Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

Episode 47: Show Notes What happens when Thanksgiving travel takes you across the Atlantic and through the heart of Europe? In this episode, Tom and Trevor share their Thanksgiving travel experiences through Budapest, Vienna, and even a nostalgic stop in Bratislava. They provide insightful perspectives on international travel during the holidays, exploring iconic destinations, and managing the inevitable surprises of globetrotting with family. Hear about Trevor's family trip to Budapest, the challenges of holiday travel, and memorable stays at the luxurious Párisi Udvar and Park Hyatt Vienna. Learn about the breathtaking Christmas markets of Austria, the charm of Budapest’s historic baths, what makes Europe a family-friendly travel destination, and Vienna’s famed zoo. They also recount the magic and mishaps of travel during the festive season, why they would do it again, lessons on European tipping culture, and more! To discover tips, tricks, and stories that will inspire your next holiday adventure, tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: [00:38] Tom and Trevor’s Thanksgiving travels and the destinations they explored. [01:38] Tom’s journey westward to Las Vegas, his experience flying Spirit Airlines, and staying at the Encore and Rio. [12:38] Why traveling on Thanksgiving was not a good idea, his time in Hawaii, and Tom's experience of traveling home. [17:30] Trevor’s family trip to Budapest, including the stunning Park Hyatt Vienna and the challenges of traveling with a toddler. [22:41] The history and charm of Vienna, what makes the Christmas markets special, and why the hotel stay cost more than expected. [26:32] Booking shuttle transfers, driving through Bratislava, staying at the stunning Párisi Udvar, and what Trevor enjoys about traveling in Europe. [31:41] A deeper dive into Vienna’s attractions, more Christmas markets, and visiting the oldest zoo in Europe. [36:30] Eating out on the last night in Austria and an interesting cultural lesson on tipping. [40:34] Pitfalls of Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa, including a stressful Frankfurt connection. [49:05] Final thoughts on the joys and mishaps of Thanksgiving travel. Quotes: “I’ve not always had the best opinion of Spirit, but honestly, if you go in with the right attitude, sometimes you are pleasantly surprised.” — @TktweetsKim [0:04:04] “There is so much to see in Europe. You could throw a stone and hit three countries.” — @tmount [0:30:08] “It seems like you can – spit and you will hit a Christmas market or a palace in Europe.” — @TktweetsKim [33:42] “Even among Europeans —they have different tipping cultures. Tipping is almost a third rail in so many different places.” — @tmount [38:22] “Lufthansa is always a fun airline to fly.” — @tmount [46:04] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Spirit Airlines Encore Resort Debra Schroeder Párisi Udvar Hotel Rio Hotel Alaska Airlines Park Hyatt Vienna  ShuttlesfromBudapest Vienna Zoo Austrian Airlines Lufthansa Milenomics Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 46: Show Notes. The travel space is constantly evolving, and the way in which airlines handle rewards systems is no different. Today on Travel Stories, we are joined by Thrifty Traveler editor Kyle Potter to discuss the miles and points game, airfare trends, and becoming a premium Thrifty Traveler. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Kyle’s career, the air revenue trends Kyle has noticed, what’s happening in travel awards, and more! We delve into the world of miles and points as Kyle shares his perspective on the trends before discussing why travelers playing this game can be optimistic about future benefits. He even shares a story from his trip to Hanoi, discusses his 2025 travel predictions, and talks about great travel tools. Finally, our guest tells us about Thrifty Traveler Premium and the benefits of this service. Thanks for listening!  Key Points From This Episode: [02:36] A warm introduction to today’s guest, Kyle Potter.  [05:35] What Kyle is seeing in airfare trends today.  [12:48] The changes that are happening in the award travel spaces. [18:27] A reminder that the world of miles and points travelers is really small.  [25:45] What Kyle thinks is causing trends from reward perspectives.  [29:24] The optimistic side of how airlines react to miles and points ‘millionaires’.  [33:07] Kyle shares a memorable travel story from his trip to Hanoi.   [39:45] What Kyle sees happening in travel in 2025 and his opinion on change fees.  [44:48] The award tools that Kyle thinks are good and why he prefers manual search.  [50:00] Kyle talks about Thrifty Traveler Premium, what they offer, and the cost of it.  Quotes: “Travel can’t grow forever. – Things are going to plateau at some point but they really haven’t yet.” — @kpottermn [7:43] “I still think we’ve got some good runway here for cheap domestic travel.” — @kpottermn [12:09] “Many airlines out there have wised up to just how much they’re giving away to people who have points to play with.” — @kpottermn [27:39] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kyle Potter on LinkedIn Kyle Potter on X Kyle Potter on Instagram Thrifty Traveler Seats.aero Flighty Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

0:22 Delta Selling 80+% of First Cabin OMMAT VFTW Value is there--pricing of the upgrade is so low they're selling out elite Upgrades more than ever. Jumping off point for discussing Be Your Own Elite. Don't wait for an airline to give you what you want. Secure it yourself Great flight times are key because your time is valuable. The current state of airline status (in hopes of upgrades) Collecting airline miles (in hopes of outsized value on scarce redemptions) Co-branded paradox (spending on another card) Even being an airline employee (in hopes of free travel) has gotchas. 15:40 How to Move Forward (or How to Get Started) We discussed on the paid show how we need to get away from the idea that a single credit card signup can unlock significant “free” travel. A Demand Schedule will help you see your needs If you're not going on multiple trips a year, or don't need multiple seats just spend on a cashback card. Finally, This might not be the best blog in the world.

Episode 45: Show Notes. We’re always looking to try new things, but our recent trip to Colombia and Spain unlocked new levels of exploring the unknown! We centered the trip around 1 single itinerary, and didn’t have our flights home until more than halfway through the trip. Our exploration of two cities begins in the one with higher altitude than we’re used to: Bogotá, Colombia, and we explain how we devised our itinerary and why we insisted on flying LATAM. We assess the Priority Pass restaurant options at Houston Airport, how Bogotá welcomed us (and especially Thomas!) with a feast of local delights, what hotel hopping is like in Colombia, the attractions and activities of Colombia’s sprawling capital, and the exercise one can get traversing the El Dorado airport lounge. Then, we unpack everything that happened on our flight to our second destination, Madrid, with a brief interlude to the recent spate of airline alliance dissolutions. We discuss our first experience of AC Hotels by Marriot, how exploring new areas in Madrid led to a wonderful steak dinner for Trevor’s birthday, why we changed flights multiple times and what these changes cost, and why many hotels are choosing to consistently shuffle their inventories. To end, we detail the trip home via Germany on Lufthansa First Class, why Lufthansa’s onboard lavatory system always leaves us scratching our heads, the joys of Global Entry’s Mobile App, and an important event to look forward to on the 9th of December, 2024.  Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:57] A tale of two cities and a diversity of altitudes. [0:01:41] No holiday left behind.  [0:02:49] How we devised our itinerary for Columbia, and why we insisted on flying LATAM.  [0:05:43] From Bogotá to Madrid, and every other flight in between.  [0:10:34] The Priority Pass restaurants that we visited at the Houston airport before departure. [0:15:16] Arriving in Bogotá, the Grand Hyatt, and a feast of local delights.  [0:19:36] Hotel hopping in South America, and our experience of the JW Marriot. [0:25:09] The Salt Cathedral, Monserrate Hill, and other attractions and activities in Bogotá.  [0:36:28] Why we loved the El Dorado lounge and everything from our flight to Madrid. [0:42:21] How airlines divorce themselves from their alliances.  [0:43:43] Landing in Madrid and trying something different – the Hyatt Madrid Residences.  [0:48:00] Exploring new areas of Madrid, and Trevor’s delightful steakhouse birthday dinner.  [0:51:14] A new hotel brand experience: AC Hotels by Marriot. [0:55:48] Discussing the modern shuffle of hotel inventories.  [0:59:30] The many flight changes from our trip and what they cost.  [1:01:44] Luxury remote stand experiences, Lufthansa First Class, and friendly faces abroad. [1:06:02] Unpacking Lufthansa’s lavatory system and unmatched onboard service  [1:13:30] Why we hope for the return of mobile lounges, and the joys of the DFW Mobile App. [1:22:10] What you can look forward to on the 9th of December in Arlington, Virginia.  Quotes: “[Bogotá] reminded me my of first trip to Bangkok and having pomelo; rose apple, and all these tropical fruits that you don’t find here in North America — that’s part of the joy of traveling; going to other environments; other places and being able to experience the local product.” — @TKtweetsKim [0:18:30] “For better or for worse, I feel like Bogotá is a city of ‘glad I did it once and checked the box.’” — @tmount [0:29:17] “LATAM, for the price of the ticket, I felt like we got very good value, but I don’t see that as a ‘go out of my way to do.’” — @tmount [0:41:10] “The thing that insulates us is we do have this miles and points hobby that helps quite a lot – we can at least utilize other currencies other than dollars or euros to help shoulder some of the burden of that financial cost.” — @TKtweetsKim[0:54:30] “Sometimes, you’ve just got to accept [paying more to change flights] to get the experiences you want.” — @tmount [1:01:37] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: LATAM Airlines  Priority Pass  Emirates   Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar  Landry’s Seafood  United Club  Grand Hyatt  JW Marriott Hotel  Monserrate Hill  El Dorado Lounge  SAS Star Alliance  Qatar  Hyatt Regency Madrid Residences  AC Hotels by Marriot   José Andrés  Lufthansa  DFW’s Mobile App  Coles Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 44: Show Notes. Lufthansa’s First Class is revered as one of the more aspirational airline products to flight; Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal (FCT) is among the top 3 airline lounge experiences, and Trevor and Thomas both agree. Miles and Points expert and writer JT Genter joins us to share about himself, and to discuss his first Lufthansa First Class experience. JT and his wife, Katie, are digital nomads, and our conversation begins with a brief look at their recent jam-packed travel schedule. After JT details his approach to living as a digital nomad, he offers some advice, recommendations, and strategies for life on the road. JT's retelling of his LH F experience begins with how he met Trevor at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, before moving on to his arrival and overall impressions of the Lufthansa FCT. He then describes how he felt about the food, drinks, and service aboard Lufthansa’s Retro livery, and why he can’t wait for his next LH F experience. Somewhere in between, we discuss the degradation of travel apps like ExpertFlyer and why this loss of value is a common industry trend, and to end, JT describes his roles and responsibilities as a travel blogger and as the Editor-In-Chief at AwardWallet, and how he would fix common industry pain points to give miles and points a better future.  Key Points From This Episode: [01:20] JT Genter details his professional history and how he entered travel.  [04:03] A quick look at his recent (and extensive!) travel log.   [05:26] JT’s approach to living as a digital nomad.  [10:03] His experience of traveling to Calala Island, and where Hyatt and Hilton fit in.  [11:05] JT’s advice and recommendations for life as a digital nomad.  [14:42] How Trevor and JT ran into each other in Germany.    [17:02] JT’s first-ever Lufthansa First Class (drinking game trigger word!) experience. [20:50] Why many flight apps like ExpertFlyer are rapidly decreasing in value.   [25:18] Getting back to JT’s first-class experience as he walks us through his airport arrival.   [26:57] His thoughts on the lounge in Frankfurt. [33:25] Lufthansa’s unique first-class terminal adventure.  [36:30] Unpacking JT’s in-flight experience aboard Lufthansa’s Retro livery.   [39:40] How he felt about the food, drinks, and onboard service.   [43:18] His final thoughts on flying Lufthansa First Class for the first time.  [44:33] Shifting gears as JT explains his role and responsibilities at AwardWallet.  [45:42] Our guest shares his perspective on the future of miles and points, with some suggestions for fixing common industry pain points.  [53:02] How to connect with JT.  Quotes: “It’s now been seven years [that] we’ve been full-time digital nomads. – We want to slow down, but we’re not anywhere close to settling down.” — @JTGenter [03:51] “The crew was very welcoming once we got on board. We had an incredible crew, probably some of the nicest flight attendants we’ve ever had, which seems to be par for the course with Lufthansa.” — @JTGenter [37:25] “The whole Park Hyatt motto of ‘luxury is personal’ is so true. Not one size fits all.” — @JTGenter [39:04] “I can’t wait to [fly Lufthansa First Class] again!” — @JTGenter [43:27] Longer Quotes: “The people who are writing about points and miles choose not to write about [the best travel hacks] because they don’t want to kill it off, or they don’t go through the experience themselves. There are a lot of people in the miles and points community who write about it but don’t really live it.” — @JTGenter [47:32] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: JT Genter JT Genter on X JT Genter on LinkedIn JT Genter on Instagram  JT Genter on Threads  Katie Genter on X  Adventures of JT and Katie  JT and Katie's Travel Schedule AwardWallet  Lufthansa  ZorkFest  Calala Island Hyatt Hilton ExpertFlyer  SeatGuru AeroLOPA  Chicago Seminars  AwardHacker  ITA Matrix  Seats.aero  EasyPASS  Park Hyatt Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

