Takeoff
A points and miles podcast by 10xTravel
Recent Episodes
October 9, 2024
Fly with a Friend: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass [2025]
A 2-for-1 plane ticket that lets you bring a friend on your next trip? Nope, it’s not too good to be true. It’s the Southwest Companion Pass, and we’re telling you exactly how to get it. In this episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis delve into the easiest ways to easily earn and maximize this industry-leading …
September 25, 2024
Secrets of a Professional Travel Planner: How a 10xTravel Award Booker Uses Points
In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Morgan—one of 10X Travel’s top award booking experts. In addition to detailing her epic world travels, Morgan offers valuable insights into the art of award booking. We then discuss how to be strategic when redeeming points and miles, from minimizing taxes and fees to finding hidden award …
September 11, 2024
From Teacher to World Traveler: Supplementing Budget Travel with Points and Miles
Ever thought about quitting your job to travel the world? Then you won’t want to miss this episode! In this episode, long-time 10xTravel group member Michelle joins us to share her inspiring story of leaving her teaching career, living out of a backpack, and traveling the globe using points and miles. Listen as she recounts …
August 28, 2024
Hotel Loyalty Program Showdown
In this lively episode recorded in Salt Lake City, Bryce, Matt, Emily, and Travis offer a Thunderdome-style face-off on major hotel loyalty programs. Each host champions a different program—Bryce for IHG, Matt for Marriott, Emily for Hyatt, and Travis for Hilton. They dive into the global reach and quality of properties, hotel credit card portfolios, …
August 13, 2024
Unlock the Digital Nomad Life: Travel the World Using Points! (PLUS 8 Days in Portugal & Spain for Under 400k Points!)
In this episode of Takeoff by 10XTravel, stand-in host Emily, Matt, and podcast newcomer Zach explore the digital nomad lifestyle with Zach, who has been on the road since 2018. Plus, we introduce our newest segment, where we answer your top points and miles questions-from Amex strategies and managing business cards to planning a …
July 31, 2024
Ep 30: Our Australia and New Zealand Trips
What’s better than finally getting to visit Australia and New Zealand? Doing it on points and miles. In this 1-on-1 episode, Travis and Emily compare notes from their trips down under. From debating first vs. business class to the nicest hotel Emily’s ever stayed at, you’ll get all of their best tips for visiting Oceania …
July 17, 2024
Ep 29: Avios: Everything You Need to Know + Our Favorite Sweet Spots
Five airlines. One currency. Endless ways to spend. That’s the beauty of Avios points. But with this many options, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why this episode covers everything you need to know about Avios, followed by some of our favorite “sweet spots” that let you maximize their value. …
July 3, 2024
Ep 28: What’s in Our Wallets?
You asked, and the gang is finally answering the question we get the most at our meetups and in our Facebook group: Which cards are actually in our wallets? Tune in as Bryce, Emily, Matt, and Travis crack open their wallets and share the cards they love, the cards they think are underrated, and …
June 19, 2024
Ep 27: How We’d Spend 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards
In this highly requested episode, the team breaks down the ins and outs of earning and spending American Express Membership Rewards (AKA Amex Points). But the real fun begins when Bryce, Travis, Emily, and Matt face off to see who can book the best trip for 150,000 Amex Membership Rewards. And once again, we’ll need …
June 5, 2024
Ep 26: Unsexy Redemptions
For most of us, traveling on points and miles isn’t all champagne and showers in first class. Sure, those elite perks motivate us to rack up points so we can brag to our friends — and in the 10xTravel Insiders Group — about our luxurious vacation. But sometimes, you just need to get from …