It's been one year of The Upgraded Points Podcast, and we're celebrating with our biggest giveaway yet!

Before we get to the prizes, there's some big news to cover, including Etihad being dropped as a Membership Rewards transfer partner, and select Chase cardholders can now unlock Hyatt Explorist status for free.

Then we break down the full anniversary giveaway, including CardPointers+, Savewise Pro, the Flighty app, Roame Travel, and Hilton Honors Be My Guest certificates. We cover how to enter and how to get the most value out of every prize.

We close with a listener question on the age-old debate: luxury hotels versus budget stays, and how to think about that tradeoff with points.

If you've been listening since day one, thank you. If you're just finding us, this is a great place to start.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., age 18+. Void outside the 50 U.S./D.C. and where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:01 AM ET on 04/13/26; ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 04/20/26. Total ARV of all prizes: $2,025.40. Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Limit: one (1) entry per person. For full Official Rules, visit http://upgradedpoints.com/news/podcast-1-year-anniversary-giveaway.
Sponsor: Upgraded Points, LLC, 1155 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 53
02:11 Amex Dropping Etihad
02:45 Chase Cardholders Get Hyatt Status
04:55 Chase My Bonus Offers
07:06 Podcast Anniversary Giveaway
08:34 CardPointers+
09:22 Savewise Pro
11:40 Flighty App
12:50 Roame Travel
14:30 Hilton Honors Be My Guest Certificates
18:03 Listener question: Luxury vs. budget hotels

American Express Membership Rewards Ending Transfers to Etihad Guest in June
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/amex-membership-rewards-etihad-transfer-ending/

Best Ways to Use Hilton Free Night Certificates:
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/best-hotels-hilton-free-night-certificate/

CardPointers review:
https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/cardpointers-review/

Save 30% on CardPointers:
https://upgradedpoints.com/go/CardPointers

Savewise review:
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/savewise-review/

Save 20% on Savewise using code UP20:
http://upgradedpoints.com/go/Savewise

Flighty App:
https://flighty.com/

Roame review:
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/how-to-use-roame/

Save 15% on Roame using code UPGRADEDPOINTS
http://upgradedpoints.com/go/RoameSubscribe

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

📲 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod

📲 Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/

📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints

📲 Follow us on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints

✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter
https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

Most people think they’re using their American Express points correctly… but they’re actually losing a huge amount of value.

In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the biggest mistakes people make with Amex Membership Rewards points, including using points for gift cards, statement credits, and “pay with points” at checkout.

They explain why these options deliver poor value, and more importantly, what you should do instead to get the most out of your points.

If you want to travel better, book flights with points, or maximize your rewards, this episode will help you avoid the most common and costly mistakes.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 52
01:01 Citi Devalues 2 Transfer Partners
02:37 United Relax Row
05:23 Amex Points Pulse Email
07:32 Don’t Transfer Points Without a Plan
08:47 Ignore The Hype
10:10 Amex Offers
10:53 Tracking Benefits
12:50 AmexTravel.com
16:12 Cash-back, Statement Credits, and Gift Cards
18:55 Listener Question 1
22:22 Listener Question 2

Links from the show:
Citi Massively Reducing Points Transfer Rates to 2 Hotel Programs in April
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/citi-hotel-transfer-devaluation-2026/

United Relax Row: A Brand-New Economy Experience Coming in 2027
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/united-relax-row/

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

📲 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod

📲 Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/

📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints

📲 Follow us on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints

✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter
https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

Some of our favorite travel experiences didn’t come from flights… they came from the hotels.

In this episode, Chris and Katie share their favorite hotels they’ve ever booked with points, from luxury stays to family-friendly favorites and underrated hidden gems.

They break down exactly:
- Why each hotel stood out
- How many points it cost
- What it would have cost in cash
- How you can book the same stays using points

If you’ve ever wondered whether luxury hotels are actually worth it with points, or how to get real value from your rewards, this episode will give you a clear roadmap.

Whether you’re planning a big trip or just getting started with points and miles, these real-world redemptions will show you exactly how it's done.

Hosts: ‪Chris Hassan & Katie Corrigan Seemann

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 51
01:00 Chase Freedom Unlimited® Bonus
02:12 Capital One Travel Mobile App
04:27 Hotel du Louvre
07:00 Conrad Orlando at Evermore
09:41 Andaz Amsterdam
12:20 Waldorf Astoria Osaka
15:27 Kimpton Seafire
19:12 Hyatt Regency Maui
22:31 Le Meridien Maldives
26:55 Park Hyatt Tokyo
28:56 Listener question: Chase WHOOP benefit

Chase Freedom Unlimited Now Boasts Elevated $250 Welcome Offer
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-freedom-unlimited-250-sign-up-bonus/

Capital One Travel Launches Standalone Mobile App — and It’s Worth a Download
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/capital-one-travel-app-launches/

Hotel du Louvre Review
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hotel-du-louvre-best-paris-hyatt/

Inside Conrad Orlando: A Comprehensive Review of the Luxury Hotel
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/conrad-orlando-review

Andaz Amsterdam Review
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/andaz-amsterdam-prinsengracht-review/

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa [In-depth Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-maui-resort-spa-review/

4 Things I Didn’t Like About the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-maui-resort-spa-review/

Le Meridien Maldives Review
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/le-meridien-maldives-resort-and-spa-review/

Kimpton Seafire Review
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/kimpton-seafire-resort-spa-in-grand-cayman-review/

5 Things You Need To Know About the Newly Renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo [Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/park-hyatt-tokyo-review/

✈️ Learn more at UpgradedPoints.com

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

📲 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod

📲 Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/

📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints

📲 Follow us on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints

✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter
https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

Did you know you can book all-inclusive resorts with hotel points?

Many travelers assume these resorts must be paid for with cash, but major hotel loyalty programs now offer all-inclusive properties that can be booked with points.

In this episode, Chris and Katie explain how to use Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and more points to book all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond. They cover how award pricing works, which resorts are the best values, and how to maximize your points for an all-inclusive vacation.

Whether you’re planning a couples getaway, a family beach vacation, or a luxury resort stay, this guide will help you understand how to use points for an all-inclusive experience.

00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 50 🎉
00:58 Marriott Improves Top-off Limits
02:04 Citi Ends Points Sharing
03:10 Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa in Mexico
10:20 All-inclusive Resorts Evolving
12:04 Hyatt All-inclusive Resorts
13:57 Marriott All-inclusive Resorts
14:43 IHG All-inclusive Resorts
15:48 Hilton All-inclusive Resorts
17:09 Wyndham All-inclusive Resorts
18:00 Choice All-inclusive Resorts
18:32 Preferred Hotels All-inclusive Resorts
18:54 Accor All-inclusive Resorts
20:05 Tips for Booking All-inclusive Vacations
23:30 Reader question

Tips for All-Inclusive Vacations: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/all-inclusive-tips/

Should you book all-inclusive resorts through The Edit by Chase? https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-edit-all-inclusives/

Marriott Bonvoy Raises Free Night Award Top-Off Limit to 25,000 Points: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/marriott-bonvoy-free-night-award-top-off-increase/

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

Most points and miles content focuses on huge balances and luxury redemptions. But what should you do when you only have a few thousand points sitting in an account?

In this episode, Chris and Katie break down smart ways to use small amounts of points and miles so they don’t go to waste. Whether you have leftover airline miles after booking a trip or random points scattered across multiple accounts, there are plenty of ways to still get real value.

You’ll learn how to use small balances to top off award flights, book short hotel stays, upgrade seats, combine points with family members, and prevent your rewards from expiring.

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with those last few points sitting in your account, this episode will help you turn them into something useful.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 49
01:00 Sidecar by Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas
02:09 How to Combine Small Amounts of Points?
03:30 Pooling Points and Miles
07:27 Cash + Points Bookings
11:07 Cheap Hotel and Airline Rates
12:11 Donate Points and Miles
13:36 Top Off Your Account with Transferable Points
14:59 How to Use Small Amounts of Chase points
17:13 How to Use Small Amounts of American Express points
19:33 How to Use Small Amounts of Citi points
21:50 How to Use Small Amounts of Capital One miles
23:34 Listener Question

⚠️ ANNOUNCED AFTER RECORDING ⚠️ Citi To End Points Sharing Feature Next Month — What It Means for You:
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/citi-points-sharing-end-2026/

New Sidecar by Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/amex-sidecar-lounge-las-first-look/

How to redeem small amounts of points and miles: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/redeem-small-amount-points-miles/

Hotels and Airlines that let you pool points for free: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines-hotels-pool-points-miles/

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

Airline credit cards might be more important than ever — especially after United’s recent MileagePlus changes that shift outsized benefits toward co-branded cardholders.

In this episode, we break down the updates to United’s program that reward airline cardholders with perks many non-cardholders won’t get. We also dive into the broader question this raises: once flexible transferable points were king, but with moves like this, are co-branded airline cards reclaiming the top spot for frequent flyers?

