:57.524
It is very case by case.
00:23:57.524 --> 00:24:03.204
I am, a bit like Ashley in that, I
will, I will spend literally hours
00:24:03.204 --> 00:24:07.014
and, and my wife gives me a hard time,
but it's, it's actually fun for me
00:24:07.464 --> 00:24:15.504
to like, okay, if I can use my United
Points to get from Chicago to here or
00:24:15.504 --> 00:24:17.604
to Phoenix or whatever, and like, okay.
00:24:17.609 --> 00:24:17.709
And then.
00:24:18.789 --> 00:24:23.169
I like being my own travel agent in
booking, you know, and, and checking
00:24:23.169 --> 00:24:26.679
every single step of the way rather
than just sort of like plugging in my
00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:28.809
days and letting it do it all for me.
00:24:29.229 --> 00:24:34.719
I don't know how much money I
save, it is fun for me and I like
00:24:34.719 --> 00:24:36.279
to think I'm saving some money.
00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:36.904
Brandon Giella: There you go.
00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:41.019
Ian Andersen: do some
legwork in, in that regard.
00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.409
Right.
00:24:41.739 --> 00:24:42.279
you know.
00:24:42.729 --> 00:24:47.289
If you, if you travel a lot, you
probably have, you know, a couple
00:24:47.289 --> 00:24:51.249
thousand American Airlines points, a
couple thousand united points, right?
00:24:51.249 --> 00:24:55.749
Like you, you're very rarely
gonna have all of it in one,
00:24:55.939 --> 00:24:58.809
very nice pile, to, to use.
00:24:58.809 --> 00:25:05.089
So be strategic on, maybe you can buy,
one leg of the journey or, or at least
00:25:05.089 --> 00:25:07.459
reduce the cost using points for.
00:25:08.929 --> 00:25:12.889
you know, you're going out flight
and then book the return flight
00:25:12.889 --> 00:25:15.199
separately on a different airline.
00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.379
if that works for you.
00:25:16.719 --> 00:25:20.559
it be aware of everywhere
you do have points.
00:25:20.789 --> 00:25:22.439
a constant theme.
00:25:22.489 --> 00:25:26.659
Rachel could probably give you, some
off the head statistics of it, but
00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:30.769
the constant theme that we talk about
a lot is unredeemed loyalty points,
00:25:31.134 --> 00:25:31.214
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:25:31.269 --> 00:25:32.559
Ian Andersen: industry wide, right?
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:37.779
Like, And it's just, just mind staggering,
you know, billions and billions of
00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:40.359
dollars every year, just go unredeemed.
00:25:40.959 --> 00:25:42.429
and that's, that's free money.
00:25:42.429 --> 00:25:44.379
I mean, that's, that's your money, right?
00:25:44.379 --> 00:25:44.799
Like
00:25:45.174 --> 00:25:48.069
Brandon Giella: It is literally a
liability on the business side for them.
00:25:48.249 --> 00:25:48.549
Yeah.
00:25:48.999 --> 00:25:51.849
Ian Andersen: Because they're, they're
essentially holding a big IOU that
00:25:51.849 --> 00:25:54.609
they don't know it's gonna be cashed,
00:25:54.924 --> 00:25:55.284
Brandon Giella: Yes.
00:25:55.284 --> 00:25:57.024
They want you to burn those points.
00:25:57.024 --> 00:25:58.314
Like please use those points.
00:25:58.314 --> 00:25:58.944
They're begging you.
00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.829
Ian Andersen: Yes.
00:25:59.829 --> 00:26:00.819
So for sure.
00:26:00.924 --> 00:26:03.024
Rachel Satow: answer is 35 trillion.
00:26:03.084 --> 00:26:03.624
35
00:26:03.804 --> 00:26:04.344
Brandon Giella: What?
00:26:04.434 --> 00:26:05.214
No,
00:26:05.529 --> 00:26:05.819
Rachel Satow: Okay.
00:26:05.994 --> 00:26:08.214
Brandon Giella: what that sounds,
that sounds like too many,
00:26:08.664 --> 00:26:10.794
Ian Andersen: out there
in the world hanging out.
00:26:10.794 --> 00:26:11.874
Brandon Giella: gee whiz.
00:26:11.934 --> 00:26:12.744
That's amazing.
00:26:12.864 --> 00:26:16.014
And, and, and businesses are like,
please, please use these points.
00:26:16.014 --> 00:26:16.884
Get them off our balance sheet.
00:26:17.409 --> 00:26:17.829
Please.
00:26:19.194 --> 00:26:22.854
Ian Andersen: So be aware of
where you have points, you
00:26:22.854 --> 00:26:24.354
know who you have them through.
00:26:24.354 --> 00:26:27.294
Like can you roll them over into.
00:26:28.134 --> 00:26:30.634
To, to using them like combined.
00:26:30.844 --> 00:26:31.594
There's tools.
00:26:31.594 --> 00:26:36.664
There's like, award Hacker, I
think it's just award hacker.com,
00:26:36.664 --> 00:26:37.474
if I remember right.
00:26:38.284 --> 00:26:44.194
you can kind of put in like where
you have points with, and it'll sort
00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:44.629
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:26:44.764 --> 00:26:46.654
Ian Andersen: search
the best deals for you.
00:26:47.084 --> 00:26:47.834
for travel.
00:26:47.834 --> 00:26:50.364
There's, there's another
one, point, point, dot me.
00:26:51.144 --> 00:26:52.644
I think it's another one that that's
00:26:52.684 --> 00:26:52.764
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:26:53.844 --> 00:26:57.304
Ian Andersen: but there, there are tools
out there to help you, help you do this.
00:26:57.304 --> 00:26:59.284
So definitely be
00:26:59.474 --> 00:26:59.764
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:26:59.884 --> 00:27:00.364
Ian Andersen: you have.
00:27:00.914 --> 00:27:01.204
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:27:01.204 --> 00:27:01.364
Awesome.
00:27:02.374 --> 00:27:05.944
Ashley Martinez: One thing I would add
in terms of the currency as loyalty,
00:27:05.944 --> 00:27:07.474
mileages are absolutely a currency,
00:27:07.549 --> 00:27:07.669
Ian Andersen: I.
00:27:07.954 --> 00:27:11.044
Ashley Martinez: to use points or
cash is who you're traveling with.
00:27:11.044 --> 00:27:14.824
So for example, on that Peru trip
that I was telling you guys about
00:27:14.824 --> 00:27:19.174
that I have coming up is my partner
and I traveling and I'm using the
00:27:19.174 --> 00:27:23.614
points for his flight, and I'm gonna
pay cash for mine so I can earn.
00:27:24.094 --> 00:27:26.704
Miles for my own flight because you don't
00:27:26.704 --> 00:27:27.004
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:27:27.364 --> 00:27:28.804
Ashley Martinez: on a points redemption.
00:27:28.954 --> 00:27:31.594
So if I was, let's say we
paid cash for his flight, well
00:27:31.594 --> 00:27:32.644
he's gonna earn those miles.
00:27:32.674 --> 00:27:34.024
I want the miles, right?
00:27:34.234 --> 00:27:34.714
So I
00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.119
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:27:35.434 --> 00:27:37.924
Ashley Martinez: you can use points
redemptions for other people.
00:27:38.164 --> 00:27:39.664
So I think it's also, you know, from
00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.069
Brandon Giella: Interesting.
00:27:40.384 --> 00:27:43.834
Ashley Martinez: perspective,
have to think you're also burning.
00:27:43.924 --> 00:27:46.744
But think ahead too, on the earn
side as well, and setting you
00:27:46.774 --> 00:27:48.514
yourself up for future success.
00:27:49.754 --> 00:27:49.834
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:27:50.809 --> 00:27:51.199
Okay.
00:27:52.939 --> 00:27:55.339
I have a point about this
that I'll close with.
00:27:55.339 --> 00:27:55.699
Ashley.
00:27:55.699 --> 00:27:56.719
I'm gonna come back to you.
00:27:57.124 --> 00:28:00.514
Before we do that, any other closing
thoughts, for our listeners when
00:28:00.514 --> 00:28:01.894
they're thinking about these decisions?
00:28:03.834 --> 00:28:05.939
Rachel Satow: I think, you know,
since just on the topic of.
00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:09.739
Points and whether or not points
in cash, you know, during this time
00:28:09.739 --> 00:28:13.579
to Ashley's point, like you could
definitely try to think through
00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:17.329
the, the potential earn as you burn.
00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:21.879
and you know, during this time
we often think of points as
00:28:21.879 --> 00:28:23.499
like a financial relief, right?
00:28:23.499 --> 00:28:26.559
Like, oh, I've, I've done all of all
00:28:26.604 --> 00:28:30.249
of this work to earn all of these things
and, and this point will, these points
00:28:30.249 --> 00:28:32.229
will in the future be a financial.
00:28:32.694 --> 00:28:35.874
You know, make this investment
a little bit less of a burden.
00:28:36.444 --> 00:28:36.604
Yeah.
00:28:36.714 --> 00:28:40.284
But during the holidays in particular,
your points are going to be worth
00:28:40.284 --> 00:28:44.394
less because the amount of points you
need to actually cover the cost of a
00:28:44.394 --> 00:28:46.464
flight is going to increase alongside
00:28:46.874 --> 00:28:53.109
the actual cost of flights So
sometimes those cash fares Are cheaper
00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:56.139
than the total investment you will
need from a points perspective.
00:28:56.379 --> 00:29:01.299
And definitely try to consider,
okay, if my point, you know, point
00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:05.499
per dollar or whatever it may be is
equal to this, I'm actually better
00:29:05.499 --> 00:29:07.179
off going the, the cash route.
00:29:07.429 --> 00:29:12.009
it's probably a contributing factor into
why there's so many points unredeemed but
00:29:12.349 --> 00:29:14.239
from my, my personal strategy is.
00:29:15.274 --> 00:29:20.254
I will, I will spend the points,
especially on longer trips to say Rome
00:29:20.254 --> 00:29:22.954
or to, you know, overseas or abroad.
00:29:23.264 --> 00:29:27.124
I will save the points for the
long haul and premium cabins
00:29:27.434 --> 00:29:33.184
because that's when the comfort of
traveling in that style is going
00:29:33.184 --> 00:29:38.014
to outweigh the cost that I like
the investment from that side.
00:29:38.014 --> 00:29:41.314
So I'll save my points for, for
the premium cabins for sure.
00:29:41.794 --> 00:29:42.634
Brandon Giella: Okay, interesting.
00:29:42.844 --> 00:29:45.724
But there is a downside to
doing that because once you do
00:29:45.754 --> 00:29:46.909
book one of those very fancy.
00:29:47.614 --> 00:29:48.184
Seats.
00:29:48.214 --> 00:29:50.104
You're never gonna go back to the economy.
00:29:50.764 --> 00:29:51.604
That's a problem.
00:29:52.219 --> 00:29:52.939
Rachel Satow: That is a problem.
00:29:54.849 --> 00:29:55.594
Brandon Giella: No, that's great.
00:29:55.834 --> 00:29:56.284
Okay.
00:29:56.524 --> 00:29:56.794
Okay.
00:29:56.824 --> 00:29:57.034
Okay.
00:29:57.064 --> 00:29:57.244
Okay.
00:29:57.724 --> 00:30:03.664
So I'm, I'm picturing that meme of that
gif where there's like a woman who's
00:30:03.664 --> 00:30:06.604
like, kind of staring off into space
and there's all these like math formulas
00:30:06.604 --> 00:30:09.404
that are like overlaying her face and
she's trying to like work through this.
00:30:09.949 --> 00:30:15.829
Calculation problem, and not everybody
listening to this show is like
00:30:15.829 --> 00:30:19.639
Ian or Ashley Travel nerds wanting
to like break all this down on a
00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:22.969
spreadsheet and spend hours tinkering
and, and figuring out the maximum,
00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.709
you know, benefits of their points.
00:30:25.069 --> 00:30:29.389
But it is extremely useful to be
thinking about these different criteria,
00:30:29.394 --> 00:30:30.949
if you will, in making this decision.
00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:33.439
And so you've got, where are you going?
00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:35.899
You've got, when should you go?
00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.249
And then when should you buy?
00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:39.319
And then you've got upgrade.
00:30:39.724 --> 00:30:42.424
issues the ancillary products,
if you will, whether you're going
00:30:42.424 --> 00:30:46.444
to, you know, a higher, better
seat or lounge access free bags.
00:30:46.504 --> 00:30:49.114
And then you've got a mix of
whether you're gonna point,
00:30:49.169 --> 00:30:51.389
buy with points versus cash.
00:30:51.509 --> 00:30:56.069
And also thinking about the different
travel programs that you are
00:30:56.069 --> 00:31:00.359
connected to or have points with,
with even airline partnerships.
00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:03.689
Like you mentioned, Qatar Airways
as part of One World Alliance.
00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:06.389
And then you've got who
you're traveling with.
00:31:06.509 --> 00:31:06.984
Maybe you can.
00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:12.719
Shift points over to another
person to cover some of that.
00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:15.269
This is all a lot.
00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:19.634
If you don't have the time and
space to do this in your life.
00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:23.069
What are some general rules
of thumb that you might have?
00:31:23.069 --> 00:31:25.589
Like, okay, you are gonna
go flying for the holidays.
00:31:25.649 --> 00:31:27.269
Obviously there's winter
holidays and there's other
00:31:27.269 --> 00:31:28.289
holidays throughout the year.
00:31:28.979 --> 00:31:34.169
But generally speaking, if you follow
these steps, you will maximize the
00:31:34.169 --> 00:31:38.819
travel programs or points that you
have to make the best optimal decision,
00:31:38.999 --> 00:31:43.799
even though maybe it's not, you know,
a hundred percent the best possible
00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.179
pricing decision you can make.
00:31:45.179 --> 00:31:48.149
But generally, you're gonna be pretty
well off if you follow these steps.
00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.099
What do you say to that?
00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.339
What?
00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:52.469
What do people do that are
feeling a little bit overwhelmed
00:31:52.469 --> 00:31:53.674
like I am at this very moment?
00:31:55.034 --> 00:31:57.284
Ashley Martinez: I would say
take it back to the basic step
00:31:57.364 --> 00:31:57.654
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:31:57.854 --> 00:32:02.324
Ashley Martinez: make sure you are a
loyalty member of whatever you're flying.
00:32:02.554 --> 00:32:02.844
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:32:02.894 --> 00:32:03.464
Ashley Martinez: that's basic.
00:32:03.584 --> 00:32:05.624
Establish yourself as a loyalty member.
00:32:05.734 --> 00:32:06.024
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:32:06.134 --> 00:32:07.904
Ashley Martinez: whether
that's American Islands United.
00:32:08.054 --> 00:32:12.434
And then another tip I would
say is maybe your, let's say.
00:32:12.884 --> 00:32:13.694
I'll give you an example.
00:32:13.724 --> 00:32:17.894
I'm flying Copa to Peru
or coming back from Peru.
00:32:18.314 --> 00:32:21.504
I'm not gonna probably fly that
carrier, you know, for, for a
00:32:21.504 --> 00:32:23.544
while, but I can earn United Miles.
00:32:23.844 --> 00:32:24.564
On that flight.
00:32:24.744 --> 00:32:25.224
So there are
00:32:25.314 --> 00:32:25.374
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:32:25.674 --> 00:32:29.364
Ashley Martinez: to earn miles with
your primary carriers, whether, you
00:32:29.364 --> 00:32:32.634
know, that's one of the big three
in the us but always be earning.
00:32:32.634 --> 00:32:35.694
So, sales always be closing,
but always be earning.
00:32:35.694 --> 00:32:35.994
Make sure
00:32:36.129 --> 00:32:36.624
Brandon Giella: I like that.
00:32:37.014 --> 00:32:40.314
Ashley Martinez: signed up for the
loyalty program, or an applicable
00:32:40.314 --> 00:32:43.884
loyalty program where you can earn
miles on any flight that you're on.
00:32:44.964 --> 00:32:45.234
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:32:45.534 --> 00:32:45.834
Okay.
00:32:46.284 --> 00:32:46.884
Ashley Martinez: I would start there.
00:32:47.514 --> 00:32:47.874
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:32:49.014 --> 00:32:50.634
Anybody else have any, have any tips?
00:32:50.634 --> 00:32:54.564
If you're just considering this decision,
you're not gonna wade into the weeds,
00:32:54.654 --> 00:32:56.939
but generally speaking, do these
couple things, you'll be in good shape.
00:32:57.714 --> 00:33:00.474
Ian Andersen: I think, if you, if
you're not a frequent traveler,
00:33:01.284 --> 00:33:04.734
just go join a loyalty program just
to join a loyalty program, right?
00:33:04.764 --> 00:33:11.724
Like, find you use in your life that works
for you, that you're gonna use a lot.
00:33:11.754 --> 00:33:16.949
And, more than likely, you're gonna
be able to easily find one that has.
00:33:18.094 --> 00:33:22.324
A kind of a loyalty, connection, right?
00:33:22.324 --> 00:33:28.294
You're gonna be able to use your American
Express, you know, grocery credit card,
00:33:28.719 --> 00:33:29.109
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:33:29.344 --> 00:33:32.724
Ian Andersen: Sam's Club card, you
know, whatever it is, you're gonna
00:33:32.724 --> 00:33:35.904
be able to use those to buy travel.
00:33:35.994 --> 00:33:38.394
So, you know, if you're not flying.
00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:44.439
On a routine basis to where it's
worth getting like a specific airline,
00:33:45.669 --> 00:33:52.719
credit card, you know, luckier your, my
grandfather uses, I think he has a BP.
00:33:53.734 --> 00:33:54.154
card.
00:33:54.154 --> 00:33:54.634
'cause he has a
00:33:54.724 --> 00:33:54.904
Brandon Giella: Oh.
00:33:55.144 --> 00:33:57.154
Ian Andersen: station just right
around the house that he gets his
00:33:57.154 --> 00:34:00.934
gas at every time, you know, and
he could buy travel through there.
00:34:01.294 --> 00:34:01.864
So,
00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:02.239
Brandon Giella: interesting.
00:34:02.704 --> 00:34:05.004
Ian Andersen: find what works
for you in your life, that you're
00:34:05.004 --> 00:34:08.134
gonna use a lot that you're
gonna, rack up those points with.
00:34:08.164 --> 00:34:13.174
and then just explore what options they
have for using your points and travel.
00:34:13.504 --> 00:34:15.724
I almost bet will be one of them.
00:34:16.474 --> 00:34:16.834
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:34:16.894 --> 00:34:17.584
Yeah, that's helpful.
00:34:17.584 --> 00:34:18.604
That's how I think about it.
00:34:18.604 --> 00:34:22.294
I, I've, I've considered a bunch of
different individual loyalty program
00:34:22.474 --> 00:34:26.134
cards for specific airlines or, and
things like that, but I keep coming
00:34:26.134 --> 00:34:28.834
back to the American Express Platinum
because I'm not gonna wade through
00:34:28.834 --> 00:34:30.374
that decision every single time, but.
00:34:30.994 --> 00:34:31.984
Dollar for dollar.
00:34:31.984 --> 00:34:36.424
It's a really good, I guess cost,
you know, it's like $800 a year
00:34:36.424 --> 00:34:39.754
now, but I know it gives me tons of
perks for tons of airlines, tons of
00:34:39.754 --> 00:34:42.214
hotels, and it's, it's pretty good.
00:34:42.304 --> 00:34:45.064
You know, it's maybe not the best
decision overall, but given all
00:34:45.064 --> 00:34:46.714
the factors, it's pretty good.
00:34:47.464 --> 00:34:51.104
Rachel, what would you say, what's your,
what's your hot tips for, for people
00:34:51.104 --> 00:34:53.354
thinking about this decision that don't
wanna wade through all the details?
00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:56.819
Rachel Satow: Yeah, I mean, I'm
gonna completely left field this,
00:34:56.834 --> 00:34:57.374
Brandon Giella: yes.
00:34:57.509 --> 00:34:57.809
Rachel Satow: just so
00:34:57.884 --> 00:34:58.124
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:34:58.249 --> 00:35:03.529
Rachel Satow: because I myself
am of the people who purely.
00:35:04.444 --> 00:35:05.674
Go to see family.
00:35:05.704 --> 00:35:07.624
Like that decision is made for me,
00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:08.509
Brandon Giella: Okay.
00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:08.869
Okay.
00:35:08.874 --> 00:35:09.304
Okay.
00:35:09.424 --> 00:35:14.314
Rachel Satow: like I, there, there will
not be a holiday that we have not sorted
00:35:14.314 --> 00:35:18.394
it out barring any other, you know,
like they decide to go on vacation.
00:35:18.544 --> 00:35:18.784
Brandon Giella: good.
00:35:18.844 --> 00:35:19.204
Okay,
00:35:19.264 --> 00:35:21.994
Rachel Satow: family, we
we're pretty, we're pretty.
00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.629
Unlock when it comes to,
00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:23.949
Brandon Giella: good.
00:35:24.009 --> 00:35:24.189
Okay.
00:35:24.324 --> 00:35:25.344
Rachel Satow: each other for the holidays.
00:35:25.614 --> 00:35:28.194
And, you know, Ashley mentioned
traveling with her partner.
00:35:28.194 --> 00:35:30.864
We have it pretty much sorted
out that like Thanksgiving.
00:35:30.864 --> 00:35:35.124
We'll, we go to Charleston to see
my partner's family for Christmas we
00:35:35.124 --> 00:35:37.824
go to Cocoa Beach to see my family.
00:35:37.824 --> 00:35:40.104
And that's, that's our routine.
00:35:40.224 --> 00:35:45.864
So knowing that there are people who
are probably listening that are in a
00:35:45.864 --> 00:35:48.234
similar situation where they know that.
00:35:48.924 --> 00:35:50.934
These are the areas that
they're going to go to.
00:35:51.234 --> 00:35:57.294
I would say try to find a program
that also gives you the opportunity to
00:35:57.294 --> 00:36:02.424
spend your points in a different way
than just on flights, because there
00:36:02.424 --> 00:36:04.674
are ways to enhance your holidays.
00:36:05.589 --> 00:36:09.159
doing other things than
just flying somewhere.
00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:15.849
So the program offers the ability to do
a certain activity or to, you know, go
00:36:15.849 --> 00:36:18.969
see a museum and get those tickets all
redeeming through your points, and you
00:36:18.969 --> 00:36:24.009
can burn that way in order to meet status,
like I think that there's, there's there.
00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:26.894
That's definitely something I would
recommend exploring as well, because.
00:36:27.204 --> 00:36:27.474
Brandon Giella: Hmm.
00:36:27.704 --> 00:36:31.604
Rachel Satow: You know, I know that if
I go down to go down to Coco, there's,
00:36:31.604 --> 00:36:34.754
you know, an aquarium down there,
there's you know, the zoos down there,
00:36:34.784 --> 00:36:38.474
there's probably something that I can
do in that general area that I can,
00:36:38.684 --> 00:36:42.224
you know, use my points to spend and
still enhance my holiday that way.
00:36:42.224 --> 00:36:47.054
So that's my advice is if you know what
you're doing and you know the plans and
00:36:47.054 --> 00:36:50.774
you might not be flying because we don't
fly to, we, we do the drive, it's fine.
00:36:51.194 --> 00:36:54.524
I would recommend taking a look
at the programs that allow you to
00:36:54.524 --> 00:36:55.664
spend your points on other things.
00:36:56.609 --> 00:36:57.779
Brandon Giella: That is a great point.
00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:59.519
Generally speaking, be creative.
00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:03.629
It's not just a flight, but in in
others' defense, maybe listening to
00:37:03.629 --> 00:37:07.799
this, their families don't live in exotic
places like Cocoa Beach in Charleston.
00:37:07.799 --> 00:37:10.919
So Statesboro, Georgia is not as exotic.
