Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
The Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast explores how to travel the world for little or no cost by maximizing credit card rewards. Host Justin Vacula shares strategies for earning and redeeming points, miles, and other travel perks. Episodes likely cover trip planning, deal hunting, and practical ways to reduce travel expenses. It is aimed at listeners who want to see more of the world while keeping costs down.
Episodes
LuxuryCard Black Card: Finally Worth Getting?
Is the Barclays Luxury Card Black Card Finally Worth It? 75K Bonus + Triple-Dip Strategy
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast joins co-host Darren to discuss whether Barclays' $699 annual-fee Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card is finally worth considering after launching an elevated 75,000-point welcome bonus.
The new offer awards 75,000 points after $6,000 in qualifying spend. The car
US Bank Launches Two New Business Credit Cards
U.S. Bank Business Essentials Cards 2026: $1,000 Bonus, 5% Category & Jessica Alba
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to discuss U.S. Bank’s two new business credit cards launching in late September 2026: the U.S. Bank Business Essentials Plus Card and the no-annual-fee U.S. Bank Business Essentials Card.
The Business Essentials Plus Card comes
CardPointers V8 App Update | Special Guest: Brooke
CardPointers V8: Automatic Offer Activation, Siri, AI Updates & Amex Offers Changes with Brooke
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes returning guest Brooke from CardPointers to discuss the launch of CardPointers V8 and the latest updates to the app for points, miles, cash back, credit card offers, and benefit tracking.
Recorded September 23, 2026, this episode explains how Ca
Bilt Updates: Upgrades, Downgrades, Authorized User Strategy + Dave Ramsey Debunked
Bilt Bulletin September 2026: Obsidian to Palladium Upgrades, Authorized User Strategy, Grubhub Premium Plus, and Dave Ramsey Rebuttal Bonus Segment
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren for a September 2026 Bilt Bulletin covering new Bilt upgrade offers, authorized user strategy, referral bonuses, Grubhub Premium Plus, Bilt Cash, Point Accelerators
Rove Report: Copa Airlines Transfer Bonus and What's New
Rove Adds Copa Airlines: 40% Transfer Bonus, App Updates, Dining & Gift Cards with Carissa Rawson
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Carissa Rawson from Rove to discuss the latest Rove updates, including Copa Airlines ConnectMiles as a new transfer partner, a limited-time 40% transfer bonus, Rove app improvements, Rove Dining, expanded hotel inventory, gift cards, referral b
Save Money in Las Vegas: Birthday Deals, Freebies, and More
Las Vegas Birthday Deals & myVEGAS Rewards | Free Food, Casino Offers, MGM Perks & Credit Card Stacking
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by co-host Darren to discuss how to save money in Las Vegas by stacking birthday freebies, restaurant loyalty rewards, myVEGAS rewards, casino offers, and credit card benefits.
Recorded during Justin’s September 2026 birthday month, thi
Rove Launches New App, Rove Dining, and More
Rove App Launch, Rove Dining, Instant-Earn Gift Cards & Major Rove Hotels Update | August 2026
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Carissa Rawson from Rove to discuss major August 2026 updates, including the launch of the new Rove mobile app, Rove Dining, instant-earn gift cards, in-store shopping, updated browser extensions, and a major Rove Hotels refresh.
Carissa explains
Bilt Adds Blade, Blacklane, and Equinox & More Bilt News
Bilt Builds Better: Blade Helicopters, Blacklane Rides, Equinox Credits + August 2026 Updates
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to discuss the latest August 2026 Bilt Rewards updates.
In this episode, Justin and Darren focus on new Bilt Cash redemption options, including Blade helicopter rides, Blacklane car service credits, and Equinox credits
Hermitage Bay Trip Report
Hermitage Bay Antigua Trip Report: $2,000/Night All-Inclusive for $0 Using Hilton Free Night Certificates
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by James from the Churn and Burn Podcast to recap Justin’s all-inclusive stay at Hermitage Bay in Antigua, a luxury resort.
