The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastThis week’s Quick Hits is packed with points and miles updates, starting with a targeted IHG promotion offering 20,000 bonus points after just two qualifying nights. DeAndre also breaks down the newly refreshed Chase Aeroplan Card, which now comes with automatic Aeroplan 25K status, Air Canada credits, and a 15% discount on eligible award flights, but also doubles its annual fee and loses some valuable existing benefits. Other updates include a potential TSA PreCheck pilot allowing full water bottles through security, CardPointers Version 8, a 70% Chase transfer bonus to Marriott, and a delay to Symphony’s anticipated transfer partner launch.The biggest story comes from Hilton, where elevated Amex Hilton card offers now include free night certificates across multiple cards. DeAndre explains how he and Taryn used a similar Hilton card strategy to accumulate five free night certificates and turn them into an incredible five-night stay at Calala Island in Nicaragua that would otherwise cost around $22,000. The episode wraps with Wyndham’s new four-tier award chart, Qatar Airways reversing its restrictive Avios traveler list policy, and unusually strong business class award availability to Dubai on Emirates and from Paris to New York on Air France.Timestamps:(00:00) IHG's Targeted 20K Bonus After Two Nights(01:30) Chase Completely Refreshes the Aeroplan Credit Card(02:44) TSA PreCheck Could Allow Full Water Bottles Through Security(04:13) CardPointers Version 8 and Chase's 70% Marriott Transfer Bonus(05:57) Symphony Transfer Partner Launch Delayed(08:09) New IHG Card Offer and Huge Amex Hilton Bonuses(10:05) How We Used Hilton Certificates to Book a $22K Calala Island Stay(14:34) Wyndham's New Award Chart(15:16) Qatar Reverses Its Avios Traveler Restriction(15:58) Emirates and Air France Open Huge Business Class Award SpaceKey takeaways: IHG 20K Promotion: Targeted members can earn 20,000 bonus points after two qualifying paid nights within 60 days of registration.Aeroplan Card Refresh: The annual fee increases to $195, but new benefits include Aeroplan 25K status, up to $100 in Air Canada credits, and 15% off eligible awards.TSA Water Bottle Pilot: TSA is reportedly considering allowing PreCheck travelers to bring full water bottles through security at select airports equipped with newer scanners.CardPointers Version 8: The latest update adds improved automatic offer syncing, AI integrations, new widgets, and tools for choosing the best card for a purchase.Symphony Transfer Partners: The anticipated rollout has shifted from early September to approximately late October or early November.Hilton Free Night Certificates: Elevated Hilton card offers make it possible to earn valuable unrestricted free night certificates through multiple cards.$22K Calala Island Stay: DeAndre and Taryn built a strategy around five Hilton free night certificates that could cover an approximately $22,000 five-night stay in Nicaragua.Wyndham Award Changes: Wyndham now prices free nights at 5,000, 15,000, 30,000, or 45,000 points per bedroom per night.Qatar Reverses Restriction: Privilege Club members can once again redeem Avios for other travelers without maintaining a predefined traveler list.Huge Business Class Availability: Emirates is showing up to seven award seats on some North America to Dubai flights, while Air France is showing as many as nine business class seats on select Paris to New York dates.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:Become a BoldlyGo Member on PatreonRakuten $50 Bonus InviteJoin the Mile Protection WaitlistJoin Symphony todayBoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationPodcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre Coke: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGoTravelsCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastDeAndre Coke sits down with Carrie Yoder, Creative Director at Frequent Miler, to explore a side of long-term travel that does not always make it onto Instagram. Carrie shares how she and her former partner built a life around travel, points, miles, and extreme flexibility, eventually visiting around 70 countries while spending years living nomadically. What started as an experiment in proving that long-term travel could actually cost less than a traditional lifestyle gradually became their everyday reality.Carrie takes DeAndre inside the evolution of that lifestyle, from backpacking through Asia on a tight budget to learning how airline miles and hotel points could completely change the way they traveled. She explains why IHG became especially valuable during their nomadic years, how hotel promotions and inexpensive stays helped them build huge points balances, and how points eventually opened the door to experiences that once seemed completely out of reach. But after years of constant movement, travel began to feel different. Once-in-a-lifetime experiences started becoming routine, and Carrie realized she was ready for something she hadn't had in years: a home base.That realization eventually led her to West Virginia through the Ascend WV program, where she was actually paid to relocate and build a more stationary life. Now, Carrie is entering a completely new chapter. After years of being the P2 in a two-player points strategy, she is learning how to become her own P1, rebuilding her credit card strategy, earning points independently, and deciding what travel looks like when she is no longer traveling simply because she can. The conversation explores travel burnout, identity, solo travel, financial organization, and the surprising challenge of rediscovering travel excitement after seeing so much of the world.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: When the Dream of Full-Time Travel Becomes Too Much(03:00) Meet Carrie Yoder and Her Role at Frequent Miler(04:55) How Carrie Started Traveling Full Time(06:58) Discovering Points & Miles While Traveling on a Budget(12:00) The Evolution of Nomadic Life and Using IHG Points(17:47) How Points Changed the Way Carrie Traveled(19:54) Visiting 70 Countries and What Kept Her Going(26:04) Why Carrie Finally Walked Away From Nomadic Travel(30:06) Getting Paid to Move to West Virginia With Ascend WV(33:11) From P2 to P1 and Rediscovering Points & Miles(36:45) Rebuilding Credit and Creating Her Own Card Strategy(43:00) Figuring Out What Travel Looks Like on Her Own(46:35) Using Daydream Explorer to Find New Travel Inspiration(49:07) Carrie's Role at Frequent Miler and What's Coming Next(51:15) Final Thoughts on Nomadic Life and Why She Still Recommends ItKey Highlights:Nomadic Life: Carrie spent years traveling full-time and has now visited around 70 countries.Travel Can Become Routine: Even extraordinary destinations can lose some of their magic when constant travel becomes everyday life.IHG Strategy: Cheap stays, promotions, and award opportunities made IHG especially valuable during Carrie's nomadic years.Travel Burnout Is Real: Years of moving constantly eventually left Carrie craving stability, routine, and a permanent home base.Moving to West Virginia: Carrie joined Ascend WV, a program offering financial incentives and other benefits to remote workers who relocate to the state.From P2 to P1: After years of participating in a two player points strategy, Carrie is now building and managing her own credit card and rewards strategy.Rebuilding Credit: Carrie started carefully with a Capital One Savor card while focusing on improving her credit and avoiding unnecessary complexity.Travel With Intention: Carrie's biggest challenge now is deciding where she genuinely wants to travel instead of simply chasing another destination.Points Feel New Again: Building her own balances has brought back some of the excitement and curiosity she experienced when first discovering points and miles.A New Chapter: Carrie's story shows how travel goals and points strategies can evolve dramatically as life changes.Resources:Become a BoldlyGo Member on PatreonDeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus InviteJoin the Mile Protection WaitlistJoin Symphony todayBoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupNeed Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with Carrie Yoder:Instagram: frequentmilerCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastIn this special announcement episode, DeAndre Coke introduces the official BoldlyGo Patreon, a new optional way for listeners and community members to support the podcast, videos, blog, WhatsApp community, and other resources BoldlyGo continues to create. Over the years, members of the community have asked how they can contribute directly, but DeAndre explains that he never wanted financial support to determine who gets access to valuable information. With the launch of Patreon, that philosophy is staying exactly the same. Every podcast episode, bonus release, travel strategy, guide, and community resource will continue to be available for free.DeAndre also shares some of what goes into keeping BoldlyGo growing behind the scenes, from producing the podcast and creating videos to maintaining the website and developing new resources for the points and miles community. Patreon gives those who find value in the content an opportunity to help support that work, with contributions starting at just $1 and no exclusive content tiers or special access based on contribution level.More importantly, Patreon will also become another way for the BoldlyGo community to give back. Twenty percent of every dollar contributed will be donated to Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida that provides cost free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. DeAndre's financial planning practice will match those charitable contributions, doubling the impact generated by the community. Supporting through Patreon is completely optional, and listening, sharing, subscribing, leaving reviews, and participating in the community remain equally meaningful ways to help BoldlyGo continue its mission.If you want to contribute, here’s the BoldlyGo Patreon link.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: A Special Announcement From DeAndre(01:08) Why DeAndre Wanted a New Way to Support BoldlyGo(02:23) Introducing the Official BoldlyGo Patreon(03:12) Why All BoldlyGo Content Will Continue to Be Free(04:16) What Goes Into Producing and Growing BoldlyGo(05:08) The Charitable Mission Behind the Patreon(06:21) 20% Donated to Charity Plus a Matching Contribution(07:09) Supporting BoldlyGo Is Completely OptionalKey Highlights:BoldlyGo Patreon: The new Patreon provides an optional way for the community to financially support BoldlyGo and the resources it continues to create.Everything Stays Free: Podcast episodes, bonus content, travel strategies, guides, videos, and community resources will remain freely available.No Paywalled Community: Contribution levels will not determine access to information or create separate levels within the BoldlyGo community.Supporting Future Growth: Patreon contributions can help support the costs associated with producing and expanding BoldlyGo content and resources.20% Goes to Charity: Twenty percent of every Patreon contribution will be donated to Give Kids The World Village.Double the Impact: DeAndre's financial planning practice will match the charitable contribution generated through Patreon.Give Kids The World: The organization provides week long, cost free wish vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families.Completely Optional: Listening, subscribing, sharing, reviewing, and participating in the community remain meaningful ways to support BoldlyGo without contributing financially.Resources:DeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus InviteJoin the Mile Protection WaitlistJoin Symphony todayBoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupNeed Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastThis week’s Quick Hits covers a relatively quiet week in points and miles news that was interrupted by one major loyalty shakeup. DeAndre starts with an elevated Capital One Venture Rewards offer featuring 75,000 miles plus a $300 hotel credit, followed by a new Bask Bank promotion offering 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles for eligible new Miles Savings customers. He also highlights an easy path to I Prefer Gold status through AARP, which is available to members 18 and older, and a new Amex Offer that can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points on qualifying Air France or KLM purchases.The biggest story of the week is Hyatt’s changing airline loyalty strategy. American Airlines and World of Hyatt are ending their enhanced partnership, bringing an important relationship that dates back several years to a close. Just hours later, Hyatt announced a new long-term partnership with Delta SkyMiles. DeAndre breaks down what is known so far, what benefits may remain during the transition, and why this could matter most for travelers who used the American Airlines partnership to access Hyatt elite status challenges. He also shares how that opportunity helped him earn Globalist status and what he will be watching for as the new Delta-Hyatt relationship develops.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: This Week's Quick Hits and the Biggest Loyalty Shakeup(00:21) Capital One Venture 75K Bonus + $300 Hotel Credit(00:54) Bask Bank's 20K AAdvantage Miles Promotion(01:57) Easy I Prefer Gold Status Through AARP(03:16) Earn 20K Amex Points With Air France or KLM(04:30) American Airlines and Hyatt Are Ending Their Partnership(05:52) Hyatt Announces a New Partnership With Delta(06:52) What the Delta + Hyatt Partnership Could Mean(07:38) The Hyatt Status Challenge That Helped DeAndre Earn Globalist(09:38) September 11 Reflection and Closing ThoughtsKey takeaways: Capital One Venture Offer: The Venture Rewards card offers 75,000 miles plus a $300 hotel credit after you meet the spending requirement.Bask Bank Bonus: New Miles Savings customers can earn 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after maintaining a $50,000 balance for 90 days.I Prefer Gold Shortcut: AARP members can earn I Prefer Gold status after one eligible Preferred Hotels stay booked through the AARP rate.AARP Has No Retirement Age Requirement: Membership is available to adults 18 and older, making the hotel status opportunity accessible to younger travelers too.20K Amex Offer: Eligible cardholders can earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $1,000 with Air France or KLM under the targeted offer.AA + Hyatt Partnership Ending: The enhanced American Airlines and World of Hyatt relationship is coming to an end, although some existing benefits will continue during the transition.Delta + Hyatt Partnership: Hyatt is replacing that relationship with a new long term collaboration with Delta SkyMiles.Elite Members Will Cross Earn: Eligible Hyatt elites will be able to earn Hyatt points on qualifying Delta flights, while Delta Medallion members can earn SkyMiles on qualifying Hyatt stays.Hyatt Status Challenges Could Change: The biggest potential loss may be the Hyatt status challenge opportunities previously available through American Airlines elite status.Globalist Strategy Impact: DeAndre originally earned Hyatt Globalist through one of these 90-day challenges, making this partnership change especially significant for similar travelers.