Rustin joins Shawn and Benjy. He shares how he's been traveling from a young age and how that's shaped his priorities since. The guys discuss their mutual interest in award travel to Hawaii. Rustin has lots of upcoming travel plans, and he shares a few highlights. He shares his favorite points and how he uses them, with Hyatt taking center stage.
2024-04-26 15:17:34 +0000 UTC View Post
Against her better judgment, Kristin joins Benjy for this latest Spending Time episode. Not wanting the MtM Podcast's chicken talk to end, Benjy shares his non-Bojangles escapades from earlier in the day. Yet again, the front end of the show is shamelessly full of Amex +10x referral bonus updates and overanalysis. Kristin shares how she's busy enough there and doesn't plan to do it all. Benjy hints at a teensy bit of Simon and Walmart drama. On the plus side, AA ...
2024-04-25 02:32:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Against her better judgment, Kristin joins Benjy for this latest Spending Time episode. Not wanting the MtM Podcast's chicken talk to end, Benjy shares his non-Bojangles escapades from earlier in the day. Yet again, the front end of the show is shamelessly full of Amex +10x referral bonus updates and overanalysis. Kristin shares how she's busy enough there and doesn't plan to do it all. Benjy hints at a teensy bit of Simon and Walmart drama. On the plus side, AA ...
2024-04-25 02:31:52 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn and Ryan join the fun with Benjy. The three ponder if there's such a thing as a t-ball hitting instructor. Ryan and Benjy get a little weird with their credit card spending choices. They discuss Simon's fee increases and why Benjy will keep doing what he's doing. Next is a perfect mess of Amex talk - taking the +10x referral bonuses to the next level, the benefits of not earning an Amex signup bonus, and a few hot takes on the Hilton Business card changes. ...
2024-04-10 15:26:12 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn and Ryan join the fun with Benjy. The three ponder if there's such a thing as a t-ball hitting instructor. Ryan and Benjy get a little weird with their credit card spending choices. They discuss Simon's fee increases and why Benjy will keep doing what he's doing. Next is a perfect mess of Amex talk - taking the +10x referral bonuses to the next level, the benefits of not earning an Amex signup bonus, and a few hot takes on the Hilton Business card changes. ...
2024-04-10 15:25:50 +0000 UTC View Post
Ani joins Shawn and Benjy for a wide-ranging points and travel discussion. He shares how he got into the hobby in a very rare way - via Amtrak. Ani talks about his love for Hawaii and a recent trip to Africa. Mileage running isn't dead, and Ani provides an excellent example with his upcoming itinerary. The three discuss Ani's favorite way to currently generate points and miles - reselling. Ani describes how he finds huge value in focusing on oft-overlooked card b...
2024-03-29 21:41:51 +0000 UTC View Post
Ani joins Shawn and Benjy for a wide-ranging points and travel discussion. He shares how he got into the hobby in a very rare way - via Amtrak. Ani talks about his love for Hawaii and a recent trip to Africa. Mileage running isn't dead, and Ani provides an excellent example with his upcoming itinerary. The three discuss Ani's favorite way to currently generate points and miles - reselling. Ani describes how he finds huge value in focusing on oft-overlooked card b...
2024-03-29 21:41:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Raymond's back on the show and charges in with his Amex employee card updates. The two compare +10x referral bonus progress, with Raymond acting more responsibly than Benjy. While Benjy's way excited about Preferred Hotels online booking with Choice Privileges points, Raymond tries to figure out what Preferred Hotels is. They cover why the Breeze card blows, Wells Fargo sadness, and a few shutdowns. Raymond talks about his latest Fluz experiments, Simon stuff, a bit of...
2024-03-27 16:52:46 +0000 UTC View Post
Raymond's back on the show and charges in with his Amex employee card updates. The two compare +10x referral bonus progress, with Raymond acting more responsibly than Benjy. While Benjy's way excited about Preferred Hotels online booking with Choice Privileges points, Raymond tries to figure out what Preferred Hotels is. They cover why the Breeze card blows, Wells Fargo sadness, and a few shutdowns. Raymond talks about his latest Fluz experiments, Simon stuff, a bit of...
