Gaming Award Travel

Episode 112 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features host Mike Zaccheo and guest Brandyn Osborne, a passionate traveler, entrepreneur, and board gamer. They first met in the Charlotte (CLT) Centurion Lounge, sparking Brandyn's involvement in the Award Travel 101 community. Brandyn shares how his wife's inspiration led him to discover award travel, culminating in a memorable business-class honeymoon trip to New Zealand and Fiji using credit card sign-up bonuses. The conversation also explores his professional journey in gaming and how award travel helped him connect with gaming friends worldwide, eventually forming his business, Conhorde.The duo discusses recent travel news, including Southwest Airlines' controversial decision to eliminate free checked bags starting May 28 for most passengers. They touch upon credit card offers such as Chase Freedom Q2 bonus categories and Brandyn's strategic card usage to maximize rewards. Trip updates include Mike's St. Kitts adventure, hiking Mt. Liamuiga, and Brandyn's UK and European travels for work and personal interests. Brandyn emphasizes how gaming conventions shaped his career, offering tips on affordable travel for enthusiasts using points, while stressing the importance of accountability and supportive travel partners. The episode highlights practical advice and the intersection of passion and savvy travel strategies.Links to Topics DiscussedSouthwest to Charge For Checked BagsChase Freedom Flex Q2 Bonus CategoriesChase Ink Business Card ComparisonVenture X Business vs Amex Platinum BusinessConhorde - Brandyn's BusinessWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at [email protected] your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.