Podcast
Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Hosted by Justin Vacula · EN
Travel the world at next to no cost with credit card rewards!
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Brisbane Trip Report & Miles and Points News
Mar 1000:40:19Tap to summarizeBrisbane on a Delta One Flash Deal | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast Justin Vacula returns home after an exciting trip to Brisbane, Australia. Frequent co-host Darren joins this episode. Justin shares highlights from the journey, including his Delta One experience with a lie-flat seat, plus time at the Delta One Lounge at LAX with private security access. The trip recap includes walks around downtown Brisbane, a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and encounters with koalas, free-range kangaroos, and other Australian wildlife. Justin then shifts into points and miles news, covering topics like the Rove 20% SAS transfer bonus, upcoming meetups and Frequent Traveler University Dallas, Bilt credits for Miami, a possible Vermont hotel credit play, American Express retention and downgrade decisions, Caesars and MGM payment-method limitations, and upcoming travel. This episode is packed with award travel insights, airline and hotel strategy, loyalty program updates, trip report highlights, and practical ways to save money while traveling. Timestamps 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:44 Trip Setup Brisbane 02:11 Flash Deal Delta One 03:52 Delta One Lounge LAX 04:29 Vegas Pit Stop Strategy 05:49 Delta One Flight Review 07:16 Blacklane Airport Transfer 09:28 Hyatt Regency Perks 10:55 Food Hacks Abroad 13:17 Exploring Downtown Brisbane 14:35 Koala Sanctuary Visit 17:46 Kangaroo Point Views 19:16 Airport Lounge Return 20:21 Show Announcements 20:50 Meetups and FTU Dallas 21:47 CardPointers and SaveWise 22:33 SaveWise Grocery Wins 23:37 SAS Transfer Bonus 24:13 Rove Meetup Plans 25:01 Bilt Miami Pre-Cruise 26:10 Vermont Hotel Credit Play 28:03 Amex Retention Decisions 31:32 Caesars and MGM Negative Changes 34:37 Work Travel and Spring Break 35:24 Upcoming Trips and Calala Island 36:30 Amtrak Lounge Status 37:40 MGM Iconic Credit Card Increased Offer 38:37 Wrap Up and Support Links 39:31 Outro Credits and Theme — 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: 👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg 👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/ 👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ 👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧 — 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: 👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ 👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel 👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more: https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy 👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events. https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24 👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 — 👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode 🎙️💬 ✨ Bonus content 🎁 — 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ —
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Getting Started in Miles and Points with Erik and Bill Dickerson
Feb 2600:37:16Tap to summarizeMiles, Points & Creative Spending: A Tribute to Bill Dickerson (Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast) Justin of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast remasters and re-releases an episode recorded 2–3 years ago with twins Eric and Bill Dickerson as a tribute to Bill, following his death from stroke-related complications. This conversation captures their early journey into miles and points and creative spending: credit card welcome bonuses, bank account bonuses, gift card reselling (including buyers like CardCenter.cc and QCGC), and using ACH payouts to help meet bank bonus requirements. They also discuss finding an edge with online gambling in Pennsylvania and New Jersey using blackjack strategy, casino promos, referrals, and gift-card-funded play. Since this recording, their strategies helped unlock meaningful travel, including trips to Aruba and Florida. Bill will be missed. Bill Dickerson Obituary: https://www.poconorecord.com/obituaries/psom1417872 Timestamps 00:00 Points & Miles Intro 00:36 Tribute and Re-release Context 02:50 Meet the Twins 03:26 Origin Story and Getting Started 05:31 Making Money Gambling 08:09 Casino Promos and Referrals 09:51 CVS CarePass Easy Wins 10:55 Grocery Points and Free Gas 14:41 Manufactured Spend Mindset 16:28 Learning Curve and Cashier Hurdles 20:08 Gift Card Suspicion 21:16 Reselling and Arbitrage 22:07 Bank Bonus Stacking 24:09 Time Value Strategy 25:17 Store Rules Reality 26:26 Split Tender Tactics 29:28 De-risking New Cards 31:33 Hobby Mindset Wins 33:19 Start Small Advice 34:26 Travel Rewards Wrap-Up 35:37 Final Takeaways — 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: 👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast 👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg 👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/ 👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ 👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧 📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss — 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: 👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ 👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features. 👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more: https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy 👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events. https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24 👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 — 👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬 ✨ Bonus content 🎁 — 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ — ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍
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Gift Card Reselling with QCGC
Feb 2100:40:30Tap to summarizeSupercharge Points & Miles with Gift Card Reselling - QCGC Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast | Justin Vacula Justin Vacula hosts Taylor from QCGC (qcgc.io) to show how gift card reselling can help you earn more credit card points, miles, and cashback beyond everyday spending. By buying gift cards during promotions and reselling them through QCGC, keep the rewards while scaling your credit card spending. Recorded February 6, 2026, this episode covers QCGC’s newly launched portal (live since December 2025) that replaces the old spreadsheet system. Taylor walks through the platform’s deals section (profit, end dates, sources, remaining capacity, payout rates, and timeframes), the rates page that consolidates brands and denominations (including anywhere sources), and customizable deal alerts (with SMS planned). They also discuss entering payment details for ACH payouts and enabling optional two-factor authentication. Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Travel with Points & Miles 00:32 Meet Taylor & QCGC 01:57 Gift Card Reselling 101 04:31 Inside the New QCGC Portal: Deals Page, Alerts 06:14 Rates Page, Popular Brands & Converting Multi-Brand Gift Cards 08:37 Payout Timing, ACH Deposits & Bank Account Bonuses 09:30 De-Risking & Bank Scrutiny: Amex and Safer Buying Habits 13:15 More Portal Features: SMS Alerts, Payment Info, 2FA & Feature Requests 15:09 How to Join QCGC + Community: Onboarding, Support 17:02 Break + Announcements: Socials, Meetups, FTU, and CardPointers 21:20 Deal Math in Action: Lowe’s Promo, Gas Points, Staples & Profit Thresholds 26:06 Best Cards to Us 27:44 Real-World Friction: Store Limits, Cashiers Making Up Rules 29:39 Listener Q&A: Trust, Reputation, Starting Small 32:55 Step-by-Step Submissions: Reserving Capacity, Uploading Cards 34:52 Avoiding Mistakes 37:04 Wrap-Up — 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: 👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast 👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg 👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ 📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss — 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: 👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ 👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features. 👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more: https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy 👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events. https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24 👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 — 👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬 ✨ Bonus content 🎁 — 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ — ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
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GetSaveWise.com with Avneesh
Feb 1600:28:38Tap to summarizeSave Money on Groceries & Online Shopping with SaveWise (Portals, Auto-Clipped Coupons & Stackable Offers) | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast They also dive into SaveWise’s grocery coupon auto-clipping tool (app + browser extension), which supports 28 major grocery brands and 5,500+ stores, including Safeway and Acme. With one click, you can activate every available offer and stack them with store loyalty rewards. Other features covered include discounted gift cards, the Stackable Offers Index (to find merchants where portal rewards can stack with card-linked offers like Rakuten + Amex or AA + SimplyMiles), and a prototype product search tool for finding the best store to buy specific items. Sign up: www.GetSaveWise.com/HurdyGurdy Save 20% on SaveWise Pro (first year): promo code HurdyGurdy Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Travel with points, miles & rewards 01:22 Meet Avneesh (SaveWise) + how he got into points & miles 03:06 SaveWise 101: What it does (portals, gift cards, more) 03:52 Shopping portals explained (why they’re worth the extra click) 04:48 Best portal selection + historical rate trends 07:51 Grocery coupon auto-clipping for Safeway/Acme + 5,500+ stores 09:25 How often to clip + notifications + real savings per trip 12:19 Mobile apps roadmap: iOS now, Android coming soon 12:54 Free vs Pro: historical data, alerts, and pricing perks 14:41 Stackable Offers Index + product search prototype (advanced stacking) 16:59 Mid-roll announcements: FTU + local meetups 18:14 Privacy & data security: how SaveWise handles your info 19:39 Grocery logins + regional deal differences 20:45 What’s next: dining portals and restaurant double-dipping 22:28 Discounted gift cards: underrated savings + future integrations 23:52 Avneesh’s 2026 travel plans + points strategy (BILT, status, Hyatt) 27:04 Wrap-up + outro — 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: 👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast 👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg 👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ 📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss — 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: 👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ 👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features. 👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more: https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy 👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events. https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24 👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 — 👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬 ✨ Bonus content 🎁 — 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ — ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
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Get Paid to Stay on a Private Island! (I Booked It)
