Churn and Burn

Branden and his friend Dyllon join the pod to discuss how they took advantage of the infamous Calala Island Wire Transfer deal with some Hilton Free Night Certs. Me and Branden discuss what we'd want to see in a new Hyatt Premium card from Chase and where we think the program is headed after the recent deval.

Riley and I discuss the state of the MS union and many other Churn and Burn related topics in one of my most "hot take" packed episodes yet. If you're a fan of churning blogs that cut the fat and get to the point without all the ads and referral links, like Miles Earn and Burn, you're really missing out if you don't follow Rileys blog:

https://chasingcetaceans.com/

Paul gives Churn and Burn its first ever New Zealand trip report, and we discuss recent (and potential) airline mergers abound.

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Thomas rejoins the show to give his full review of the Park Hyatt Niseko from a skiers perspective. We debate the grail status of JAL First and Business class as industry leading products. We also discuss the recent trend of US Airlines shifting their award programs to become more credit card focused and what the future landscape looks like after united revamped their credit card and award program in that same vein.

I'm joined by Branden and Brian, who have returned from an absolutely amazing trip to Kurdistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan and finally Kyrgyzstan. This is one guest trip you CANNOT miss.

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On this episode, I lay out my 2026 plan to erase 100% of the fees attached to Disney World annual passes, included all hotel, flight, and even rental car costs. I also give a short "state of the podcast" explaining why I rarely discuss anything outside of award travel and what I think is the role of the average churning podcast after everything that transpired last year.

https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast

I interview Justin about the 8 comped cruises he took in 2025 and how people can try to replicate what he did for themselves. We also play a game of "Roast it or Toast it" with the new Bilt card rollout, and Justin tries to convince me to go on the Dave Ramsey Cruise in 2026. Will I take my first "baby steps" into Dave's open arms, or will I turn heel and run into a portal straight to hell?!

We revisit the absolute quagmire that was 2025 in points and miles and share our hopes and predictions for 2026. We also hear from several of last year's guests about what they see on the horizon next year.

I do a deep dive into the "iprefer" hotel program and why I think it's an underrated destination for Citi TYP transfers over cashing out or American Airlines. Sometimes the value is sitting right under your nose! I also review the Haven Riviera Cancun All Inclusive resort and explain why I've ditched Hyatt All Inclusives in favor of going back.

Susan and I play a spooky game of Guess The Deval, where we place our bets on Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and IHG and what some of these hotels used to cost 10 years ago versus today.  Which programs have had a visit from the points reaper and which ones are more treat than trick after 10 years of slow devaluations??? We find out together.  The answers may surprise and scare you!

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Danielle explains how she got to Paris for the 2024 Olympics in Air France Business class, along with a couple of A list celebs. She also reviews the elusive American Airlines Flagship First seat and the AA Chelsea Lounge at JFK!

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Rambi joins me to discuss some of his favorite luxury Hilton properties and even a few Park Hyatts. Rambi has visited many of the most sought after Waldorfs and Conrads on earth....and he has hot takes about all of them.

Follow Rambi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelhackeruniversity/

Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

It's a "points potpourri" when me and Branden run through a gauntlet of various topics, including some underrated Citi partners and a Hilton "guess the devaluation" game where Branden has to guess how much those Hilton Pesos have plummeted after 10 years.

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We're joined again by Paul, who just came back from the most luxurious itinerary ever attempted on the pod. He not only gives us full reviews of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar first class, but he reviews countless lounges in all of their various hub airports. Join us as we finally answer the age old question: "Just how many times CAN you shower on a plane in one week?!"

Find Paul: https://emptynestermiles.com

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Matt reviews Emirates First class, The Grand Hyatt Athens, Waldorf Astoria Rome, and Il Tournabuoni in Florence. He also details how he saved his flight home from becoming nearly disastrous after another classic Air France worker's strike. We start the episode off by reminiscing about deals gone by that we wish we had hit harder, faster, better, stronger.Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

I kick off my solo trip review with Singapore 777 first class and the Conrad Tokyo. Also, a bonus review of the Huntington Beach Hyatt Regency!Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

Thomas joins the show to give his OWN take on Japan airlines First class and Singapore First class as well as give his full reviews of the Park Hyatt Kyoto, Hyatt Place Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt House Shibuya, Caption Osaka, and Andaz Tokyo. Any Hyatt Hoarder planning a Japan trip can't miss this one.

We kick off a month of Japan trips with Justin from Award Travel 101, who details his spectacular trip for three to Tokyo, including: Japan Airlines First and business class, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and Andaz Tokyo!

When my plans to spend five nights at the South Bank SLH in Turks and Caicos fell apart within minutes, some quick thinking and creative reward redemptions saved me from near catastrophe.

Julian discusses some of the most unknown and underrated award tools you've never heard of like: gondola.ai, MaxFHR.com, and suiteness.com. He also discusses his own tool, Pointspath, which is a unique way to see award space while searching around on Google Flights: pointspath.com

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

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Justin recaps his grand tour of several high end Hyatt all inclusive resorts and we rank them in order from best to worst. We also discuss strategies for leveraging Globalist status at a Hyatt All Inclusive where benefits can be elusive!

Paul compares the older but still amazing Cathay First Class to the alleged "world's best business class" seats on Qatar. We also get an in depth review of the Andaz Bali, SLH Viceroy Bali, and the Alila Uluwatu.

Andy tackles the second half of his insane ANA round the world ticket for 4, with Sri Lanka, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

It's a crazy award trip so packed full of fun, we couldn't just fit it into 1 episode. Andy joins the pod to detail his ANA round the world ticket (FOR FOUR PEOPLE) to Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and South Korea! This is the first half of the trip, and surely won't disappoint.

Kristen tackles a ton of mega redemptions:

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

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Hey everybody! I'll be speaking on February 22nd at the PointsQuest meetup sponsored by Point Me to NY! Please use the link below to get your tickets and let me know if you'll be coming!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pointmetony/1534314
If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

I'm joined by several Churn and Burn guests to wrap up our 2024 Award Travel wins and losses, as well as make all of our wishes for the 2025 Points and Miles outlook.

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

I give a quick review of my five night stay at the Waldorf Orlando and give a few dining recommendations around Disney World.

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

In my first crossover episode, I interview Justin about his origins in Points and Miles and get some of his thoughts on the hobby as a whole. Then, we dive into various methods for draining our pesky Amex Business Platinum Dell Credits. Whether you want to buy some useless (ish) junk, or actually liquidate those credits for cash back, we've got you covered!

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below:

https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Okay, not live. But it was supposed to be! Branden reviews the highly sought after Hilton SLH resort in Calala Island and we discuss the highly controversial topic: "is it ever okay to leave P2 in a lesser aircraft cabin???"

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below:

https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

I give my thoughts on the newly renovated Grand Hyatt in Washington, the White House and Capital building tours and how to book them, and the newly opened DCA Airport Centurion Lounge!

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below:

https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

A quick hit episode this week where I give a thorough review of the park Hyatt Toronto and discuss the state of lounges in the ATL International Airport.

If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below:

https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Brendan joins the show to recap his trip to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Panama City using mostly FHR bookings. You don't need thousands of hotel points to succeed in this space! We also get his thoughts on LATAM business class and Copa airlines.

Paul returns to explain how he avoided a Cruel Summer by sending his family on two incredible trips to Europe to see Taylor Swift without paying the jaw dropping domestic prices that have made even the most devoted Swifties cringe.

Larry triumphantly returns to give his brutally honest take on Swiss First Class and how he booked a legendary unicorn award. He also reviews the Park Hyatt Zurich and shares his return flight woes with having to "settle" for Singapore Airlines Business class.

I review the "new" Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh, Jet Blue Mint Suites, Virgin Upper Class on the A330, and the "also new" Manhattan Hotel now owned by Marriott.

Featured in this trip report: The Sheraton Salzburg, Andaz Hyatt Munich, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge LHR, and British Airways First Class.

Susan joins the show to detail a multi-destination Safari in Africa including: Emirates First Class, JW Marriott Masai Mara, and the infamous Giraffe Manor! Also: Mango House in The Seychelles!

Matt once again joins the show to tell us about his lightning speed trip with five total people to a variety of locations, including: Canterbury, Inverness, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Edinburg, St. Andrews and Bath.

Find me on Instagram:

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Larry guests on the pod to review some extreme bucket list properties, including the Ritz Carlton Reserve Mandapa, the Hilton LXR Umana, the Park Hyatt Kyoto, and Ritz Carlton Kyoto. We also discuss the Japan Airlines First class experience and booking challenges,