00:37:11.439 --> 00:37:12.159
Rachel Satow: is exotic
00:37:12.839 --> 00:37:14.639
Brandon Giella: Charleston
is so beautiful.
00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.179
Okay.
00:37:15.549 --> 00:37:15.784
Ian Andersen: It is.
00:37:15.879 --> 00:37:16.959
Rachel Satow: It's very beautiful.
00:37:16.989 --> 00:37:18.609
Maybe we have different definitions of the
00:37:18.729 --> 00:37:22.209
Brandon Giella: It is, it is more
beautiful than Statesboro, Georgia.
00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:23.529
No offense to Statesboro.
00:37:23.529 --> 00:37:24.279
Go Eagles.
00:37:24.309 --> 00:37:24.849
Okay.
00:37:24.849 --> 00:37:26.799
But it's not as fun as the beach.
00:37:26.799 --> 00:37:26.859
Okay.
00:37:27.669 --> 00:37:31.919
Ian Andersen: one last point,
is, Ashley said something that,
00:37:31.919 --> 00:37:34.689
that, triggered my, my reaction.
00:37:34.689 --> 00:37:36.939
The, the, you don't earn.
00:37:38.124 --> 00:37:41.334
Points on when you're, when you're
booking reward miles, right?
00:37:41.334 --> 00:37:45.594
So think about your next
trip as well, right?
00:37:45.594 --> 00:37:49.314
That, that this trip could
be a little more expensive.
00:37:49.314 --> 00:37:50.064
And if you've got the cash.
00:37:51.304 --> 00:37:55.114
it might be worth it to just
buy it in cash right now and
00:37:55.354 --> 00:37:55.714
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:37:55.714 --> 00:37:57.364
Ian Andersen: up the miles
for the next trip too.
00:37:57.484 --> 00:38:02.014
So, don't think of it as like, you
gotta burn everything right now, right?
00:38:02.014 --> 00:38:05.314
Like, now's a good time to
really earn points as well.
00:38:05.344 --> 00:38:07.684
So keep that in.
00:38:08.674 --> 00:38:08.914
Brandon Giella: Yeah.
00:38:09.094 --> 00:38:09.994
Yeah, that's a great point.
00:38:10.204 --> 00:38:10.864
Really great point.
00:38:12.034 --> 00:38:16.024
Well, as you all are considering
these decision criteria.
00:38:17.089 --> 00:38:20.599
As a fallback, just plug it
all into Chacha, bt and it'll
00:38:20.689 --> 00:38:21.679
create an itinerary for you.
00:38:22.819 --> 00:38:23.329
Just kidding.
00:38:23.359 --> 00:38:24.949
you can go to switch fly.com
00:38:24.949 --> 00:38:28.219
however, because there are amazing
tools and resources that you guys
00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.779
have to be thinking about your travel.
00:38:29.779 --> 00:38:33.169
And, please join the newsletter
there, see the, the other podcast
00:38:33.169 --> 00:38:34.999
episodes that we have and other blogs.
00:38:35.249 --> 00:38:37.434
but you guys do such phenomenal work.
00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:40.209
Helping people make these, kind
of decisions, especially on the
00:38:40.209 --> 00:38:43.149
travel loyalty side, when thinking
about putting together programs
00:38:43.149 --> 00:38:46.549
and, and how that can best serve,
travelers, especially on, on their
00:38:46.549 --> 00:38:47.929
technology side and things like that.
00:38:47.929 --> 00:38:49.009
So you guys are experts.
00:38:49.339 --> 00:38:53.959
Very much appreciate your insight
input as always, and I am very much
00:38:53.959 --> 00:38:56.269
looking forward to the next episode.
00:38:56.269 --> 00:39:00.229
So, Rachel, Ian Ashley, thank
you so much for your insight.
00:39:00.469 --> 00:39:01.279
Can't wait to talk again.
00:39:01.309 --> 00:39:01.939
We'll see you soon.
00:39:02.014 --> 00:39:02.434
Ian Andersen: you, Brenda.
00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.329
Rachel Satow: Thanks Brandon.
00:39:03.679 --> 00:39:04.369
Ashley Martinez: Thanks, Brandon.