2024-03-27 16:50:38 +0000 UTC View Post
Ryan and Benjy are back with a supersized episode while Shawn is globetrotting. After sharing their latest spending exploits, Benjy recounts his morning drama at the local Simon Outlet. They subsequently discuss the recent Amex shutdowns, the importance of thoughtful risk-taking, and our collective hunger to identify trends. Ryan summarizes his recent Rio/Hyatt games; Benjy is unconvinced. They sort through a huge pile of card welcome offers. Benjy shares a couple obscure data points from PPB...
2024-03-13 10:43:18 +0000 UTC View Post
Ryan and Benjy are back with a supersized episode while Shawn is globetrotting. After sharing their latest spending exploits, Benjy recounts his morning drama at the local Simon Outlet. They subsequently discuss the recent Amex shutdowns, the importance of thoughtful risk-taking, and our collective hunger to identify trends. Ryan summarizes his recent Rio/Hyatt games; Benjy is unconvinced. They sort through a huge pile of card welcome offers. Benjy shares a couple obscure data points from PPB...
2024-03-13 10:42:52 +0000 UTC View Post
Dave joins Shawn and Benjy to discuss his earning, booking, and travel highlights. With his long-planned Japan trip coming up, Dave shares how he used alert services to book partner awards. He also catches us up on his family's big Dubai trip. Dave shares the glory of flying premium class with the kids back in economy. Benjy and Dave share their common love of on the street spending and liquidation strategies.
2024-02-29 11:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Dave joins Shawn and Benjy to discuss his earning, booking, and travel highlights. With his long-planned Japan trip coming up, Dave shares how he used alert services to book partner awards. He also catches us up on his family's big Dubai trip. Dave shares the glory of flying premium class with the kids back in economy. Benjy and Dave share their common love of on the street spending and liquidation strategies.
2024-02-29 10:58:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Larry joins Benjy again to discuss the latest Fluz agony and Amex ecstasy. The twosome describe their Amex referral bonus strategies and the outstanding Bonvoy Business welcome offer. A large load of Amtrak talk follows, which Benjy enjoys more than pretty much anyone else. Larry shares his attempts to get back through Citi's door. They ponder whether they should care about Capital One's acquisition of Discover. Hotel talk ensues - Hyatt category changes, new Hilton br...
2024-02-28 16:33:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Larry joins Benjy again to discuss the latest Fluz agony and Amex ecstasy. The twosome describe their Amex referral bonus strategies and the outstanding Bonvoy Business welcome offer. A large load of Amtrak talk follows, which Benjy enjoys more than pretty much anyone else. Larry shares his attempts to get back through Citi's door. They ponder whether they should care about Capital One's acquisition of Discover. Hotel talk ensues - Hyatt category changes, new Hilton br...
2024-02-28 16:33:27 +0000 UTC View Post
Josh joins Benjy for an adventurous Fluz discussion. The twosome cover a concerning development, discuss alternatives, and share why it's not all doom and gloom. They reflect on the importance of maintaining perspective with Fluz and our overall hobby. Josh shares some interesting Fluz party facts, addresses common misconceptions, and answers some oft-repeated questions.
2024-02-16 20:48:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Josh joins Benjy for an adventurous Fluz discussion. The twosome cover a concerning development, discuss alternatives, and share why it's not all doom and gloom. They reflect on the importance of maintaining perspective with Fluz and our overall hobby. Josh shares some interesting Fluz party facts, addresses common misconceptions, and answers some oft-repeated questions.
2024-02-16 20:48:21 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn, Ryan, and Benjy unexpectedly lead off the show discussing the MGM and Caesars credit cards. Benjy gets way too excited about his Saks stack. They then discuss shutdowns from different angles followed by an obligatory Fluz and Amex sections. Shawn and Ryan can't be bothered with Delta Amex cards, but a few Chase offers move the needle. As AA elite status qualification hits crunch time, Benjy discusses his current situation and pursuit of more. In the Low-Ha...
2024-02-14 17:36:56 +0000 UTC View PostShawn, Ryan, and Benjy unexpectedly lead off the show discussing the MGM and Caesars credit cards. Benjy gets way too excited about his Saks stack. They then discuss shutdowns from different angles followed by an obligatory Fluz and Amex sections. Shawn and Ryan can't be bothered with Delta Amex cards, but a few Chase offers move the needle. As AA elite status qualification hits crunch time, Benjy discusses his current situation and pursuit of more. In the Low-Ha...
2024-02-14 17:36:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn and Benjy are joined by Saul on this wide-ranging episode of Diamond Member Spotlight. Saul shares his work background and how that has inspired many of his travel goals. He discusses his love of National Parks, getting stuck in the Maui fires, cruising, and Disney parks. Saul talks about his favorite high spend activities currently - Fluz and gift card reselling. Benjy finally finds someone else excited about the upcoming Breeze Airways credit card from Barclays...
2024-01-25 17:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn and Benjy are joined by Saul on this wide-ranging episode of Diamond Member Spotlight. Saul shares his work background and how that has inspired many of his travel goals. He discusses his love of National Parks, getting stuck in the Maui fires, cruising, and Disney parks. Saul talks about his favorite high spend activities currently - Fluz and gift card reselling. Benjy finally finds someone else excited about the upcoming Breeze Airways credit card from Barclays...
2024-01-25 17:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostKristin's back with Benjy on Spending Time. She shares here late 2023 exploits, including her latest Amex Employee Card proclivities. The twosome discuss more nuanced Amex strategies, Kristin getting her nephew started in the hobby, a few Alaska card welcome offers, and Benjy's Caesars to Wyndham transfer drama. They swap One card war stories, including Benjy's recent shutdown, and current Fluz highs and lows. Kristin provides an update on her travels; Benjy does the s...
2024-01-24 11:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Kristin's back with Benjy on Spending Time. She shares here late 2023 exploits, including her latest Amex Employee Card proclivities. The twosome discuss more nuanced Amex strategies, Kristin getting her nephew started in the hobby, a few Alaska card welcome offers, and Benjy's Caesars to Wyndham transfer drama. They swap One card war stories, including Benjy's recent shutdown, and current Fluz highs and lows. Kristin provides an update on her travels; Benjy does the s...
2024-01-24 10:59:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn, Ryan, and Benjy start year five of Spending Time with a bang. Late 2023 and early 2024 have been bursting with hobby activity, and the guys discuss it all. Benjy shares how he fell into a new AAdvantage AAbyss but also came up with an unexpected signup bonus. Speaking of American, they cover program changes and new Delta and United status match opportunities. Unsolicited, Benjy share another reason why he loves Breeze. The episode ends with the required Fl...
2024-01-10 17:45:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Shawn, Ryan, and Benjy start year five of Spending Time with a bang. Late 2023 and early 2024 have been bursting with hobby activity, and the guys discuss it all. Benjy shares how he fell into a new AAdvantage AAbyss but also came up with an unexpected signup bonus. Speaking of American, they cover program changes and new Delta and United status match opportunities. Unsolicited, Benjy share another reason why he loves Breeze. The episode ends with the required Fl...
2024-01-10 17:45:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone! Announcements will now be posted on Patreon to make them much easier to find and refer back to later! Here is the announcement for the 2024 meetup dates as originally posted elsewhere.
2024 Meetup Dates
Here are the dates and locations of the 2024 meetups. We tried to balance location (ease of reaching), fun things to do and overall atmosphere when choosing these cities. We also tried to plan the meetups at times where the most people hopefully will ...
2024-01-10 17:27:41 +0000 UTC View Post
Josh and Larry join Benjy to talk probably way too much about Fluz.
2023-12-13 19:42:20 +0000 UTC View PostJosh and Larry join Benjy to talk probably way too much about Fluz.
2023-12-13 19:20:42 +0000 UTC View Post
Travel takes center stage during this episode of the FI podcast. Shawn and Benjy discuss applying FI principles to travel. Benjy talks about how he balances cashing out with hoarding travel currencies. Shawn and Benjy cover how to sensibly draw down a "Travel IRA." Benjy shares his optimal combination of travel splurges and efficient redemptions.
2023-12-07 23:26:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Raymond returns for another round with Ryan and Benjy. They update the latest Fluz transition and their individual plights. The guys discuss how they're adapting to Amex credit card challenges, and they revalidate Benjy's FHR trick. Raymond shares his upcoming travel and MS plans for the rest of 2023. Benjy ends the episode announcing the return of his favorite dining hack.
2023-11-30 14:49:12 +0000 UTC View Post