How to Win at Travel with “The Points Guy” Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, talks about why playing the points game is about more than just free flights—it’s a strategy for life.

An episode of the Zero To Travel Podcast podcast, hosted by Jason Moore, titled "How to Win at Travel with “The Points Guy” Brian Kelly" was published on March 11, 2025 and runs 83 minutes.

March 11, 2025 ·83m · Zero To Travel Podcast

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Summary

Are you leaving free travel on the table? Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, is one of the world’s leading experts on travel and loyalty programs. What started as a blog in 2010 has become a massive platform helping millions of travelers maximize rewards and travel smarter. In his new book How to Win at Travel, Brian shares everything he’s learned about the game of travel, from leveraging airline and credit card points to planning your dream itinerary so you can experience the world in ways you never thought possible. Brian joins me to talk about why playing the points game is about more than just free flights—it’s a strategy for life. He also shares how he turned a side hustle into a travel empire and opens up about his experience growing up in a small town and coming out after college. Whether you're a travel hacking pro or just getting started, this episode will reframe how you think about points and miles as a financial tool. Brian breaks it all down in a way that makes sense, showing you how to turn travel into a strategic investment while revealing lesser-known perks and insider tips that will allow you to travel smarter and truly win at travel. PLUS, you’re going to hear the 5th and final installment of our Five Best Road Trips in the USA mini-series. I saved the best for last! What’s your biggest travel hack or points win? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: Why being authentic will always reign supreme in life and business Why Brian is passionate about Peace Jam and giving back through travel Why points are not only an extremely powerful tool but an important safety net The biggest mistakes people make with points and miles and how to avoid wasting your rewards How to reframe stressful travel with a “karma points” mindset and have better experiences The four main loyalty program structures and how understanding them can help you redeem points for maximum value The one travel insurance mistake that could cost you big time Hidden gem destinations you should add to your bucket list And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Visit The Points Guy Grab the book How to Win at Travel Want More? How To Take More Vacations by Booking Better, Cheaper Flights With Scott Keyes When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight (In 2024) With Christie Hudson Work Exchange: How to Travel with Purpose with Ricardo Lima from Worldpackers Thanks To Our Sponsors Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com. Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Saily - Go to saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use the code ‘zerototravel’ at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices