The Upgraded Points Podcast

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/

We've been busy. Let’s get caught up together. Chris and Katie cover a packed stretch of recent travel including Chris’ stay at the InterContinental Boston by IHG, Katie's American Airlines premium economy flights to Barcelona and Rome booked with Alaska Atmos Rewards points, a Kimpton Barcelona stay through Chase The Edit with a tourist tax surprise, a walking tour of Barcelona, a Vespa tour through Rome, and a Sun Princess cruise specifically planned around a solar eclipse that had other ideas. Along the way, Chris tests CLEAR Concierge for the first time and breaks down who it's actually worth $180 for. And Katie shares a Chase Sapphire Lounge lesson that will save you from getting turned away at the door Hyatt Regency Rome Delays Opening: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/hyatt-regency-rome-central-delays/ What is CLEAR Concierge Service?: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/clear-plus-new-concierge-service/ Try CLEAR Concierge Free: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/free-clear-concierge-promo-code/ Is American Airlines premium economy worth it? https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/american-airlines-premium-economy/ ✈️ 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/

Every points traveler has made mistakes. This episode is our honest debrief. Before the main segment, Katie shares why Chris convinced her to get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, how she and her husband both got one on the same day, and why she's already finding it easy to justify the annual fee. Plus, a smart strategy for couples looking to align free night certificates. Then Chris and Katie go through the points and travel decisions they genuinely regret. Not setting up two-factor authentication and getting an account hacked. Not realizing that points are worth different amounts in different programs. Forgetting about card benefits until it's too late, and so much more No sugarcoating. Just honest mistakes, real stories, and lessons worth learning before you make them yourself. How to Use Capital One Shopping: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/capital-one-shopping/ $80 Capital One Referral Offer: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/capital-one-shopping-referral/ Hilton Aspire Card Review: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/hilton-honors-american-express-aspire-card/ How I Lost Out on 65k AAdvantage Miles: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/how-i-lost-65k-aadvantage-miles/ How I Lost 90k Delta SkyMiles by Not Reading the Fine Print: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/not-eligible-amex-sign-up-bonus/ ✈️ 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/

Everyone talks about which cards to get. This episode is about which cards we actually use and why. Before the main segment, Chris and Katie share their latest travel updates, then conduct a full wallet audit, breaking down every card they carry across eight spending categories: travel and transit, dining and groceries, phone, utilities, internet, streaming, gas, and everything else. Chris makes the case for keeping the Citi Prestige® Card in 2026, explains why the Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card don't make sense for someone living abroad, and walks through how hotel cards earn their keep beyond just the points. Katie breaks down her American Express® Business Gold Card setup, why she kept the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card after the Chase Sapphire Reserve® changes, and how she's stacking Loyalty Points on everything else with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Plus, the case for doing your own annual wallet audit. Chapters: 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 71 01:08 Paze 06:20 Travel Cards 11:50 Dining Cards 16:10 Utilities Cards 18:39 Gas & EV Charging Paze Spend $10 Get $10 Promotion: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/paze-cash-back-promotion/ Best Welcome Offers Right Now: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/sign-up-bonuses/ ✈️ 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/