Justin and James discuss the full Hermitage Bay experience, including flights on American Airlines, compliment
Points and Miles with Andrew Kunesh
Points & Miles in 2026: Bigger Bonuses, Smarter Cards, and Underrated Loyalty Programs with Andrew Kunesh
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Andrew Kunesh, a freelance points-and-miles writer and former CNN staffer, to discuss credit card rewards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, travel strategy, and Andrew’s new short-form newsletter, PNM Now: Fast News for Frequent Flye
Save Money on Dining (Better Than a $20 Burrito!)
Save Money Eating Out: Paze $10 Off, Amex Resy Credits, Chase DoorDash/Instacart & More
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes returning guest Beth to share practical ways to save money eating out by using credit card benefits, restaurant loyalty programs, digital wallet promos, dining credits, and travel rewards strategies.
Recorded August 10, 2026, this episode focuses on way
Miles and Points with Matthew Dong
Hilton and Hyatt Credit Card Strategy, Citi AAdvantage Executive Changes & Amex Green Strategy with Matthew Dong
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Matthew Dong to discuss building a smarter travel rewards strategy with credit cards, hotel programs, airline lounges, and upgrade opportunities.
Justin and Matthew compare Hilton and Hyatt strategy, including why Matthew is exp
Maximize Credit Card Benefits with NextCard.com | Special Guest: John Ta
NextCard.com Tools to Maximize Points, Miles & Credit Card Credits | Bilt, Dining Stacks, Paze & Hotel Maps
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes John from NextCard.com to discuss tools for maximizing credit card benefits, tracking statement credits, finding dining stacks, comparing hotel booking programs, and getting more value from points and miles.
John explains how NextCar
Bilt Bulletin | July 2026
Bilt Bulletin July 2026 | Palladium Card Value, Alaska Transfers, Bilt Cash Expiration & More
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren covering the latest Bilt Rewards updates, Bilt Palladium Card strategy, Bilt Cash expiration concerns, and tools from NextCard that help Bilt users.
Justin and Darren explain how Bilt Rewards works as a loyalty program
Rove Report with Carissa (July 2026)
Rove Adds Qantas Transfer Partner | 50% Transfer Bonus, Qantas Sweet Spots & July 2026 Rove Update
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Carissa Rawson from Rove to discuss Rove’s July 2026 update, including the addition of Qantas Frequent Flyer as Rove’s new transfer partner.
Rove now offers 1:1 transfers to Qantas, along with a limited-time 50% transfer bonus through August
Bryce Harper, Fanduel, and Responsible Gambling
Bryce Harper FanDuel Controversy: VIP Video, Gambling Rewards & Responsible Play
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to discuss the controversy surrounding a Bryce Harper video that was later used by FanDuel for a VIP bettor who allegedly lost $1.5 million.
Justin and Darren react to the early media coverage, criticize misleading headlines, and d
Best Credit Cards for Cashback and Cashing Out Points (July 2026)
Cash Back and Points: How to Blend Credit Card Rewards with Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, U.S. Bank & More
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by co-host Darren to discuss how to combine cashback credit cards with a points and miles strategy.
Justin and Darren explain that points and miles can be great for flights, hotels, lounges, and premium travel, and cashback can hel
Dave Ramsey is Wrong About FICO Scores (You Don't Need to Pay "Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars in Interest")
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: Justin Vacula Responds to Dave Ramsey on FICO Scores and Credit Cards
Justin Vacula records an impromptu episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast responding point by point to Dave Ramsey’s video, “This Is What Your FICO Score Really Means.”
Justin argues that Ramsey misrepresents how credit works by repeatedly equating responsible credit card use with carrying debt.
Dave Ramsey’s “Debt-Free” Cruise Costs Over $4,000...and you can pay with a Credit Card!
