Claim OwnershipSmart With Points Podcast - Boost Your Miles & Points
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Join us in learning how to use miles & points to travel & save money!
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118 Episodes
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IAG Loyalty and American Express have just announced a multi-year partnership extension that directly impacts UK Avios collectors. This renewal secures the future of British Airways Amex co-brand cards, Membership Rewards transfers to Avios, and Amex acceptance across all IAG airlines. With 2026 marking the 25th anniversary of the BA Amex partnership, we break down what this stability means for your points strategy and what special opportunities might be on the horizon. If you collect Avios through Amex cards or transfers, this is essential news for your earning strategy.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
easyJet is celebrating 30 years with 30% off over 300,000 seats from the UK, but you only have until 3pm today to book. Flights start from just £14.99 to destinations including Barcelona, Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and more, covering travel from November 2025 through March 2026. Jack breaks down the best deals, explains why paying cash sometimes beats using points, and shares strategies for maximizing value including regional airport options and credit card earning potential. Plus, package holiday deals with code SAVE30 available until November 20th.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Iberia has confirmed free Starlink WiFi is coming to their entire fleet, offering speeds up to 450 Mbps for all passengers regardless of cabin class. This marks a dramatic shift from their current expensive and limited WiFi service, with implementation beginning in 2026. The announcement positions Iberia alongside British Airways as IAG airlines commit to high-speed connectivity even on short-haul routes. For Avios collectors, this makes Iberia redemptions significantly more attractive, especially on long-haul routes to Latin America.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
British Airways has officially confirmed Starlink Wi-Fi is coming to their entire fleet starting in 2026 - and it's completely free for all passengers from economy to First Class. We break down what makes Starlink different from traditional inflight Wi-Fi, how BA compares to competitors like Virgin Atlantic and Qatar Airways, and why this is genuinely one of the airline's most significant service improvements in years. If you fly BA or collect Avios, this episode explains exactly what this game-changing announcement means for your future flights.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Qatar Airways has quietly introduced seat selection fees for business class award bookings starting November 3rd, 2025. Passengers redeeming Avios or Q credits now face approximately £85 per flight segment to select seats in advance, unless they hold oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status. This change affects all partner programs including British Airways, Iberia, and Alaska Airlines. Combined with recent fuel surcharge increases, these fees are significantly eroding the value of Qatar award redemptions, making it crucial for points collectors to diversify their strategies and consider building elite status protection.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Aer Lingus and Tesco Ireland have launched a partnership that's turning heads across the travel rewards community, offering an unprecedented Avios earning rate of just 0.37 pence per point through Clubcard voucher conversions. We break down exactly how this works, why the mathematics are so compelling compared to traditional Avios earning methods, and how just £17.50 in vouchers could get you a flight to Paris. While currently exclusive to Tesco Ireland, this represents one of the strongest Avios opportunities available anywhere, with redemption options extending across British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways, and beyond. If you have any connection to Ireland, this episode explains exactly why you should be paying attention.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
After 24 years of helping travelers choose seats, SeatGuru officially closed on October 31, 2025, leaving many frequent flyers wondering how to avoid bad seats. The site had been showing outdated aircraft configurations since 2020, making it more misleading than helpful. In this episode, we reveal superior modern alternatives that offer real-time seat availability and more accurate aircraft layouts than SeatGuru ever provided. Learn which tools to use for your next booking and why this change is actually better for award travelers trying to maximize their points and miles.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
British Airways has massively expanded their Avios Shop from just Apple products to over 300 items across 17 premium brands including Antler suitcases, luxury leather goods, and travel accessories. You can now slash cash prices by up to 25% using Avios while still earning points on your remaining spend. We break down the value proposition compared to traditional flight redemptions and reveal the strategic scenarios where this actually makes sense. Plus, we establish the clear hierarchy for maximizing your Avios value and explain why this should be your backup plan, not your primary strategy.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Marriott Bonvoy has launched their 'Celebrate 2025' promotion offering up to 2,025 bonus points per stay, with enhanced bonuses for outdoor properties. The promotion has a three-stay cap and runs from late October through January, but there are some important restrictions on qualifying stays. Host Jack breaks down whether this promotion is actually worth your time and shares strategies to maximize your earnings if you already have Marriott bookings planned. He also discusses how the hotel loyalty landscape has shifted and why we're seeing fewer generous promotions than in previous years.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Virgin Money has finally entered the referral game with their new Virgin Atlantic credit card programme, offering up to 50,000 Virgin Points annually for successful referrals. Jack breaks down how this long-awaited programme compares to American Express offerings and whether the 5,000 points per referral makes it worthwhile. We explore the mechanics, caps, and realistic earning potential for UK cardholders. Plus, discover which Virgin Atlantic credit card offers the best value for your friends and why the annual companion vouchers could justify the fees.