PodcastsLeisureHurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

Justin Vacula
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Latest episode

188 episodes

  • Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

    Bilt Bulletin April 2026

    04/24/2026 | 30 mins.
    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 episode, Justin shares his real-world experience with the Bilt Palladium card, including how it can earn 2x everywhere and up to 3x everywhere through Points Accelerator on qualifying spend. He also explains how Bilt members can transfer points to programs like Hyatt and Alaska Airlines, pay rent fee-free using Bilt’s account and routing number system, and stack monthly benefits for even more value.

    Justin and Darren also discuss Bilt Cash redemptions for dining, pharmacy, rideshare, and hotel credits, along with Bilt status levels, Rent Day bonuses, the new Wyndham Rewards partnership, the $200 two-night hotel credit, and the “Bilt Close Friends” invite program. They also respond to listener feedback, including criticism that Bilt may be too complicated compared with cards like the Capital One Venture X.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro and setup
    01:17 Bilt Palladium card basics
    02:08 Early results and paying rent with Bilt
    04:16 Elite status thresholds and Rent Day bonuses
    06:11 Using Bilt Cash credits
    09:34 Bilt Close Friends and events
    11:22 Wyndham added as a Bilt transfer partner
    12:46 Show support and ads
    15:01 Stacking the $200 hotel credit
    19:23 Listener feedback: Is Bilt too complicated?
    25:17 New cards and family strategy
    28:37 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/

    👉 …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/
  • Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

    Autopilot with Sam Hollander

    04/17/2026 | 25 mins.
    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 directly with supported airlines, making it easier to spot lower fares without manually checking prices every day. Sam explains how the idea for Autopilot came after many airlines reduced or removed change fees, why repricing opportunities are often missed, and how the platform works for both paid tickets and award travel.

    Autopilot affiliate link:
    http://withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

    In this interview, Justin and Sam discuss supported airlines, how to import reservations, privacy considerations, common savings opportunities, how Autopilot compares with competitors, upgrade alert features, and upcoming plans for hotel repricing.

    Whether you book flights with cash, points, or miles, this episode covers a useful travel tool that may help you save money after you've already booked.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Podcast Intro
    00:32 Meet Sam Hollander and Autopilot
    01:13 How Autopilot Got Started
    03:06 How Autopilot Works
    04:39 Importing Flights and Tracking Prices
    05:52 Eligible Flights and Savings Opportunities
    07:44 Big Savings and Real Price Drops
    10:13 International Flights and Airline Partners
    12:03 Privacy and Security
    13:30 Break and Links
    16:19 Competitors and New Features
    17:31 Upgrade Alerts and Hotel Repricing
    19:51 Travel Plans and Final Discussion
    21:51 Credit Cards 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/

    👉 …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/
  • Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

    Calala Island Trip Report

    04/07/2026 | 48 mins.
    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 James break down the full experience, including how to book Calala Island, complicated transfer logistics through Managua, Bluefields, and multiple boat rides, and what it’s really like staying at this luxury private island resort.

    Justin also shares the downsides of the trip, including heat, sunburn, getting sick near the end of the stay, and an early rainy departure, plus thoughts on the value of Hilton Free Night Certificates, how hard Calala Island is to book, and why award availability is so limited.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Points and miles intro
    00:44 Calala Island big win
    02:13 Getting paid
    03:43 How to get there
    06:00 Boat ride and wildlife
    06:59 Pre-arrival info call
    08:22 WhatsApp concierge service
    09:42 Rooms and master suite
    11:49 Sleep tips
    13:23 Bugs and no-see-ums
    15:02 Food, lobster, and value
    18:50 Picnic basket setup
    20:50 Excursions and sunburn
    22:41 Sunscreen recommendation
    23:37 Why there are show ads
    24:07 Where to follow
    24:32 Meetups and conferences
    25:27 Affiliate tools
    26:13 Guest podcast plug
    26:56 Island activities
    29:50 Spa and gift cards
    30:11 How many nights
    32:19 Extend your stay
    34:54 Getting sick and leaving
    37:04 Airport and Wi-Fi
    38:18 Listener Q&A
    39:48 Hilton certificate strategy
    43:30 Wrap-up and wire talk
    46:40 Final thanks 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/

    👉 …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.
    https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

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



    👉 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/


    ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast!

    Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
  • Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

    Bilt Bulletin: March 2026

    03/30/2026 | 38 mins.
    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 a strong option for everyday non-bonus spend, especially for people looking to combine solid earnings with flexible redemption options.

    Justin also shares real-world examples of using Bilt benefits, including stacking the monthly $100 Bilt Travel portal two-night hotel credit with the card’s $200 hotel credit for a Miami stay, successfully redeeming the $25 monthly Bilt Dining credit through QR-code checkout in Washington, DC, and using the easy $10 monthly Grubhub, $10 Walgreens gift card, and $10 Lyft credit.

    If you’re interested in Bilt Rewards, credit card points, travel rewards, monthly statement credits, and whether the Bilt Palladium Card annual fee is worth it, this episode covers the card’s first-month value in detail.

    Timestamps
    00:00 Points and Miles Intro
    00:32 Bilt Palladium Month One
    01:44 Bilt Cash Basics
    02:27 Points Accelerator Explained
    04:01 Hotel Portal Credit Win
    05:57 Blacklane Credit Delays
    07:37 Bilt Dining Credit Tips
    09:03 QR Code Checkout Story
    11:49 Expiration and Earn & Burn
    13:32 Vegas Plans
    16:10 Announcements
    16:23 Socials and Meetups
    18:29 FTU Dallas
    19:33 CardPointers and SaveWise
    20:44 Grubhub Credit
    23:09 Walgreens and Lyft Credits
    24:45 Month One Value Recap
    26:26 Annual Fee and Downgrade Talk
    29:15 Foreign Fee Refund
    31:14 China Taiwan Cruise Preview
    32:59 Paying Before Statement Close
    35:45 Wrap Up and Where to Follow


    🎙️ 📢 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.
    https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

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



    👉 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/
  • Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

    Booking MGM Rewards Platinum and Gold Comp Cruises

    03/21/2026 | 39 mins.
    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 sailing both a Gold cruise and a Platinum cruise, including a Radiance of the Seas sailing and a Wonder of the Seas sailing, while dealing with missing offer codes, incorrect account coding, long hold times, and an escalation process with MGM.

    Topics covered:

    How to book both MGM Gold and Platinum cruises

    Missing offer codes and account coding issues

    HUCA strategies and escalation tips

    Differences between Gold and Platinum cruise benefits

    Royal Caribbean cruise experiences and ship highlights

    Pre-cruise hotel stays and points strategy

    Status matching, travel planning, and card rewards discussion

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:45 MGM Cruises Controversy
    01:47 Marc’s Two-Cruise Timeline
    02:32 Codes and Finger Pointing
    03:55 Email Escalation
    06:51 Hold Times and Booking Tactics
    07:31 Cruise Offer Details and Confusion
    10:25 Perks and Why It’s Worth It
    13:01 2026 Strategy and MGM Cards
    16:35 Announcements and Affiliates
    19:12 Live Update: New Code
    20:14 Missing Cruise Benefits
    21:02 Cruise Planning and Hilton Stays
    22:24 Ship Highlights
    23:15 Dining and Internet
    25:41 Shows, Waterslides, and Amenities
    26:40 Cabins, Bathrooms, and Balconies
    28:00 Status Match Cruise Stacking
    28:51 CocoCay, Casino
    30:34 Upcoming Travel and Cruise Teasers
    31:17 GM Credit Card Rewards
    35:03 Why Three Hilton Surpass Cards
    36:44 Final Tips and Listener Wrap


    🎙️ 📢 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/

    👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

    📡 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.
    https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

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



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

    🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:

    ✨ One-on-one calls

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

    ✨ A custom podcast episode

    ✨ 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/

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About Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

Travel the world at next to no cost with credit card rewards!
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