The Upgraded Points Podcast

Wells Fargo just added two significant transfer partners in less than two weeks, and it's time to take this program seriously.Wyndham Rewards now transfers at a 1:2 ratio, the best available anywhere, and Cathay Pacific just joined at 1:1, opening up Oneworld partner bookings, including American Airlines and British Airways.In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the full Wells Fargo transfer partner lineup, the two Autograph cards that have quietly been worth a second look, and exactly how Wells Fargo fits into a broader points strategy. Plus, Hyatt's annual award category changes are out, with 24 properties shifting down and 112 moving up on May 20. If you have a booking or a free night certificate in play, you need to hear this first.(00:00) - The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 57 (01:13) - Amex Gold Updates (03:46) - Hyatt Category changes (07:46) - Is Wells Fargo Worth Getting Excited About? (08:41) - Wells Fargo Transfer Partners (09:29) - Wells Fargo to Wyndham Rewards (12:40) - Wells Fargo to Cathay Pacific (14:44) - Wells Fargo Credit Cards (18:37) - Does Wells Fargo Fit In Your Points Strategy? (23:30) - Listener Question: Can I Still Enter the Disney giveaway? Wells Fargo adds Wyndham as a Transfer Partner: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/wells-fargo-adds-wyndham-as-new-transfer-partner/Wells Fargo Adds Cathay Pacific as a Transfer Partner:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/wells-fargo-cathay-pacific-transfer-partner/Wells Fargo Rewards Program Overview:https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/wells-fargo-rewards-review/Walt Disney World Resort Giveaway:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/win-trip-disney-world-summer-2026/ Amex Gold New Benefits:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/amex-gold-card-new-benefits-2026/Amex Hotel Collection Deals:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/amex-third-night-free-hotel-promo/Hyatt Award Category Changes 2026:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/world-of-hyatt-category-changes-2026/✈️ 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/

We're back at Walt Disney World, and we brought a giveaway! ✨Chris and Katie cover the full details on the Ultimate Summer of Magic Sweepstakes. One lucky winner and three guests will receive a trip to Walt Disney World, including airfare, hotel, park tickets, a $300 Disney Gift Card, and more. Plus, 10 first prize winners will each receive a $50 Disney Gift Card. Enter for your chance to win here: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/win-trip-disney-world-summer-2026/Then we sit down with two Walt Disney World experts on-site. Eastan Kidd walks us through everything new and refreshed at the parks this summer, from Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away to the brand new Millennium Falcon mission with Mando and Grogu. JoAnna Lou, a planDisney panelist, breaks down how to actually plan the perfect Disney trip, resort options, digital tools, and the mistakes most first-timers make.If you're planning a Disney trip this summer, this episode has everything you need!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 05/04/26; ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 05/26/26. Total ARV of all prizes: $8,417.76. Odds of winning will depend upon the total number of eligible entries received. Limit: One (1) Entry per person. For full Official Rules, visit https://upgradedpoints.com/news/win-trip-disney-world-summer-2026/. Sponsor: Upgraded Points, LLC, 1155 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78704.Chapters:(00:00) - The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 56 (01:30) - Walt Disney World Giveaway (02:15) - Our Disney Highlights (06:16) - Summer 2026 at Walt Disney World (07:57) - Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run (08:55) - Guardians of the Galaxy vs. Tron (09:50) - Waterparks at Walt Disney World (10:50) - Disney After Hours (13:07) - Difference Between Disney Parks (14:24) - Disney Resorts Collection (16:50) - MyDisneyExperience app (18:20) - planDisney (20:24) - How To Save On Your Walt Disney World Vacation May the Fourth at Disney World: What To Expect on Star Wars Dayhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/visiting-disney-world-may-the-fourth/Walt Disney World Launches $109 Ticket Offer for ‘Cool Kids’ Summer’https://upgradedpoints.com/news/walt-disney-world-cool-kids-summer-2026/Disney World Launches Discounted Afternoon-Only Tickets for Summerhttps://upgradedpoints.com/news/disney-world-afternoon-tickets/Disney® Inspire Visa® Card: Full Reviewhttps://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/disney-inspire-visa-card/✈️ 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/

Welcome bonuses are great, but they're not the whole game. Sometimes you've already got the cards, you've already earned the bonuses, and you still have a big purchase sitting in front of you. So what do you do?In this episode, Chris and Katie break down the spend thresholds and milestone rewards hiding inside cards you probably already have. We're talking free night certificates, elite status, companion passes, and lounge upgrades, all unlocked by hitting the right number on the right card.Katie shares how she actually handled a big tax payment this year, what she'd do differently, and why she's eyeing the Hilton Surpass for next year. Chris makes the case for retention offers, strategic gift card buying, and chasing milestones over points.Sometimes the best move is the card already in your wallet.If you've got a big purchase coming and don't want to open another card, this one's for you.(00:00) - The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 55 (01:18) - First All-Inclusive Park Hyatt (02:56) - Big Spend Bonuses (04:04) - World of Hyatt Bonuses (05:00) - Hilton Honors Bonuses (06:12) - IHG One Rewards Bonuses (07:38) - Marriott Bonvoy Bonuses (09:43) - American Airlines AAdvantage Bonuses (11:43) - Alaska Airlines Atmos Bonuses (12:45) - Chase Sapphire Reserve and Reserve for Business Bonuses (13:31) - Capital One Venture X Bonus (14:08) - Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum Card Bonus (14:47) - Katie’s Tax Payment (19:02) - Retention Offers (23:06) - Listener Question About Hotels in Japan First Park Hyatt All-Inclusive Resort Will Open in 2027:https://upgradedpoints.com/news/park-hyatt-riviera-maya/Best Credit Cards for High Spend and Big Purchases:https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/best-credit-cards-for-high-spend-and-large-purchases/Best Hotel Credit Cards for Free Night Certificates:https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/best-hotel-credit-cards-for-free-night-certificate/How To Get Retention Offers:https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/credit-card-retention-offers/✈️ 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/

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!⚠️ The transfer rate from Citi to Choice changed to 1:1.5 on April 19, 2026.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/