Ever wondered what happens when you take a wild chance on a points and miles booking? In this fun, story-packed episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis share the most unexpected wins they’ve had using miles — including last-minute upgrades, miracle customer service saves, and zero-cost first class flights that shouldn't have worked, but did.

From how Travis saved his honeymoon with one phone call to the Emirates upgrade trick Bryce used for his entire family, you'll be shocked at these successes. Plus, you'll hear how Emily's flexibility and mid-trip rebooking paid off!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this episode proves that sometimes the best redemptions are the ones you didn’t plan.

In this episode:

00:00 Intro & Weekend Recaps

04:00 Why This Episode Is Different

05:00 Travis Saves His Honeymoon with One Bold Ask

23:00 Emily’s Mid-Trip Award Rebooking Win

30:00 Bryce Upgrades His Whole Family to First Class

38:00 The Virgin Atlantic Award Space “Magic Trick”

43:00 What Makes a Redemption Truly Surprising

48:00 Tips to Engineer Your Own Points Surprises

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

How To Book Premium Economy Flights with Points and Miles

Best Award Search Tools

When Buying Miles Makes Sense (And Doesn’t)

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Join our Community: 10xTravel Insiders

Follow us on Instagram: @10xTravelblog

Wa...

• Ashley (Matt’s wife), who’s gone from extreme couponing to lay-flat luxury
• Miryea (Travis’s wife), whose Maldives honeymoon kickstarted a travel-filled decade
• Michael (Emily’s husband), who's more than happy to go where the points and miles take them
• Alexandra (Bryce’s wife), who might not love flying, but who loves the travel perks

Welcome to the ultimate destination face-off for award travelers: Italy vs. Japan. In this episode, the 10xTravel team compares two of the most sought-after dream trips in the points and miles world. From premium flight redemptions and train travel to luxury hotels and authentic food experiences, which destination gives you more value?

Join Bryce, Travis, Emily, and Matt as they pit ravioli against ramen, bullet trains against cobblestone streets, and Park Hyatts against Amalfi coast villas. No fence-sitting allowed: in the end, you'll hear each team member casts their vote on which destination reigns supreme for 2025 points & miles travel.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction and Host Greetings

01:32 Episode Overview: Italy vs. Japan

02:20 Listener Engagement and Points & Miles Basics

03:09 Travel Predictions and Membership Program

03:55 Italy vs. Japan: Flights and Award Redemptions

12:02 Personal Experiences and Flight Options

28:02 In-Country Travel: Italy vs. Japan

36:10 Debating Train Travel in Japan vs. Italy

37:14 The Convenience of Public Transit

37:50 Overnight Ferries and Transportation Experiences

40:49 Comparing Hotel Options in Japan and Italy

41:52 Booking High-End Properties with Points

43:16 Challenges of Booking in Italy

44:32 The Value of Authentic Experiences

47:53 Skiing and Unique Stays in Japan

50:55 Experience Value: Italy vs. Japan

01:00:57 Final Verdict: Italy or Japan?

01:08:32 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts