Sam is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. In 2017, Sam founded MyTravelNerd (no relation), a personalized travel email newsletter. Sam's work has been featured by The Points Guy and Fast Company. He has spoken about travel rewards at CardCon, the Altitude conference and AwardWallet's Award Travel 101 podcast. Email: [email protected]
When frequent flyer programs began 40 years ago, they offered clear value to frequent travelers. Passengers would be awarded miles based on the distance they traveled, and these miles could…
Pop quiz: What’s the largest hotel group in the world? Did you guess Marriott Bonvoy? Or Hilton? The winner, with over 9,000 properties in its portfolio, is Wyndham. Despite its…
Airline reward programs have undergone dizzying changes in recent years. Earning miles on many airlines is now based on how much you spend rather than how far you fly, and…
You have no excuses now that the holidays have ended: It’s time to book travel for the wedding(s) you agreed to attend in 2020. Whether visiting an exotic destination wedding…
Let’s say you’re booking a last-minute flight on Delta and you have the option of either: Paying $450 cash Paying 30,000 Delta miles + $40 in fees. Which is the…
The value of points and miles is one of the most important — and confusing — aspects of travel rewards. A 50,000-point sign-up bonus for a credit card sounds great…but…
Alaska Airlines has been on a roll with novelty promotions lately, giving priority boarding for ugly sweaters in December, and now offering discounts on flights to Alaska based on the…
Whether you’re in it for complimentary upgrades, free checked bags or just the smug sense of superiority, there are many good reasons to pursue Delta Air Lines elite status. Delta’s…
Credit card points are currency. So looking for the “best” way to use them is akin to looking for the “best” way to spend a dollar bill. There is no…
As New Year’s resolutions go, “maximizing points and miles” might not be on the top of everyone’s list. But making a plan for how to earn and use points and…
