7:09: "And it's hard to figure out, right out of the gate...Well is that good?" Using the whiteboard is very helpful to explain this confusing topic. Please continue with more whiteboard explanations: when you are comparing programs; when you are comparing points; when you are illustrating how to use points; and when you are explaining the benefits of chasing status. Writing it out while you are talking gives the viewer one more way to grasp your message. If you did more analysis like this on future or past stays. I would watch again and again.
This presentation gave me a paradigm shift. I have to get out of debt so I can change the way I live. I thank you for showing me some possibilities for my future.
Thanks for the amazing breakdown that finally reveals how to make these cards work! Comments on how good these cards could be always seemed like exaggerated hyperbole or requiring some kind of complex shell game to make it work. Your step by step guide is what I needed to realize the benefit. This is the first real breakdown I've seen of this on TH-cam. Appreciate your analytical engineering minds and willingness to share! Thanks!
But wait there’s more… Recall you pointed out in your prior video not having to spend on line items like insurance, taxes, water, electricity, maintenance & household items that we do for our own home. All are eliminated when slow travel living in a hotel. Brilliant strategy!
After watching this I got an IHG credit card and transferred my Chase points to Southwest Airlines and Hyatt to cover my flight and hotel to Fort Lauderdale before my transatlantic cruise. So grateful for the tips!!
I love your channels you guys are like best friends to all of us… thank you so much for being so willing to share your information with us.. and not making it difficult to understand that’s awesome! Plus you guys have awesome personalities. God Bless You for your generosity!❤
That was amazing. Been watching lot many youtubers spending 3-4K a month in south east asian countries, and with your 786 budget for a month, just blowed up my mind. Points to be considered here is: 1. No need to pay any electricty bill. 2. No need to pay for extra laundry. 3. No need to pay for food. 4. No need to hire a person to clean the rooms.
New subscriber here. Even though I am single, I am totally going to start earning and buying points for stays! I am watching all of your videos now! From this educator, you all are amazing teachers 😊❤
Excellent job you guys. As a fellow TH-camr, I can appreciate what it takes for you to do these videos and clearly, you both do an excellent job of sharing valuable tips. Thank you.
Fabulous THANK YOU! Plus, as you note in many other videos, these wonderful hotels also provide cleaning (often daily), fresh towels, fresh linens etc. FANTASTIC
Another awesome video. Thank you for providing a great blueprint for our travel. We used AirBNBs for years (and have been hosts) and just got so disappointed in the declining quality and high expections (cleaning and huge cleaning fee) that hosts had for their guests. Your hotel living hack is brillant and will fit well into our plan. My wife worked a 30 year career for the airlines. I just retired. We like SE Asia and the Mediterrean. We think this hotel living lifestyle could work well for our intended 50% travel plan.
Jan 2025 - I'm rewatching this video. We have figured out the IHG system and have our Diamond Elite and Lounge Access. We have 51 nights booked on IHG this year. Now I am watching it again as we want to get our Discoverist status on Hyatt now. We have the World of Hyatt and Chase Biz Ink cards to fund Hyatt stays. Great evergreen content!
I need to figure out how to make this stuff work for Australians (most places outside the USA it would seem), where we don't have any hotel branded credit cards available to us and have more expensive and less useful Amex cards too (they charge foreign transaction fees and exchange MR points mostly at a 2:1 ratio).
If you do a video on flights @GroundedLifeFinances I’d be curious to know if you’ve used one of the airline groups round the world tickets? Seemed flexible and not that expensive, especially if redeeming points, when I played around with an itinerary.
I so appreciate your insights and ability to provide all the details so thoroughly! You have the best vibes and perfect presence. Thank you for your generosity in educating all of us who are confused about how to travel financially smart!!
Love your content, and easy explanations. Honestly, I never cared about traveling to Asia for many reasons. However, you guys just make things doable. Thank you. You gained a new subscriber
I love all your videos and ive been stacking up IHG rewards myself for awhile. I love all your examples as well. However, i believe in the interest of having the math be complete you need to add the required spend for the welcome offers added to the equation. . You spent a total of $3000+$5000+$8000 to complete the welcome offers. So $6289+$16000=$22,289 in total spend. $22,288÷240 night x 30 nights/month=$2786 per month. Which still isnt super crazy when all the additional oerks are taken into consideration. Keep up the great work on the channel
That spend isn't on accommodations though - although it certainly could be and then you would get even more points. But life has all kinds of other expenses, so as long as you aren't spending just to meet the minimum, I wouldn't include it in the calculation
That is incorrect math. For the first 3k spend we are buying points as in the example, so we spend 4k on the points, get the 165,000 point bonus and the 800k points. There's no additional spend over the points we were already buying. For the 8k spend we are buying our repositioning cruises to get home, so yes spending money, but you are getting something for that money of value so you don't count it as a hotel cost.
Awesome and practical video. I know it would be a different strategy, but please make a video about how to do full-time retirement travel in the USA using a combination of hotels, Air B&B, Amtrak, and cruises. Thanks!!
Yes! I would appreciate that info too. My hope is to do fulltime travel in the USA -- Amtrak, river cruises and road trips. ... Love your channel and appreciate your help and encouragement!!
Love you guys. We get so much info from you. Appreciate your transparency as well. One question is you stay most everywhere on points and in this video you mention the AmEx card points cover airfare. Meals are largely covered and you don't shop......so....how in world do you accumulate more points if your expenses are so low?
Very interesting. Always good to know wicked smart people like you two!! Not sure I'll retire to the travel hotel life...but I might try it for a year or so when I do retire. Keep on doing what you do, and I'll keep watching/learning/laughing....$786/mo....those guys got hosed on that deal...and you got status on both. Marriott doesn't give you status/rewards for staying on points, only when paying cash. I notice you didn't mention Marriott here much.
This is the most outstanding travel video I have ever seen. You two have opened up an entirely new world for me. I am a solo female traveler, retired and boy am I excited!
Hello, this was very informative and being 3-4 years near retirement with my beloved wife, something that was utterly eye-opening since we thought world travel would MAYBE be limited to 3-4 weeks a year, ...... not 8 months. Life changing. Very very well done!
LOVE your channels guys, been living in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica for 3 years now and ready to explore SE Asia for about 6 months! You guys have changed my game plan totally and I thank you. Stupid question time; with the IHG card program your total costs were $4,099! Why did you not add the $3000 to get the 165,000 points! Is it me? I can't watch any other TH-camrs, keep those vids coming😀
This is absolutely mind boggling. It's astonishing what you can do with so little. Of all the friends you know who are doing this, too, are any of them solo travelers? I'm solo so wouldn't have the power to double up like you two, so I'd love to know how much success some of my other singles are having out there.
Really great presentation and well explained guys! We are about to start full time travel next month. We have points hacked since about 2005 and have usually used our points for aspirational stays (Al Maha in Dubai, Conrad Maldives, Mena House Giza to name a few and flown business and first class) and will continue to do some but mixed with some longer cheaper stays now too. We had a business we just sold and churned and burned cards as well as of course charging EVERYTHING to cards so we are starting our journey with a little more than 3 million chase points and 3 million Hilton, agree Hilton has devalued….thanks for the IHG tips tho we did buy 500k last year with the bonus too! Keep up the great work!
How have the hotels been with giving upgrade for long term stays? Giving up a suite for an upgrade for a weekend or a week isn’t too bad, but when hotels have to give that suite up for a month+, I assume they’re more hesitant?
I am blessed to be married to an amazingly talented beautiful woman who happens to enjoy playing the point & miles game. She tagged me on your chnls. I love what you’re doing. We travel and have traveled extensively and in the last 6 yrs it has all been with points. My question is how are you meeting the signup send requirements as you collect new cards? I’m guessing I know… some cash stays and travel. I’ve not done the math to determine how many new cards we could support once we go nomadic.
Great video. Very informative! I love the comment about Financial Planners not having a clue about "that points life". Because of you guys, I got the IHG card Next I'll focus on the Hyatt card. Thank you for another great "class"! 😊
I applaud you, Allie and Rob. You both have the same vision and you are meant to be together. I use airlines and hotels loyalty points to travel and book hotels but not to your level. Kudos to you!
Question: Do any of these cards have points that expire? I assume you have to re-earn your status at the start of every calendar year? What does opening all of these cards do to your credit? Do you have to do it over time? I imagine myself only spending two weeks at a hotel and then moving on. I assume that would mean that I would not earn as many free points? Maybe I would need to stay a minimum of 20 nights in one place? Thanks so much for your videos. I am learning a lot!
Really enjoying this channel! Thank you again for all the detail and transparency. I was going to congratulate you on 10k subscribers but that was like 40% and two days ago 😅🎉
This was a great video, I got the IHG card, and I did purchase some points with my chase sapphire rewards card. I didn’t know I qualified for a business INC card. I do have my house on Airbnb…thanks for sharing
Love all the information you are willing to share! How do the points apply when traveling in Europe? When I use my points here in the US it’s awful…more than ten times a night compared to Asian travel. 🤦🏼♀️
Really informative video, it’s one thing to say it’s possible but to actually show the how is incredible. I would love to follow along with u two but I am stuck with HH as I have a timeshare and HH credit card, diamond member and all. Plus I have 2 cats and I don’t think I could travel like that with them. I’ll be RVing across the country with them shortly and will end up doing the 10-14 day international trips using HH. Kudos for not just dreaming it but actually doing it!
a BIG point that wasn't mentioned is this is difficult to repeat annually. the bonus points are for a new card. you can cancel a card and wait 1-2 years to reapply for the bonus points but then you lose the additional points from using the affiliate card on hotel stays. so you need to ladder getting new cards and canceling existing cards (if possible with multiple credit cards) to perpetuate this scheme.
