Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

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 bonus, earning 1 tile per $1,000 in spend, and whether high spend on the card can make sense for travelers chasing Mosaic status.

Justin and Darren also discuss key JetBlue Premier Card benefits, including the 15% points rebate after award travel, up to $300 in annual statement credits for hotels and car rentals booked through TrueBlue Travel, and JetBlue BlueHouse lounge access, with JFK open now, Boston expected in summer 2026, and Fort Lauderdale being discussed as a future lounge location.

They also cover companion pass statement credits tied to $15,000 and $75,000 in annual spend, the $150 authorized user fee, Barclays approval standards, and downgrade options.

Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast Intro Theme
00:32 JetBlue Premier Overview
02:23 100K Bonus Breakdown
04:17 Mosaic Status Math
09:00 Points Rebate And Credits
12:17 Earning Rates And Strategy
13:43 BlueHouse Lounge Access
15:29 Support The Show Break
18:15 Companion Pass Spend Perks
22:51 Fees, Authorized Users, And Approvals
27:14 Keeper Card Or Downgrade
29:16 JetBlue Flying Experience
30:38 DC Waldorf Trip Report
35:43 Wrap Up And 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

👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/

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

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—

💜 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

CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.

👉 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

👉 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 🎁
—

🌐 Stay Connected With Me:

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

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

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

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 Ultimate Rewards benefit on eligible Sapphire and Freedom cards, which can apply on up to $1,500 in monthly purchases.

Carissa shares some of her favorite Rove bookings and redemptions, responds to listener questions about eBay and giftcards.com rate cuts, teases upcoming transfer-related news, and previews future Rove updates, including app improvements, in-store and dining features, and upcoming meetups in New York City and beyond.

Timestamps

00:00 Points And Miles Intro
00:32 Welcome And Guest Setup
01:07 St. Louis Meetup Stories
02:02 Promo Overview And Dates
02:47 Stacking Chase Paze
05:27 Merchant Boost Highlights
06:23 Rove Platform Basics
07:58 Office And Team Updates
09:14 Upcoming Rove Meetups
09:56 Chase Credits And Travel Philosophy
11:50 Support And Announcements
13:51 Listener Question: Coolest Booking
16:39 Meetup Suites And Events
17:59 eBay and Giftcards Questions
20:26 App Beta And Summer Teasers
21:58 Why Join Rove
25:03 Socials And Closing
26:55 Outro Music Credits
27:00 Final Sign Off

—
🎙️ 📢 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

👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/

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

👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—

💜 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

CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.

👉 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

👉 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 🎁
—

🌐 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/

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 rewards that can be used for onboard credit, cruise fare discounts, drink packages, excursions, and more.

Justin and Darren discuss the card’s main features, including 4x points on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea purchases, the $99 annual fee, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, priority boarding, and the $200 annual cruise discount after $20,000 in spend.

The conversation also compares this new Royal Caribbean card with other Bank of America credit cards, including Alaska, Premium Rewards, and cash-back business cards, as well as broader travel card competitors such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X.

Timestamps:
00:00 Podcast intro theme
00:32 Welcome and episode setup
01:40 Royal Caribbean card bonus basics
04:20 Earning rates and card comparisons
08:50 Annual fee and card perks
10:26 Downgrade options and potential pitfalls
11:20 Bank of America alternatives including Alaska and Atmos
14:48 Break and announcements
18:32 Premium Rewards and cash-back alternatives
26:52 Who should apply and who should skip
28:20 Upcoming travel plans
32:26 Wrap-up and outro

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

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

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

👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/

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

👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—

💜 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

CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.

👉 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

👉 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 🎁
—

🌐 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 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 Warshaw telling the caller to “dump him,” calling the boyfriend toxic, and suggesting she "deserves" someone better. Jade Warshaw also calls living together before marriage "a bum idea."

Justin argues that the situation is more complicated than that. He questions why the boyfriend is being framed as the villain when he is already financially supporting the household and may simply want to avoid taking on legal and financial liability before marriage.

Original Video from Dave:
https://youtu.be/SwxuiHeI7RQ?si=FMwJY1LB_KHoiB9b

Timestamps:
00:00 Viral Ramsey Clip Setup
01:22 Caller Debt And Context
03:02 Boyfriend Won’t Propose Yet
04:01 “Dump Him” Reaction
06:57 Princess Queen Narrative
07:58 Living Together Twist
09:08 Cohabitation Debate
11:20 Jade Warshaw says living together before marriage is a "bum idea"
15:44 Debt Alignment Contradictions
19:26 Marriage And Debt Standards
22:15 Premarital Counseling Spin
27:32 Final Takeaways And Sign Off

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

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

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

👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/

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

👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—

💜 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

CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.

👉 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

👉 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 🎁
—

🌐 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/

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 travelers still get tremendous value from points and miles despite ongoing devaluations.

Justin and Jason also discuss how to answer credit card skeptics, the importance of responsible credit card use, and why paying balances in full is essential for long-term success.

They also dive into high-value redemption strategies, including Hyatt Globalist benefits, Wyndham sweet spots during major events, and how redemption choices can dramatically change the value of your points.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
00:45 Meet Jason Steele
01:26 Jason’s miles and points origin story
03:10 How to answer skeptics of points and miles
05:20 Real travel wins and success stories
06:10 Managing annual fees, retention offers, and downgrades
08:44 Dream trips and a month in rural Italy
10:20 Can you travel too much?
12:20 Credit cards, responsible use, and paying in full
13:47 Getting maximum value from points and miles
15:46 What is Card Con?
17:33 FMAF and Toronto plans
17:52 Clarifying the industry event audience
18:19 Show announcements
20:27 Why Jason is still optimistic despite devaluations
23:23 Wyndham sweet spots and outsized redemption value
25:17 New cards and emerging trends
29:25 Bilt Palladium reality check
31:53 Upcoming travel plans
33:12 Jason’s book and consulting work
35:21 Where to find Jason Steele
36:21 Final thanks and sign-off

—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

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

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

👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—

💜 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

CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features.

👉 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

—

👉 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 🎁
—

🌐 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/