The Daily Drop Podcast

In this episode, Mike and Megan discuss creative ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. They share personal examples of how they have used these points to book flights and hotels at incredible value. They highlight the flexibility and high value of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, particularly when used with transfer partners like United and Virgin Atlantic. They also emphasize the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, which currently have elevated welcome offers. ➡️ Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card elevated offer here: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike answers one of our most common questions around here. He discusses how he justifies holding credit cards with high annual fees, using the Chase Sapphire Reserve as an example. Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card here: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Megan dives deep into American Express Membership Rewards points. She explains the rules and limitations of American Express cards, the cards that earn Membership Rewards points, and how to earn additional points through Rakuten. Megan also discusses some secrets to earn more MR points. Enjoy! Resources: Favorite Amex MR earning cards: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-card-issuers/american-express Rakuten + Amex: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/how-to-earn-more-american-express-membership-rewards-points-with-rakuten What’s in your wallet episode: https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/14554801 Portals episode: https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/13973904 Card Match: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/find-your-perfect-card-match-with-this-easy-tool Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to American Express Membership Rewards Points 03:10 Rules and Limitations of American Express Cards 06:43 Cards that Earn Membership Rewards Points 10:39 Earning Membership Rewards Points with Rakuten 13:27 Using Card Match for Elevated Signup Bonuses 15:10 Redeeming Membership Rewards Points 18:54 Amex and 2 player Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike and Megan are joined by Brendan from the Daily Drop Youtube channel to talk all about their mistakes. They cover topics such as booking upgraded hotel rooms with points, accidentally using the wrong free night award, using points for poor value, analysis paralysis in redemption, forgetting visa requirements, and passport expiration drama. Plus everyone learns a new hack that ends up saving Brendan thousands of miles on an upcoming trip! Resources: Virgin Companion Pass (Note all pricing is in RT but you can book One way too, just cut in half): https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/us/en/flying-club/spend-points/companion-seats.html Hang out on YouTube with Brendan: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Episode Time Stamps: 1:45 - Booking Upgraded Hotel Rooms with Points 4:23 - Accidentally Using the Wrong Free Night Award 8:15 - Using Points for Poor Value in a Portal 11:31 - …and then again 14:40 - Forgetting Visa Requirements 19:20 - Passport Expiration Drama 25:01 - Being a Miles and Points Cheapskate 30:30 - Waiting Too Long to Book Awards 35:35 - Virgin Atlantic Companion Award Seats Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike discusses the major shakeup in the points and miles world, with Bilt Rewards adding Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner and why you should care about this! Resources: The Bilt Card: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/bilt-mastercard Episode Time Stamps: 01:24 Changes to Alaska Airlines loyalty program 05:09 Introduction of new award charts 06:36 New sweet spots and improved pricing 10:38 Free stopovers in partner airline hubs 12:22 Future ability to combine partner airlines on a single ticket 15:14 Expanded types of awards and unique pricing Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this very fun episode, we give you the recording of our speech that we hosted live at the Travel and Adventure Show Atlanta 2024. Megan and Mike talk you through how we visited over 50 countries last year thanks to the magic of miles and points! Resources: Slides: https://bit.ly/tasslidesdd YouTube version of this ep: https://youtu.be/XjRpjlHZYKo Free gift as mentioned at the start - Miles and Points 101: https://www.dailydrop.com/course-videos/what-are-miles-points Episode Time Stamps: 0:00 - What's going on in this ep!? 3:09 - Meet Megan and Mike 8:06 - 9 week trip around the world 15:18 - Mediterranean cruise for free 18:46 - An even more free cruise 23:00 - Travel Hacking to Scotland with 10 people 30:23 - United Excursionist Perk 36:16 - Questions? Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Megan provides an ultimate guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards. She explains what Ultimate Rewards are, how to earn them, and why people are kind of obsessed with them. She also explores the different cards that earn Ultimate Rewards and how to build a points family. Megan covers redemption options through the Chase portal and transfer partners, and more! Resources: Written guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/daily-drop-s-guide-to-chase-ultimate-rewards 2 player mode podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/2playerddpod Portal podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2253039/13973904 Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/ddtransferpartners Miles and Points 101: https://www.dailydrop.com/course-videos/what-are-miles-points Episode Time Stamps: 1:08 - What are Chase Ultimate Rewards 4:16 Prioritizing Chase Points 5:55 Different Cards that Earn Ultimate Rewards 10:10 Why is everyone obsessed with Chase Sapphire Preferred 17:50 - Ultimate Reward Redemptions 20:20 - Final thoughts Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, we are joined by Megan, Mike, and Tiffany to chat about what's in our wallets and why?! We answer questions like what's one card we frequently reach for? What's a favorite co branded card we have? What's our strategy for choosing our next card? And we answer some questions from you! Resources from this episode: Top Cards: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards 2 Player Mode article: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/miles-and-points-in-two-player-mode 2 Player Mode episode: https://link.chtbl.com/2playerddpod Mike's spreadsheet: https://bit.ly/ddcctrackerus Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike discusses fifth freedom flights and their travel hacking implications. He highlights several airlines that operate fifth freedom routes, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Gulf Air, and Ethiopian Airlines. Resources: Weekend Round Up Newsletter: https://newsletter.dailydrop.com/forms/d7b781f6-5522-40bb-a818-f7cf9810662f Episode Time Stamps: 01:33 Introduction to Fifth Freedom Flights 03:13 Emirates Fifth Freedom Routes 05:52 Singapore Airlines Fifth Freedom Routes 08:04 Air France Fifth Freedom Route 09:51 Gulf Air Fifth Freedom Route 10:53 Ethiopian Airlines Fifth Freedom Routes 13:58 Other considerations Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike and Megan (are back 🎉) discuss several exciting credit card offers. Who gets the spotlight… Southwest, World of Hyatt, Marriott, Capital One, and United. Resources: All elevated offers Here: https://www.dailydrop.com/ranked-credit-cards/increased-welcome-offers Southwest specific bonuses here: https://www.dailydrop.com/ranked-credit-cards/southwest-airlines-cards? Southwest Card Head to Head Episode: https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/13884478 Episode Time Stamps: 1:24 Southwest Elevated Bonuses 5:03 World of Hyatt Elevated Bonus 11:08 Venture X Business Elevated Bonus 16:55 Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Elevated Bonus 24:11 An honorable mention - United Biz card 26:22 Conclusion Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Megan discusses the importance of award search tools and shares six award search tools, 3 for flights and 3 for hotels. The question "How do I find award bookings?!" comes up a lot around here and these are tools to add to your search toolkit! Resources: Seats.aero: https://bit.ly/ddseatsaero Points Yeah: https://bit.ly/ddpointsyeah Seat Spy: https://bit.ly/3SEVV66 Guide with tutorials: https://bit.ly/ddfreesearchtools Max My Point: https://bit.ly/ddmaxmypointtry Awayz: https://bit.ly/ddawayz Rooms.aero: https://bit.ly/ddroomsaero Episode Time Stamps: 1:24 What To Know About Award Search Tools 07:18 Three Flight Award Search Tools 18:35 Three Hotel Award Search Tools 25:11 Conclusion Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike discusses credit scores and credit card statements. He explains the components of a credit score, including payment history, utilization, average credit length, new credit, and credit mix. Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro and the basics 00:57 Components of a Credit Score 02:21 Payment History and Utilization 02:49 Average Credit Length and New Credit 04:17 Credit Mix 04:46 Understanding Credit Card Statements 06:38 Payment Due Date and Interest 07:34 Importance of Making Payments on Time 08:33 Managing Credit Utilization 09:28 Strategies for Low Credit Utilization 12:22 Strategies for Average Credit Length 13:44 Keeping Oldest Credit Card Open 16:36 Improving Bad Credit 20:28 Increasing and Decreasing Credit Limits Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Megan discusses the strategy of two-player mode in travel hacking. You’ll learn how to maximize your points with someone else, the various bank rules to keep in mind, how to manage annual fees, and more. Episode Time Stamps: 00:28 What is Two Player Mode? 01:24 The Two Player Mode Process 03:21 Example: Chase Sapphire Preferred 05:08 Maximizing Two Player Mode with Different Card Families 06:35 Managing Annual Fees 07:28 Example: Maximizing Two Player Mode with Chase 10:18 Referral Rules for Different Banks 12:55 Combining Points and Authorized Users 16:13 Booking Travel with Points from Different Accounts 19:00 Combining Points within Banks 20:52 Airline and Hotel Loyalty Programs 23:18 Conclusion Resources: Chase Referral Page: https://www.chase.com/referafriend/catch-all Capital One Referral Page: https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/refer-a-friend/ Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

Welcome to the weekly round up! Here we'll sum up what happened in the newsletter this week in 10 minutes. Monday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/my-current-favorite-travel-hack? Tuesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/a-new-way-to-fly-to-mexico-with-points? Wednesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/airline-status-match-through-2026? Thursday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/today-only-save-on-southwest-flights? Friday: Keep Up With Daily Drop: Stay up to date with the newsletter: https://dailydrop.com/ Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode, Mike shares lesser-known travel hacks that can help travelers maximize their experiences and rewards. He discusses booking unique accommodations with points and miles, earning extra loyalty points, using status matches for one-time perks, bidding for upgrades, and more. Keep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:57 Lesser Known Travel Hacks 02:27 Booking Unique Accommodation with Points and Miles 03:53 Charging Hotel Expenses to Your Room 05:46 Maximizing Status Matches 06:43 Bidding for Upgrades 07:43 Alliance Benefits 08:13 Suite Talking 09:14 Maximizing Points through Small Tasks and Transfers 12:04 Retention Offers for Credit Cards 19:47 Conclusion

In this episode, Mike shares his 2023 travel stats and best hacks along the way! Find a newsletter referenced here: https://dailydrop.com/ Keep Up With Daily Drop: Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

In this episode Megan and Mike set a challenge to create the best itinerary booked with points using only $0 annual fee cards… and it was a challenge! Tune in to hear 2 very different strategies for earning and redeeming points, plus we want you to vote on the best itinerary! Join the Daily Drop Lounge here to vote: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Episode Time Stamps: 1:00 - The Challenge Rules 2:07 - 2 things to know… 4:21 - Our 3 card choices 7:30 - How we “earned” on our cards 17:15 - Mike’s trip 25:49 - Megan’s trip 35:55 - Your time to vote Keep Up With Daily Drop: Stay up to date with the newsletter: https://dailydrop.com/ Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

Welcome to the weekly round up! Here we'll sum up what happened in the newsletter this week in 10 minutes. Monday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/what-i-d-do-if-i-could-only-travel-once-per-year?tid=podcast Tuesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/major-award-sale-to-basically-everywhere?tid=podcast Wednesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/how-to-use-hotel-points-for-flights?tid=lounge Thursday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/family-travel-as-a-points-padawan?tid=podcast Friday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/end-of-year-credit-card-checklist?tid=podcast Keep Up With Daily Drop: Stay up to date with the newsletter: https://dailydrop.com/ Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

Join Mike and Megan as we dive in head first to the best travel hacking content. In this episode, we answer a handful of requests for points help. Including… A trip to Ecuador with Capital One miles… Off to Oktoberfest with Chase points (Reference resource, podcast on stopovers - https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/13796833-how-to-book-stopovers-a-new-transfer-bonus-and-a-hostile-takeover) An around the world trip with Marriott (Reference resource, podcast on earning 1 million Marriott points - https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/13699902-status-matches-and-how-to-earn-1-million-points) And finally, some luxurious ways to use Capital One miles. Episode Time Stamps: 0:58 - Ecuador with Capital One miles and UR points 5:50 - Oktoberfest with Chase points 10:47 - Marriott for a WHOLE trip 18:18 - Fun, luxurious ways to use Capital One miles 23:19 - Summary + how to submit yours Keep Up With Daily Drop: Stay up to date with the newsletter: https://dailydrop.com/ Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

Welcome to the weekly round up! Here we'll sum up what happened in the newsletter this week in 10 minutes. Monday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/this-hotel-just-launched-a-new-winter-promo-for-2024?tid=lounge Tuesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/business-class-to-europe-for-15k-points?tid=lounge Wednesday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/should-you-chase-elite-status-in-2024?tid=podcast Thursday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/how-to-get-easy-star-alliance-status?tid=podcast Friday: https://www.dailydrop.com/newsletters/upgrade-downgrade-or-cancel?tid=podcast Keep Up With Daily Drop: Stay up to date with the newsletter: https://dailydrop.com/ Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast