This is a clip from a recent full-length episode.
Points & Miles Basics + Advanced Tricks with Ben of Ben’s Big Deal | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast shares a remastered, shorter conversation with Ben Komenkul of Ben’s Big Deal, a points-and-miles and credit card rewards expert who leads a travel rewards community, hosts monthly Zoom meetings, and redeems more than one million points each year for family travel.
Ben shares how he got started in points and miles after discovering airport lounge access and a 100,000-point credit card welcome offer. From there, the conversation covers both beginner strategies and more advanced techniques for earning, managing, and redeeming travel rewards. Ben recommends treating points and miles as a marathon rather than a sprint, avoiding analysis paralysis, and applying for credit cards strategically.
He explains why transferable currencies can be especially valuable and why simpler Chase cards can be a good starting point for beginners. Justin and Ben also explain how to meet credit card minimum spending requirements responsibly by shifting normal expenses and existing bills onto new cards instead of spending more money just to earn a bonus.
They discuss annual fees, why banks offer large welcome bonuses, and the difference between responsible credit card use and carrying high-interest debt. Whether you are just getting started with points and miles or already have multiple rewards cards, this episode covers practical ways to earn more points, avoid common mistakes, stay organized, and travel better for less.
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