The Upgraded Points Podcast

The major hotel programs keep making it harder to get good value from your points. So we're looking elsewhere. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down three programs that don't get nearly enough attention: Accor Live Limitless, I Prefer by Preferred Hotels, and Choice Privileges.We cover the best transfer partners for each, which flexible currencies stretch the furthest, and the specific bucket-list stays worth planning around, including an ice hotel in Sweden bookable for 20,000 points a night.If you've got a stash of Citi ThankYou Points or Capital One miles, this one's for you!Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 5401:02 Airline Bag Fees02:58 Roame Discount Code 04:31 Lesser-Known Hotel Programs 05:37 Accor ALL Live Limitless10:40 Choice Privileges13:05 Preferred Hotels16:09 Your New Travel Strategy18:20 Listener Question: Chasing Hyatt Globalist Status3 Lesser-Known Hotel Programs I’m Eyeing After Hyatt’s Recent Changes: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/leaving-hyatt-lesser-known-hotel-programs/Review of ICEHOTEL in Sweden: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/icehotel-review/Review of Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/things-to-know-fairmont-le-chateau-frontenac/The 10 Best Preferred Hotels & Resorts To Book With Points for Max Value https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/best-preferred-hotels-resorts/Delta Becomes Latest Airline To Raise Checked Bag Fees — Starting on April 8 https://upgradedpoints.com/news/delta-raising-checked-bag-fees-2026/Save 25% on a Roame subscription with code UP25:http://upgradedpoints.com/go/RoameSubscribe✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]📲 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 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

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 78704Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 5302:11 Amex Dropping Etihad02:45 Chase Cardholders Get Hyatt Status04:55 Chase My Bonus Offers07:06 Podcast Anniversary Giveaway08:34 CardPointers+09:22 Savewise Pro11:40 Flighty App12:50 Roame Travel14:30 Hilton Honors Be My Guest Certificates18:03 Listener question: Luxury vs. budget hotelsAmerican Express Membership Rewards Ending Transfers to Etihad Guest in Junehttps://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/CardPointersSavewise review: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/savewise-review/Save 20% on Savewise using code UP20:http://upgradedpoints.com/go/SavewiseFlighty App: https://flighty.com/Roame review: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/how-to-use-roame/Save 15% on Roame using code UPGRADEDPOINTShttp://upgradedpoints.com/go/RoameSubscribe✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]📲 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 TikTokhttps://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 5201:01 Citi Devalues 2 Transfer Partners02:37 United Relax Row05:23 Amex Points Pulse Email 07:32 Don’t Transfer Points Without a Plan08:47 Ignore The Hype10:10 Amex Offers10:53 Tracking Benefits12:50 AmexTravel.com16:12 Cash-back, Statement Credits, and Gift Cards18:55 Listener Question 122:22 Listener Question 2Links from the show:Citi Massively Reducing Points Transfer Rates to 2 Hotel Programs in Aprilhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/citi-hotel-transfer-devaluation-2026/United Relax Row: A Brand-New Economy Experience Coming in 2027https://upgradedpoints.com/news/united-relax-row/✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]📲 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 TikTokhttps://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 pointsIf 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 5101:00 Chase Freedom Unlimited® Bonus02:12 Capital One Travel Mobile App04:27 Hotel du Louvre 07:00 Conrad Orlando at Evermore09:41 Andaz Amsterdam12:20 Waldorf Astoria Osaka15:27 Kimpton Seafire19:12 Hyatt Regency Maui22:31 Le Meridien Maldives26:55 Park Hyatt Tokyo28:56 Listener question: Chase WHOOP benefitChase Freedom Unlimited Now Boasts Elevated $250 Welcome Offerhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-freedom-unlimited-250-sign-up-bonus/Capital One Travel Launches Standalone Mobile App — and It’s Worth a Downloadhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/capital-one-travel-app-launches/Hotel du Louvre Reviewhttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hotel-du-louvre-best-paris-hyatt/Inside Conrad Orlando: A Comprehensive Review of the Luxury Hotelhttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/conrad-orlando-reviewAndaz Amsterdam Reviewhttps://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 Spahttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-maui-resort-spa-review/Le Meridien Maldives Reviewhttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/le-meridien-maldives-resort-and-spa-review/Kimpton Seafire Reviewhttps://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 [email protected]📲 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 TikTokhttps://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 Limits02:04 Citi Ends Points Sharing 03:10 Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa in Mexico10:20 All-inclusive Resorts Evolving 12:04 Hyatt All-inclusive Resorts13:57 Marriott All-inclusive Resorts14:43 IHG All-inclusive Resorts15:48 Hilton All-inclusive Resorts17:09 Wyndham All-inclusive Resorts18:00 Choice All-inclusive Resorts18:32 Preferred Hotels All-inclusive Resorts18:54 Accor All-inclusive Resorts20:05 Tips for Booking All-inclusive Vacations23:30 Reader questionTips 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 [email protected]