Optimizing Vacations, New Ways to Earn Points, Airline Changes and More

All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

Chris Hutchins

Business, Education, Investing, Society & Culture, Places & Travel, Self-improvement

4.7 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 7 May 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

#226: From optimizing travel and rewards to new ways to earn points, Chris shares some recent tactics he's picked up on upgrades and award travel. He also covers some flight deals, airline changes, Mother's Day gift ideas, and reflects on recent podcast episodes. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/optimizing-vacations-and-new-ways-to-earn-points⁠ Partner Deals Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Trust & Will: Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans MasterClass: Learn from the world's best with 15% off Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn LMNT: Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Vacation Homes Pacaso: Free early access and $2,500+ in closing credits here THIRDHOME Exclusive Resorts ATH Hotel Upgrade Program (Password: Perks | Tutorial) Lanai Four Seasons Resort Sensei Maui Montage Kapalua Bay Maui Nui: 20% off with code ALLTHEHACKS Merriman's: Point Menu | Monkeypod Kitchen NordVPN: 4 months free here United’s MileagePlus Program Showing More Awards if You Change This 1 Setting Flight Award Search Tools point.me: 20% off annual plans with code ALLTHEHACKS20 AwardTool: $20 off annual plans with code ALLTHEHACKS Seats.Aero Southwest Assigned Seating Business Payment Platforms Plastiq ← my referral Melio ← my referral Zil Money Last Call: 100k Welcome Bonus Offer Mother’s Day Gift Ideas Ratio Coffee Machines Storyworth: $10 off here Aura Frames: $35 off + free shipping with code ATH Zeel: $25 off here Initial Necklaces: Gorjana Wilder Necklace | Maya Brenner Real ID: Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint ATH Podcast Ep #224: Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song Ep #225: Optimize Your Oral Health for a Longer Life with Dr. Mark Burhenne Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected] Submit a question for the next AMA here Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:00) Finding Accommodation in Hawaii (05:37) Overlooked Hotel Upgrade Options (13:05) Strategy to Book Flights to Hawaii: Cash vs. Points (20:44) Chris' Experience Flying Hawaiian Business Class (22:48) The Impact of Having Starlink on Your Flight (25:04) Review of Four Seasons Lanai (29:29) The Experience at Montage Kapalua Bay (34:28) Underrated Hotel Perks (39:58) Why Chris Is a Big Fan of Hawaiian Airlines (42:13) Follow-Up to Lounge Access Episode #224 (43:07) Why You Should Use a VPN to Book Flights (44:29) Flight Award Inventory Trick (45:21) Upgrading Credit Cards for Bonuses and Free Nights (46:51) Weird Emirates Updates (48:10) Big Southwest Changes (52:18) Updates from Bilt (55:03) Leveraging Business Expenses (57:05) Exciting Credit Card Welcome Offers (58:44) Mother's Day Gift Ideas (1:01:27) Reminder: Real ID Deadline (1:02:20) Feedback on Oral Health Episode #225 Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This year's spring break in Hawaii turned into one of the most strategic and rewarding travel experiments I've ever done,
0:08.0	mixing points, promotions, and perks to pull off an epic vacation, which included what might be the best hotel experience we've ever had.
0:16.0	So I'll walk through every detail of how we made it happen so you can use these takeaways on any trip you're planning.
0:22.3	But that's not all.
0:23.2	I'll also dig into a few new ways I've been earning a lot more points recently, some big
0:28.0	airline program changes, a way to save on flights, a few last minute Mother's Day gift ideas,
0:33.5	and more.
0:34.7	I'm Chris Hutchins.
0:35.6	If you enjoy this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a
0:38.4	comment or review. And if you want to keep upgrading your life, money, and travel, click follow or
0:43.4	subscribe. Now let's get into it right after this. This episode is brought to you by Gelt. When it comes
0:51.0	to building wealth, taxes are such a big part of the strategy, and as tax
0:54.5	time gets closer, getting prepared is so important. And now that I'm working with Gelt, I finally
0:59.3	feel like I have a partner I can trust to handle everything for my personal and business taxes.
1:04.3	Think of Gelt as the ultimate modern CPA. Of course, they have an in-house team of expert
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1:40.2	So if you're ready for a more premium, proactive tax strategy to optimize and file your taxes,
1:44.9	you have to check out Gelt. And as an All the Hacks listener, you can skip the wait list.
1:49.2	Just head to Allthehacks.com slash Gelt, GELT. Again, that's allthehacks.com slash GELT to stop
	...

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