Points Down Under

Award Travel 101

Mike returns to discuss his journey down under to skip his 40th birthday. I also share some tips on how I put my trip together to join him for just 52 hours on the ground.

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• Round-trip to Paris for 38K miles
• Business Class to Vietnam "Nerd Alert" for 40K miles
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News

• United Mile Pooling
• Updated Ink Cash Bonus
• Bilt - American & Alaska
• Track Travel Plans with AwardWallet

What bonuses did we get?

• Mike -
  • Chase Ink Cash
  • Amex Business Checking

Trip updates

• Joe
  • Rebooked Southwest - saved how many points?
  • Rebooked Car rental in Caribbean to save $130
  • Backup Flights to Protect options

Highlight Feature: Points Down Under

Mike shares how he created a memorable trip to celebrate his 40th turn around the sun. I spent 52 hours there too. Both of us flew American and United's longest routes in opposite directions.

Mike - Birthday bucket list trip to Australia

• AA Flagship to LAX
• Greenwich Lounge JFK (former Flagship)
• Dream Hollywood (1 night) - Hyatt Cat 1-7 cert
• 1 day National car rental $60
• Warner Brothers Studio Tour (Viator)
• AA Flagship to SYD
• Qantas F Lounge (salt & pepper squid, minute steak)
• Flagship Lounge
• Hyatt Regency Sydney (4 nights)
• Upgraded to Harbour View Executive Suite
• Bondi Beach, Ocean Pools, Coastal Walk
• Hunter Valley Wine Tour (Viator)
• Blue Mountains Tour, Scenic World & Featherdale Animal Park (Viator)
  Park Hyatt (4 nights)
• Harbour View King room Opera House view
• Bridge Climb
• Opera House Tour
• Manly Beach
• St. Patrick's Day festivities
• United Polaris SYD-IAH-CLE

Joe - Quick turn to SYD 56 hours of travel and 52 hours on the ground

• 5 lounges in IAH
• Polaris 80K (now 100K) UA + $26
• Train $14 each way to CBD and Circular (Key) Quay
• Four Seasons FHR booking
• Lots of Lo

Where to Find Us
For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community.

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3. You can also email us at [e-mail].
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The Award Travel 101 Podcast is brought to you in part by Thrifty Traveler Premium. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT10” for $10 off your first year. Find them at:
ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium