Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

Note: The video of this episode can be found on Youtube or Spotify Summary In this episode of Travel Stories, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle welcome Gary Leff, of View From the Wing and the Freddie Awards to the show. We discuss memorable experiences in travel, the evolution of airline loyalty programs, the changing landscape of airline upgrades, and the impact of status on travel experiences. The conversation also delves into family travel, personal travel stories, and the value of travel experiences. Gary shares his insights on the future of airline loyalty programs and emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey rather than cramming everything into one trip. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Travel Stories and Guest Background 03:07 Memorable Experiences at Frequent Traveler University 05:46 The Evolution of Airline Loyalty Programs 09:01 The Changing Landscape of Upgrades and Entitlement 11:54 The Shift in Value Proposition for Frequent Flyers 14:29 The Future of Loyalty Programs and Personalization 17:30 Recognition and Emotional Connections in Loyalty Programs 20:23 Gamification and Customer Engagement Strategies 29:51 Navigating Credit Card Value and Offers 37:49 The Future of Co-Branded Credit Cards 54:31 Traveling with Family: A New Perspective 01:00:24 Shifting Travel Preferences and Experiences 01:03:14 Traveling with Kids: Strategies and Challenges 01:09:58 Memorable Travel Experiences: Stories from the Road 01:15:02 The Value of Travel: Understanding Different Cultures 01:21:08 Reflections on Travel: The Good and the Bad 01:25:33 Favorite Travel Deals: A Look Back at Opportunities

Festivus 2025 Episode 70: Show Notes Keywords Festivus, travel, airlines, loyalty programs, grievances, travel stories, miles, points, travel achievements, travel miracles Summary Our Annual Festivus Tradition continues! In this episode, we celebrate Festivus with special guest JT Genter, discussing our travel experiences. We air our grievances with airlines and loyalty programs, we share our feats of strength and celebrate our Festivus miracles. Break out your festivus pole and join us as we reflect on the past year. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Intros 03:53 Airing of Grievances 28:18 Feats of Strength 56:42 Festivus Miracles 01:11:44 Wrapping Up

Episode 69: Show Notes Trevor and Thomas are the ultimate travel friends, and part of what makes their trips so memorable is that they both maximize the journey as much as the destination! Today on Travel Stories, we are doing something a little bit different; we are breaking down the ins and outs of planning a guy’s trip so that you, too, can make your next trip about the journey, not just the destination! In this episode, you’ll hear all about how Thomas and Trevor decided where to go on this trip, some of their award searching strategies, the breakthrough that led to their location decision, and so much more! We delve into their lounge experiences before Thomas tells us about his disappointing trip home and the obstacles they faced with regard to hotel availability. They even talk about the three different award tickets they ended up with on this trip. Finally, our hosts tell us why so many of their trips are planned ‘at the last minute’ and how they each use their miles differently. Thanks for tuning in! Key Points From This Episode: [01:04] Today’s topic: what planning a guy’s trip looks like and why we’re talking about this. [04:24] Deciding where to go on this trip and how wide our aperture was for it. [08:19] The power of using multi-city codes on Seats.aero and how we do award searching. [12:35] The breakthrough that came from a Seats.aero alert and ultimately choosing Malta. [17:42] Their lounge crawl at London Terminal Three and their other lounge experiences. [19:19] An overview of the heartbreak they experienced when booking their trip home.  [23:45] The importance of looking at different currencies when booking trips.  [28:12] The obstacles that Trevor and Thomas ran into when booking hotels.  [36:51] How they ended up with three different award tickets on this trip.  [40:22] Some of the other trips we are planning and why there is always so much uncertainty. [43:00] Why the value of miles is so unique to the person and how we use them differently. 

Episode 68: Show Notes Keywords Mediterranean cruise, Delta One, travel experiences, family travel, cruise ports, Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas, travel tips, Barcelona, Sorrento, La Spezia, cruise, European cruising, cruise dining experience, service recovery, Mediterranean ports, travel tips, Emirates flight, travel inconveniences Summary In this episode, Trevor shares his recent family trip to Europe, highlighting their experiences flying Delta One, cruising on the Allure of the Seas, and exploring various Mediterranean ports. The conversation covers the challenges and joys of traveling with family, the dining experiences on the cruise, and the unique adventures in cities like Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Sorrento. Trevor reflects on the importance of planning and balancing exploration with relaxation during family travels. Key Points From This Episode: 01:54 JFK's Delta One Lounge 09:11 Getting to Barcelona 12:44 Onboard the Allure of the Seas after its drydock 17:25 Ports of Call 30:15 Civitavecchia is not very close to Rome 38:14 Allure of the Seas Entertainment 45:14 Main Dining Disappointment 55:18 Why Med Cruises Make Sense 01:00:04 A quick hop to Milan on a Singapore Fifth Freedom Flight 01:03:21 Acqui Terme Overnight and Milan Touring 01:07:45 Protests in Milan 01:12:40 Emirates Fifth Freedom Flight Home and Wrapping Up

Episode 67: Show Notes When longtime traveler Michael Rubiano arrived in Kathmandu, he expected another bucket-list trip built on miles, status perks, and curiosity. Instead, he found himself trapped in a city on fire. In this unforgettable Travel Stories episode, Michael retraces how a points-fueled getaway turned into a life-threatening crisis as political protests erupted across Nepal. He shares the eerie calm before the chaos, the moment hotel staff fled the kitchen, and the tension of watching fires burn from his 14th-floor room. Michael also reflects on the experiences that shaped his calm under pressure, what it was like being in a hotel under lockdown, his harrowing trip to the airport, and how he navigated the escalating danger. From the professionalism of Hyatt staff who sheltered guests, to the quiet fear of watching smoke rise from his window, his story reveals how trust, adaptability, and human kindness can carry us through the unexpected. Tune in to hear about Michael’s unbelievable experience and a powerful reminder of how fragile and profound travel can be. Key Points From This Episode: [00:42] Introducing Michael Rubiano, the concept of a MegaDo (an in-person gathering of travel aficionados), and the type of trips they do together. [04:13] An overview of Flyertalk, its history, and how it was created for flyer communities. [08:01] Reaching lifetime elite status, Michael’s first experiences of MegaDos, the most valuable loyalty programs, and how being on the West Coast influences his travel choices. [15:52] What drove Michael's decision to travel to Nepal, including Hyatt loyalty incentives and his four travel principles. [20:14] He explains his route via Cathay Pacific and how Nepal fit all his travel criteria. [24:29] Arriving in Kathmandu and reflections on privilege and safety abroad. [29:56] Michael’s experience exploring Kathmandu, getting a feel of the city, and taking a flight over the Himalayas, before the crisis. [36:23] A timeline of the protests in Nepal: Michael recounts the start of the unrest, how the protests quickly escalated, fires erupted, and curfews began. [45:59] Michael’s hotel lockdown experience, the escalating crisis, and his mindset throughout. [51:53] Preparations to evacuate and his detailed planning of what to carry and what to leave. [58:29] Rebooking his flight, his failed attempts to leave, and his tense journey to the airport. [01:10:50] The exceptional support shown by the Hyatt staff during the crisis, the relief Michael felt when he was in the air, and his surreal experience in Bangkok. [01:13:16] Reflections on the human side of travel and how crises like these reshape your perspective. [01:19:34] Learn about Michael’s work as a luxury travel advisor and how to get in touch. Quotes: “[A MegaDo] is a gathering of frequent flyer aficionados talking about miles points and going behind the scenes in places that you don't normally get to see in an airplane, in an airport, in a hotel.” — Michael Rubiano [03:51] “I've been lots of places, not everywhere, but lots of places, and I'm always seeking the new and the novel.” — Michael Rubiano [18:03] “I get an email from the STEP program, saying, ‘Beware that there are protests in the southern part of the city, near Parliament, and you might want to avoid the area.’ Okay, I wasn't anywhere near there. I was in the southwest part of the city. I wasn't getting involved in any protests.” — Michael Rubiano [40:58] “In the protests that were taking place on that Monday, — 19 people were killed, which set everything ablaze.” — Michael Rubiano [42:30] “A mob mentality takes on a life of its own. What started out as protests about corruption and nepotism and lack of job opportunities, lack of economic opportunity blew up, and all of a sudden you don't know which end is up.” — Michael Rubiano [48:53] “In my mind, if hotel staff are bolting out of the kitchen, I'd better get up back to my 14th-floor room. That is the first time that I said, ‘Okay, the danger is getting close to home.’” — Michael Rubiano [49:59] “When I went down to breakfast the next day at the hotel, I made sure to take my backpack, because what happens if something happens and I can't get back up to the 14th floor? So that backpack went with me everywhere.” — Michael Rubiano [58:14] “The hotel staff of the Hyatt Centric [were still] taking care of us when they had their own families and other worries to be concerned with. They were always making sure that we had food. They were still doing room service!” — Michael Rubiano [01:11:07] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michael Rubiano email Michael Rubiano on Instagram Flyertalk The Flight Deal Hyatt Centric Cathay Pacific Thomas Kim on X Trevor Mountcastle on X The Milenomics Podcast Network