120. The biggest surprises (and letdowns) of 2025 so far

Point Me To First Class

Devon Gimbel MD

Finances, Education, How To, Travel, Credit, Expenses, Card, Cards, Society & Culture, Professionals, Tips, Personal, Places & Travel, Business, Points, Rewards

5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2025

⏱️ 80 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Have you been wondering what’s really happening in the world of credit card points and award travel this year?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kelly, The Points and Miles Doc to break down the biggest shifts in 2025 so far. From major devaluations to standout sweet spots, we’re giving you an honest look at what’s working now—and what’s not. We also dive into how international programs are outperforming U.S.-based ones, which transfer partnerships are showing real value, and why flexibility is more important than ever.

Whether you’ve been feeling excited by the new opportunities or frustrated by unexpected roadblocks, this conversation will help you reset your strategy for the second half of the year and beyond.

Want more help using your Alaska miles wisely?

Join me for a live workshop on June 21st at 10am CDT where I’ll walk you through the best Alaska Airlines sweet spots and the tools I use to find them fast—so you can stop second-guessing and start booking. Click here to save your spot - https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/offers/g9uBpeJK

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/mid-year-award-travel-review-2025/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header

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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Point Me to First Class, the only show for employed professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners who are looking to optimize their higher than average expenses to travel the world.
0:10.7	I'm your host, Devin Gimble, and I believe that your expenses are your greatest untapped asset, if you know how to leverage them.
0:17.8	Ready to dive into the world of credit card points and miles so you can travel more, travel better, and travel often. Let's get started. Hello, everyone, and
0:31.1	welcome back to the 4M1st Class podcast. Today's episode is going to be a fun one because we are
0:36.3	taking a pit stop at the halfway mark of 2025 to reflect on the whirlwind that's been the first half of this year in the world of credit card rewards and award travel.
0:46.3	Joining me for this mid-year Points and Miles breakdown is my friend and fellow points enthusiast and expert Kelly the Points and Miles Doc.
0:53.7	Today we are getting into all of it.
0:56.0	Which credit card issuers and award programs have shown up strong in 2025?
1:00.3	Who's disappointed us? And which trends are reshaping how we earn and redeem points.
1:05.7	From surprised evaluations to jaw-dropping transfer partner announcements, we are unpacking the biggest
1:11.5	headlines, the lowest lowlights, and those did not really happen moments of the year so
1:17.1	far. And yes, we're also going to be making some bold predictions about what the rest of the
1:21.3	year could hold for savvy award travelers like you. So whether you're listening in the car
1:26.1	on your way to work or sneaking this in between
1:28.0	patients, clients, or calls, grab your favorite beverage, settle in for an episode full of
1:33.3	laughs, I think, some insights and a healthy dose of some points-fueled banter. Kelly, thank you so much
1:39.0	for joining me today. As always, I am so excited to have you here. I'm really looking forward to
1:42.9	deconstructing the biggest happenings in award travel so far this year with you.
1:47.1	Are you ready to dive in?
1:49.0	Devin, it's so good to be back.
1:51.5	I love talking with you.
1:53.2	I've been looking forward to this.
	...

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