Dave Ramsey Cruise Pricing: $4,115 Interior Room, Massive Upsells & Credit Cards Accepted at Checkout
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast records an impromptu reaction to Dave Ramsey promoting a seven-day Western Caribbean “debt-free celebration” cruise for 2,500 fans.
Justin discusses the contrast between Ramsey’s usual frugality, anti-debt, and anti-credit-card messaging and the hi
Maximize Rakuten with TrakRak.com (Special Guest: Carrie)
TrackRak.com Review | Real-Time Rakuten Rate Alerts to Maximize Points, Miles & Cash Back
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Carrie from TrackRak.com to discuss how TrackRak helps points and miles users monitor Rakuten shopping portal rates and get real-time alerts when earning rates increase.
Recorded June 30, 2026, this episode covers how TrackRak works, why Carrie built
Airport Lounge Access in 2026
Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access | Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire, Amex Centurion, Capital One & Airline Clubs
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to discuss the best credit cards for airport lounge access, including Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges, Capital One Lounges, Amex Centurion Lounges, United Clubs, Delta Sky Clubs, Admiral
Bilt Bulletin | June 2026
Bilt Bulletin June 2026 | Palladium Card Updates, Credit Limit Increases, CFPB Complaints & Bilt Cash Redemptions
In this episode, Justin and Darren review key features of the Bilt Palladium Card, including Bilt Cash vs. Rent Multiplier, the welcome bonus, Gold status, hotel credits, and the Point Accelerator feature. They also discuss how they are using the card, what benefits have been useful s
New! Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Credit Card
Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card Review | 120K Bonus, 25% Award Discount, $400 Credits & $395 Fee
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by James from the Churn and Burn Podcast to discuss the newly released Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier Card.
This new premium Wyndham credit card has a $395 annual fee and offers up to a 120,000-point welcome bonus, with 90,000 Wyndham Rewa
NBC Turns Credit Card Rewards Into an Income Inequality Story - Here's What They Missed
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast responds to an NBC News article titled “How High-End Credit Card Perks Are Hurting Shoppers Who Pay in Cash.”
Original article:
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/credit-card-perks-hurt-shoppers-pay-cash-debit-rcna346905
The article frames credit card rewards as a wealth transfer tied to economic inequality, but Justin argues the story miss
Miles and Points with Matt Clausen
Points & Miles with Matt Clausen | Rove Stacking, Wells Fargo Cards, JetBlue Premier, and Getting Started
Justin Vacula welcomes Matt Clausen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast for a conversation about getting started with points and miles, smart card strategy, and some of today’s more interesting opportunities in travel rewards.
Recorded on May 11, 2026, this episode covers beginner-friendly ad
Rove Report with Carissa | June 2026
June 2026 Rove Report: 50% Transfer Bonus to Turkish Miles&Smiles + What’s New at Rove
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes returning guest Carissa Rawson to discuss Rove’s June 2026 transfer bonus to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and the latest updates from Rove.
From June 1 through June 30, 2026, Rove is offering a 50% transfer bonus to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, meanin
Bilt Bulletin May 2026
Bilt Bulletin May 2026 | Bilt Cash, Point Accelerators, Grubhub Changes, Priority Pass Confusion & New Rent Card Options
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning guest Darren for a May 2026 Bilt Bulletin, covering the latest Bilt Rewards updates, Bilt Cash strategy, point accelerators, rent payment options, and recent changes affecting Bilt cardholders.
Justin and D
JetBlue Premier Credit Card - Big Value!
JetBlue Premier Credit Card Refresh: 100K Bonus, Mosaic Status Potential, $300 Travel Credit & BlueHouse Lounge Access
Recorded in May 2026, Justin Vacula and returning co-host Darren discuss the refreshed JetBlue Premier Credit Card and whether it's worth the $499 annual fee.
They explain the new limited-time 100,000 point welcome bonus, JetBlue Mosaic status opportunities, the annual 25-tile b
Rove Report with Carissa | May 2026
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Carissa from Rove to discuss the new “It Pays to Chase More Rove Miles” promotion, running May 21 through May 31, 2026.
In this episode, Justin and Carissa explain how Rove users can earn elevated Rove Shopping rewards with select merchants offering up to 15X Rove miles. They also discuss stackable opportunities with Chase’s new Paze 10X Ul
New Royal Caribbean Royal ONE Plus Credit Card
Bank of America Royal Caribbean Credit Card Review (70,000 Points) | Apply or Skip?
Justin Vacula and returning co-host Darren discuss the new Bank of America Royal Caribbean Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature credit card.
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, they review the card’s 70,000-point welcome bonus after $3,000 in spending within 90 days, worth about $700 in Royal Caribbean re
Dave Ramsey Show: Horrible Relationship and Money Advice!
Justin Vacula reacts to a viral Dave Ramsey Show clip where a caller says she has around $90,000 in student loan debt, has been with her boyfriend for six years, and says he will not propose until she is debt-free. He pays her rent, they've been together for six years, but Dave Ramsey and his co-host Jade says this isn't good enough.
In this reaction, Justin responds to Dave Ramsey and Jade Warsh
Points and Miles with Jason Steele
Miles & Points in 2026 with Jason Steele
Justin Vacula hosts the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast with special guest Jason Steele, founder of CardCon and the Financial Affiliate Marketing Forum (FMAF), for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of miles and points in 2026.
In this episode, Jason shares how he first got started with award travel, how he handles credit card annual fees, and why many
Rove Report with Carissa | April 2026
Rove Report April 2026 | Virgin Atlantic & Virgin Red Added, App Beta, Sweet Spots, Meetups & More
Justin Vacula welcomes Carissa Rawson from Rove back to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast to discuss the latest Rove updates for April 2026, including the addition of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red as new transfer partners. With these additions, Rove now offers 17 transfer partners.
In thi
Bilt Bulletin April 2026
April 2026 Bilt Bulletin | Palladium Card, Points Accelerator, Bilt Cash Credits & Wyndham Update
Justin Vacula and co-host Darren return with the April 2026 Bilt Bulletin on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, explaining the latest developments with Bilt Rewards, including the new Bilt Palladium card, Points Accelerator, Bilt Cash credits, and the addition of Wyndham as a transfer partner.
In this
Autopilot with Sam Hollander
Autopilot Monitors Flight Price Drops After Booking | Save Money, Cash & Points | Sam Hollander Interview
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast interviews Sam Hollander from Autopilot about how travelers can track flight price drops after booking and potentially save money, receive travel credits, or rebook award flights for fewer points.
Autopilot helps monitor eligible flights booked
Calala Island Trip Report
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast shares a full Calala Island trip report from one of the most exclusive Hilton redemptions in the world. This private ultra all-inclusive island resort in Nicaragua was booked with four Hilton Free Night Certificates from American Express Hilton cards, and Justin also received a $2,510 wire bonus in under a week.
In this episode, Justin and guest Jam
Bilt Bulletin: March 2026
Bilt Palladium Card: Month 1 Results | Bilt Cash, Points Accelerator, Dining & Hotel Credits
Justin Vacula and returning co-host Darren evaluate their first month with the Bilt Palladium Card, including how they used Bilt Cash redemptions, the Points Accelerator, and stacked valuable hotel, dining, Lyft, Grubhub, and Walgreens credits.
In this episode, they explain why the Bilt Palladium Card is
Booking MGM Rewards Platinum and Gold Comp Cruises
MGM Rewards Cruises: How to Book BOTH Gold & Platinum Cruises
Can MGM Rewards members book both Gold and Platinum complimentary cruises in the same earned-status year?
In this episode, host Justin Vacula is joined by returning guest Marc Konchinsky to break down how it can be done, even when cruise reps and agents give conflicting answers.
Marc shares his firsthand experience booking and saili
Rove Report with Carissa Rawson | March 2026
In this March 2026 Rove Report, Justin Vacula is joined by Carissa Rawson from Rove to talk about ways to earn and use points for travel.
They discuss Rove’s growing list of transfer partners, as well as two major recent developments: the new SAS Scandinavian Airlines partnership and the launch of Japan Airlines.
They explain the 20% SAS transfer bonus through April 8, 2026, including sweet spo
FTU Dallas May 1st, 2026 Conference - Guest Hunter Threadgill
FTU Dallas 2026 Preview | New Venue, Speakers, Tours, Live Podcast Studio & Earn/Burn Points
Frequent Traveler University Dallas is back for 2026, and host Justin Vacula is joined by returning guest Hunter Threadgill to preview everything attendees can expect from FTU Dallas, May 1–3, 2026.
In this episode, Justin and Hunter discuss the new FTU Dallas venue at NYLO Las Colinas, part of Tapestry
Brisbane Trip Report & Miles and Points News
Brisbane on a Delta One Flash Deal | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Justin Vacula returns home after an exciting trip to Brisbane, Australia. Frequent co-host Darren joins this episode.
Justin shares highlights from the journey, including his Delta One experience with a lie-flat seat, plus time at the Delta One Lounge at LAX with private security access.
The trip recap includes walks around downto
Getting Started in Miles and Points with Erik and Bill Dickerson
Miles, Points & Creative Spending: A Tribute to Bill Dickerson (Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast)
Justin of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast remasters and re-releases an episode recorded 2–3 years ago with twins Eric and Bill Dickerson as a tribute to Bill, following his death from stroke-related complications.
This conversation captures their early journey into miles and points and creative spending:
Gift Card Reselling with QCGC
Supercharge Points & Miles with Gift Card Reselling - QCGC
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast | Justin Vacula
Justin Vacula hosts Taylor from QCGC (qcgc.io) to show how gift card reselling can help you earn more credit card points, miles, and cashback beyond everyday spending. By buying gift cards during promotions and reselling them through QCGC, keep the rewards while scaling your credit card spending
GetSaveWise.com with Avneesh
Save Money on Groceries & Online Shopping with SaveWise (Portals, Auto-Clipped Coupons & Stackable Offers) | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
They also dive into SaveWise’s grocery coupon auto-clipping tool (app + browser extension), which supports 28 major grocery brands and 5,500+ stores, including Safeway and Acme. With one click, you can activate every available offer and stack them with store loya
Get Paid to Stay on a Private Island! (I Booked It)
Exclusive $2,510 Cash Incentive at Calala Island (Nicaragua)! | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast (ft. James of the Churn and Burn Podast)
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula is joined by James from the Churn and Burn Podcast to discuss one of the wildest luxury travel promos we’ve seen: an exclusive $2,510 cash incentive tied to a four-night stay at Calala Island in Ni
Great Value at Rio Las Vegas
Unlock Las Vegas value with this Rio Las Vegas trip report!
Join Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast with co-host Darren as we break down how Hyatt Globalist benefits, smart booking strategy, and low-variance video poker can add up to an affordable and fun Las Vegas stay.
We cover what it’s like staying at Rio Las Vegas, why it can be a hidden gem for value-focused travelers, and ho
Miles and Points with Kate's On A Plane
Unlock affordable family travel using credit card points and miles!
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula sits down with Kate from Kate’s On A Plane to break down practical strategies for low-cost travel with kids using points, miles, credit card benefits, and loyalty programs.
We cover real-world tips for booking trips, saving on dining, planning family-friendly
Bilt 2.0: Obsidian vs Palladium (Which Credit Card is Best?)
BILT 2.0 Credit Cards Showdown: Palladium vs. Obsidian | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Join Justin Vacula and frequent co-host Darren for a detailed breakdown of the new BILT 2.0 premium credit cards—the Palladium vs Obsidian—and what they mean for points-and-miles and credit card enthusiasts.
We compare earning rates, welcome offers, annual-fee value, and the real-world usefulness of BILT Cash (i
BILT Cash Redemptions Revealed (Pros and Cons) with James of Churn and Burn
Points accelerators, helicopter rides, dining credits, and much more with BILT atop the fantastic 2x everywhere with the BILT Palladium card!
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula is joined by James from the Churn & Burn podcast to explain what BILT Cash actually is, how redemptions work, and what the new Points Accelerator could mean for earning and using rewards.
BILT 2.0: New Credit Cards Explained (Pros and Cons)
BILT just rolled out BILT 2.0 with the card issuer Cardless, and the program looks very different compared to the past Wells Fargo version.
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, Justin Vacula and frequent co-host Darren break down the new BILT credit cards—including Palladium, Obsidian, and BILT Blue with a focus on real-world value, rewards math, and the new BILT Cash system.
We c
Life is Too Short for Frequent Flier Miles? (Wall Street Journal Response)
Life is Too Short for Frequent Flyer Miles? Response to WSJ | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Is the points and miles game too complicated to be worthwhile? In this solo episode, Justin Vacula responds to a recent Wall Street Journal column, “Life’s Too Short for Frequent Flyer Miles” by Elliot Penn, and breaks down what the article gets right, what it misses, and how to get real travel savings witho
Miles and Points with Ronnie Dunston
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula chats with travel & miles and points enthusiast Ronnie Dunston.
Ronnie, a visitor of 108 countries, explains real-world strategies for traveling more (and spending less) using credit cards, airline miles, hotel points, and loyalty programs.
Ronnie shares what actually works for booking award flights, earning faster with the r
Travel in 2025 and 2026
2025 and 2026: Points, Miles & Future Adventures | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Welcome to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast with Justin Vacula, where we share practical ways to make and save money on travel using credit card points, airline miles, hotel points, casino comps, and loyalty program strategies.
In this episode, co-host Darren joins Justin for a year-in-review conversation covering wins f
Margaritaville At Sea Trip Report
Comp cruise with Margaritaville at Sea with special guest Marc | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
How did I score a free (or nearly free) balcony suite cruise using a mix of credit card points and casino loyalty perks?
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula breaks down his December 2025 Margaritaville at Sea cruise and explains the strategy behind turning a comp cruise
Dave Ramsey vs Business Credit Cards | Response
Responding to Dave Ramsey's Credit Card Arguments | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Dave Ramsey says, “No credit cards.” I say, “It depends.”
In this episode, Justin Vacula reacts to a recent Dave Ramsey clip and explains how credit cards can be a smart tool for business expenses and travel.
We get into the real math behind points and cashback, the psychology of spending, and why one-size-fits-all
Comp Cruises in 2026
Comp Cruises in 2026: Earn Free Cruises with Credit Card Rewards | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Join host Justin Vacula and returning guest Marc Konchinsky on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as they explain practical strategies to earn complimentary cruises in 2026.
Learn how to combine credit card points, casino loyalty programs, and MyVegas games to sail for little out-of-pocket cost.
Justin an
Earning Caesars Rewards Status in 2026
Earning Caesars Rewards Status in 2026 – Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Join host Justin Vacula and returning co-host Darren Remsburg for a deep dive into earning and maximizing Caesars Rewards status in 2026.
In this episode, they break down why miles and points enthusiasts should care about Caesars Rewards, how casino loyalty overlaps with traditional travel hacking, and where the real value is f
Getting Started in Miles and Points with Frank and Trey
Getting Started in Points and Miles | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula breaks down the art of using credit card points, miles, and casino loyalty programs to save money on travel and travel in style.