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:Rakuten $50 Bonus InviteJoin the Mile Protection WaitlistJoin Symphony todayBoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationPodcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre Coke: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGoTravelsCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastIn this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke sits down with Erin Lynch to break down one of the easiest ways to earn more points and miles without opening another credit card or spending more money: shopping portals. Erin shares how she incorporates portals like Rakuten and American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping into her family's points strategy and reveals that she earned more than 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points through Rakuten in a single quarter. Those points alone were nearly enough to book two Qatar Airways Qsuite tickets that would have cost roughly $20,000 in cash.DeAndre and Erin walk through how shopping portals actually work, how to choose between earning transferable points, airline miles, status, or cash back, and why timing purchases around elevated multipliers can dramatically increase your returns. They discuss Rakuten, American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping, Capital One Shopping, Viator, browser extensions, airline shopping portals, and the importance of understanding exclusions before making a purchase. Erin also explains how shopping portals can play a major role in earning American Airlines Loyalty Points and maintaining elite status without relying entirely on flying.The conversation gets practical with strategies for stacking portal rewards with credit card earnings and Amex Offers, tracking purchases that fail to credit, taking screenshots before large transactions, and planning purchases around Black Friday and other promotional periods. DeAndre and Erin also discuss Check Before You Shop, a newer tool designed to compare shopping portal rates and help users track rewards. The biggest takeaway is simple: purchases you already make can become a meaningful part of your travel strategy when you take a few extra seconds to shop through the right portal.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: How Online Shopping Can Pay for Business Class Flights(03:37) Meet Erin Lynch and Her Points & Miles Journey(07:14) Where Shopping Portals Fit Into a Points Strategy(12:26) Rakuten, AAdvantage eShopping and Other Portal Options(14:30) Elevated Multipliers, Viator and Earning Airline Status(19:27) How Erin Earned 100K Amex Points in One Quarter(23:01) Shopping Portal Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands of Points(26:00) Capital One Shopping and Comparing Online Deals(31:00) What to Do When Your Shopping Portal Points Don't Track(35:41) How Long Does It Take for Shopping Portal Points to Post?(39:01) Black Friday and Timing Purchases for Huge Multipliers(42:00) Turning Shopping Rewards Into Two Qatar Airways Qsuites(46:37) Check Before You Shop and Comparing Portal Rates(50:17) Tracking Missing Rewards, Erin's Travel Philosophy and Final ThoughtsKey Highlights:Shopping Portals: Online purchases you already make can generate additional points, miles, cash back, and even airline elite status progress.100K Amex Points: Erin earned more than 100,000 Membership Rewards points from Rakuten in a single quarter.Qsuite Redemption: Roughly 100,000 points helped Erin book two Qatar Airways Qsuite tickets worth around $20,000 in cash.Rakuten Strategy: Rakuten can turn cash back into Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt Points, creating significantly more potential travel value.AAdvantage Status: American Airlines eShopping can earn both redeemable miles and Loyalty Points toward elite status.Wait for Multipliers: Portal rates change constantly, so waiting for elevated offers can turn the same purchase into significantly more rewards.Stack Your Rewards: Shopping portals can often be combined with credit card earnings and eligible card offers for multiple layers of value.Protect Large Purchases: Screenshots can provide valuable proof when a major transaction fails to track correctly.Black Friday Strategy: Holiday shopping periods can produce some of the strongest portal multipliers of the year.Compare Before Buying: Tools like Check Before You Shop can help identify which portal currently offers the best return.Resources:Erin’s Rakuten $50 Bonus InviteDeAndre’s Rakuten $50 Bonus InviteJoin the Mile Protection WaitlistJoin Symphony todayBoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupNeed Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with Erin Lynch:Instagram: intheairwitherinCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from aroundthe worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape Podcast Network . For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape Ads.