Episode 43: Show Notes. As we wave goodbye to summer, Thomas and Trevor walk us through their most recent end-of-season trips: A Carnival cruise and a forgettable Cap Cana experience. We begin with Thomas and his trip aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras, where he explains why he chose Carnival over his trusted Royal Caribbean. Thomas details his itinerary and vacation experience, why the casual dining options were better than expected, how the floating casino and overall entertainment could be improved, and the perils of getting sick on the open sea. Next, Trevor picks up the baton and explains why his most recent Cap Cana trip may be his last. We discover how his previous visits to the resort influenced his most recent one and the stress of traveling out of Punta Cana. To end, Thomas unpacks his experience at the 14th Annual Chicago Seminars for miles and points.  Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] How Thomas cheated on Royal Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines. [04:30] Diving deeper into his itinerary and vacation experience aboard Carnival Mardi Gras.  [07:45] Exploring the food, cabin layout, and onboard entertainment on Carnival Mardi Gras. [13:55] The value of having great casual dining options on a cruise ship. [15:43] Floating gambling on Labor Day and some tips for a better experience. [21:32] Getting sick on the open sea. [22:50] What Thomas thinks about Carnival overall after his experience. [23:59] Why Trevor’s Cap Cana days may be coming to an end. [29:08] Dining gems that give Cap Cana a lifeline and make it a destination worth returning to.  [32:04] How Trevor’s previous trips to Cap Cana influenced his most recent experience. [34:18] Why it’s rare to find high-quality all-inclusive land packages. [35:45] Trevor details the challenges of traveling from Punta Cana.   [38:10] The ins and outs of the 14th Annual Chicago Seminars attended by Thomas. [43:04] Why big travel events are on the decline to make room for smaller ones. Quotes: “If I were doing my fun-match again, I would definitely recommend that you pick one of these newer ships, because I think that’s going to give you your best foot forward for Carnival.” — @TktweetsKim [06:02] “This was the only cruise I’ve ever been on where I’ve been woken up at 1:30 in the morning with an abandon ship alarm. — We did actually have a false alarm go off in the middle of the night, people were quite distressed.” — @TktweetsKim [19:58] “It’s hard to go on vacation and have it be so frictionless on your way home. You do your best in planning to make that happen, but I think the reality is you’re always going to have some grating experience trying to get from the resort back to your home.” — @TktweetsKim [37:42] “There’s always something nice about being able to get up in front of a bunch of people and talk about something that you love.” — @tmount [39:52] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Carnival Cruise Line  Royal Caribbean  Princess Cruises Virgin Voyages  Cap Cana  Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana  Hyatt Regency Chicago The 14th Annual Chicago Seminars Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X

0:22 Q4 5x Bonus Categories Chase Freedom: PayPal, Pet Stores, McDonalds Discover: Amazon, Target Don’t Forget: BofA Cash Rewards, US Bank Cash+ 03:19 JetBlue News Lounges coming to JFK and BOS late 2025 Premium credit card (from Barclays, ha!) coming “soon” that enables lounge access Markets themselves as having “The East Coast’s Best Leisure Network” 07:34 Southwest News (link) New seating options.  Assigned seats (80% want then) More space seats (why?) Less space seats Free bags to continue Cattle call to continue  International partners. Iceland air first up Vacation packages 11:36 Alaska/Hawaiian News Direct Link These guys are moving swiftly Hawaiian <-> Alaska point transfers now live Link accounts/status matching between programs in 2024 Combined single loyalty program in 2025 Hawaiian set to join OneWorld some time 2026 15:06 Chase UR 30% Transfer Bonus to Avios British Airways, Iberia, or Aer Lingus Expires 10/31/2024 19:34 Delta: More Routes to Europe in Summer 2025 OMAAT Boston to Milan Minneapolis to Rome Atlanta to Naples Detroit to Dublin Boston to Barcelona Atlanta to Brussels New York to Catania Also: Delta cancels JFK-Munich route after one season

Episode 42: Show Notes We Welcome Richrd Kerr, VP of Travel at Bilt Rewards. Richard is a miles, points, and travel enthusiast whose vast experience has led him to lead a prominent facebook group (now Award Travel 101), write for The Points Guy, and ultimately to Bilt Rewards – the loyalty program for where you live. Richard is kind enough to share about Bilt; its some of its metrics; its unique value proposition. Richard carefully dissects common public misconceptions about miles and points. We discuss devaluations, the technological evolution of miles and points and the rise of social media, how Bilt members earn and redeem points, and what the industry looks like five years after the COVID disruption. Richard also shares details about his favorite family trips, how he and his wife homeschool their kids while on vacation, an unforgettable Aman Resort experience, and the eyewatering price of modern hotels. To end, our guest gives us his view of the future of miles and points as he shares helpful advice for finding big savings and great-value deals, and we discuss why Summer travel has been more chaotic than usual in 2024.  Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] Welcoming Richard Kerr as he relives an incredible family trip with his wife and son. [06:23] The ins and outs of Bilt Rewards and its unique value proposition.  [12:05] Bilt’s metrics and data points that help give insight on how the company operates.  [16:12] How the company’s airline, hotel, and other partners share their data with Bilt.  [19:50] Richard debunks common miles and points misconceptions.  [22:55] Unpacking points devaluations and in particular, having Alaska as a partner.  [26:18] The technological evolution of miles and points, and the role of social media.  [31:15] How Bilt’s members redeem their points. [33:41] Assessing the state of the industry five years after COVID.  [36:57] The ridiculous price of modern hotels.  [39:53] Richard’s predictions of the immediate future of miles and points.   [42:56] He and his wife’s Aman Resort experience.  [50:41] Their trip to Europe, and how they incorporate homeschooling in their travels.  [55:20] Why travel seems more chaotic than usual this Summer.  [57:42] Richard’s tips and tricks for big savings and great-value deals.  Quotes: “Our pitch [for Bilt] from the beginning was, ‘Look, this is not the standard. You can’t throw what you’ve always done before; you can’t use the same playbook; you’ve got to do something different to get our members interested.’” — @KerrPoints [0:08:50] “We’re literally spreading the wealth elsewhere so that the vast majority of our members can win, not just die-hard points and miles people. And I get it, it’s not a message that die-hard points and mile people want to hear, but we’re still doing really cool stuff [for them].” — @KerrPoints [0:15:09] “A loyalty program—as I have learned over the last three years—is as much of an art as it is a science.” — @KerrPoints [0:16:12] “There’s nobody writing anymore, because the next generation of folks, 10 years later, has come into Instagram and TikTok, and that’s where they think they’re going to make money.” — @KerrPoints [0:28:27]  “I’ve been commuting from Atlanta to New York for five years now so I knew what hotels cost. What I’ve seen in 2024 for hotel rates in New York City is just mind-boggling. I cannot comprehend who these people are who are paying for these hotels.” — @KerrPoints [0:37:22] “To everybody who’s followed my story; followed me; wished me well; were supporters when I was in the Facebook days; at The Points Guy read my stuff, I really appreciate it, and it’s just led to this dream job that I’ve somehow landed in.” — @KerrPoints [1:02:25] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Richard Kerr on LinkedIn Richard Kerr on Instagram Richard Kerr on X  Bilt  Bilt on YouTube The Points Guy  Etihad Airways  David Canty on LinkedIn Chase Ultimate Rewards  Alaska Airlines  Hyatt Grand Central New York  Aman Resorts   Spirit Frontier  United Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X  The Milenomics Podcast Network

I've long been intrigued by the luxury hotel timeshare market, where you get the quality and amenities of a five star hotel combined with the square footage of a residential vacation home. A prime example of this type of property is Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. Back in the day, Four Seasons managed both a hotel here along with a collection of 1 and 2 bedroom vacation homes. The hotel is now managed by Hyatt (as a Park Hyatt) but Four Seasons still maintains the Residence Club. The golf, tennis, pools, and restaurants make for a fabulous "no compromises" vacation in my book. The only problem I've had is finding another Aviara. Turns out there's a level of quality above luxury hotel timeshares, called Luxury Fractionals or Private Residence Clubs. With these you get somewhere around a 1/10th ownership of a fully managed vacation home, usually in a resort setting with access to amenities like a golf course, beach, or skiing. The problem here is cost and commitment as these fractionals typically sell for around $200,000 down and $25,000 per year in maintenance fees. But there are levels to these things. Properties at the top of the Luxury Hotel Timeshare market can get so nice that they're on par with Luxury Fractionals, so much so that owners are willing to trade time between them. The trick is finding owners at "different but like-quality" properties, across brands we may or may not be familiar with, interested in swapping time. Enter Elite Alliance. In Ep 236 of our podcast (subscription required) I detailed how we stayed at the Harbor Court Residence Club at the Rosewood Bermuda, booked through Elite Alliance. The stay was fantastic from beginning to end but I was just as intrigued by Elite Alliance's part in this because if I understand how they operate it has the potential to unlock this type of vacation experience at locations all over the world. This episode is a discussion with Elite Alliance President and Partner Rob Goodyear. We discuss what Elite Alliance is and how they got started, how they vette properties in their portfolio to ensure a consistent quality of experience, what it takes to participate in Elite Exchange, and more. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Thanks to Rob for coming on the show!

Episode 41: Show Notes. Note: The video of this podcast can be viewed on Youtube, find it here. Family travel can be just as affordable and rewarding as a solo one. To help us gain a better perspective of traveling the world with kids in tow, we are joined today by the renowned travel expert, author, and Senior Editor at Fortune Recommends, Dia Adams, who begins our conversation by highlighting the importance of travel conferences in building community. We discuss Dia’s hit column, What’s in Dia’s Wallet, and what her role at Fortune entails before learning about her affinity for less-lavish hotels, how vendoming has evolved since she first coined the term, how she developed Camp Mom as the perfect family travel hack, and how she’s cultivated travel hacking in her kids. We also unpack the power of perspective, how to have a Disney experience without going to Disney World; what Dia thinks about miles and points devaluations, and how to connect with today’s remarkable guest! Key Points From This Episode: [00:49] Welcoming Dia Adams as she highlights the importance of travel conferences. [05:51] What’s in Dia’s Wallet: Exploring her role at Fortune Recommends. [11:30] Why she loves Choice Hotels but tries to steer clear from Hyatt. [14:40] How she coined ‘vendoming’ and how the term has evolved. [17:57] The ins and outs of Dia’s family travel hack, Camp Mom. [27:36] Why it’s important to immerse yourself in the experience of each destination. [32:40] How Dia has cultivated travel hacking in her kids, and the pros and cons thereof. [38:30] The undeniable power of perspective!  [44:28] How to make the most of Disney as seen in Dia’s book, Disney World Hacks.  [49:01] What our guest thinks about the latest wave of miles and points devaluations.  [56:01] How to connect with Dia and her work. Quotes: “I just want people to be a little bit more – I don’t know if you’re following this TikTok trend – a little more mindful, a little more demure about their miles choices.” — @TheDiaAdams [09:24] “Almost every success I’ve ever had in my career has been due to a rant.” — @TheDiaAdams [14:59] “I tend to base trips on a vibe these days. Like, how do I want to feel during this trip? Everything else kind of goes from that.” — @TheDiaAdams [32:30] “One time, there was a last-minute ferry sale to Hawaii, and I asked the kids if they wanted to go to Hawaii, and they’re like, ‘Nah, we’re good. We went last year, we’re good.’ One of the kids actually said to me once, ‘One private island a year is enough for me.’” — @TheDiaAdams [36:57] “A family of four — for a Spring Break-type vacation — from New York, could fly to Paris and spend a week in Paris and three days at Paris Disneyland for the same price as a week in Orlando at Disney.” — @TheDiaAdams [45:58] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dia Adams Dia Adams on LinkedIn Dia Adams on X Dia Adams on Instagram  Fortune  ‘What’s in Dia’s Wallet: The art of destination dupes’  Disney World Hacks Choice Hotels  Hyatt  IHG Hotels and Resorts  Sky  Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts  Delta  Disney Experiences Universal Studio Theme Parks  Dutch Wonderland Hershey’s Chocolate World  Lifemiles Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X  The Milenomics Podcast Network

Episode 40: Show Notes. We’re heading back to the high seas! During this episode, Tom shares all the details of his recent trip with Virgin Voyages cruise line, from costs, to rooms, drinking, dining, entertainment, and more. Join us as he gets candid about what he loved, tolerated, and disliked during the trip along with tips for you to get the most out of your booking with them. We discuss the differences between the Virgin Voyages experience and what you would have on Royal Caribbean; from the points-based redemption system to the egalitarian nature of your booking. He even goes into the perks included in your stay! You’ll also hear us touch on the trend of choosing style over comfort or plating over flavor as more businesses start to cater to an Instagram generation. Tom talks about everything from embarking and disembarking to the room service system, configuring his accommodation to suit him and his friend, and more. Don’t miss this informative conversation! Thanks for tuning in. Key Points From This Episode: [00:37] The topic of this episode: Virgin Voyages and Symphony of the Seas. [01:04] Tom’s recent experience on the adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages. [02:48] Points-based redemption using Virgin Atlantic miles. [03:19] Costing of the all-inclusive cruise and how it compares to hotel experiences. [05:02] Additional costs and inclusions. [06:54] The egalitarian nature of the cruise line experience. [08:47] Where the five-night cruise started and the ports where it stopped.  [09:41] Considering whether or not embarkation and disembarkation have been optimized on this line.  [12:21] Details of the cabin and bathroom that Tom stayed at.  [13:30] Why the hammocks are such a highlight on the cruise.  [12:18] Changing the configuration of the room in order to accommodate changes. [17:59] The trend of choosing style over comfort on the cruise.  [19:22] Food on the cruise and how it reflects catering to an Instagram generation. [23:35] Communal dining and Korean Barbecue on the cruise. [25:09] Why Tom recommends making dining reservations. [26:45] Details on the plant-based restaurant, Razzle Dazzle, on board the cruise.  [28:13] Their best dining experience: the Italian restaurant, Extra Virgin. [30:35] The steakhouse which is the most popular option.  [32:54] Eating at the fusion restaurant, Agave. [33:54] How Virgin’s Test Kitchen compares to Wonderland on Royal Caribbean.  [34:54] Buffet and culinary options on the cruise (including an ice cream shop!) [39:54] The room service system and how it enabled Tom and his friend to load up on supplies. [42:34] What the Bimini Beach Club experience was like for him. [44:02] Stopping in the Dominican Republic. [45:44] Why opportunities to add spend and get points are limited at Virgin Voyages.  [48:14] CocoCay and why it is considered the jewel of the experience. Quotes: “The balcony cabins all come with a hammock and normally I would say this is a gimmick and nobody would use it, but I found it to be very comfortable.” — @TktweetsKim [13:28] “I have to make [a] shout out to [a] venue I spent quite a lot of time at called the Social Club which was this area with bar games [like] snooker, a bunch of board games, and a bar selling bar food.” — @TktweetsKim [38:33] “[If] you enjoy white sand and blue water, it’s hard to do better than what the Bimini Beach Club provides.” —

Episode 39: Show Notes Are you bored of the usual tourist travel tropes and looking for more? Have you ever wondered how to turn a simple trip into an unforgettable adventure? In this episode, we dive into the art of ‘sightDOING’ with travel expert Becky Pokora, who transforms ordinary travel experiences into extraordinary, hands-on journeys. Becky is a seasoned travel expert and writer passionate about adventure and exploration. As the founder of the travel blog sightDOING, she shares her experiences and tips on active travel and immersive adventures. Becky has a knack for discovering unique destinations and engaging activities, encouraging her readers to dive deeper into their travel experiences. In our conversation, we explore the secret behind authentic travel, why first-hand travel recommendations are superior, and the benefits of going with the flow. Discover strategies for finding the best experience while traveling and helpful resources to get you started. Becky recounts some of her most memorable travel moments, including seeing a volcano erupt, attending an ice festival in China, and experiencing the wonders of Antarctica. She also shares advice for communicating when you don’t speak the local language and red flags to watch out for when looking for accommodation. Join us as we journey into the world of authentic travel with Becky Pokora. Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: [00:45] Background about Becky, her travel blog, and the concept of ‘sightDOING.’ [04:12] Strategies she uses to uncover special and authentic travel experiences. [08:35] Hear about some of the unconventional travel experiences she has had. [13:03] Rigid travel planning versus taking a more unstructured approach. [16:38] An example of a top non-traditional travel experience she had in Mexico. [20:57] She shares the most underrated travel options available in Mexico.  [25:40] Why knowing the local language is not a prerequisite for authentic travel. [29:38] The Harbin Ice Festival and her New Zealand and Australia travel highlights. [38:45] Her approach to finding accommodation and why hotels are not always an option. [44:00] SightDOING in Antarctica and recommendations for those considering the trip.  [52:51] Final takeaways for listeners and how to contact Becky. Quotes: “That first-hand touch from someone that you trust and from someone where you understand their frame of reference is a great way to filter [travel ideas].” — @sightDOING [7:20] “Sometimes taking what is easy is a legitimate way to plan a trip or plan an activity.” — @sightDOING [10:33] “Sometimes even when you have fantastic plans, they just get rearranged based on conditions or things you never expected.” — @sightDOING [20:00] “I like hotels but a lot of places I go don’t have a lot of hotels which means you have to get a little bit more creative.” — @sightDOING [39:01] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: sightDOING sightDOING on X sightDOING on Instagram sightDOING on Facebook sightDOING on Pinterest Becky Pokora on LinkedIn Airbnb

0:21 Transfer Bonuses Chase UR to Marriott Bonvoy: 70% (through Aug 14, 2024) EXPIRES SOON Amex MR to Avios: 30% (through Sept 30, 2024) Amex MR to Hawaiian: 20% (through Aug 31, 2024) CapOne to Qantas: 20% (through Aug 31, 2024) 08:24 United Premium Cabin Awards (on United Metal) Gets Even More Expensive (Live and Lets Fly) We’ve talked a lot the past year or two about this being a bail out maneuver when there are no partner awards 200k pp one-way to Europe now as good as it seems to get for “anytime” awards (was 155k) Discuss: The current state of AA, Delta, and United miles 15:21 JetBlue Plus 80,000 Direct Link Found on jetblue.com $99 AF not waived first year $1k min spend in 3 months Regularly 50k 16:14 Heightened Amex Bonvoy Welcome Bonuses Bonvoy Bevy 155k for $5k in 6 months $250 AF not waived first year Bonvoy Brilliant 185k for $6k in 6 months $650 AF not waived first year Available through referral Better offers said to end Oct 2, 2024 Main Topic: Partner Award Bookings 17:59 Qantas As An Alternative to British Airways for Domestic AA Partners Awards Saw one-way flights from State College to Boston through PHL on AA for around 10k/12.5k Flights were $300 pp one-way Thought I might have to use some precious AA miles, but noticed there was partner availability! BA wants 24k pp one-way in Economy But Qantas wants just 8k, and what a pleasure of a site to work with… They allow you to enter the FF # of AA/Alaska at the time of booking They clearly lay out the change and cancellation terms at the time of booking The record locator can be discovered (for seat selection) by checking your AA account (it just works!) So much better than booking with BA ever was. Why did BA get so much press back in the day? 23:42 Booking JetBlue Mint with Qatar Avios Space can be confirmed on ITA Matrix or Qatar’s site Amex MR -> BA Avios: Instant BA Avios -> Qatar Avios: Also instant. I established that link before. One gotcha: I haven't been able to link P2's BA Avios to her Qatar Avios account. I suspect it might be because I have my mobile number listed for both of our accounts, and there's a lot of 2FA involved in all of this. Just a hunch. Online booking w/Qatar Avios is pretty straightforward. They do ask for passport number and expiration dates, which is unusual for a domestic flight. They have a field for adding Known Traveler Number at the time of booking, but it asks for the expiration date of KTN which I don't know so I couldn't add it I didn't see a way to select a 3rd party frequent flyer number at the time of booking an award ticket. Non-related Qantas allows this which is really nice. Record locator to manage the flights (add KTN and select seats) on JetBlue's side can be found in the individual receipt emails they send each passenger, or by chatting Qatar Hardes

A Norway Trip Report...on today’s Milenomics² Podcast 01:00 Scope: 2 weeks in Norway. Oslo, Tromso, Lofoten then back to Oslo for a few days.  Wanted to get away from people.  Love the coast, and Norway has a LOT of coastline Spent most of our time in the arctic Circle (but not considered the arctic) Map: 10:12 Outbound: Air France. LAX-CDG Plus a 4hr layover. Flight was smooth and the daytime departure was nice Got to experience the new LAX Air France lounge. Open 3 weeks ago. New is always better. 4hrs in CDG was perfect with kids. Got through immigration, train to the 2F terminal, settled into a lounge, everyone showered and then about 45 minutes later we were off to the gate Kids meal was pre-ordered and was great. CDG-OSL very basic, service by Amelia (by Air France) 20:10 Getting to Oslo from the airport Fly to vs Vy.  Trains run every 10-20 minutes. Travel time is less than 30 minutes.  Flytoget calls itself the 'fastest' airport train. This might be true, but only by a minute or two. Vy is a few minutes slower. Faster than driving even. Flytoget has Kids free vs VY so the prices start to converge when you take this into consideration approx $12 - 24 per person one way. Taxi was about $125. We had 4 of these one ways to do so we needed to get good at them. Vy app is not as good as the Ruter app for buying tickets with US credit cards. Stick to the Ruter app. Ruter and VY app cannot buy flytoget tickets, so Ruter + Flytoget app are the ideal combo. Tickets can also easily be bought at the ticket machines. 25:20 Clarion hotel the hub (a strawberry hotel) Location is great, just off Oslo central station 810(!) rooms. Norway's Largest hotel. Did not feel this big. Booked family size room for 16000 points With a Strata Premier this is 8000 TYP transferred to Choice. Included a pull out sofa which was already set up for us. Includes full buffet breakfast with omelette and crepe station. Nice, newish hotel.  Certainly a great way to spend TYP and appreciate they book family rooms. Came back and worked to get connecting rooms. Seemed willing to even give some partial extra credit for the family room vs. 2 regular rooms. 30:58 Oslo: World city, really a great feel to the city, full of energy, parks and fantastic amounts of museums. 20+ Hours of daylight. People outdoors and a city that is alive. Paris and Prague feels. But English is a first or second language in most signs and interaction. Summer in Norway is Wildflower season. The landscaping in the cities is beautiful. Be Aware of your surroundings at night. There were some sketchy areas we stumbled into. Nothing too rough but still, be aware. Food was easy to find and diverse Interesting food halls: Oslo Street Food or Barcode Street Food Most world cuisine was easy to find and well done. Getting around is so easy. There are very few people driving cars. Taxis only really. Malls. So many m

Episode 38: Show Notes Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel the stunning coastlines and towns of the French and Italian Rivieras? In this episode, we dive into Trevor’s recent adventure to these iconic Mediterranean destinations. From the highs and lows of traveling with family to insightful travel recommendations, Trevor provides his takeaways from his trip. In our conversation, we discuss his reasons for the trip, the logistics and planning aspects behind it, and what he thought of the hotels and Apartment rentals. Explore why multi-generational travel complicates logistics and learn why cruise ships are the best option for older travel partners. Hear about what Europe gets right about children's play parks, Zurich airport’s sky deck, dining in a French vineyard, making an authentic pizza with his family, and a memorable cheese tour. Trevor also shares his thoughts on why one hotel made his list of the worst places to stay, what he enjoyed most about flying home on Swiss Airlines, and much more. Join us and get inspired to plan your own Riviera family adventure! Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:36] A catch-up with Thomas and Trevor and an overview of today’s topic. [0:03:50] Reasons for the trip, details about his itinerary, and what the trip entailed. [0:10:12] Break down of the miles used for flights, hotel stays, and overall cost. [0:13:14] The apartments he booked and why they tested his tolerance. [0:21:40] Complications of traveling with family and his British Airways lounge experience. [0:29:50] Multi-generational travel, finding play parks for your kids, and plane spotting. [0:37:35] Hear about the trip's fun and interesting dining experiences. [0:48:17] Highlights of the French and Italian Rivieras and what he would do differently. [0:58:41] How one hotel on the trip made Trevor’s list of the worst hotels to stay at. [1:04:12] Funny and unexpected moments from the trip and driving in France and Italy. [1:13:52] Flying home on Swiss Airlines and what he enjoyed most about it. Quotes: “I would say don’t split up [at the airport] because you just end up giving yourself more anxiety than you really need.” — @TktweetsKim [25:12] “[My family and I] tend to do multi-generational travel a lot, but it is usually cruise ship related, and that has a lot of things that help buffer those restriction points.” — @TktweetsKim [30:03] “When you have to deal with the old, the young, and the in-between, it does complicate the logistics quite a bit.” — @TktweetsKim [30:24] “My focus of late has been really trying to get more unique [travel] experiences.” — @Tmount [40:45] “The trip was incredible, everybody was very happy, and everyone was really happy with their seats on the way home too.” — @Tmount [1:16:58] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Château des Demoiselles List for Travel Play Areas / Parks Obicà Duomo | A tip from Pat and Mike  @PatMikeL – Go during happy hour (I think 5-8) for Aperativo’sst

Episode 37: Show Notes In today’s organic, stream-of-consciousness episode, we take a look at some of our recent travel experiences, explore current industry trends, and share our take on what we think may happen in the not-so-distant future. Our menagerie of travel stories begins with Thomas’s experience of the Rio Las Vegas before diving into the mileage run that took him to Nevada. Then, we explore the current state of the airline industry, possible mergers to look forward to (or be worried about), the lifestyle choices that influence our travel choices, and the implausible airline merger that would be a match made in heaven. We also discuss the evolution of standard airport lounges, asses how they weigh up against membership and rewards lounges, and examine how Trevor’s trip to Charlotte reminds us of the real cost of inflation. For a laid-back, conversational episode that is both fun and thought-provoking, be sure to tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] Thomas’s experience of the Rio Las Vegas. [08:12] How Thomas made his way to Vegas: an OG mileage run.   [10:22] The current state of the airline industry, and possible acquisitions and mergers.  [14:35] Exploring the finer details of Thomas’s Vegas mileage run.   [19:35] Ways that travel styles vary and how lifestyle changes influence travel choices. [23:20] What Thomas thinks about the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Dallas.  [28:55] The pros and cons of standard airport lounges versus membership lounges.  [34:18] Why Alaska Airlines and Jet Blue would be the perfect pairing.  [36:10] What we think about the future of Hawaiian Airlines. [38:00] Trevor’s quick overnight to Charlotte, North Carolina.  [42:55] The true cost of inflation.   Quotes: “The biggest deterrent for me in any environment for me is tobacco smoke.” — @tmount [04:40] “Ultimately, when we travel, we want to have options. That’s number one.” — @tmount [28:48] “Either Jet Blue will have a lounge within the decade or they won’t exist in a decade.” — @TktweetsKim [33:37] “I don’t know of an airline merger that has happened in less than 24 months.” — @TktweetsKim [37:45] “That’s only 4,500 Alaska miles, I mean, why not? Honestly, some of these trips that we take, it’s more expensive to pay for the Uber.” — @TktweetsKim [42:42] “With what it costs to dine out now, it definitely feels like more of a luxury item than it used to.” — @TktweetsKim [44:16] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Rio Las Vegas  But I’m a Diamond Guest Hyatt Hotels  Alaska Airline United Airlines  American Airlines  Delta  Asiana Airlines Korean Airlines  Cranky Flier  Brett Snyder on LinkedIn 

In this episode, we dive into the adventures of Spencer Howard, the founder of Straight To The Points, as he shares his recent Asia Pacific trip experience. Straight To The Points is a service that helps travelers find and book premium airline award tickets using points and miles, helping save time and money. In our conversation, Spencer shares his incredible 6-week journey through New Zealand, Australia, and Japan, highlighting the breathtaking sights and unique experiences he and his family encountered. Hear about his flight on Air New Zealand, what makes it a family-friendly airline, and tips for traveling with a newborn. Discover why convenience is key when traveling with a newborn, the importance of planning, and how he planned the overall trip. We discuss Hyatt alternatives in Sydney, his scenic route to Tokyo, and why you should go to a baseball game in Japan. Spencer also shares his favorite hotel stays, what makes for a great hotel experience, invaluable travel hacks, and more! Join us as we unpack the ins and outs of planning your Asia Pacific trip with Spencer Howard! Key Points From This Episode: [00:00] Introducing today’s guest, Spencer Howard. [01:41] Outline of today’s topic and what listeners can expect. [03:38] His motivation for the trip and traveling with a newborn. [06:29] Flying Air New Zealand from Texas, Houston. [10:00] The main difference between Queenstown and Aukland. [11:47] Finding a hotel, getting around, and how to use your points in New Zealand. [15:04] Why he chose convenience over price when making bookings. [17:15] Spencer’s New Zealand highlights and why he would go back. [22:05] Sightseeing in Sydney and his stay at the Capella Sydney. [27:04] His alternative route to Tokyo and changing the itinerary on a trip. [31:18] His Japan experience, the hotels, and going to a baseball game. [42:52] What inspired him to go to Japan and how he planned the trip. [47:28] Find out more about Spencer and his company, Straight To The Points. Quotes: “Air New Zealand obviously does not have first-class but they will let you buy the bigger seat. That was worth it.” — @spencerformiles [6:57] “Convenience matters, I think, when you are traveling with a little one.” — @spencerformiles [15:46] “[The Capella Sydney Hotel] truly is an amazing hotel that I would prefer to stay in when I go back.” — @spencerformiles [22:35] “You can get, what I would say is a reasonably priced, nice hotel in Sydney if you are not using points.” — @spencerformiles [24:37] “Finding the information important to your travel faster I think is important so I am just trying to save people some hours.” — @spencerformiles [50:09] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Spencer Howard on LinkedIn Spencer Howard on X Spencer Howard on Instagram Straight To The Points Points Wire Air New Zealand Virgin Atlantic British Airways

0:24 Q3 2024 5x Categories Chase Freedom: Gas (and other stuff) Discover: Grocery Stores, Walmart (For the first time in FOREVER!!!) Citi Dividend: Gas Why do banks have these cards? To move our spending onto these cards long after the quarter ends. 04:05 Transfer Bonuses Citi -> Cathay Pacific 15% (7/20) Chase -> Aeroplan 20% (7/31) If the space is there and these miles will be used, great to get a discount. Probably not worth speculatively transferring. 08:33 New DeltaOne Premium Lounges Coming in 2024 (OMAAT) JFK: June LAX: Late 2024 BOS: Late 2024 (adjacent to already-open 3rd SkyClub in BOS, in International Terminal E) 13:26 Staggering Decline in Usefulness of giftcards.com Visa/MC GC At one point these were a fantastic way to earn miles and even hit sign up bonuses Recall buying Amex GC and then flipping those to GC.com.  Now what can we do with these? There's certainly a draw with 5-10% off sales. But those are usually small dollar cards  Scale vs spread None of this really matters because there's nowhere these cards even work  19:34 Checking Account with Free ATM Withdrawals Worldwide? First Republic had this for $15k Chase requires $75k min balance Sapphire checking to avoid fees The louses at Chase deactivated First Republic debit cards before the Chase cards arrived. Gah! Do they have the same PIN? I think so? But I go to the ATM infrequently in the US so I’m not sure. Am I over-thinking it? Just pay the fees? Well, it’s not just the ATM fee, there’s a “foreign exchange rate adjustment fee” that’s a percentage (usually around 3%) of the amount withdrawn on top of the ATM fee: “Surcharge Fees from the ATM owner/network still apply. A Foreign Exchange Rate Adjustment Fee from Chase may apply for ATM withdrawals in a currency other than U.S. dollars.” When presented with the question of whether you want to be charged in foreign or USD choose the local currency if your bank here has no Foreign Transaction fees. (Say no to Dynamic Currency Conversion). Example: But the real scary thing is where the ATM you’re withdrawing from tacks on a dynamic currency conversion fee, they don’t disclose the percentage, the ATM interface makes it confusing to figure out what’s going on, and you end up paying what is or feels like a lot more than you should to take money out of an ATM. I really just like to be able to withdraw a reasonable amount of foreign currency as I go without worrying about fees adding up. Schwab Checking has free international ATM withdrawals with no minimum balance Schwab debit card was expired (never used), I don’t know what the PIN is, and their phone tree sends me in circles. Thought to go in branch but is there no such thing as a Schwab checking branch? Chatted, guy told me I “may have to speak with Schwab Checking. I thought I was chatting with Schwab Checking!? Maybe Volcker doesn’t get the credit he deserves Update as Robert is leaving to Japan and will be using this debit card. 36:48 International Data for Cellphones. Current Status Being connected is pretty much a necessity at this point

0:55 Ranking Bank Points for Domestic Airfare We’re talking about deeply discounted airfare, not FREE airfare.  Every one of these programs has a cash out path–that’s great 1:45 Overview: Highs and Lows of each Program 1:59 Chase UR Talked about the most online, but not as valuable as Amex to us Much more straightforward than Amex 1 Cent per Ultimate Reward point earned (easy cash out on all card) 5x earning on Office Supply has been around for a long time.  Earning at high rates, transferring to a CSR/CSP  3:00 Earning Chase UR  Easy to use Domestic Partners in United and Southwest Travel Portal booking is not ideal but does have uplift Earning with high multipliers and sign up bonuses works well 5/24 limits the number of cards you can get Can co-mingle points 6:30 Southwest (W/ Chase UR) Points have become less useful as Ticketless Travel Funds (TTF) have become permanent Less transfers from UR->Southwest because TTF are so plentiful If transferring , the best way to earn is still NOT on the Southwest credit cards.  7:43 Booking with the Chase Travel Portal:  Price inflation is real (American, others) Be sure to check google flights Can see inflated prices on flights, issues when canceling 1.25 cents per point / 1.5 cents per point (20% - 33% discount on travel) Sometimes just taking cash back at 1 cent per point is the way to pay for travel These points are not ‘free’ 10:53 Amex MR Overview Amex is so generous that they have changed subscribers’ lives THE most generous bank with respect to SUB, earning bonuses and referrals The default cash back amount for a MR is 0.6 Cents ($.006) per MR with a few exceptions Difficult to get rid of these points.  12:41 Booking Travel with Amex MR With such easy earning there isn’t a fast enough release valve sometimes Their travel portal is horrible, but is mandatory for the 35% rebate Insider fares are lower fares than anywhere else.  Extremely high annual fee cards needed to release points at high value To get good redemption rates with points you have to graduate to high annual fee cards Either churn the card or pay the high annual fee (carrying costs) to get good value Delta transfers are a great option – 1.1 cents in value per point, transfer 1:1 Holding a Delta card gives a 15% discount as well, works out to around 1.25 cents per point.  16:26 Earning Membership Rewards “They’ve gone crazy with the Sign up Bonuses”  Easier to earn at a moderate level than Chase (or any other bank)  Many high annual Fee cards, which come with many coupons/credits Nonstarter for someone just starting out.  18:55 Difficulties transacting with AMEX Need High annual Fee Business Platinum for 35% rebate (approx 1.5 cents per point)  Need High Annaul Fee Morgan stanley (1cpp) or Schwab (1.1 cpp) to cash out MR.  Cannot co-mingle points across spouses, which means you need 2 of each of these cards! 35% rebate only on airline of choice or business/fir

While today is all about a long weekend in Madrid, Thomas and Trevor go on their usual tangents to bring you yet another information-drenched and fun-filled episode! We begin with our love for gin and tonic ice cubes and by explaining how today’s episode relates to many of our other Travel Stories. Then, Trevor walks us through his recent airport lounge experiences, how food and drinks compare, how to maximize your points redemptions, and taking short trips in first class versus longer trips in economy. Trevor then explains why he had to drop Mumbai from his Madrid trip itinerary, what you need to be cautious of when walking the streets of Madrid, and the entertainment options that are available in Spain’s capital for both kids and adults. To end, we discuss the evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class (cheers!) and what we like and dislike about recent amenity additions and removals, and we take a closer look at the now-unretired Airbus A340-600.  Key Points From This Episode: [00:30] Gin & tonic ice cubes, and how today’s Travel Story links to many previous episodes.  [01:52] Why taking cheaper flights from the Maldives is not as common as it used to be.  [03:30] Trevor’s interesting and most recent airport lounge experiences.  [06:12] Comparing the food and drink quality of the various lounges that Trevor visited.   [07:40] Virgin Atlantic’s common flight times and standard fleet make up, and some advice on how to maximize points redemption.   [10:32] Short trips in first class and transatlantic flights in economy.  [12:07] Understanding Trevor’s Dallas-London-Mumbai-Madrid itinerary.  [20:44] Madrid: Spain’s lovely capital.  [26:50] A cautionary pickpocketing tale from Madrid’s 5th Avenue equivalent.  [32:20] Activities for kids, Museo Nacional del Prado, and exploring food and drinks in Madrid.  [37:28] Today’s if “you say it, you sip it” phrase is “Lufthansa first-class”. [37:45] Trevor’s time in Munich, and the ins and outs of the now unretired Airbus A340-600.  [45:56] The evolution of Lufthansa’s first-class amenities, and where it stands today.  Quotes: “I have to say that I’m becoming more and more impressed with this [Chase Sapphire] lounge.” — @tmount [04:04] “One potential area of friction [was] reduced; removed completely because the [Virgin Atlantic] crew was just absolutely amazing.” — @tmount [09:53] “Choice Hotels are like the unsung heroes of Europe.” — @tmount [23:33] “If you’re in that situation; if you’re in an area where you’re going to have no personal space and [be] shoulder-to-shoulder with a lot of people you don’t know, it’s probably a good idea to secure your stuff.” — @TktweetsKim [30:26] “If we can find those local places, we’re always happier for it.” — @tmount [34:51] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ‘Travel Stories Episode 8: Epic Guys Trip’  ‘Travel Stories Episode 19: Converting a Maldives Skeptic’ Virgin Atlantic  Chase Sapphire Lounge  Capital One Loung