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© 2026 Rewarding Routes
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Rewarding Routes is the podcast that helps you turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips to Japan and Asia. Learn how to use points and miles, create fun itineraries, and explore cultural experiences without overspending. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fifth, get inspired to make travel more rewarding.
24 Episodes
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#23 In this episode, I introduce a new segmented format for Rewarding Routes that allows me to cover updates, news, listener questions, and a main topic all in one episode. I share a quick update on the Bilt Palladium denial and why I still accepted a $0 annual fee Bilt Blue card. From there, I run through major Japan and credit card news, answer a listener question about how I plan trips, and then dive into the main topic: why business credit cards are one of the most powerful tools for earn...
#22 How much do you really need to save for a trip to Japan? This is one of the most common questions I see from people planning their first trip and the honest answer is that there’s no single number that fits everyone. Every Japan trip looks different depending on your travel style, priorities, and what you value most. In this episode, I break down the real world costs of traveling in Japan by walking through the major spending categories you’ll encounter, from everyday expenses once you la...
#21 In this episode, I break down Bilt 2.0 what changed, why it matters, and why it’s causing so much confusion in the points and miles world right now. I start by revisiting why the original Bilt card worked so well, especially for people just getting into points and miles, and why Bilt decided to completely rethink the system. On the surface, Bilt 2.0 looks like a big upgrade especially with mortgages now included but once you look closer, things get complicated fast. What I Cover in This E...
#20 2026 is a year of transition for us, and this episode is about how travel fits into that change. Rather than locking in a packed calendar or chasing big redemptions, this year is about slowing down, planning intentionally and letting travel evolve alongside life. In this episode, I share a real time look at how I’m thinking about travel during a season where flexibility matters more than ever. Travel isn’t stopping it’s simply taking on a new shape. One that feels more aligned with where ...
#19 This episode is a little different. Instead of focusing on points, miles, or Japan, I’m sharing where my mind is right now one month before becoming a dad. As our family grows from two to three, I wanted to pause and record what this moment feels like before everything changes. In this episode, I talk openly about the excitement, nerves, fears, and mindset shifts that come with preparing to travel as a family for the first time. Travel has always been a huge part of our lives, and rather ...
#18 In this episode, I misspoke about the Lapras Pokémon Park. I was referring to the second Lapras park opening in 2026. The first Lapras park was built in Miyagi Prefecture that’s my mistake. Japan is heading into a big year in 2026, and if you’re planning a trip, there are some important changes (and exciting openings) you’ll want to know about. In this episode, I break down what’s coming for Japan travel in 2026, including money, taxes, arrival updates, transportation tips, new attracti...
1#17 We tackle one of the most common and confusing decisions when planning a points and miles trip to Japan: Should you book your flights first, or your hotels? The honest answer? It depends. And in this episode, I break down how to decide based on what you personally value most. What we cover in this episode: Why I usually book flights first and when that mindset is starting to shiftThe role flexibility plays in getting great value with points and milesWhen it makes sense to prioritize busi...
#16 In this episode of Rewarding Routes, I break down how Hyatt hotels in Tokyo and a few around Japan can turn your Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Bilt points into real nights on the ground. Recorded in December 2025, I walk through how Hyatt’s fixed award chart works today, why it often delivers better value than dynamic hotel programs, and what kind of cents-per-point you can expect at both affordable and luxury properties. We go station by station through Tokyo, covering options like Caption...
#15 Tokyo is the world’s largest city, and choosing where to stay can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I break down a curated set of key neighborhoods to help you pick the best area based on your travel style, budget, and vibe. We talk about energy levels, train access, room sizes, food, nightlife, shopping, and what each area is best known for. Whether you want neon lights, quiet cultural streets, luxury shopping, or family-friendly space, there’s a perfect Tokyo neighborhood for you. Nei...
#14 In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-part mini-series all about how I use Chase Ultimate Rewards® to turn everyday spending into trips to Japan and beyond. I walk through why Chase is the bank I’ve relied on for most of my hotel stays, how I think about flexible points vs. co-branded cards, and why Hyatt is the star of the show for my style of travel. You’ll hear how Chase fits into my real life, to using Southwest for positioning flights out of Orlando and how I’m adjusting my strategy w...
#13 Today we’re diving into one of the coolest parts of traveling through Japan: the Shinkansen Japan’s iconic high-speed bullet train. It’s fast, efficient, unbelievably smooth, and honestly one of my favorite ways to move around the country. In this episode, I break down how the Shinkansen actually works, the major train types you’ll see across different regions, and what first-time travelers should know before hopping on. I’ll cover the most common trains on the Tokaidō Line (Tokyo → Kyoto...
#12 I’m sharing exactly what’s in my wallet as we wrap up 2025 and head into 2026. I break down the cards I actually use every day, why they fit my spending habits, and how they support the future trips I’m planning especially Japan. With the home-buying process finally behind us and the move complete, my wallet looks different this year. I also share why I slowed down on opening cards, how lenders react to new credit activity, and what I learned going through that experience while trying to ...
#11 Big life changes are happening behind the scenes and this one’s the most rewarding one yet. In this episode, I’m sharing a major personal update that’s going to shape the future of Rewarding Routes. From moving into our new home to preparing for our first child, it’s been an exciting (and honestly, emotional) season of change. I wanted to take you behind the mic and talk about what’s been going on, how I’ve been managing everything, and what’s next for the podcast and for me personally. B...
#10 Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to actually look forward to airport travel days instead of dreading them? From breezing past long security lines to relaxing in airport lounges with free food and Wi-Fi, these credit card perks make flying smoother, calmer, and surprisingly enjoyable. In this episode, I share the travel perks I use from my favorite credit cards to make every airport day stress-free. From TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to lounge access and no foreign transactio...
#9 Japan isn’t just a destination for me it’s a feeling. In this episode, I’m sharing the 25 reasons why I keep going back to Japan, and why it continues to feel like the one place in the world that truly clicks for me. From the respectful culture and quiet public spaces to the small details that make everyday life feel intentional Japan just does things differently. I’ll talk about my biggest personal goal visiting all 47 prefectures and why I want to experience each one slowly, learning wha...
#8 Ever see a big credit card bonus and think, “There’s no way I could spend that much in three months”? You’re not alone. When I first started learning about points and miles, I felt the same way. But the truth is, most of us already spend enough each month we just need to use that spending more strategically. In this episode, I break down ten simple and realistic ways to hit your credit card’s minimum spend without overspending or going into debt. These are everyday expenses like groceries,...
#7 Flying to Japan with points and miles can feel like navigating a maze but once you figure it out, it’s like unlocking a secret travel advantage that lets you go back again and again without overspending. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I book flights to Japan using points the same approach that’s allowed me to make Japan travel a yearly tradition. Before diving into all the redemptions and routes, I start with how I personally plan each trip. I always begin with the flights ...
#6 We kick off at the gateway: Tokyo’s airports. Narita (NRT) is farther but often cheaper with easy rides into the city via Skyliner, N’EX, or comfy airport buses you can book on Klook (taxis from NRT = $$$). Haneda (HND) is my fave closer, with the Edo Marketplace (Terminal 3) for last-minute eats and souvenirs before security. Beyond Tokyo, keep Kansai (Osaka), Itami, Chubu (Nagoya), and Fukuoka on your radar domestic hops or the Shinkansen make multi-city routes effortless. Essentials tha...
#5 $15,880 Trip for $221: How Points Made It Happen Ever dream of visiting Japan (and neighbors) without draining your wallet? In this episode, I break down how we turned $15,880.20 of flights and hotels into a trip that cost just $221.62 out of pocket step by step. You’ll hear the big picture strategy behind our Orlando → San Francisco → Seoul → Busan → Tokyo route: why we used positioning flights, how airline alliances & partners unlocked seats (think Virgin → Korean)(Alaska → JAL) and ...
#4 Mistakes happen. And when it comes to points and miles, they can cost you more than you realize whether it’s wasted rewards, missed opportunities, or setbacks that slow down your travel goals. The good news is that most of these mistakes are preventable once you know what to look out for. In this episode of Rewarding Routes, we explore the most common mistakes people make in the world of points and miles and how you can avoid them. From the basics of managing your cards responsibly to the ...
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