Best Chase Ultimate Rewards Podcasts (2025)

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How to Plan a Thailand Trip With Points and Miles 38:13

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24h ago38:13

38:13

Join Katie as she shares her unforgettable trip to Thailand and Bangkok! From visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary to exploring the bustling streets of Bangkok, she walks us through her favorite experiences, hotel stays, local tips, and travel hacks. Whether you’re planning a points-based luxury trip or just looking for adventure inspiration, thi…

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203 | 🛍️ How to Earn Maximum Points on Your Holiday Shopping to Fund Next Year's Travels 40:32

7d ago40:32

40:32

In this week's episode, I share with you all my best tips for maximizing the number of miles and points you can earn on your holiday shopping. You'll learn how to: Earn airline AND flexible points inside shopping portals How to earn points IN store How to stack points-earning How to get EXTRA discounts on top of earning points How to earn points at…

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The Ultimate End-of-Year Credit Card Checklist 28:34

8d ago28:34

28:34

Don’t let your credit card perks disappear before the clock strikes midnight on December 31! In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down the end-of-year credits, perks, and benefits you need to use before they expire — covering everything from Amex, Chase, and Capital One to Delta, Hilton, and more. Plus, they cover m…

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Is the Capital One Venture X Still Worth It? 33:45

13d ago33:45

33:45

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures I used to call the Capital One Venture X a "no brainer," but with the major changes coming in 2026, I now consider it more of a "full brainer." In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what is changing and helping you calculate if the card is still worth the $395 annual fee. I cover the solid benefits that remain …

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Our Favorite Travel Gear (Black Friday Edition) 46:00

15d ago46:00

46:00

In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down their all-time favorite travel gear—just in time for Black Friday. After years of testing backpacks, carry-ons, tech essentials, and outfit must-haves on real trips, they’re sharing only the items they truly can’t travel without. No random Amazon finds here—these picks are b…

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202 | 🛑 Stop Wasting Points & Perks: How to Do a Credit Card Audit 26:33

20d ago26:33

26:33

Forgetting travel credits, letting points expire, missing credit card bonuses—sound familiar? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing 1 simple strategy to stop leaving money on the table and start maximizing every mile and perk you already have: simplify by conducting a card audit. I'll walk you through how to decide what cards to keep, to c…

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Citi ThankYou Points: The Most Underrated Rewards Program? 27:56

22d ago27:56

27:56

Are Citi ThankYou Points the most underrated currency in travel rewards? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down why this overlooked points program might be the best-kept secret in the game. From transfer partners like American Airlines and Turkish to surprising hotel redemptions through Choice Privileges, they re…

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The Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access (2025-2026 Changes) 28:11

27d ago28:11

28:11

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Finding the "best" credit card for airport lounge access is a trick question. The real answer depends on your home airport, who you travel with, and your budget. With changes to guest policies and new cards being released, the lounge landscape is totally different in 2025. In this episode, I’ll walk you through all …

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New Citi AAdvantage Globe Card vs. The Rest — Which AA Card Wins? 35:34

29d ago35:34

35:34

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie dive into Citi’s newest addition to the American Airlines credit card lineup — the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe Card. With a $350 annual fee, Admirals Club passes, and a tempting 90,000-mile welcome bonus, this mid-tier card is already making waves. But is it truly worth a spot in your wa…

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Podcast Update: We're Back! (Season 3) 2:39

1M ago2:39

2:39

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Hey everyone, sorry for the long break! The podcast is officially starting back up, but first I'm adding some much-needed updates to the end of Seasons 1 and 2 so everything still makes sense for new listeners. For Season 3, I'm super excited to add new segments like your success stories and helping you plan trips! …

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201 | ❤️ "You Can't Recall the Memories You Never Make": Success Story With Member Dave Banks 41:31

1M ago41:31

41:31

This week I’m chatting with Families Fly Free member Dave Banks—a dad of 4 from rural Oregon—who went from “credit cards are only for emergencies” to saving $2,367 on just 2 trips using my simple system. Dave shares how he and his wife flew to the Florida Keys for as low as 5,000 points each way with the Companion Pass, why the Families Fly Free Co…

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Battle of the Premium Cards: Amex vs. Chase vs. Citi vs. Capital One 40:23

1M ago40:23

40:23

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie dive into the ultimate showdown of premium travel credit cards — Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One. With four major cards and four hefty annual fees on the table, the hosts break down which one truly delivers the most value. From point-earning potential to exclusive perks, they compar…

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Southwest is Changing - Here's What to Do! 29:10

