The Upgraded Points Podcast

Most people pack their carry-on the same way every trip and wonder why they always run out of space. In this episode, Chris and Katie share the hacks that actually make a difference, from why packing cubes might be hurting you in your roller bag to how coordinating colors before you pack changes everything. They cover roller bag strategy, personal item essentials, what to always have accessible on the plane, and the exact bags they are currently traveling with after years of heavy use. Plus, the new Chase Freedom Flex 5% categories are live for the quarter, and Katie stacks three Hilton card credits on a Conrad Las Vegas stay. Chapters: 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 78 01:12 New Freedom Flex Card 5% categories 02:23 Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World 06:46 Carry-on roller bags 07:17 Packing cubes vs. packing flat 10:56 Travel toiletry bags 12:17 Packing for a winter trip 14:47 Headphones hack 16:16 Charging cords pouch 18:18 The carry-on gear we actually use New Chase Freedom Flex 5%-7% Bonus Categories [Q4: October to December] https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-freedom-5x-categories/ Conrad Las Vegas Review: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/conrad-las-vegas-review/ Monos Carry-On Pro & Monos Checked-In Medium Luggage Review https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/monos-luggage-review/ Creators & Guests Katie Corrigan Seemann - Host Christopher Hassan - Host ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected] 📲 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast/id1807133164 📲 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61t4AF7hQiW4hh5eNcwqrZ 📲 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ 📲 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints 📲 Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints ✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

A lot just happened in the points and miles world. Citi added JAL Mileage Bank as a transfer partner with a 30% bonus through October 24, and it changes the math on how to use ThankYou Points for Japan and Oneworld bookings. Hyatt officially ended its American Airlines partnership and announced a new one with Delta hours later. Chase Sapphire Reserve anniversary offers are live with up to $350 back on select purchases, some expiring as soon as October 16. Alaska's Choose How You Earn feature is rolling out ahead of a January 1, 2027, start date. And Apple dropped the iPhone Duo, a foldable phone that folds to the size of a passport, plus AirPods 5 with real-time Live Translation that could change how you travel internationally. Plus, Katie shares whether the new AA Executive Card vacation credit was actually worth using, and a Chase 10 million points giveaway you can enter right now. Let’s get into it! (00:00) - The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 77 (02:54) - Using the AA Vacations Portal (08:17) - Citi Adds JAL (12:22) - New Apple Products for Travelers (21:40) - Chase Sapphire Reserve Card 10-year Anniversary (24:34) - Chase Sapphire Reserve Improving DoorDash Credits (25:10) - Sapphire Reserve for Business Changes (26:20) - Alaska Airlines' New Way to Earn Status (28:28) - Hyatt Dumps AA, Adds Delta Our Favorite Travel Features From Apple’s September 2026 Event: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/apple-september-2026-event-travel-features/ Chase Sapphire Reserve 10 Year Anniversary Offers: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-tenth-anniversary-offers/ Hyatt and American Are Ending Partnership: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/american-airlines-hyatt-ending-partnership/ New Hyatt Delta Partnership: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/hyatt-delta-partnership/ Chase Sapphire Reserve Improves DoorDash Credit: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-updates-doordash-credit/ Sapphire Reserve for Business Changes: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-business-card-changes-2026/ Citi Adds JAL as Transfer Partner: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/citi-japan-airlines-transfer-partner/ ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected] 📲 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast/id1807133164 📲 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61t4AF7hQiW4hh5eNcwqrZ 📲 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ 📲 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints 📲 Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints ✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/ Creators & Guests Katie Corrigan Seemann - Host Christopher Hassan - Host

With just 3 months left in the year, now is the time to audit every credit card benefit, free night certificate, and elite status threshold before December 31 resets everything. In this episode, Chris and Katie go through the full end-of-year checklist for points travelers. Annual credits expiring December 31 across Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Delta cards, Citi, Bilt, and Bank of America. Free night certificates tied to calendar year spend thresholds, hotel and airline elite status qualification deadlines, Southwest Companion Pass, and how to start planning now for a strong 2027. Plus, Katie reviews the Andaz 5th Avenue in New York, Chris covers the new Gateside by TSA PreCheck, and we answer a listener's question about the best airport strategy for a family of four near EWR. Creators & Guests Katie Corrigan Seemann - Host Christopher Hassan - Host (00:00) - The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 76 (01:11) - Gateside by TSA PreCheck (03:54) - Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City (12:21) - Amex Platinum Card (13:07) - Chase Sapphire Reserve (14:10) - American Airlines Executive Card (16:32) - Hilton Honors credit cards (18:18) - Delta credit cards (19:17) - Citi credit cards (20:13) - Bilt credit cards (20:43) - Bank of America credit cards (21:02) - Hotel free night certificates (22:55) - Southwest Companion Pass (24:44) - Listener question 2026 Annual Statement Credits: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/2026-annual-credit-card-statement-credits/ Chase Sapphire Reserve Hotel Credits in 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/chase-sapphire-reserve-hotel-credit-updates-2026/ How to Use the Delta Stays Credits: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/amex-delta-gold-platinum-reserve-delta-stays-credit/ New TSA PreCheck Perk: Access Departure Gates Without a Ticket: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/gateside-by-tsa-precheck/ ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected] 📲 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast/id1807133164 📲 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61t4AF7hQiW4hh5eNcwqrZ 📲 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ 📲 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints 📲 Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints ✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

Southwest is making some of the biggest moves the airline has seen in years. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down everything that's been announced, starting with Southwest's first-ever airport lounges debuting in late 2027 with at least 11 locations planned. The first four are Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville, and Chase is involved in the development, which means a new premium Southwest credit card is coming alongside them. They also cover Southwest's growing list of international airline partners, now at 11 total after a new interline agreement with LOT Polish Airlines launched September 1, and what that actually means for booking international itineraries. Plus, Chris shares his third year at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, Katie revisits the Aruba Marriott after its full room renovation, and a listener question about booking flights to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup, with Chris answering from personal experience. Southwest Airport Lounges Are Coming in 2027: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/southwest-airlines-first-airport-lounges/ Southwest Adds New Airline Partner: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/southwest-airlines-partnership-lot-polish/ Aruba Marriott Resort Review: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/hotels/aruba-marriott-resort-stellaris-casino-review/ What To Expect at Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2026 https://upgradedpoints.com/news/universal-halloween-horror-nights-2026/ ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/ 📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected] 📲 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast/id1807133164 📲 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61t4AF7hQiW4hh5eNcwqrZ 📲 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ 📲 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints 📲 Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints ✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/

Cruises represent one of the most underutilized opportunities in the points and miles world. In this episode, Chris and Katie cover every way to earn more points on cruise bookings, the best credit cards for cruise spend, how to stack points through airline and hotel portals like Chase Travel and AmexTravel.com, and why cruise line credit cards almost never make sense. Then the big question: can you actually book a cruise with points, and when does it make sense? They break down the value per point across Virgin Voyages, United Cruises, Marriott, and the brand-new Hilton and Explora Journeys partnership. The honest answer might surprise you. Plus, Chris shares a car rental story that is a reminder to always film your rental before you drive off the lot. Best Ways to Book Cruises With Points and Miles: https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/cruises/best-ways-to-book-a-cruise-using-points-and-miles/ ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/cruises/best-ways-to-book-a-cruise-using-points-and-miles/https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/cruises/best-ways-to-book-a-cruise-using-points-and-miles/ 📧 Questions? Email us at [email protected] 📲 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@upgradedpointspod 📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast/id1807133164 📲 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61t4AF7hQiW4hh5eNcwqrZ 📲 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upgradedpoints/ 📲 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/upgradedpoints 📲 Follow us on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@upgradedpoints ✉️ Upgraded Points Newsletter https://upgradedpoints.com/join-newsletter/