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Do you dream of flying business class in one of those lie-flat seats with multiple course meals and unlimited wine on a long-haul flight like I do? Personally, the cheapskate in me could never pay for such an expensive airline ticket. But after interviewing Graeme Bligh, founder of The Canadian Jetsetter, I’ve learned that you may not have to. If you know how to play the credit card points game strategically, you can fly in luxury for free!
Because my episodes with Shawn Stewart, President of AIR MILES, and T.J. Dunn, Editor-in-Chief at Prince of Travel, were so popular, I wanted to invite Graeme on the show to find out his travel tips we can all learn from.
Over the past few years, Graeme has become one of the top Canadian content creators focused on educating Canadians about which points to collect and how to maximize them for incredible travel experiences. Not only does he make amazing short-form videos on his Instagram and Tiktok, you can also find his longer-form videos on his YouTube channel and stay in the loop of the latest travel deals by signing up for his newsletter.
Timestamps
- 00:00 Introduction
- 03:35 Graeme’s Passion for Travel and Getting Started in the Points Space
- 06:36 Finding Travel Deals and Doing Research
- 10:23 The Benefits of Using Google Flights
- 12:42 Overview of Points Programs
- 15:16 Credit Cards to Consider for Different Spending Categories
- 18:06 Optimizing Points for Business Class Flights
- 21:43 Planning and Booking Flights in Advance
- 24:20 Booking One-Way Flights for Flexibility and Savings
- 26:27 Favorite Airlines for Exceptional Service and Experiences
- 33:53 Flight Availability Challenges
- 35:25 Luxury Travel in Southeast Asia
- 36:41 The Benefits of Airport Lounges
- 39:09 Accessing Lounges with Travel Credit Cards
- 43:14 The Best Trips Using Points
- 45:04 Buying Points for Specific Redemptions
- 46:37 Strategies for Earning and Redeeming Points
- 50:54 The Importance of Booking and Taking Trips
- 52:12 Graeme’s Newsletter and YouTube Channel
Takeaways
- Flexibility and research are key to finding the best travel deals.
- Google Flights is a recommended tool for its robust search system and direct booking with airlines.
- Diversify your points portfolio to maximize rewards.
- Booking one-way flights can offer more flexibility and savings.
- Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Oman Air are recommended for exceptional service and experiences Travel hacking involves finding and booking flights and hotels using points and miles.
- Airport lounges can enhance the travel experience and are often accessible through certain credit cards or airline loyalty programs.
- Welcome bonuses from credit cards are a valuable way to earn points and miles.
- Buying points can be a strategic way to top up your balance for specific redemptions, but it comes with risks.
- Graeme’s newsletter and YouTube channel provide valuable information and deals for travel enthusiasts.
Things I Mentioned in the Episode
- Sign up to Graeme Bligh’s Canadian Jetsetter Newsletter
- I’m giving away copies of all the books featured in this season of the podcast! To enter, visit jessicamoorhouse.com/contests
- My free resource library, where you can find budget spreadsheets & more!
- Apply to enroll in my investing course Wealth Building Blueprint for Canadians
- Register for the next cohort of my Budgeting Together Accountability Group
- Check out my shop!
Follow Graeme Bligh
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Transcript
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