Thank you so much for diving into the numbers, much easier to understand with the flip chart! Mt wife signed up for IHG right away (using your affiliate link) and we are excited to use the strategies you laid out. We will not purchase any points until the go on special at the end of the year because of the restriction on purchasing points. We do have 490,000 points with Chase Sapphire that we will transfer if needed until then. Thank you again for the information! This will change our travel plans for sure.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks for letting me know, will use those for Hyatt. IHG does offer the special at the end of the year typically correct? Sure hope that is the case this year
Thanks a bunch for the breakdown! I’m doing my part to up your watch time & click through rates by devouring your videos! Appreciate the analytical explanations! Cheers! 🎉🎉🎉
Oh my heavens!!! This is exactly what I needed!!! I am active duty I retire in 7 months!!! I will be getting the IHG card today. Thank for this breakdown!!! I have a massive amount of questions though!😅 Lol
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I got the 165k offer!!! I hope you got the credit for it!!! I wouldn't have gotten the card if it wasn't for your video!!!
Awesome breakdown! We've used Hyatt points in the Balkans w/our Chase Sapphire card, it was a great way to add a long-weekend here and there between our longer stints. Not sure if we'll go as heavy "hotel" as you -- but will definitely look into the IHG card, at least for it's base bonus.. Happy travels!
Can you purchase the points using a credit card and then getting the points for the purchase using a chase card? You remind me of the guy in Michigan who a while back figured out that there are certain times with some lotteries where you double your money guaranteed. He ended up paying for all the kids in his community to go to college. This looks well thought out and pretty valuable. Thank you for this financial Rube Goldberg. Its a thing of beauty for all of us cheapos.
What What what..😮.Video after video has been jammed packed. I literally feel my brain melting with this knowledge bomb drop 🧠😳 🌞⚡️💡💪 We have a little down sizing and 5 years before our daughter goes off to college. Almost Free in Germany even for us Americans.😮😊 So I see some practice runs coming up during summer break 😉🤔👍 Thanks for sharing all this information. Howdy from Central Florida 🍊🦩
Guess what came in the mail yesterday, just after I watched this vid? An offer for the IHG Premier Card! I'd prefer to use your link, if you haven't maxed out your referrals already this year.
Thanks! I think our link is giving 4 40k nights instead of the 165k right now, so maybe better to use something else this month. They have several offers at the moment.
Super helpful and valuable information! We are chipping away at getting Lifetime Platinum with Marriott (2 years left) and now started on World Of Hyatt with this great advice. Thanks Allie and Rob. - Lance and Jenny
So I'm looking at their first example hotel Bangkok holiday inn pier and I'm only seeing stuff for 17,000 points per night not 6,000. When am I looking wrong?
I've been intimidated to get into the points game, mostly due to the minimum spends required. You made it make sense! I look forward to your flying video
OMG!!! I finally understand how the credit card point system works. Your videos are amazing, easy to understand and extremely informative. I plan to use your affiliate link to apply for the IHG premiere card. I’ve read all the fine print. I still have 1 question. Do donations (to non-profits and churches count as purchases)? The card information does not specify. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
You two are amazingly helpful with your videos and willingness to answer questions from your viewers! I’m planning a trip to Thailand and a few other spots in SE Asia this year and I know I’m going to run up against rainy season. Trying to figure out where to go when to minimize the impact of rainy season given so many microclimates in different locations. Knowing how thorough you are in your planning and strategy, would love to hear your thoughts on a SE Asia weather/travel strategy outside of high season. Might even make a great video topic perhaps!
I have been going to Chiang Mai in the USA winter for 20 years. Decided this is my last year. Reason is the frequent unhealthy air quality. It’s a problem in se Asia. Bangkok especially bad. I’ve been thinking of spending time in Mexico instead, starting in the Riviera Maya area.
I am learning a lot from your videos. I just want to point out that any points you get for a referral are now taxed in the U.S. The companies will send you an IRS form. It could be just the Bank cards like AMEX and chase but no one talks about that little surprise come tax time.
How can you spend $8000 in 3 months on the business cc? You are using your IHG card for those room purchases, accumulating your 3 month spends on those for points. Plus World of Hyatt cc to earn their bonus points. You aren't paying for food, not buying for your home, reportedly without a high income. $8000 plus the 90 day spends on 2 more cards...please explain. I'm all in, but I need to understand - and will not get the bonus if I don't spend enough.
@@PatB415 we have our travel booked out for the next 10 months. It includes multiple long cruises, some Airbnbs, insurance, daily spending etc... it was pretty easy to go over. Using cruises to change continents is the way to do it.
This video has been a total eye opener for me! Amazing to think I can retire and live comfortably and inexpensively. Questions- How do you know how many points to buy on IHG? When is this special sale where they match points or sell points at a discount? Do you ever use IHG points for airfare? Thanks for sharing your experience!
Another great video. Given you are retired, this is your job! I'm a finance guy who longs to travel, so I'm soaking this up like a sponge. I know that this is a dual example of a points strategy, but can you share, how many different Hotel Credit cards you use. For me, there's such a thing as too much credit, but, you folks have definitely learned the ins and outs of traveling using a points strategy. No worries if you don't respond, but I know that you have a ton of videos that I'm going through slowly during my day. You guys make for a great listening when I'm working through my day!
Thanks! We have all 4 big ones, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Hilton, but we are going to get rid of the Hilton and stick with the other 3. They provide great value as they each give a high value free night for the $99ish annual fee. We use those in the US.
Btw@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel , during the course of watching this video, I went online to my Chase CC account and applied for the IHG card and in less than a minute, I'm approved. Time to start this journey with a strategy!
We just got the Hilton Honors AMEX card. It was an easy 80k points for $2k spend. I wish I had watched this first! I’m brand new to this & used some Chase points for the night b4 a cruise in Fort Lauderdale Hyatt. Sure was nice. We do like hotels w/breakfast. With the IHG premier, do you already get breakfast & lounge or you have to earn both after 40 nights?
I really like staybridge suites in the US with my IHG card because they always allowed pets and had a bedroom. However, I haven't found something similar in Europe. Maybe I haven't looked enough
I have been a points and travel junkie for years but have never seen anyone finesse the system they way you all have. Great Job! Can you all speak to if you use 2 player mode as husband and wife?
Can you ever do similar videos for South America and Europe? We are surely going to do this hack someday.....might have to start building some points now....never too early to start! Have an awesome week and keep the great info coming! Go Tigers! We are struggling a bit but hanging in there just 1/2 game back in wildcard.
Thanks for the details, very helpful. But one thing I'm confused about is some hotels seem to add on a "daily resort fee" or "daily facilities fee" which can really add up and negate any points benefit or bonus. How do you get around this?
"Retire to a Hotel?" When I first saw this video, I thought "No way, it's just click bait" But I watched anyway, and now my mind blown. Seriously, I have watch 101 slow travel video's and not one of them ever talked about staying in a Hotel and working the points system. I didn't know there was even a points system at all! Now, I am going to sell my house and the wife and I are getting started on our new life!
This has to be the best TH-cam channel ever. Easy breakdown, doable, and no if and or butt about it. Luxury for Less! Thanks guys!
Thanks so much!
7:09: "And it's hard to figure out, right out of the gate...Well is that good?" Using the whiteboard is very helpful to explain this confusing topic. Please continue with more whiteboard explanations: when you are comparing programs; when you are comparing points; when you are illustrating how to use points; and when you are explaining the benefits of chasing status. Writing it out while you are talking gives the viewer one more way to grasp your message. If you did more analysis like this on future or past stays. I would watch again and again.
This presentation gave me a paradigm shift. I have to get out of debt so I can change the way I live. I thank you for showing me some possibilities for my future.
Awesome!
Thanks for the amazing breakdown that finally reveals how to make these cards work! Comments on how good these cards could be always seemed like exaggerated hyperbole or requiring some kind of complex shell game to make it work. Your step by step guide is what I needed to realize the benefit. This is the first real breakdown I've seen of this on TH-cam. Appreciate your analytical engineering minds and willingness to share! Thanks!
You are so welcome! Thanks!
But wait there’s more…
Recall you pointed out in your prior video not having to spend on line items like insurance, taxes, water, electricity, maintenance & household items that we do for our own home. All are eliminated when slow travel living in a hotel. Brilliant strategy!
Great info! Now if you can do that for Europe and South America it would be great. Looking forward to the plane tips.
After watching this I got an IHG credit card and transferred my Chase points to Southwest Airlines and Hyatt to cover my flight and hotel to Fort Lauderdale before my transatlantic cruise. So grateful for the tips!!
Have a great trip!
Mind blowingly useful. Seriously my brain is cracked open and filled with knowledge I would’ve never gotten otherwise. Thank you.
Our pleasure!
Just discovered this channel. I am mindblown from this
I love your channels you guys are like best friends to all of us… thank you so much for being so willing to share your information with us.. and not making it difficult to understand that’s awesome! Plus you guys have awesome personalities. God Bless You for your generosity!❤
Very well laid out. You folks take it to the next level!
Thank you kindly!
That was amazing. Been watching lot many youtubers spending 3-4K a month in south east asian countries, and with your 786 budget for a month, just blowed up my mind.
Points to be considered here is:
1. No need to pay any electricty bill.
2. No need to pay for extra laundry.
3. No need to pay for food.
4. No need to hire a person to clean the rooms.
New subscriber here. Even though I am single, I am totally going to start earning and buying points for stays! I am watching all of your videos now! From this educator, you all are amazing teachers 😊❤
Thank you!
Excellent job you guys. As a fellow TH-camr, I can appreciate what it takes for you to do these videos and clearly, you both do an excellent job of sharing valuable tips. Thank you.
Fabulous THANK YOU! Plus, as you note in many other videos, these wonderful hotels also provide cleaning (often daily), fresh towels, fresh linens etc. FANTASTIC
Yes, they've been doing an awesome daily cleaning! And you don't have to buy supplies ever!
I love this, I'm taking my daughter to Japan for her graduation gift and this is the perfect solution for us to stay for longer!
I don't plan on traveling fulltime after retirement, but I like listening to you both and watch every videos. It is very inspiring!
Awesome! Thank you!
Another awesome video. Thank you for providing a great blueprint for our travel. We used AirBNBs for years (and have been hosts) and just got so disappointed in the declining quality and high expections (cleaning and huge cleaning fee) that hosts had for their guests.
Your hotel living hack is brillant and will fit well into our plan. My wife worked a 30 year career for the airlines. I just retired. We like SE Asia and the Mediterrean. We think this hotel living lifestyle could work well for our intended 50% travel plan.
That's awesome. We are mixing it in with some repositioning cruises this year. It's worked well so far.
Jan 2025 - I'm rewatching this video. We have figured out the IHG system and have our Diamond Elite and Lounge Access. We have 51 nights booked on IHG this year. Now I am watching it again as we want to get our Discoverist status on Hyatt now. We have the World of Hyatt and Chase Biz Ink cards to fund Hyatt stays. Great evergreen content!
I need to figure out how to make this stuff work for Australians (most places outside the USA it would seem), where we don't have any hotel branded credit cards available to us and have more expensive and less useful Amex cards too (they charge foreign transaction fees and exchange MR points mostly at a 2:1 ratio).
Thank you! Looking forward the video related to Airlines!
Thanks!
If you do a video on flights @GroundedLifeFinances I’d be curious to know if you’ve used one of the airline groups round the world tickets? Seemed flexible and not that expensive, especially if redeeming points, when I played around with an itinerary.
We have been IHG members for over 15 years. We love it. Our girls are using our points when they go to Europe this summer.
I so appreciate your insights and ability to provide all the details so thoroughly! You have the best vibes and perfect presence. Thank you for your generosity in educating all of us who are confused about how to travel financially smart!!
Wow, thank you!
Love your content, and easy explanations. Honestly, I never cared about traveling to Asia for many reasons. However, you guys just make things doable. Thank you. You gained a new subscriber
Thank you
This is so helpful. I want to retire NOW, but hubby is no where near it. Maybe this will help my cause. :) Something for him to think about.
Thanks! Don’t think you need it with your luxury hotel lounge access 😂 but I just want to express my sincere thanks in my own humble way
Also…love the old school flip charts 👍😎
Thanks so much!
@@catherine8332 Yes, bring back the flip charts!
OMG! Dream come true! I was so confused but wanted more info!
Glad it was helpful!
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel my mind blown!! Next to airlines. My sister told me about your channel. I can see why!
I used to watch your Amtrak videos but I love your finance channel even more
I love all your videos and ive been stacking up IHG rewards myself for awhile. I love all your examples as well. However, i believe in the interest of having the math be complete you need to add the required spend for the welcome offers added to the equation. . You spent a total of $3000+$5000+$8000 to complete the welcome offers. So $6289+$16000=$22,289 in total spend. $22,288÷240 night x 30 nights/month=$2786 per month. Which still isnt super crazy when all the additional oerks are taken into consideration. Keep up the great work on the channel
That spend isn't on accommodations though - although it certainly could be and then you would get even more points. But life has all kinds of other expenses, so as long as you aren't spending just to meet the minimum, I wouldn't include it in the calculation
That is incorrect math. For the first 3k spend we are buying points as in the example, so we spend 4k on the points, get the 165,000 point bonus and the 800k points. There's no additional spend over the points we were already buying. For the 8k spend we are buying our repositioning cruises to get home, so yes spending money, but you are getting something for that money of value so you don't count it as a hotel cost.
Awesome and practical video. I know it would be a different strategy, but please make a video about how to do full-time retirement travel in the USA using a combination of hotels, Air B&B, Amtrak, and cruises. Thanks!!
Yes! I would appreciate that info too. My hope is to do fulltime travel in the USA -- Amtrak, river cruises and road trips. ... Love your channel and appreciate your help and encouragement!!
Love you guys. We get so much info from you. Appreciate your transparency as well. One question is you stay most everywhere on points and in this video you mention the AmEx card points cover airfare. Meals are largely covered and you don't shop......so....how in world do you accumulate more points if your expenses are so low?
Very interesting. Always good to know wicked smart people like you two!! Not sure I'll retire to the travel hotel life...but I might try it for a year or so when I do retire.
Keep on doing what you do, and I'll keep watching/learning/laughing....$786/mo....those guys got hosed on that deal...and you got status on both.
Marriott doesn't give you status/rewards for staying on points, only when paying cash. I notice you didn't mention Marriott here much.
Siam Mall has a great selection of foods from around the world
Thank you so much for the whiteboard! Now I get it! Now to convince my hubby ❤😂
Haha thanks! The hotel was kind enough to provide it.
This is the most outstanding travel video I have ever seen. You two have opened up an entirely new world for me. I am a solo female traveler, retired and boy am I excited!
Hello, this was very informative and being 3-4 years near retirement with my beloved wife, something that was utterly eye-opening since we thought world travel would MAYBE be limited to 3-4 weeks a year, ...... not 8 months. Life changing. Very very well done!
Thanks!
Thanks to you folks I may be able to have a retirement/honeymoon with a very hardworking hubby 💝
Wonderful!
This is amazing!!! Applying for my IHG card right now!!! lol
I just did the same thing!!!! 🤣
@@kimberlyparker2704 👯
LOVE your channels guys, been living in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica for 3 years now and ready to explore SE Asia for about 6 months! You guys have changed my game plan totally and I thank you. Stupid question time; with the IHG card program your total costs were $4,099! Why did you not add the $3000 to get the 165,000 points! Is it me? I can't watch any other TH-camrs, keep those vids coming😀
We take care of the 3k spend by buying the 4k in points, so no additional money spent.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks again😃
This is absolutely mind boggling. It's astonishing what you can do with so little. Of all the friends you know who are doing this, too, are any of them solo travelers? I'm solo so wouldn't have the power to double up like you two, so I'd love to know how much success some of my other singles are having out there.
Really great presentation and well explained guys! We are about to start full time travel next month. We have points hacked since about 2005 and have usually used our points for aspirational stays (Al Maha in Dubai, Conrad Maldives, Mena House Giza to name a few and flown business and first class) and will continue to do some but mixed with some longer cheaper stays now too. We had a business we just sold and churned and burned cards as well as of course charging EVERYTHING to cards so we are starting our journey with a little more than 3 million chase points and 3 million Hilton, agree Hilton has devalued….thanks for the IHG tips tho we did buy 500k last year with the bonus too! Keep up the great work!
Awesome! That's a great amount of points!
How have the hotels been with giving upgrade for long term stays?
Giving up a suite for an upgrade for a weekend or a week isn’t too bad, but when hotels have to give that suite up for a month+, I assume they’re more hesitant?
I am blessed to be married to an amazingly talented beautiful woman who happens to enjoy playing the point & miles game. She tagged me on your chnls. I love what you’re doing. We travel and have traveled extensively and in the last 6 yrs it has all been with points. My question is how are you meeting the signup send requirements as you collect new cards? I’m guessing I know… some cash stays and travel. I’ve not done the math to determine how many new cards we could support once we go nomadic.
A few Airbnb's , repositioning cruises, and ironically buying points!
This is so good. Can you do a video on the best cards to get for airlines and hotels?
so informative. thank you, guys. I do travel occasionally and use points, but here, I am learning this subject on the entirely different level
Glad it was helpful!
I can't wait to retire and do this. I also want to retire somewhere in South east asia, so this was great!
Great video. Very informative! I love the comment about Financial Planners not having a clue about "that points life". Because of you guys, I got the IHG card Next I'll focus on the Hyatt card. Thank you for another great "class"! 😊
Thanks! Awesome, all the best to you!
phenomenal! Im definitely trying that strategy this year.
Thanks so much!
I applaud you, Allie and Rob. You both have the same vision and you are meant to be together. I use airlines and hotels loyalty points to travel and book hotels but not to your level. Kudos to you!
I am doing something similar with my timeshares I purchased on the resale market and mixing them with our points.
Sounds interesting. Can you share a bit more?
Question: Do any of these cards have points that expire? I assume you have to re-earn your status at the start of every calendar year? What does opening all of these cards do to your credit? Do you have to do it over time? I imagine myself only spending two weeks at a hotel and then moving on. I assume that would mean that I would not earn as many free points? Maybe I would need to stay a minimum of 20 nights in one place? Thanks so much for your videos. I am learning a lot!
Thank you for sharing this VALUABLE Information!!! ❤
This is one of the most informative and actionable videos I have ever seen! Thanks for posting such great content
Thank you so much for the math lesson! Made this system seem attainable instead of overwhelming!
Really enjoying this channel! Thank you again for all the detail and transparency. I was going to congratulate you on 10k subscribers but that was like 40% and two days ago 😅🎉
😂😂 thanks so much!!
This was a great video, I got the IHG card, and I did purchase some points with my chase sapphire rewards card. I didn’t know I qualified for a business INC card. I do have my house on Airbnb…thanks for sharing
Awesome, yes, that should count
Question. How can you apply for all these credit cards when you are retired and presumably have no income that they can access for the application?
Love all the information you are willing to share! How do the points apply when traveling in Europe? When I use my points here in the US it’s awful…more than ten times a night compared to Asian travel. 🤦🏼♀️
Great video. The flip chart was very helpful. Thank you for slow, clear discussions
You are so welcome!
Your detailed step-by-step information and transparency are greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!
You are so welcome!
Really informative video, it’s one thing to say it’s possible but to actually show the how is incredible. I would love to follow along with u two but I am stuck with HH as I have a timeshare and HH credit card, diamond member and all. Plus I have 2 cats and I don’t think I could travel like that with them. I’ll be RVing across the country with them shortly and will end up doing the 10-14 day international trips using HH. Kudos for not just dreaming it but actually doing it!
Thanks so much!
a BIG point that wasn't mentioned is this is difficult to repeat annually. the bonus points are for a new card. you can cancel a card and wait 1-2 years to reapply for the bonus points but then you lose the additional points from using the affiliate card on hotel stays. so you need to ladder getting new cards and canceling existing cards (if possible with multiple credit cards) to perpetuate this scheme.
Thank you so much for diving into the numbers, much easier to understand with the flip chart! Mt wife signed up for IHG right away (using your affiliate link) and we are excited to use the strategies you laid out. We will not purchase any points until the go on special at the end of the year because of the restriction on purchasing points. We do have 490,000 points with Chase Sapphire that we will transfer if needed until then. Thank you again for the information! This will change our travel plans for sure.
Awesome, that's a ton of Chase points! Those should only be transferred to Hyatt as they are the most valuable!
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks for letting me know, will use those for Hyatt. IHG does offer the special at the end of the year typically correct? Sure hope that is the case this year
Great video! I really appreciate it. You guys are keeping busy!!
Thanks a bunch for the breakdown!
I’m doing my part to up your watch time & click through rates by devouring your videos!
Appreciate the analytical explanations! Cheers! 🎉🎉🎉
Awesome! Thank you!
Oh my heavens!!! This is exactly what I needed!!! I am active duty I retire in 7 months!!! I will be getting the IHG card today. Thank for this breakdown!!! I have a massive amount of questions though!😅 Lol
Awesome! Make sure you get the offer with the 165k points, and not the 4 free night certificates, there are 2 offers out there.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I got the 165k offer!!! I hope you got the credit for it!!! I wouldn't have gotten the card if it wasn't for your video!!!
Awesome breakdown! We've used Hyatt points in the Balkans w/our Chase Sapphire card, it was a great way to add a long-weekend here and there between our longer stints. Not sure if we'll go as heavy "hotel" as you -- but will definitely look into the IHG card, at least for it's base bonus.. Happy travels!
Thanks!
Can you purchase the points using a credit card and then getting the points for the purchase using a chase card? You remind me of the guy in Michigan who a while back figured out that there are certain times with some lotteries where you double your money guaranteed. He ended up paying for all the kids in his community to go to college. This looks well thought out and pretty valuable. Thank you for this financial Rube Goldberg. Its a thing of beauty for all of us cheapos.
What What what..😮.Video after video has been jammed packed.
I literally feel my brain melting with this knowledge bomb drop 🧠😳 🌞⚡️💡💪
We have a little down sizing and 5 years before our daughter goes off to college. Almost Free in Germany even for us Americans.😮😊
So I see some practice runs coming up during summer break 😉🤔👍
Thanks for sharing all this information. Howdy from Central Florida 🍊🦩
Thanks for the detailed breakdown…very useful.
Glad it was helpful!
Guess what came in the mail yesterday, just after I watched this vid? An offer for the IHG Premier Card! I'd prefer to use your link, if you haven't maxed out your referrals already this year.
Thanks! I think our link is giving 4 40k nights instead of the 165k right now, so maybe better to use something else this month. They have several offers at the moment.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Yes, we got the 165k offer. Appreciate your pointing that out!
Super helpful and valuable information! We are chipping away at getting Lifetime Platinum with Marriott (2 years left) and now started on World Of Hyatt with this great advice. Thanks Allie and Rob. - Lance and Jenny
I just love you guys and so appreciate your presentations ❤
So I'm looking at their first example hotel Bangkok holiday inn pier and I'm only seeing stuff for 17,000 points per night not 6,000. When am I looking wrong?
I've been intimidated to get into the points game, mostly due to the minimum spends required. You made it make sense! I look forward to your flying video
Do you have any hacks for non-US people to get those credit cards?
OMG!!! I finally understand how the credit card point system works. Your videos are amazing, easy to understand and extremely informative. I plan to use your affiliate link to apply for the IHG premiere card. I’ve read all the fine print. I still have 1 question. Do donations (to non-profits and churches count as purchases)? The card information does not specify. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
You two are amazingly helpful with your videos and willingness to answer questions from your viewers! I’m planning a trip to Thailand and a few other spots in SE Asia this year and I know I’m going to run up against rainy season. Trying to figure out where to go when to minimize the impact of rainy season given so many microclimates in different locations. Knowing how thorough you are in your planning and strategy, would love to hear your thoughts on a SE Asia weather/travel strategy outside of high season. Might even make a great video topic perhaps!
I have been going to Chiang Mai in the USA winter for 20 years. Decided this is my last year. Reason is the frequent unhealthy air quality. It’s a problem in se Asia. Bangkok especially bad. I’ve been thinking of spending time in Mexico instead, starting in the Riviera Maya area.
You guys are amazing! I'm studying your strategy! Thank you for thinking outside the box!
Thanks!
Thank you for this detailed presentation. It is very good! Does this strategy work if I want to travel/stay in Europe?
I am learning a lot from your videos. I just want to point out that any points you get for a referral are now taxed in the U.S. The companies will send you an IRS form. It could be just the Bank cards like AMEX and chase but no one talks about that little surprise come tax time.
This is amazing! We are living cheap in a fifth wheel now but wanting to travel more trailer free lol. Thank you for sharing!
We've always wanted to try that!
How can you spend $8000 in 3 months on the business cc? You are using your IHG card for those room purchases, accumulating your 3 month spends on those for points. Plus World of Hyatt cc to earn their bonus points. You aren't paying for food, not buying for your home, reportedly without a high income. $8000 plus the 90 day spends on 2 more cards...please explain. I'm all in, but I need to understand - and will not get the bonus if I don't spend enough.
I'm curious too. Can you please address & elaborate on the questions posted by @roseother8306 ? Thanks!
@@PatB415 we have our travel booked out for the next 10 months. It includes multiple long cruises, some Airbnbs, insurance, daily spending etc... it was pretty easy to go over. Using cruises to change continents is the way to do it.
This video has been a total eye opener for me! Amazing to think I can retire and live comfortably and inexpensively.
Questions- How do you know how many points to buy on IHG? When is this special sale where they match points or sell points at a discount? Do you ever use IHG points for airfare?
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Such a great breakdown video👌🏻👌🏻
Thanks!
This has been great! Question, do you book 4 nights at a time and is that 4th night still count towards your rewards (points)?
We usually do 4 at a time, and yes the 4th counts towards your milestone rewards.
@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel thanks!!
You guys are awesome! We love watching your videos!!!
How much money do these folks spend to support this life style monthly or yearly?
My favorite episode so far. Excellent information
Thank you!
Another great video. Given you are retired, this is your job! I'm a finance guy who longs to travel, so I'm soaking this up like a sponge. I know that this is a dual example of a points strategy, but can you share, how many different Hotel Credit cards you use. For me, there's such a thing as too much credit, but, you folks have definitely learned the ins and outs of traveling using a points strategy. No worries if you don't respond, but I know that you have a ton of videos that I'm going through slowly during my day. You guys make for a great listening when I'm working through my day!
Thanks! We have all 4 big ones, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG and Hilton, but we are going to get rid of the Hilton and stick with the other 3. They provide great value as they each give a high value free night for the $99ish annual fee. We use those in the US.
Btw@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel , during the course of watching this video, I went online to my Chase CC account and applied for the IHG card and in less than a minute, I'm approved. Time to start this journey with a strategy!
We just got the Hilton Honors AMEX card. It was an easy 80k points for $2k spend. I wish I had watched this first! I’m brand new to this & used some Chase points for the night b4 a cruise in Fort Lauderdale Hyatt. Sure was nice.
We do like hotels w/breakfast.
With the IHG premier, do you already get breakfast & lounge or you have to earn both after 40 nights?
Do the hotel chains you favor allow small dogs? We will have 1-2 @ < 15 lbs each when we start traveling heavily.
It's mostly country specific on that, you'll find in some countries none of them do and in some all of them do. More allowed in Europe than Asia.
I really like staybridge suites in the US with my IHG card because they always allowed pets and had a bedroom. However, I haven't found something similar in Europe. Maybe I haven't looked enough
Wow! So helpful.....thanks for sharing.....you're great communicators and illustrators.
Glad it was helpful!
I have been a points and travel junkie for years but have never seen anyone finesse the system they way you all have. Great Job! Can you all speak to if you use 2 player mode as husband and wife?
Thanks! Yes, we both have cards.
This was a fantastic video! Best one you’ve done!😊
What do your typical daily activites look like on this kind of retirement?
You don't seem to be including the cost of minimum spend to get the card points.
Math people are my people. Thanks!! Brilliant 👏
Thank you for opening my eyes to the possibilities!
Can you ever do similar videos for South America and Europe? We are surely going to do this hack someday.....might have to start building some points now....never too early to start! Have an awesome week and keep the great info coming! Go Tigers! We are struggling a bit but hanging in there just 1/2 game back in wildcard.
Thanks for the details, very helpful. But one thing I'm confused about is some hotels seem to add on a "daily resort fee" or "daily facilities fee" which can really add up and negate any points benefit or bonus. How do you get around this?
"Retire to a Hotel?" When I first saw this video, I thought "No way, it's just click bait" But I watched anyway, and now my mind blown. Seriously, I have watch 101 slow travel video's and not one of them ever talked about staying in a Hotel and working the points system. I didn't know there was even a points system at all! Now, I am going to sell my house and the wife and I are getting started on our new life!
This is the best travel channel
Wow, thanks!