92. Award Travel Hotspot: Unlocking Mexico City’s Hidden Potential with Kelsi Sullivan
Release Date: 12/02/2024
113. 4 Ways to Maximize Points for Costco Spend (Without Overcomplicating It)
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Whether your Costco haul includes a 5-pound bag of almonds or a giant sectional sofa, one thing is certain: you’re probably not spending just a few bucks. If you’ve ever wondered how to earn more credit card points on your Costco runs, this episode walks you through four smart, strategic ways to maximize rewards—whether you’re shopping in-store, online, or through a workaround like Instacart. You’ll learn which cards work, which ones don’t, and how to pick the best method based on your spending habits and points goals. This episode is your go-to guide for getting the most out of...
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112. Best Ever or Big Mistake? 3 Steps to Evaluate if Best-Ever Welcome Offers are Right for You
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A limited time elevated credit card bonus offer sounds amazing—so should you go for it? In this episode, I break down how to evaluate elevated credit card welcome bonuses so you can make a smart, strategic decision. Using the current Chase Sapphire Preferred offer as a real-world example, I walk through the three questions you need to ask before jumping on any limited-time offer: ✔ Are you even eligible? ✔ How will this card fit into your overall points and travel goals? ✔ What’s the opportunity cost of applying right now? Whether you’re new to points or deep in the game, this...
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111. Life, Travel, and Money Hacks with Chris Hutchins
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What does it look like to fully optimize your life—not just financially, but how you travel, make decisions, and spend your time? In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Hutchins, host of All the Hacks, for a fast-paced conversation about how to get more value, joy, and efficiency from everything you do. We talk about optimizing credit card rewards, streamlining travel, removing decision fatigue, and using money as a tool—not just for freedom, but for alignment with your values. If you're the kind of person who loves a smart system, a good travel hack, or just wants to make everyday...
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110. 2025 Tax Payment Updates You Need to Know with Dr. Sujatha Murali
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With changes to credit card processing platforms and fee structures for 2025, the strategy for paying taxes with a credit card—and earning points while doing it—has shifted. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend and points expert Dr. Sujatha Murali to walk you through the major changes in tax payment processing for 2025—and how to earn huge amounts of points while minimizing fees. We share our personal strategies for navigating quarterly tax payments, which types of cards to prioritize (and avoid), and how to use PayPal strategically to unlock the lowest fees possible when...
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109. How to Pack Smart for Travel Without Sacrificing Style with Cassandra Sethi
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Have you ever stood in front of your suitcase, overwhelmed, unsure what to pack—or panic-ordered outfits days before a trip that you’ll never wear again? You’re not alone. In fact, this episode might be exactly what your suitcase (and closet) needs. In this episode, I’m joined by Cassandra Sethi, personal stylist and founder of Next Level Wardrobe, who shares her system for making packing simple, efficient, and actually fun. We talk about how to get more outfits with fewer pieces, avoid the most common packing mistakes, and how to feel stylish and comfortable—whether you're heading...
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108. Credit Card Points Transfers: Do’s, Don’ts, and Pro Tips
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As someone who has booked over $192,000 worth of travel using points just this year, I've learned that mastering the art of points transfers is the key to unlocking incredible travel experiences. But knowing when and where to transfer your points isn't always straightforward or intuitive, especially when you're new to this hobby. In this episode, I share 10 do's and don'ts of credit card points transfers. You'll hear my hard-won wisdom on everything from transfer ratios to avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced award traveler, you'll come away with...
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107. Skill Stacking Your Way to Better Points Redemptions
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Do you feel confident in your points redemption skills, or do you suspect you might be missing out on better deals? With a little knowledge and practice, you can learn to stack the key skills needed to get incredible value from your points, and I'm showing you how this week. Tune in as I break down the six key levels of points redemption skill stacking. I explain how to know which level you're at currently, the specific skills to focus on building, and how to reach the next level so you can unlock incredible travel opportunities! Get full show notes and transcript: ...
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106. Lessons Learned & Top Tips from Running Thousands of Award Searches
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I share my top tips for running successful award flight searches gleaned from years of experience booking award travel. Let's dive into the key differences between searching for cash flights versus award flights, and how to overcome the challenges of information overload and limited award seat inventory. I break down the most important mindset shifts and practical strategies you can start using today to increase your chances of finding your dream award flights. Get full show notes and transcript: Get your copy of the Award Booking Calendars: Your Airline-by-Airline...
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105. Turn Payroll into Points: A Game-Changing Strategy for Business Owners with DeAndre Coke
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In this episode, I'm joined by DeAndre Coke, a financial advisor and an avid traveler who was ranked by Forbes as one of Virginia’s top financial security professionals for two consecutive years. DeAndre shares his experience using an innovative platform called Zil Money to pay payroll with his credit card, racking up huge amounts of valuable rewards points in the process. Discover which credit cards offer the best earning rates when paying payroll through Zil, and how to think about the cost-benefit analysis of the processing fees. DeAndre breaks down his exact process for maximizing...
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104. Expert Answers to Your Top Award Travel Questions: Listener Q&A
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Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the world of award travel, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples. I break down complex topics like transferable points currencies, positioning flights, and maximizing leftover gift card balances in a way that's easy to understand and apply to your own travel goals. So grab a pen and paper (or just hit that bookmark button) because you won't want to miss a single nugget of wisdom in this value-packed episode. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap for earning and redeeming points like a pro, plus some...
info_outlineKelsi Sullivan grew up in Puerto Rico and Mexico City and has lived in way too many places, but her favorite was when she lived in Sri Lanka for 3 years! Traveling for Kelsi is about connection to people, food, culture, and history. In the travel rewards space, she is a solo traveler who loves a bougie last minute business class deal!
Learn how to take advantage of Mexico City’s strategic location for your next award trip. Kelsi explains why Mexico City is not only an amazing destination for a memorable stopover, as well as a key hub for unlocking unique award redemptions that most people overlook. She even shares her top recommendations for must-see attractions in the city and practical tips for navigating the airport’s hidden gems.
Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/unlocking-mexico-city-hidden-potential-kelsi-sullivan
Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy