The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey
The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey

The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey

DeAndre Coke

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Episodes

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The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey is your inside pass to traveling better, farther, and more luxuriously using points, miles, and smart travel strategies. Hosted by financial advisor and world traveler DeAndre Coke alongside his wife and travel partner Taryn Gisbert, the show explores how everyday people are unlocking bucket-list experiences around the world—often for a fraction of the normal cost. Each episode features conversations with travelers, creators, families, and industry experts who share practical strategies, unforgettable stories, and the real-world systems they use to maximize travel rewards, airline miles, hotel points, elite status, and credit card perks. From flying international business class and staying in overwater villas in the Maldives to navigating family travel, destination deep dives, and hidden luxury experiences, The BoldlyGo Podcast blends inspiration with actionable advice for travelers at every level. You’ll hear stories from couples who booked five-star honeymoons almost entirely on points, families exploring the world without breaking the bank, and travelers who’ve learned how to turn everyday spending into extraordinary adventures. If you’re just getting started with points & miles or already optimizing complex award travel itineraries, this podcast helps you travel smarter, spend intentionally, and experience more of the world. Subscribe now and join a growing community of travelers learning how to travel well and live boldly.

Recent Episodes

Big Buddha Hong Kong: Tourist Trap or MUST-SEE? [YouTube Bonus]
JUN 1, 2026
Big Buddha Hong Kong: Tourist Trap or MUST-SEE? [YouTube Bonus]
In this YouTube bonus episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, we take you inside one of Hong Kong's most famous attractions to answer a simple question: Is the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping truly worth your limited vacation time?DeAndre shares his firsthand experience visiting the iconic Tian Tan Buddha during the first stop of his 33 day honeymoon through Asia and the South Pacific. Traveling solo while Taryn recovered from an ear infection, he breaks down the exact route from Hong Kong Island, how to avoid common tourist mistakes, and why booking a guided tour may be unnecessary. Along the way, he reveals a smarter way to purchase cable car tickets, explains how to navigate Hong Kong's transit system, and shares practical tips that can save travelers both time and money.Beyond the logistics, this episode explores the full experience of Ngong Ping Village, the breathtaking cable car ride over the South China Sea, climbing the famous 268 steps to the Big Buddha, and discovering the often overlooked Po Lin Monastery and Hall of 10,000 Buddhas. DeAndre also discusses how technology like Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses enhanced the experience by helping translate cultural landmarks and provide deeper context while exploring independently.Timestamps:(0:00) Is the Big Buddha a tourist trap?(1:47) Our Homebase(2:11) Why I made the excursion solo(3:53) Logistics: MTR to Ngong Ping(4:47) Smart traveler tip: Buying cable car tickets online(5:34) The Ngong Ping 360 cable car experience(7:04) Conquering the 268 steps to the Big Buddha(8:19) Views from the top(8:56) Beyond the Buddha: Exploring Po Lin Monastery(10:52) Using AI for better travel and translation(12:22) Final verdict and cost breakdownKey takeaways: Big Buddha verdict: DeAndre found the experience absolutely worth the trip and believes it lives up to its reputation as one of Hong Kong's must visit attractions.Skip the tour groups: Travelers can easily navigate to Ngong Ping using Hong Kong's MTR system and save more than $100 compared to many guided tours.Book tickets ahead of time: Purchasing cable car tickets online helps avoid long lines and can reduce overall costs.Don't skip the monastery: Po Lin Monastery and the Hall of 10,000 Buddhas ended up being some of the most memorable parts of the entire experience.Plan for a half day adventure: The full excursion can easily take five to six hours once transportation, sightseeing, and exploration are included.Use technology to enhance travel: AI powered tools and smart glasses can help translate signs, explain cultural landmarks, and add valuable context while exploring independently.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:Big Buddha Hong Kong: Tourist Trap or MUST-SEE? (Solo VLOG)4 Days in Hong Kong: A Simple First-Timer Itinerary (2026)BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre Coke: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGoTravelsMentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network
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19 MIN
Quick Hits: Hyatt Devaluation Analysis, Why You Might Want to Buy IHG Points Right Now, Emirates Changes & More!
MAY 29, 2026
Quick Hits: Hyatt Devaluation Analysis, Why You Might Want to Buy IHG Points Right Now, Emirates Changes & More!
In this week’s Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke breaks down some of the biggest developments in the world of points, miles, hotels, and travel loyalty programs. From IHG’s 100% bonus on purchased points to major updates surrounding Hyatt’s new award pricing model, this episode is packed with timely strategies and important changes travelers should know about.DeAndre shares how he and Taryn approach points and miles through the lens of financial planning, including how they incorporate loyalty strategies into their personal “money date” conversations. He also explains why buying hotel points during the right promotions can preserve valuable transferable currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards for higher value redemptions later.The episode dives deep into the latest Hyatt devaluation analysis, including why luxury travelers are feeling the biggest impact, how award pricing volatility could increase over time, and why DeAndre still believes Hyatt remains one of the strongest hotel loyalty programs despite the changes. There are also updates on Emirates award pricing increases, new transfer bonuses from Bilt, Citi, Chase, Amex, and Capital One, plus an interesting IHG promotion offering up to 300,000 bonus points for destination weddings.DeAndre also covers new no-lifetime-language Hilton Amex offers. This Kimpton secret password can unlock surprise perks this summer, and increased Chase Ink referral bonuses that could help business owners earn even more points. As always, the episode blends practical travel strategy with real-world insights to help listeners travel better while maximizing value from their points ecosystem.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro and BoldlyGoLive Miami reminder(01:12) IHG 100% bonus on purchased points explained(02:11) Financial planning meetings and points strategy(04:35) Hyatt devaluation analysis and luxury award pricing changes(06:39) Why Hyatt pricing volatility could increase over time(07:58) Bilt transfer bonus to TAP Air Portugal(10:04) IHG destination wedding promotion for bonus points(11:39) Emirates award pricing devaluation breakdown(12:43) New Hilton Amex no lifetime language offers(13:14) Kimpton secret password for summer perks(14:20) Current transfer bonuses from Citi, Chase, Amex & Capital One(15:07) Chase Ink referral bonuses increased to 40K pointsKey takeaways: IHG points strategy: DeAndre explains why he regularly buys Hilton and IHG points during 100% bonus promotions to preserve transferable currencies for premium redemptions.Hyatt devaluation analysis: Luxury Hyatt properties and all-inclusive resorts are seeing some of the steepest increases in award pricing, especially in Japan and top-tier destinations.Bilt TAP Air Portugal bonus: Bilt members can unlock significant transfer bonuses to TAP Miles&Go, potentially lowering the cost of Europe-bound business-class awards.Destination wedding opportunity: IHG is offering up to 300,000 bonus points for weddings hosted at participating luxury and lifestyle properties.Emirates award pricing changes: Emirates increased pricing for many first-class, business-class, and upgrade redemptions by roughly 10% to 15%.Chase Ink referral boost: Chase increased referral bonuses on Ink business cards to 40,000 points per referral, up to 200,000 points annually.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World Nomads.Get a travel insurance quote hereNew American Express Hilton no-lifetime language links: Aspire: 175,000 points after $6,000 spend in six months Surpass: 130,000 points after $3,000 spend in six months, $0 first year fee Honors: 100,000 points + $100 statement credit after $2,000 spend in six monthsResources:BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationPodcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre Coke: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.worldWebsite: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGoTravelsMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast
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20 MIN
How to Maximize American Express Points Like a Pro with Jason Steele (Ep. 128)
MAY 27, 2026
How to Maximize American Express Points Like a Pro with Jason Steele (Ep. 128)
In this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with points and miles expert Jason Steele for a deep dive into the world of American Express Membership Rewards. Jason shares how he turned a passion for affordable international travel into a decades-long career writing for major travel publications, becoming the first contributor at The Points Guy, and helping travelers save thousands through award travel consulting. Together, they break down the fundamentals of transferable points, airline alliances, and why Membership Rewards remain one of the most powerful currencies in travel.The conversation explores everything from beginner card strategies to advanced redemption opportunities. Jason explains why Amex is often a strong starting point for travelers focused on international trips, highlights the value of business cards, and shares his favorite ways to maximize earning rates through cards like the Amex Gold and Business Platinum. DeAndre and Jason also discuss airline partnerships, transfer sweet spots, Hyatt’s recent devaluation impact on the broader points ecosystem, and how even newcomers can unlock premium travel experiences without spending a fortune. The episode blends foundational education with advanced insights, making it a valuable resource for travelers at every level of the points and miles journey.