Revolutionizing Your Journey: Travel With Points & Miles

In this YouTube bonus episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre Coke shares what it’s actually like spending four days in Hong Kong as first-time visitors during a 33-day honeymoon.The episode breaks down practical arrival tips that can save travelers major headaches, including why the Airport Express is often the best option, why Hong Kong taxis still require cash, and how downloading the Octopus Tourist app makes navigating the city incredibly easy. DeAndre also explains why staying at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong helped simplify the entire experience thanks to its location and skyline views.Beyond logistics, this episode highlights what surprised them most about Hong Kong, including how clean, organized, and efficient the city feels. DeAndre shares honest reviews of major attractions like the Big Buddha cable car experience and Victoria Peak, including what’s worth your time and what can feel overrated.The episode wraps up with Hong Kong’s incredible nightlife and food scene, featuring standout experiences at Bar Leone, The Savory Project, Gokan, and Arcane. From world-class cocktails to local pineapple buns, this episode offers a realistic guide for travelers planning their first Hong Kong trip.Timestamps:(00:00) - Is Hong Kong worth the hype?(01:06) - Airport arrival and the Octopus card hack(02:34) - Staying at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong(03:39) - Day 1: Just go for a walk(06:15) - Navigating the MTR and public transit tips(07:59) - Using smart glasses as an invisible translator(10:37) - Is the Big Buddha excursion worth it?(13:04) - The truth about Victoria Peak and the Tram(16:07) - Hong Kong's world-class bar and food scene(20:39) Final takeawaysKey takeaways: Airport prep matters: Set up transportation and grab cash before leaving the airport.Octopus app is essential: It makes trains, buses, and city transportation incredibly easy.Hong Kong feels efficient: The city is cleaner, easier, and more organized than many first-timers expect.Big Buddha is worth it: The cable car ride and self-guided experience delivered one of the best excursions of the trip.Victoria Peak needs strategy: Skip long tram lines and avoid paying extra when visibility is poor.Nightlife impressed: Hong Kong’s cocktail scene delivered some of the best bar experiences of the trip.Great food exists at every budget: Luxury dining is great, but casual local spots were just as memorable.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:We Only Had 4 Days in Hong Kong. This is What We Learned (YouTube vlog)Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainPodcast LibraryBecome a BoldlyGo blog contributorBook a Free 30-minute points & miles consultationStart 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 linksCard 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

In this week’s Quick Hits, DeAndre recaps speaking at the Women in Pediatrics and Pediatric CEO conferences in Alabama, shares a major update on new podcast timestamps now being added to show notes, and gives a real world review of how Autopilot is already saving him money on hotel bookings.The biggest story of the episode revolves around a powerful Hyatt booking loophole ahead of upcoming award changes. DeAndre explains how Hyatt’s advanced booking feature allows members to lock in award stays before they have all the points in their account. What started as a Globalist strategy became even bigger news after a Discoverist member successfully pulled it off too, creating a huge opportunity for travelers trying to secure bookings before pricing increases.He also breaks down frustrations with Chase Edit credits after listeners noticed certain hotels were mysteriously unavailable when trying to use their credits, despite showing availability on other Chase cards. On top of that, DeAndre highlights a lucrative Bask Bank offer that can generate over 58,000 American Airlines miles, discusses elevated offers on the Chase Sapphire Reserve and IHG One Rewards Premier Card, and reviews current transfer bonuses worth knowing about.To close things out, DeAndre shares an update on the first-ever Boldly Go Miami meetup, including plans for a hilarious “Player 2 therapy session” for spouses and partners navigating the points and miles hobby.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro + Alabama conference recap(03:28) Locking in Hyatt stays before devaluation(06:24) Katie successfully tests the Hyatt loophole(08:33) Chase Edit credit hotel booking issue(10:38) Bask Bank bonus for American Airlines miles(12:56) Sofi Crypto Rakuten offer(13:33) Delta Clear membership changes(13:59) 150K Chase Sapphire Reserve offer(15:06) 185K IHG card offer breakdown(18:24) Miami meetup teaser updatesKey takeaways: Autopilot is already delivering real savings: DeAndre shares how Autopilot automatically repriced one of his hotel bookings and saved him over $50 without any manual work.Hyatt’s advanced booking strategy could be huge: Lock in stays before award increases hit, even without having all your points yet. A Discoverist member successfully used this strategy too.Chase Edit credit frustrations continue: Some listeners found certain hotels unavailable only when trying to use Edit credits, which raises concerns about restrictions.Bask Bank promo offers easy airline miles: Eligible users can earn roughly 58,000 American Airlines miles by parking funds in a savings account.Massive card offers are live: The Chase Sapphire Reserve hit 150K points and the IHG One Rewards Premier Card reached 185K points.Miami meetup planning is heating up: DeAndre teased major updates for the first Boldly Go meetup and some fun community activities.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainPodcast 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 linksCard 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

In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre sits down with Sam Hollander, co-founder of Autopilot, the travel tool designed to help travelers stop overpaying for flights and hotels. Sam shares how a frustrating personal travel experience led to building a platform that automatically tracks reservations and rebooks them when prices drop.They break down exactly how Autopilot works, from importing reservations through Gmail, manual entry, or email forwarding to automatically monitoring price changes behind the scenes. Sam explains how the platform works with major U.S. airlines and expanding hotel partners to help travelers save money without constantly refreshing flight prices.The conversation also dives into Autopilot’s pricing model, which only charges users when money is actually saved, making it a low risk tool for travelers. Sam also shares details on the Pro Plan, which includes award ticket tracking, upgrade alerts, and lower service fees for frequent travelers.DeAndre and Sam discuss how tools like Autopilot can completely change booking behavior by encouraging travelers to book early, secure good deals, and let automation handle future price drops. They also touch on future plans for international airline support and expanded hotel integrations.Timestamps:(00:00) Intro: Why most travelers overpay for flights(03:49) Meet Sam Hollander, co-founder of Autopilot(07:13) How Autopilot works(12:00) Autopilot pricing model explained(18:20) How does Autopilot re-booking work in backend(27:50) Autopilot in the Points & Miles space(34:07) Risks, booking protection, and avoiding errors(38:49) Real-world cases - biggest savings within the app(44:02) Final questions, future growth, and key takeawaysKey Highlights:Autopilot tracks price drops automatically: It monitors flights and hotels after booking and helps travelers save money without manual work.Booking early becomes easier: Travelers can lock in trips sooner without stressing about future price fluctuations.You only pay when you save: Autopilot takes a percentage of savings only after successfully lowering your price.Pro features add more value: Award ticket tracking and upgrade alerts make it especially useful for frequent travelers.Expansion is coming: International airlines and more hotel partnerships are likely part of Autopilot’s future growth.Resources:Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainCheck 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 linksCard 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.worldWebsite: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with Sam Hollander: X: SamHollander_Mentioned 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

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre breaks down a busy week across the points and miles world, with a strong focus on recent devaluations, shifting transfer bonuses, and new opportunities to watch.He covers Bilt’s latest Rent Day promo, highlighting reduced Avios transfer bonuses and newly introduced caps that signal a shift in strategy after previous generous offers. The episode also dives into multiple airline devaluations, including upcoming changes to Aeroplan and LifeMiles, emphasizing the importance of locking in redemptions before prices increase.On the positive side, DeAndre explores new competition in the transfer partner space, including Wells Fargo adding Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, which could shake up the ecosystem moving forward. He also outlines Hyatt’s confirmed devaluation date and what it means for award bookings and free night certificates.To close, he shares a valuable tool for travelers, Autopilot, which helps track and automatically reprice flights and hotels, along with current transfer bonuses and updates on the upcoming BoldlyGo community meetup in Miami.Key takeaways: Bilt changes direction: Lower transfer bonuses and caps signal tighter rewards moving forward.Devaluations continue: Aeroplan and LifeMiles increases make early bookings more important than ever.Hyatt deadline confirmed: Lock in bookings before May 20 to avoid higher pricing and reduced certificate value.New competition emerges: Wells Fargo adds Cathay Pacific, becoming more relevant in points strategy.Tools matter: Apps like Autopilot can help capture savings without manual tracking.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote hereResources:Get Autopilot: Never Overpay for a Flight or Hotel AgainPodcast 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 linksCard 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 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

In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, DeAndre welcomes back Chris Wallace and Katie Powers to break down their recent ski trips at Grand Hyatt Vail and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa.They take listeners inside both properties, comparing everything from booking strategies and points redemptions to ski access, room quality, dining, and overall atmosphere. With Hyatt award changes approaching, the trio also discusses why timing matters when locking in future mountain stays.The conversation highlights key differences between the two destinations, including Vail’s larger mountain experience and Beaver Creek’s more polished village feel. They also share practical tips on using Hyatt points, Amex credits, and co-branded card benefits to lower trip costs while still enjoying premium experiences.If you have been considering a ski trip with points, this episode offers a real world comparison of two standout Hyatt options and helps answer which property may be the better fit for your travel style.Key Highlights:Two great options: Grand Hyatt Vail and Park Hyatt Beaver Creek each offer strong but different ski trip experiences.Booking timing matters: Hyatt pricing changes make early bookings more valuable.Mountain vibes differ: Vail offers a larger ski area, while Beaver Creek feels more refined and relaxed.Points strategy wins: Hyatt points, Amex credits, and card perks can reduce total trip costs.Dining counts: Food quality and resort amenities can heavily shape the full ski vacation experience.Resources:Check 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 linksCard 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.worldWebsite: BoldlyGo.worldYouTube: BoldlyGoWorldYouTube: BoldlyGo.TravelsConnect with Katie Powers: Instagram: Katie PowersFacebook: Katie PowersConnect with Chris Wallace: LinkedIn: Chris WallaceFacebook: Chris WallaceMentioned 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