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Jack reveals a newly discovered Qatar Airways promo code from Capital on Tap that delivers 10% off flights plus bonus Avios earnings. He breaks down exactly how this discount works across five UK airports, demonstrates real savings on Business Class fares, and explains the optimal strategy to maximize both the discount and points earnings. The episode also covers Capital on Tap's recent changes, including their dropped annual fees, making this deal even more valuable for UK business travelers.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Jack breaks down the shocking overnight changes to Iberia's On Business programme that completely eliminated points-based redemptions in favor of cash rewards. Learn why this could signal similar changes coming to British Airways and what corporate travelers should do immediately to protect their points value. Plus, discover the positive updates coming to Cathay Pacific's frequent flyer programme that will make status easier to maintain. Essential listening for anyone with business travel rewards or corporate points accounts.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
American Express has launched their most aggressive welcome bonus campaign ever seen in the UK market, with offers ending at midnight tonight, October 14th, 2025. Personal cards are offering double or triple their usual bonuses, while business cards have hit unprecedented levels with the Business Platinum reaching 130,000 Membership Rewards points. We break down exactly which cards offer the best value, the eligibility requirements you need to know, and why business card holders have a massive advantage with zero restrictions. If you've been considering an Amex application, this could be your best opportunity in years.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Capital on Tap has quietly expanded its redemption options by adding Qatar Airways Avios as a transfer partner for UK business cardholders. While both BA and Qatar use Avios, Qatar's award chart often offers better value for Middle Eastern and Asian destinations, plus superior award availability on their premium Qsuite product. We explore the strategic differences between BA and Qatar Avios, when to choose each programme, and how this added flexibility improves the Capital on Tap value proposition. Plus, there's a potential double-dip opportunity with Qatar's 10% discount on UK flights that savvy points collectors should know about.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Thai Airways has made a shocking decision that's sending ripples through the aviation industry - they've taken Virgin Atlantic's business class seats and rebranded them as 'Premium Economy Plus.' The same seats Virgin charges over £2,000 for on London-New York routes are apparently 'not good enough' for Thai's business class standards. This unprecedented move reveals a massive gap in regional premium travel expectations and could create incredible opportunities for points collectors. We break down what this means for award redemptions, pricing strategies, and the future of airline cabin classifications.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Uber has quietly entered the flight booking market with a generous 10% cashback offer for Uber One members, running through December 2025. Jack breaks down the new service's price drop protection feature, how to stack rewards with frequent flyer programs, and whether the 60-day credit expiry makes this worthwhile. He shares his strategy for when to use Uber versus traditional booking sites and runs the numbers on a sample Premium Economy booking to New York. Plus, discover how to maximize the offer by combining flight bookings with Uber Reserve for additional credits.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Virgin Points are offering their most generous bonus ever at just 0.88p per point, but the 70% bonus offer ends this Sunday. British Airways has surprised everyone by unveiling a completely redesigned World Traveller Plus cabin as part of their £7 billion transformation plan. Qatar Airways launches a new sale with up to 20% off for Privilege Club members, while several other airlines announce major route changes. Don't miss these time-sensitive deals that could save you hundreds on your next premium cabin flight.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Jack reveals an incredible opportunity for ITA Airways status holders to unlock free Lufthansa status with Star Alliance-wide lounge access through February 2027. Learn about the crucial application detail that could make or break your match request, plus updates on Emirates' London expansion, British Airways Wine Flyer bonus points offer, and Air Canada's enhanced economy experience. Don't miss current buy points promotions from JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and Wyndham that could boost your account balance.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
Jack reveals how the Capital on Tap Pro business card became an unexpected permanent fixture in his wallet after discovering its unique combination of unlimited Priority Pass access with £18 restaurant credits. This UK-only card earns 1.25x Avios when preloading funds and includes Radisson VIP status, making the £299 annual fee surprisingly valuable. Perfect for limited companies looking to maximize Avios earnings where Amex isn't accepted. Plus, why the math on this card's benefits adds up to over £1,000 in annual value.Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
After six months of delays, British Airways has unveiled their brand-new Dubai lounge as part of their £7 billion transformation programme. We take you inside the completely reimagined space in Concourse D, exploring the dramatic design changes, improved facilities, and dedicated Concorde Dining Room. While the lounge addresses many pain points of the old space, early visitors have spotted an amusing oversight that's already become a talking point on FlyerTalk. Is this new lounge worth the wait, or does it fall short of Dubai's premium lounge standards?Subscribe to Smart With Points 👉🏼 https://smartwithpoints.com/. Check out our sponsor Award Travel Finder to help with your award flight searches.Thanks to Hotel Redemptions and Award Travel Finder for sponsoring this episode!Support us - American ExpressAmerican Express BusinessCapital on Tap
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