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro to the Amex Membership Rewards masterclass(03:38) Jason Steele introduction and his travel background(07:34) Why Amex Membership Rewards are so valuable(09:11) Understanding airline alliances and transfer partners(12:43) Hyatt devaluation and the Chase vs Amex debate(16:14) Best Amex cards for beginners and everyday spending(20:38) Best Amex cards strategies for business spend(34:50) Explaining shopping portals(38:17) Best transfer partner sweet spots for business class travel(48:34) Lounge access, premium perks, and luxury travel strategies(55:15) Advanced award booking tactics and maximizing redemptions(01:03:33) Final thoughts and Jason Steele’s best advice for travelersKey Highlights:Jason Steel’s origin story: Jason shares how international family travel pushed him into the world of points and miles more than 20 years ago.Understanding transferable points: Amex Membership Rewards can unlock access to dozens of airline partners and hundreds of global routes.Why Amex stands out: Jason explains why Amex remains especially valuable for international business class travel.Beginner card strategy: The Amex Gold and Business Platinum are highlighted as strong starting points depending on spending habits.Airline alliance knowledge matters: Understanding partnerships like SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld can dramatically expand redemption options.Business cards create flexibility: Jason discusses why business cards are often overlooked and how they can help avoid restrictions like Chase 5/24.Hyatt devaluation impact: The episode explores how Hyatt’s changes may affect the overall value proposition between Chase and Amex points.Award travel consulting insights: Jason explains how personalized strategies can save travelers thousands of dollars every year.Resources:BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupNeed Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with Jason Steele: Website: jasonsteele.comMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast
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73 MIN
Quick Hits: A New Way to Earn an Extra 15,000 Chase Points per Month, Early Hyatt Reactions & More!
MAY 22, 2026
Quick Hits: A New Way to Earn an Extra 15,000 Chase Points per Month, Early Hyatt Reactions & More!
In this week’s Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke breaks down one of the biggest points and miles developments of the year: Chase quietly launching massive bonus earning opportunities through its new Paze digital wallet. The Boldly Go community quickly uncovered ways to earn up to 14x Ultimate Rewards points on United purchases and stack bonus earnings on everyday spending through merchants like Newegg and StubHub. DeAndre shares how he personally used the strategy for Instacart purchases and explains why this could become one of the most valuable short term earning opportunities in the Chase ecosystem.The episode also covers the latest Hyatt devaluation news and why the actual impact may not be as severe as many travelers feared. DeAndre walks through his own Hyatt bookings, discusses payroll by credit card rule changes affecting business owners, shares his surprise approval for the Hyatt Business Credit Card despite being over 5/24, and highlights new Chase transfer bonuses, Bilt updates, Hyatt promotions, and details about the upcoming Boldly Go Live Miami meetup.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(01:02) Chase Paze launches massive bonus opportunities(02:12) How travelers are earning up to 14x Ultimate Rewards(03:20) Newegg gift card stacking strategies explained(05:00) StubHub and Chase Paze discoveries(06:50) Hyatt devaluation reactions and real world examples(10:35) Payroll by credit card rule changes(12:05) DeAndre’s Hyatt Business Card approval story(14:10) Chase transfer bonuses and NFL international games(19:35) Boldly Go Live Miami event updatesKey takeaways: Chase Paze strategy: Travelers can now earn up to 14x Ultimate Rewards points on select purchases, including United Airlines flights.Gift card stacking opportunities: Newegg purchases created creative ways to earn bonus points on Instacart, DoorDash, and other everyday spending.Hyatt devaluation reactions: Early data suggests the changes are less aggressive than many travelers expected.Payroll by credit card changes: Some platforms may now require business cards tied directly to the business entity.Hyatt Business Card approval: DeAndre shares how he secured approval despite being over 5/24.Boldly Go Live Miami: The upcoming community event will feature live discussions, meetups, and interactive sessions for points enthusiasts.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationPodcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre Coke: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGoTravelsMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast
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24 MIN
How David Morrow Booked 7 Business Class Seats and More to Travel the World With a Large Family (Ep. 127)
MAY 20, 2026
How David Morrow Booked 7 Business Class Seats and More to Travel the World With a Large Family (Ep. 127)
In this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke sits down with David, a longtime points-and-miles enthusiast who has spent the last decade mastering family travel for a household of five. From booking business class seats for seven people on a multi generational Asia trip to navigating the realities of traveling with kids, David shares a refreshing and practical perspective on what family travel actually looks like in the world of points and miles.The conversation dives deep into the unique challenges families face when trying to book award travel. David explains why family travel requires a completely different strategy compared to solo or couples travel, especially when searching for multiple premium cabin seats on the same flights. He shares how flexibility, patience, and long term planning have helped his family visit more than 20 countries using points and miles.David also opens up about how his career in nonprofit work pushed him to discover points and miles as a way to create meaningful experiences for his family without spending a fortune. He discusses the importance of starting small, focusing on achievable wins early on, and avoiding the trap of comparing your journey to flashy luxury travel content online. From economy flights to Puerto Rico to international business class trips years later, David walks listeners through the gradual evolution of his travel strategy.Throughout the episode, listeners will learn practical strategies for booking award seats for larger families, how to think about earning points at scale, why flexibility matters more than perfection, and which airline programs have worked best for David over the years. The conversation also explores the value of exposing children to different cultures, helping kids become global citizens, and creating lifelong memories through travel experiences together.This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone trying to figure out how to make points and miles work for a family. David’s thoughtful approach proves that family travel does not need to look perfect to be unforgettable.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: Why family travel with points is a completely different game(03:17) DeAndre introduces David and the family travel focus(06:55) Biggest misconceptions about family award travel(09:19) Booking flights for five and seven people with points(11:34) Keeping the family together in the same cabin(15:36) Best airline programs for larger family award bookings(17:34) Earning enough points for premium family travel(24:20) How David planned a trip to Asia for seven people(32:58) David’s highlights from trips to Hong Kong, Singapore & Japan(39:28) Creating meaningful experiences for kids through travel(43:36) David’s family trip to Europe to visit Switzerland and Austria(47:32) Advanced strategies for finding premium cabin availability(54:07) Starting small with family travel redemptions(57:21) Final thoughts and advice on family travelKey Highlights:Family travel realities: Booking five or seven award seats requires a completely different strategy than solo travel, especially for premium cabins.Start with small wins: David explains how their first family redemption was economy flights to Puerto Rico and a Hilton Embassy Suites stay using fifth night free benefits.Flexibility matters most: Successful family award travel often requires flexibility with dates, airports, cabins, and even destinations.The trip starts on the plane: David and his wife prioritize traveling together in the same cabin so the family experience begins the moment they board.Patience pays off: Many family trips involve multiple bookings, rebookings, alerts, and adjustments before everything finally comes together.Long term strategy wins: It took years before David’s family consistently flew international business class using points and miles.Airline programs that help families: KLM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and LifeMiles have been particularly valuable for larger family bookings.Earning enough points: Everyday spending alone is rarely enough for premium family travel. Welcome bonuses and business spending are critical.Travel expands perspective: David believes international travel helps children grow, gain responsibility, and develop a broader worldview.Resources:BoldlyGo LIVE! Miami 5-7 RegistrationCheck out our Podcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo Blog contributorStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupNeed Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksGet Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.comThrifty Traveler PremiumLTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course: Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount!Connect with DeAndre & Taryn: Instagram: BoldlyGo.worldTikTok: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with David Morrow: Join the BoldlyGo Community WhatsApp group :)Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network
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67 MIN