1M ago29:10

29:10

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Southwest Airlines feels unrecognizable with all the changes in 2025 and 2026, and while new policies have lost my trust, I'm not abandoning the airline yet. Instead, I'm tweaking my strategy to adapt, and I want to help you do the same. In this episode, I'm digging into all the changes, from the new baggage and ass…

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Money-Saving Travel Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner 38:31

1M ago38:31

38:31

Traveling doesn’t have to drain your wallet… if you know the right hacks! In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down the money-saving travel strategies that actually work. From booking hotels with breakfast included to getting a free eSIM and never paying for water at the airport again, these are the tips seasoned tr…

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200 | 🕵️‍♀️ The Southwest Scoop: Boarding Shake-up, Assigned Seat Drama & Gate Quotas 26:56

2M ago26:56

26:56

Staying successful with Southwest means keeping up with nonstop change — and that’s where I come in. In this episode I break down the latest boarding scoop from the Wall Street Journal and everything else they've announced in the last few months. I discuss the simple way to avoid paid seat headaches — lost seats on changes, messy expiring credits a…

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Amex Platinum’s Hidden Gem? Leaders Club Elite Status Explained 35:53

2M ago35:53

35:53

On this week’s episode, Chris and Katie dive into one of the best-kept secrets in luxury travel: Leaders Club from Leading Hotels of the World. With the Platinum Card® from American Express now offering complimentary Leaders Club Sterling elite status, cardholders can unlock perks at more than 400 independent luxury hotels in 80 countries — from hi…

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199 |❓Your Families Fly Free & Travel Rewards Questions Answered by Members: Open House Replay 1:10:00

2M ago1:10:00

1:10:00

❓Got questions about how Families Fly Free can help your family travel to more places using miles and points BEFORE the price goes up soon? In this episode, I share a replay of a recent 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Families Fly Free Open House with 4 current members on hand to answer attendees' questions honestly and directly. We had a HUGE turnout and so many great qu…

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Chase 2025 Business Card Shake-Up: New Perks, Stricter Rules & A New Card 20:09

2M ago20:09

20:09

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures In this week's update episode, I'm breaking down all the big changes to the Chase business cards that have happened over the past year. I also cover some important new rules for getting approved for business cards and a major shift in how referrals work for the Ink cards that will require a strategy pivot for many o…

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Capital One Miles Just Got WAY More Valuable (New Partners Added!) 24:44

2M ago24:44

24:44

Capital One just made a major move in the points and miles world by adding 3 new transfer partners — Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Chris and Katie break down what this means for your travel redemptions, why now might be the perfect time to use your Capital One miles, and how these changes could make C…

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198 | 🤷‍♀️ What I’d Do Differently If I Were Starting Travel Rewards Today 42:24

2M ago42:24

42:24

If I had to start from zero with travel rewards today, here’s exactly what I’d do — and what I’d skip. Fresh off a Families Fly Free member meetup in California wine country 🍷, I’m sharing the simple, real-time strategy my Families Fly Free members use to keep flying free without juggling 20 cards or chasing outdated advice. You’ll learn why narrow…

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Amex Business Platinum Refresh: Huge New Perks & Higher Fee 28:07

2M ago28:07

28:07

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we dive into the latest updates shaking up the travel world, including the major refresh to the The Business Platinum Card from American Express. From new benefits to a bigger annual fee, we break down what these changes mean for cardholders and whether the updates make this card worth it for your bus…

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Chase Sapphire 2025 OVERHAUL: Is the $795 Reserve Card Worth It? 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! When it comes to our favorite points programs and credit cards, change is inevitable, but it doesn't have to be discouraging! In this episode, I'm breaking down all the huge updates that rolled out for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® card in the sum…

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TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR (Get the BEST for FREE) 22:23

2M ago22:23

22:23

Traveling should be smooth, not stressful. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the differences between TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry to help you decide which program is the right fit for your travel style. From skipping long security lines to breezing through customs, they’ll share the perks, drawbacks, and insider tips for each opt…

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197 | 🏨 The Truth About Booking Hotels Through Travel Portals 16:00

3M ago16:00

16:00

Booking hotels through travel portals can be a brilliant points-saver, but there are also downsides to booking this way. In this episode I break down when portals like Chase Travel and Capital One beat transferring points to Marriott, Hilton or IHG, the risks of these bookings and the simple steps I teach my Families Fly Free members to mitigate an…

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HUGE Amex Platinum Changes (New Benefits, Higher Annual Fee) 35:06

3M ago35:06

35:06

The Platinum Card® from American Express just got a massive refresh for 2025 — with new benefits, new perks, and yes, a higher annual fee. Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know, from the new and updated benefits to whether the card is still worth it after the fee increase. 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 24 01:00 Universa…

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196 | 💳 Capital One Venture X Is Ending THIS Popular Perk Soon; What You Need to Know 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Capital One Venture X is changing this popular perk that made it one of my favorite travel cards! Find out what's changing and WHEN and my strategy for what to do next... To stay on top of the lastest and ever-changing strategies in the world of travel rewards + learn my simple Fly Free Formula, join me inside of my hallmark Families Fly Free membe…

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Behind the Magic: Our Exclusive Visit to Walt Disney World 18:17

3M ago18:17

18:17

Step inside the magic with us! In this special episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie broadcast live from Walt Disney World in support of our "Magic in the Air" giveaway. They stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and sat down for exclusive interviews (inside the parks!) you won’t hear anywhere else, including Dr. Zak from Dis…

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195 | 😱 Is This the End of Travel Rewards as We Know It? 5 Things You Need to Know 41:19

3M ago41:19

41:19

Is this the end of travel rewards as we know it? 😱 Staying successful with miles and points in 2025 means keeping up with nonstop change — and that’s where I come in. In this episode I break down the biggest shifts I’m seeing right now from banks tightening approvals to pricey lounge access to Southwest’s new complexities — and offer 5 things you n…

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Alaska + Hawaiian Just Launched Atmos Rewards — Is This the Best New Airline Program? 28:18

3M ago28:18

28:18

Big news in the points and miles world… Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards. But is this truly an upgrade or just a rebrand? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down everything you need to know: redemption sweet spots, earning structures, and the highly antici…

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Southwest Changes (Assigned Seats & New Credit Card Benefits) 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

Is Southwest turning into every other airline? In this week’s episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we’re diving into major Southwest changes that some travelers are celebrating, while others aren’t too thrilled. From elite status perks to new credit card updates, Katie and Chris break down exactly what these shifts mean for your future flights a…

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194 | 🎃 Haunted USA: Fall Trips with a Spooky Twist 26:19

3M ago26:19

26:19

Ready to add a little spooky fun to your travels this fall? 🎃 In this episode of the Families Fly Free podcast, I’m joined by Heather Alexander, author of Haunted USA, to uncover eerie—and family-friendly—ghost stories from all 50 states. From haunted hotels and mysterious lighthouses to tap-dancing ghosts and legendary pirates, you’ll discover ple…

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NEW Citi Strata Elite Card: Should You Get It? 32:54

4M ago32:54

32:54

Citi just shook up the points and travel world with major updates and the launch of a brand-new travel rewards credit card. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down what these changes mean for travelers, from new partners and fresh perks to how you can maximize benefits with the latest card on the market. We’ll cover the bigges…

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Our Biggest Travel Pet Peeves (These Drive Us INSANE!) 33:42

4M ago33:42

33:42

We all love to travel—but let’s be honest, not every part of the journey is picture-perfect. From booking mishaps to seat-kicking neighbors, some moments test even the most patient travelers. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie dive into their biggest on-board and hotel pet peeves, sharing the unspoken rules (and rule-br…

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193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My! 30:06

4M ago30:06

30:06

Southwest has made a flurry of changes in 2025 — from charging for bags and introducing assigned seats to rolling out brand-new fare types and tweaking credit card perks, including increasing their annual fees. And they’ve managed to make things very complicated. But here’s the good news: I’ve cut through the clutter to get to the heart of what act…

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How to Get VIP Hotel Perks Without Elite Status 36:44

4M ago36:44

36:44

Think hotel elite perks are only for top-tier travelers? Think again. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie reveal insider tips on how to unlock elite hotel benefits—like room upgrades, late checkout, and free breakfast—even if you don’t have elite status. From smart booking strategies to credit cards that do the heavy lif…

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SLH vs Mr & Mrs Smith: What’s the Difference Between These Luxury Hotel Brands? 29:48

4M ago29:48

29:48

Big hotel brands are getting a boutique glow-up, and now your points can unlock some seriously stylish stays. In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down the key differences between Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and Mr & Mrs Smith hotels, plus how to book them with points through Hyatt and Hilton. We also cover the latest…

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192 | 🎨 Wander in Wonder: How to Better Appreciate Art on Your Travels 24:30

4M ago24:30

24:30

Ever stood in front of a famous painting and wondered, “What am I supposed to do here?” In this first episode of my new Wander in Wonder series, I dive into how to truly appreciate art — even if you don’t consider yourself an expert (I certainly don’t!). Inspired by a class I took at Notre Dame on Theology, Art and Beauty and my professor Dr. Sarah…

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Best Credit Cards With No Annual Fee (That Are Actually Worth It) 31:42

4M ago31:42

31:42

Looking for credit cards that don’t charge an annual fee but do offer real value? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie break down the best no-annual-fee cards for both personal and business use. They also cover the new TSA shoe removal rule, listener Q&A, and smart tips to help you choose the right $0 annual fee card for …

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191 | 🎮 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 2): Dark Universe, Super Mario, Berk and Food Finds 46:17

5M ago46:17

46:17

In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we’re diving deeper into Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there’s so much more to explore! After attending the Grand Opening event for media, I share my insight on the parks along with Chad's an Orlando local and "theme park junkie." This episode …

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Don’t Waste Your Points: The Biggest Mistakes Beginners Make With Redemptions 36:04

5M ago36:04

36:04

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris uncover the most common mistakes beginners make when redeeming credit card points and miles — and how to avoid them. From picking poor-value redemptions to misunderstanding sign-up bonuses and how they impact your credit score, they explain the rookie traps that can cost you big. You’l…

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190 | 🎢 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 1): Hotels, Harry Potter, Celestial Park + Line Tips 44:38

5M ago44:38

44:38

In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Pennycuff of the My DVC Points podcast to break down everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe — starting with where to stay, what to skip and how to save. I share my experiences attending the Grand Opening event for media. We also recap Chad’s incredible theme park…

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Big Amex Platinum Changes Coming in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know 24:40

5M ago24:40

24:40

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris are diving deep into the latest buzz in the world of travel and points—and there’s big news for American Express cardholders. Chris kicks things off with updates on his upcoming trip to Japan, sharing more details on his exciting itinerary. Meanwhile, Katie takes us back in time with s…

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189 | Secrets of London: A Travel Journalist’s Best Tips 44:52

5M ago44:52

44:52

Join me for an insider’s journey to London as I share my favorite travel tips, hidden gems and even a few things I wish I’d done differently. In this episode, you’ll hear how I flew to London for (almost) free, where we stayed (and why it mattered), the must-see spots I recommend and how to get around the city stress-free — all from the perspective…

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Is The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Still Worth It? 27:02

5M ago27:02

27:02

Welcome to The Upgraded Points Podcast, where hosts Katie and Chris break down everything you need to know about traveling smarter, flying better, and making the most of your credit card points. From insider airline updates to the best cards for travel perks, they’ve got your journey covered, no gate changes required. In this episode, we learn abou…

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A Week in Europe Using Points and Miles 28:59

5M ago28:59

28:59

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris kicks things off with how he cleverly redeemed credits and points—plus, he shares a wild story about flying on a plane that looks like a turtle (yes, really!). Katie dives into her recent trip to Europe, breaking down exactly how she booked it using points and sharing savvy tips to help you save…

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The Best Credit Cards For Airport Lounge Access 32:13

6M ago32:13

32:13

In this episode, Chris and Katie take you through their latest travel experiences and dive deep into the world of airport lounge access. Chris shares what it was like flying with Copa Airlines, while Katie talks about scoring an upgrade with American Airlines in Charlotte. They then explore which credit cards offer the best lounge access, why loung…

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Book These Business Class Flights with Points in 2025 18:30

6M ago18:30

18:30

In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Chris and Katie share their top business class redemptions that you can actually book with points and miles in 2025, including options on American Airlines, Qatar Qsuites, ANA, Japan Airlines, Condor, and more. Whether you're planning a dream trip to Japan or want a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic, …

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188 | How to Visit Colleges on Points — Without Blowing Your Travel Budget 24:29

6M ago24:29

24:29

College visits, auditions, move-in weekends and campus drop-offs — they’re all part of the college journey… and they can get really expensive, really fast. But what if you didn’t have to stress about the cost? In this episode, I share how I recently visited Notre Dame using points and stayed right on campus without spending a dime — plus how Club m…

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Best Award Travel Search Tools for Finding Points Deals (Flights & Hotels) 20:36

6M ago20:36

20:36

Looking for the best tools to search for award flights and hotels? In this episode of the Upgraded Points Podcast, we break down the top award flight search tools we personally use to book award travel with points and miles. From free options to paid platforms, we’ll show you what each one does best, plus share a discount for our favorite tool: Sea…

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Our Favorite Credit Card Perks (That Actually Make Travel Better) 32:02

6M ago32:02

32:02

Looking for a travel credit card with perks that actually deliver value? In this episode of The Upgraded Points Podcast, Katie and Chris break down their favorite credit card perks, from airport lounge access, travel insurance, to annual resort credits, and more. Whether you're a frequent flyer or planning a once-a-year getaway, these benefits can …