Feb 1000:40:15Tap to summarizeExclusive $2,510 Cash Incentive at Calala Island (Nicaragua)! | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast (ft. James of the Churn and Burn Podast) In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula is joined by James from the Churn and Burn Podcast to discuss one of the wildest luxury travel promos we’ve seen: an exclusive $2,510 cash incentive tied to a four-night stay at Calala Island in Nicaragua. We cover what the offer includes, how the booking works, and the real-world logistics: flights, transfers, timing, and what to expect on an ultra-exclusive private island with a tiny guest count. You’ll also hear practical strategy talk on Hilton points, free night certificates, credit cards, and the common pitfalls people may miss when trying to replicate deals like this. If you’re into points and miles, Hilton redemptions, Hilton free night certificates, luxury travel hacks, and Caribbean/Central America resort escapes, this one’s for you. Recorded February 9, 2026 Chapters 00:00 Intro: Travel Rewards + Why This Deal Is Huge 00:59 Guest Intro: James (Churn and Burn Podcast) 02:03 Calala Island Promo ($2,510 Incentive) 08:24 Booking Steps + Travel Logistics (Flights/Transfers/Timing) 19:20 Podcast Updates + Other Promotions 22:03 What You Actually Do on Calala Island 22:32 Openness to Experience 22:47 Deserted Island Picnic 24:04 Rum Tasting Adventure 25:36 Cooking Lobster Pizza 25:49 Hawksbill Turtle Nesting 27:06 Maximizing Hilton Points + Free Night Certificates 33:01 Listener Questions + Practical Travel Tips 35:47 Final Thoughts + Where to Follow — 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast: 👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast 👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg 👉 TuneIn → https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/Hurdy-Gurdy-Travel-Podcast-p1275539/ 👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/ 👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧 📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss — 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks: 👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ 👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel CardPointers helps you activate card-linked offers and take advantage of other powerful credit card features. 👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events. https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24 👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9 — 👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel 🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include: ✨ One-on-one calls with me ✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!) ✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬 ✨ Bonus content 🎁 — 🌐 Stay Connected With Me: 🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast 🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl 📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/ — ✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast! Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
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Dave Ramsey Debunked - Halloween Special
Oct 23, 2024Tap to summarizeResponse to Dave Ramsey show clip 'What Makes You Think You're The Credit Card Exception?' at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBf2KiQ1bUI -- You’re listening to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast. I’m your host, Justin Vacula, here to help you travel the world at next to no cost with credit card points, miles, benefits, and rewards. Make money, save money, and take advantage of great deals! Thanks for joining me for today’s episode, the Dave Ramsey Debunked Halloween Special with returning guest Darren Remsburg. We respond to a Dave Ramsey Show Highlight clip titled ‘What Makes You Think You’re The Credit Card Exception?’ debunking Ramsey personalities’ talking points aiming to make credit cards seem spooky and not worthwhile. Before today’s episode, some quick announcements. I’ll be speaking at two more events in 2024, including the October Chicago Seminars event at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village & the miles, points, and gambling event Zorkfest, November 2024 in Las Vegas. Visit meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints to RSVP for the monthly Greater Philadelphia Travel: Credit, Miles, and Points meetups I host in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The next meetups are on November 17th and December 15th, 2024. Find a link in the show notes. For more content between podcast episodes, follow Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter. Follow Justin Vacula on Instagram. Search Hurdy Gurdy Travel on SubscribeStar.com to financially support my efforts starting at the $5/month tip jar level. The website Udio, U-D-I-O, .com created the podcast intro music. -- Main website, including episode transcripts: https://hurdygurdytravelpodcast.com Referral links: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/ Join me for in-person meetups I host in Willow Grove, PA: https://www.meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints/ SubscribeStar: https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdy-gurdy-travel SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8EcIcoNU1HK4KKhQtTkAWw Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast Google Play: https://www.play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/l5bmuntd4wpvtklvg42ejg42ejg4apiu Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/HGTravelPodcast Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/justinvacula Copy and paste the podcast RSS feed -- http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss -- to listen on your favorite podcast-playing platform!
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