The Upgraded Points Podcast

Your End-of-Year Points Checklist (Don't Let These Credits Expire)

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 ever

Southwest Is Making Big Moves. Here's What's Coming.

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 S

How to Maximize Points and Miles on Cruises

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 cruis

What We've Been Up To: Boston, Barcelona, Rome, and a Solar Eclipse Cruise

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, Kati

Our Biggest Points Mistakes (That You're Probably Making Too)

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 Ameri

What's In Our Wallet? How We Actually Use Our Credit Cards

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 up

Citi AAdvantage Executive Card Refresh: Worth It or Time to Cancel?

The AA Executive Card just got a new name, a $100 annual fee increase, and a handful of new benefits. Chris and Katie both carry this card and break down exactly what cha

Are Chase Sapphire Lounges Worth the Hype?

Chase just opened their ninth Sapphire Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth, and we got an early look before it officially opened. In this episode, Chris and Katie break down ever

Would You Rather: Travel Edition (We Don't Agree on Anything)

Amex just changed the rules for Centurion Lounge access, and we're breaking it down before diving into the main event. As of July 8, guests must be on the same flight as

Is Elite Status Actually Worth It? We Asked Our Whole Team.

Elite status sounds glamorous until you do the math. In this episode, Chris and Katie dig into whether airline and hotel elite status is actually worth chasing in 2026, p

Inside Virgin Red: The Loyalty Program That Goes Way Beyond Flying

Most U.S. travelers are familiar with Virgin Atlantic but have no idea what Virgin Red actually is or how it connects to the broader Virgin ecosystem. This episode fixes

Hawaii on Points: Where To Splurge and Where To Save

Hawaii is one of the most rewarding points destinations out there, but hotel prices vary wildly depending on which island you're on and where you stay. In this episode, C

Step by Step: How To Book Your First International Award Flight

Booking your first international award flight feels overwhelming until you understand the process. In this episode, Chris and Katie break it down into 4 repeatable steps

How To Spend 100K Chase Points (Real Examples, Bookable Now)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred just launched a 100,000-point welcome offer, and we're showing you exactly what to do with it. Chris and Katie walk through 6 real trip examp

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Gets a 100K Offer and a Major Refresh

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card just got its biggest refresh in years, along with a 100,000-point welcome offer! That's a lot to unpack. Before the main segment, Chris

Inside Alaska Airlines' New Business Class Suites to London

Alaska Airlines just completed its first-ever flight to London, and Katie was on board in business class. In this episode, she breaks down the full experience, from two S

5 Tips for Booking Summer Travel Before It's Too Late

Summer 2026 is here, and award space is already thinning fast. If you haven't booked yet, you're not too late, but the window is closing. In this episode, Chris and Katie

Are You Using Your Chase Points Wrong? Probably.

You might think you're using your Chase points correctly. You're probably not. Before we get into it, Chris shares how his Alaska Airlines account got hacked, what happe

What's Next for Hilton Honors? We Asked the VP.

Hilton recently made some significant changes to its loyalty program, so we went straight to the source. Brad Anderson, Vice President of Hilton Honors, joins Chris and K

Is It Time to Get Excited About Wells Fargo Rewards?

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 rat