The Upgraded Points Podcast

Airline credit cards might be more important than ever — especially after United’s recent MileagePlus changes that shift outsized benefits toward co-branded cardholders.In this episode, we break down the updates to United’s program that reward airline cardholders with perks many non-cardholders won’t get. We also dive into the broader question this raises: once flexible transferable points were king, but with moves like this, are co-branded airline cards reclaiming the top spot for frequent flyers?If you collect points or miles, this breakdown will show you how these changes could affect your strategy and where the real value might be in 2026 and beyond.Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 4800:58 Chase Adds Wyndham 02:26 Hyatt Award Chart Changes07:24 United MileagePlus Changes11:51 Worth Getting a United Credit Card?14:54 Other Airline Co-branded Cards20:33 Listener QuestionChase adds Wyndham as a new transfer partner: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-adds-transfers-wyndham-rewards/New 30% Transfer Bonus From Chase to Wyndham Rewards: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-transfer-bonus-wyndham-rewards/United makes changes that favor credit cardholders: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/united-mileageplus-program-changes-credit-cardholders/Hyatt Changes in May 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/world-of-hyatt-2026-program-changes/✈️ 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/newsletter/

Credit card rewards are shifting in 2026, and if you collect points and miles, these changes matter.In this episode, we break down the biggest credit card trends affecting travel rewards this year, including rising annual fees, tightening airport lounge access, shifting transfer ratios, and potential legislation that could impact how rewards programs operate.We explain what these changes mean for everyday travelers, how to evaluate whether your premium credit cards are still worth it, and why mid-tier cards may become more valuable than ever. If you want to maximize points and miles in 2026 without overpaying for perks you don’t use, this episode will help you build a smarter strategy.Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 4701:00 United MileagePlus Changes02:20 American Airlines Inaugural Flight to Bimini05:09 Resorts World Bimini14:08 Increasing Annual Fees15:41 Transfer Ratios are Changing17:00 New Lounges and Access Rules20:30 Mid-tier Cards23:55 Credit Card Legislation24:47 2026 Travel Credit Card Playbook25:46 Listener Question: Hotel Room Capacity in Japan6 Credit Card Trends I’m Watching in 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/credit-card-trends-2026/American Just Launched the Only Direct Flight to Bimini, Bahamas, From the U.S.: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/american-airlines-bimini-inaugural-flight/✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]

You don’t need two weeks off work to take a meaningful vacation.In this episode, we’re breaking down the best U.S. weekend trips you can book with points and miles. From beach cities to mountain escapes and walkable foodie destinations, these are short getaways that deliver serious value without draining your PTO.We’ll share specific hotel programs to look at, how many points you might need, and simple strategies to maximize a 2–3 day trip. If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time” to travel, this might be your sign to book that long weekend.Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 4601:10 Universal Orlando Mardi Gras 202602:56 Capital One Landing at LaGuardia (LGA) 06:20 Orlando, Florida08:21 Greenville, South Carolina11:24 Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Savannah, Georgia15:00 Charlotte and Chapel Hill, North Carolina17:27 New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey18:59 Burlington and Stowe, Vermont21:31 Monterey, California23:46 Anaheim, California24:48 Palm Springs/La Quinta, California27:31 Deer Valley, Utah and Seattle, Washington29:24 Chicago, Illinois30:08 Columbus, Ohio31:31 St. Louis, Missouri32:21 Listener Comment about Bilt 2.1What To Expect at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras 2026https://upgradedpoints.com/news/universal-orlando-mardi-gras-2026/First Look: New Capital One Landing at LaGuardia Airport [Is It LGA’s Best Airport Lounge?]https://upgradedpoints.com/news/capital-one-landing-new-york-lga-first-look/Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida [In-depth Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-coconut-point-resort-and-spa-review/Greenville, SC Weekend Guidehttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/greenville-sc-travel-guide/Why the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Is a Hidden Gem [2025 Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/carolina-inn-quick-review/Thompson Central Park New York [In-depth Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/thompson-central-park-new-york-review/Destination by Hyatt’s The Lodge at Spruce Peak [In-Depth Hotel Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/the-lodge-at-spruce-peak-review/Monterey Beach Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel [In-Depth Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/monterey-beach-hotel-review/Disneyland 2026 Event Calendar:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/disneyland-2026-event-calendar/Inside the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley: A Detailed Look at Park City’s Newest Resorthttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/grand-hyatt-deer-valley-review/Hyatt Regency Chicago [In-Depth Hotel Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-regency-chicago-review/Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph [In-Depth Hotel Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/le-meridien-columbus-the-joseph-review/✈️ Learn more at upgradedpoints.com📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Japan is one of the most popular destinations in the world, but traveling there with a family can feel overwhelming and expensive. In this episode, Chris breaks down his recent family trip to Japan and exactly how it was booked using points and miles.We walk through the business class flights, 5-star hotel stays, and the real itinerary across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. You’ll hear what worked well, what surprised us, and how planning ahead made a luxury-style trip possible without luxury prices.If you’ve ever wondered how families actually use points in real life, not just in theory, this episode shows what’s possible with the right strategy.Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 4501:01 New Hyatt Bonus Journeys Promo04:04 Japan Airlines Business Class 05:56 Waldorf Astoria Osaka10:04 St. Regis Osaka15:52 Getting from Osaka to Kyoto17:06 Hyatt Place Kyoto19:41 Kyoto activities22:32 Shinkansen Bullet Train to Tokyo23:32 Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea26:31 Conrad Tokyo28:00 Tokyo and Tips for Kids in Japan31:19 Park Hyatt Tokyo38:33 Delta Economy and American Airlines Premium Economy43:11 Listener Q&AHyatt Place Kyoto in Japan [In-depth Hotel Review]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hyatt-place-kyoto-review/Review of Hilton Tokyo Bay in Japan [Great Use of Hilton Aspire Resort Credit]https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/hilton-tokyo-bay-review/Behind the Hype: A Real Guest’s In-Depth Review of Conrad Tokyohttps://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/conrad-tokyo-review/✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Bilt 2.0 launched with three new credit cards and a brand-new currency called Bilt Cash, and the reaction was immediate and brutal. Even seasoned points and miles experts were confused by how the new system worked.In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the Bilt 2.0 rollout, explain how the new cards and Bilt Cash program actually function, and take a step back to look at the big picture. They cover what changed, what went wrong, what still works, and whether there are any bright spots worth paying attention to as the program evolves.If you’ve been wondering whether Bilt 2.0 is something to avoid entirely or if there’s real value hiding beneath the confusion, this episode gives you a clear, honest assessment without the hype.Chapters:00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 4401:44 New Priority Pass+ app02:48 American Airlines Barclays Cards Transitioning to Citi05:05 Bilt 2.007:11 Bilt Blue card08:26 Bilt Obsidian Card10:22 Bilt Palladium Card12:15 Bilt 2.115:39 Bilt Cash20:03 Is Bilt Still Worth It?Bilt Overhauls Credit Card Lineup: Unlimited Earnings but With Some Caveatshttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/bilt-new-credit-card-details/Bilt Responds to Backlash, Adds Second Option for Earning Rewards on Housing Payments With No Feeshttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/bilt-responds-second-earning-option/Here Are the First Details of Redemption Options for Bilt Cashhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/bilt-cash-redemption-options/I Just Got the Palladium Card: Here’s Why it Makes Sense for a Yearhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/choosing-bilt-palladium-card/✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected]