Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

Wyndham Homes & Havens: Vacation Rentals From 15K Points Per Bedroom/Night

Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to discuss Wyndham Rewards’ new Homes & Havens platform, which expands Wyndham points beyond traditional hotels into professionally managed vacation homes, villas, and other distinctive stays.

Wyndham Homes & Havens launches with nearly 800 properties across the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe, with additional accommodations such as cabins, tiny homes, and yurts expected to join the collection.

Justin and Darren break down how Wyndham Rewards points can be earned and redeemed through Homes & Havens. Members earn five Wyndham points per dollar on qualifying bookings, while award stays currently start at 15,000 points per bedroom, per night. Additional redemption tiers are available at 30,000 and 45,000 points per bedroom, with a 5,000-point tier expected as the program expands.

The per-bedroom pricing makes Homes & Havens especially interesting for families and groups. Justin and Darren discuss when a larger vacation rental could provide better value than booking multiple hotel rooms and how travelers should calculate the real points cost when a property has several bedrooms.

Timestamps

00:00 Podcast Intro Theme
00:41 Wyndham Homes & Havens
02:49 Family And Group Travel Value
05:06 Program Details Overview
09:10 Properties And Destinations
11:40 Booking Rules, Taxes, And Fees
15:57 Sponsor Break And Return
16:29 Best Wyndham Credit Cards
17:59 Wyndham Points Strategy
23:16 Events And Wrap Up
25:22 Final Outro And Links

🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

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👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490

👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg

👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/
—

💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

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👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
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✨ Bonus content 🎁
—

RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
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Debunking the Flight-Price Browser History Myth: Sean Ross Sapp, Nord VPN Ad Claim & Credibility Questions

Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast records a bonus episode responding to Sean Ross Sapp’s claim, made in connection with a NordVPN ad read, that airlines raise flight prices based on browsing or search history and that using a VPN can help travelers find lower fares.

Justin examines the claim using travel reporting from outlets including Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and View From the Wing, which debunk the idea that repeatedly searching for the same flight causes airlines to raise prices specifically because of an individual user’s browser history.

Justin discusses several public controversies and allegations involving Sean Ross Sapp, including insulting direct messages, claims involving burner accounts where Sapp is pretending to be a fan, disputes over DMCA takedowns, threatening messages, and questions surrounding Sapp’s statement that ESPN attempted to hire him three times.

He also discusses his own interactions and previous analysis of Sapp’s podcast content, including criticism of how opinion, discussion, and reporting are sometimes presented. Justin then details responses from Sean Ross Sapp and his fans that don't address the criticisms, but instead resort to name-calling.

Timestamps

00:00 Bonus Video Setup
00:13 Flight Price Claim After or During NordVPN Ad Read
01:33 Debunking Sean Ross Sapp
03:53 Sapp's Online Behavior
04:59 Threats and DMCA Allegations
06:32 My Direct Experience with Sean Ross Sapp
09:26 Podcast Critique Breakdown
11:28 Fan Reactions and Insults
15:16 Outro

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast

👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490

👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg

👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/

—
💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/

👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy

👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9

👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
https://www.withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
https://www.nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more. Descript offers tools, including studio sound, removal of filler words, and the ability to edit from a generated transcript.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—

👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel

🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:
✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—

RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/

🌐 Stay Connected With Me:

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl

📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/

Chicago Seminars 2026 Preview: Points & Miles Labs, Networking, Speakers + $10 Off Code

Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Marty Paz from the Chicago Seminars organizing team to preview Chicago Seminars 2026, taking place November 6–8, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago.

Chicago Seminars brings together beginners, advanced award travelers, speakers, sponsors, and members of the travel rewards community for a weekend of education, networking, and hands-on learning. Justin will also speak at the 2026 event and meet podcast listeners.

Justin and Marty highlight several new features for Chicago Seminars 2026, including hands-on Friday morning and afternoon “Earn” and “Burn” labs designed to help attendees put points-and-miles strategies into practice. The labs include lunch and are intended to provide a more interactive experience than traditional conference sessions.

If you are considering attending Chicago Seminars 2026, use promo code HURDYGURDY for $10 off your ticket at chicagoseminars.org.

Timestamps

00:00 Points And Miles Intro
00:32 Meet Marty Paz
01:25 How Marty Started
02:38 Chicago Seminars Origins
04:53 Tickets And $10 Off Promo Code
05:24 Hands-On Earn And Burn Labs
08:19 First Class Feast
09:58 Networking Tips
12:46 Speakers And Sessions
16:09 Sponsors And Charity
17:58 Break And Support Links
18:40 Advice For First-Time Attendees
21:56 Value For Advanced Travelers
25:13 Wrap Up And Outro

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

👉 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490

👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg

—
💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/

👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy

👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9

👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
https://www.withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
https://www.nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—

👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel

🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:
✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—

RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/

🌐 Stay Connected With Me:
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl
📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/

Bilt Updates: Bilt Cash Expiration, Hotel Redemptions, Rental Car Status Matches & Daily Rewards

Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by returning co-host Darren to explain major Bilt Rewards changes, including improved Bilt Cash expiration rules, changes to hotel redemptions, new rental car status matches, Daily Rewards, updated annual credits, and changes to how cardholders can earn rewards on housing payments.

One of the biggest improvements is a change to Bilt Cash expiration. Instead of most Bilt Cash expiring at the end of the calendar year, Bilt Cash will now expire 12 months after you earn it, giving cardholders more time to use their rewards.

Justin and Darren also discuss changes to Bilt Cash hotel redemptions. Instead of a monthly hotel redemption opportunity, Bilt plans to offer the benefit twice per year. They examine whether the added flexibility around expiration makes up for having fewer hotel redemption windows.

Timestamps

00:00 Show Intro Theme
00:32 Welcome And Episode Setup
01:44 Bilt Basics And Card Perks
04:03 Bilt Cash Expiration Update
06:56 Hotel Redemption Changes
08:52 Rental Car Status Matches
10:03 New System vs. old 4% Bilt Cash
13:30 Annual Credits Move To Anniversary
15:40 Daily Rewards Sweepstakes
19:43 Support The Show
20:25 Bilt Business And Future Outlook
23:28 November 2026 Rent Day
25:21 Bilt Stats And Redemptions
27:46 Listener Questions And Strategy
31:19 More Updates And New Partners
34:17 Upcoming Travel Plans
36:52 Wrap Up And Outro

—

💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/

👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy

👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9

👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
https://www.withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
https://www.nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more. Descript offers tools, including studio sound, removal of filler words, and the ability to edit from a generated transcript.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—

👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel

🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:

✨ One-on-one calls with me

✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)

✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬

✨ Bonus content 🎁
—

RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/

🌐 Stay Connected With Me:

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl

📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/

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 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.

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.

Timestamps

00:00 Points And Miles Intro
00:32 Remastered Episode Setup
01:10 Meet Ben Of Ben’s Big Deal
02:02 ZorkFest And Travel Hacking
04:30 Ben’s Points And Miles Origin Story
07:32 Beginner Strategy Basics
09:06 Meeting Minimum Spend
11:23 Annual Fees And Big Bonuses
13:42 Responsible Credit Card Use
16:55 Trip Planning And Point Values
18:04 Family Player Two Strategies
19:59 Deal Stories And Manufactured Spending
23:44 Meetups And Hobby Challenges
29:12 Tools To Stay Organized
30:38 Credit Card And Hotel Masterclasses
34:30 Where To Find Ben
34:52 Podcast Outro And Credits

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

👉 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490

👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg
—

💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/

👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy

👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9

👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
https://www.withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
https://www.nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—

👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel

🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:

✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—

RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/

🌐 Stay Connected With Me:

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl

📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/