Justin shares how he went from discovering poker to focusing on credit card rewards, stacking offers, and traveling at next to no cost
Rove Miles Travel Tuesday with Carissa Rawson
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: Maximizing Points & Miles with Carissa Rawson of Rove
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula chats with Carissa Rawson from Rove to dive into the latest Rove promos, tools, and features that can supercharge your travel. They cover smart ways to earn and redeem Rove miles without opening new credit cards, so you can travel more while spend
Keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2026 with Hunter Threadgill
Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2026: Keep or Downgrade? | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast with Justin Vacula & Hunter Threadgill
Join host Justin Vacula and special guest Hunter Threadgill of Professor of Points as they take a deep dive into whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve is still worth keeping in 2026.
They walk through the new and existing benefits, including the $300 travel credit, dining and hote
Keep or Downgrade the Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2026?
Chase Sapphire Reserve 2026: Keep or Downgrade? | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth keeping in 2026 – or is it time to downgrade?
Join host Justin Vacula and guest Beth on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as they break down the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s changing value proposition in a world of rising annual fees and constantly shifting perks.
They walk through the majo
Southwest Companion Pass in 2026 with Max Craig
Earn the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026
In this Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast episode, Justin sits down with Max Craig from Points to the Max to break down exactly how to earn and maximize the Southwest Companion Pass for 2026.
We cover the best timing for points, which cards to open (and when), stacking strategies, and what recent program tweaks mean for your plan.
Whether you’re brand-new to
Miles and Points with Joseph Petrovic
Miles, Points, Casino Loyalty, Travel, and ZorkFest 2025 - Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he discusses how to travel at low cost using points & miles and credit cards.
Special guest Joseph Petrovic shares his experience with miles & points and the upcoming event ZorkFest 2025. Justin and Joe also delve into topics like credit card rewards
Rove Adds Miles & More with Carissa Rawson
Justin Vacula welcomes back Carissa Rawson from Rove Miles to break down Rove’s newest transfer partner, Miles & More, and the sweet spots you should know.
We cover smart redemptions, credit credit card strategy, stacking tips, and what’s new in points and miles. Save money on travel and travel better with Rove and credit card miles and points!
Chapters
00:00 Intro to Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcas
Earning MGM Rewards Status in 2026
Earning MGM Gold and Platinum Status in 2026 - Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Ready to earn comped cruises, waived resort fees, dining credits, and more? Justin Vacula and returning co-host Darren break down practical paths to MGM Gold and Platinum for 2026, how the MGM credit cards fits in, and smart stacking with myVEGAS and other casino loyalty programs.
Chapters
00:00 Intro to low-cost travel w
JetBlue 25 for 25 Promotion with James He
Maximize Travel Rewards with JetBlue’s 25 for 25 Promotion with James He
How do you turn one wild promo into 25 years of Mosaic status and 350,000 TrueBlue points? In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, Justin Vacula chats with James He to unpack JetBlue’s 25 for 25 promo from planning to execution.
We chat:
Real Mosaic benefits that matter in practice
Smart routing, rebooking, an
Responding to The New York Times
The New York Times says people like us open lots of credit cards, pocket big bonuses, and somehow still have high credit scores. They call it ‘taking advantage of loopholes’ and ‘exploiting,’ but I call it using credit intelligently and responsibly within the system the banks established. Play your cards right, and you win the miles and points game. My co-host Darren and I respond to the article a
Rove Launches Loyalty Eligible Hotel Bookings
Unlock Double Rewards + Hotel Points with Rove’s New Loyalty Eligible feature
Host Justin Vacula dives into Rove’s biggest update yet with guest Carissa Rawson from Rove. Learn how Loyalty Eligible hotel bookings let you earn hotel points, elite night credits, status perks, and Rove Miles on the same stay.
What you’ll learn
How Loyalty Eligible bookings earn hotel points and elite credits while
Miles and Points with Hunter Threadgill
Professor of Points: Unlocking Low-Cost Travel with Credit Card Rewards
Host Justin Vacula sits down with Hunter Threadgill (aka the Professor of Points) to unpack practical strategies for turning credit card points and miles into real trips. We cover earning frameworks, smart redemptions, recent travel wins, and how to answer the arguments against credit card use. Hunter also previews Frequent T
CardPointers Version 7 with Brooke
Maximizing Credit Card Rewards with CardPointers: An Interview with Brooke
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses maximizing credit card rewards with guest Brooke, a representative from CardPointers.
They delve into the benefits of the CardPointers app and browser extension, which help users automatically activate offers and identify the best cards for s
ZorkFest 2025 with Michael Trager
Justin Vacula explores smart travel hacks and credit-card reward strategies that keep trips affordable—then dives into ZorkFest 2025 (Dec 5–7, Las Vegas). Guest Michael Trager shares the conference’s origin story, what’s new for 2025, and how casino loyalty stacks with airline/hotel programs. We also tackle Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts in Vegas, cashback vs. travel cards, and why gamblers should be
Comenity/Bread Financial Suddenly Closing Accounts
Welcome to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! 🎻
Justin and co-host Darren explain the sudden Comenity/Bread Financial shutdowns—what likely triggered them, how to de-risk, and smart pivots to keep earning points & miles.
Breaking news: a War on Happiness report: sudden account shutdowns, why they maybe happened, and why it was absolutely worth it. Accounts closed, no email, no warning, just mass co
Common Mistakes in Points and Miles
Common Mistakes in Points and Miles by Justin Vacula
Rove Miles Dream Job Promotion - One Million Miles!
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: Rove Miles Dream Job Promotion - One Million Miles! with Carissa Rawson
Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he speaks with Carissa Rawson, Director of Travel and Marketing at Rove Miles.
They discuss the exciting 'Global Adventure Officer' dream job promotion, offering a million miles as salary and a travel stipend to a lucky traveler. Find t
Matthew Yglesias Misses The Point
Matthew Yglesias Misses the Point: Maximizing Credit Card Rewards with Minimal 'Mental Load'
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses how to make money, save money, and travel with minimal cost using credit card points, miles, benefits, and loyalty programs.
The discussion centers on writer Matthew Yglesias's recent tweet criticizing the 'mental load' of o
Rove Miles with Carissa Rawson
Rove Miles with Carissa Rawson by Justin Vacula
Getting Started with Miles and Points Featuring ChatGPT Real-Time Voice Mode Co-Host
Unlocking Travel Rewards: Beginner's Guide to Points & Miles with ChatGPT Voice!
Join Justin Vacula, host of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, as he introduces you to the exciting world of travel with points and miles.
This episode, featuring AI co-host ChatGPT Voice, is perfect for beginners looking to save money on travel through credit card rewards, miles, and loyalty programs.
Discover how
Alaska Airlines Upcoming Credit Card
Discover the Upcoming Alaska Airlines Premium Credit Card! | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren dive deep into the highly anticipated Alaska Airlines Premium Credit Card. This card is expected to launch with a strong welcome bonus, valuable ongoing benefits, and powerful travel perks.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer
Caesars Rewards New Credit Card (Caesars Rewards Prestige)
Breaking News: New Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature Credit Card!
Join host Justin Vacula on the latest episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast where he shares breaking news about the newly released Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature Credit Card.
With guest Darren, Justin dives deep into the benefits, drawbacks, and considerations of this exciting new offering. Learn about its bene
Pari and Tina from 'Love on the Spectrum' talk Travel, Trains, and More
Love on the Spectrum Stars Tina Caruso and Pari Kim | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Join Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he chats with Tina and Pari, stars of Netflix's 'Love on the Spectrum' Season 3.
Recorded at the Hyatt Place Medford near Boston, this episode dives into a candid and heartfelt conversation about Tina's and Pari's journey, the joys of public transit, and the i
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