If you collect points or miles, this breakdown will show you how these changes could affect your strategy and where the real value might be in 2026 and beyond.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 48
00:58 Chase Adds Wyndham
02:26 Hyatt Award Chart Changes
07:24 United MileagePlus Changes
11:51 Worth Getting a United Credit Card?
14:54 Other Airline Co-branded Cards
20:33 Listener Question

Chase adds Wyndham as a new transfer partner: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-adds-transfers-wyndham-rewards/

New 30% Transfer Bonus From Chase to Wyndham Rewards: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-transfer-bonus-wyndham-rewards/

United makes changes that favor credit cardholders: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/united-mileageplus-program-changes-credit-cardholders/

Hyatt Changes in May 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/world-of-hyatt-2026-program-changes/

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

📲 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod

📲 Follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/

📲 Follow us on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints

📲 Follow us on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints

✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter
https://upgradedpoints.com/newsletter/

Credit card rewards are shifting in 2026, and if you collect points and miles, these changes matter.

In this episode, we break down the biggest credit card trends affecting travel rewards this year, including rising annual fees, tightening airport lounge access, shifting transfer ratios, and potential legislation that could impact how rewards programs operate.

We explain what these changes mean for everyday travelers, how to evaluate whether your premium credit cards are still worth it, and why mid-tier cards may become more valuable than ever.

If you want to maximize points and miles in 2026 without overpaying for perks you don’t use, this episode will help you build a smarter strategy.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 47
01:00 United MileagePlus Changes
02:20 American Airlines Inaugural Flight to Bimini
05:09 Resorts World Bimini
14:08 Increasing Annual Fees
15:41 Transfer Ratios are Changing
17:00 New Lounges and Access Rules
20:30 Mid-tier Cards
23:55 Credit Card Legislation
24:47 2026 Travel Credit Card Playbook
25:46 Listener Question: Hotel Room Capacity in Japan

6 Credit Card Trends I’m Watching in 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/credit-card-trends-2026/

American Just Launched the Only Direct Flight to Bimini, Bahamas, From the U.S.: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/american-airlines-bimini-inaugural-flight/

✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com

You don’t need two weeks off work to take a meaningful vacation.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the best U.S. weekend trips you can book with points and miles. From beach cities to mountain escapes and walkable foodie destinations, these are short getaways that deliver serious value without draining your PTO.

We’ll share specific hotel programs to look at, how many points you might need, and simple strategies to maximize a 2–3 day trip. If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to travel, this might be your sign to book that long weekend.

Chapters:
00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 46
01:10 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 2026
02:56 Capital One Landing at LaGuardia (LGA)
06:20 Orlando, Florida
08:21 Greenville, South Carolina
11:24 Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Savannah, Georgia
15:00 Charlotte and Chapel Hill, North Carolina
17:27 New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey
18:59 Burlington and Stowe, Vermont
21:31 Monterey, California
23:46 Anaheim, California
24:48 Palm Springs/La Quinta, California
27:31 Deer Valley, Utah and Seattle, Washington
29:24 Chicago, Illinois
30:08 Columbus, Ohio
31:31 St. Louis, Missouri
32:21 Listener Comment about Bilt 2.1

What To Expect at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2026
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/universal-orlando-mardi-gras-2026/

First Look: New Capital One Landing at LaGuardia Airport [Is It LGA’s Best Airport Lounge?]
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/capital-one-landing-new-york-lga-first-look/

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida [In-depth Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-coconut-point-resort-and-spa-review/

Greenville, SC Weekend Guide
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/greenville-sc-travel-guide/

Why the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Is a Hidden Gem [2025 Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/carolina-inn-quick-review/

Thompson Central Park New York [In-depth Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/thompson-central-park-new-york-review/

Destination by Hyatt’s The Lodge at Spruce Peak [In-Depth Hotel Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/the-lodge-at-spruce-peak-review/

Monterey Beach Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel [In-Depth Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/monterey-beach-hotel-review/

Disneyland 2026 Event Calendar:
https://upgradedpoints.com/news/disneyland-2026-event-calendar/

Inside the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley: A Detailed Look at Park City’s Newest Resort
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/grand-hyatt-deer-valley-review/

Hyatt Regency Chicago [In-Depth Hotel Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-chicago-review/

Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph [In-Depth Hotel Review]
https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/le-meridien-columbus-the-joseph-review/

✈️ Learn more at upgradedpoints.com

📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com