Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
Travel the world at next to no cost with credit card rewards!
Episodes
June 24, 2025 • 57 mins
Chase Sapphire Reserve Changes and New Credit Card Strategies
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsberg discuss major upcoming changes to the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card.
They cover the new signup bonuses, travel credits, dining credits, and other benefits such as lounge access and IHG Platinum status.
The hosts delve into strategies for maximizing these benefits, ...
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June 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Maximize Rewards with Caesars Online Blackjack
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula shares strategies for traveling at low cost using credit card points, miles, and loyalty programs.
He discusses the benefits of playing Caesars Online Blackjack to earn rewards and profit with low risk. Justin explains the mechanics of depositing funds, leveraging bonuses, and accruing tier credits to enhance your...
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June 17, 2025 • 42 mins
Maximizing Chase DoorDash and Instacart Credits with Justin Vacula and Beth
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and guest Beth delve into optimizing Chase DoorDash and Instacart credits to save money on groceries.
They discuss the benefits of credit card rewards and loyalty programs, specifically focusing on Chase's offerings.
Beth shares her strategy of using multiple family members' accounts...
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June 13, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsberg discuss the latest enhancements to the MGM Rewards program, particularly its new benefits with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.
Listeners learn how to earn points, tier credits, and slot dollars on cruises booked through MGM, adding incredible value to their travel experiences. The episode also delves into strategies for maximi...
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June 5, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula interviews Jackie Wisniewski about the upcoming Chicago Seminars at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in 2025.
Jackie discusses her decade-long involvement in the award travel community, her role in organizing the seminars, and what attendees can expect, including networking opportunities, educational sessions, and community-building events.
The seminar, celebrating i...
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June 2, 2025 • 50 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsberg dive into Justin's affordable travel experiences using credit card points and miles.
The episode features a detailed trip report on Justin's recent visit to Krakow, Poland, highlighting how he used credit card rewards to minimize costs. They discuss accommodations, local attractions, transportation, and practical tips for maximizing point...
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May 28, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula is joined by special guest Michael Trager to discuss ZorkFest 2025, a conference focused on maximizing travel and casino loyalty rewards.
Scheduled for December 5th-7th in Las Vegas, ZorkFest offers a range of educational sessions covering the use of credit card points, miles, and casino loyalty programs to enhance travel experiences.
Topics include detailed ...
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May 15, 2025 • 59 mins
Join Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast for a special episode recapping his Emerald Princess Europe cruise.
Dive into the intricacies of traveling at a low cost with credit card points, miles, and benefits. Hear about his adventures in Europe, from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the rocks of Gibraltar.
Learn about his experiences with various loyalty programs and the unique opportunities they offer. This episode also...
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April 26, 2025 • 48 mins
Pari Kim from 'Love on the Spectrum' Interview - Trains and Amtrak by Justin Vacula
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April 25, 2025 • 51 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and returning guest Darren Remsberg dive deep into the features and benefits of the new MGM Rewards Iconic Credit Card. They explore its potential for earning rewards and enhanced travel experiences through MGM Rewards. The discussion covers sign-up bonuses, annual fees, spending structures, and unique perks such as complimentary nights and tier status benefits. ...
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April 6, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses low-cost travel using points and miles, focusing on Amtrak Guest Rewards with special guest Deker.
They delve into the benefits and earning potentials of Amtrak's credit cards, including a special offer for 40,000 points. Deker shares his journey into the world of points and miles during COVID, his experiences with Amtrak's credit cards, and tips for ...
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April 3, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula discusses the latest enhancements to the MGM Rewards program, including cruise benefits, rollover tier credits, and more.
Joined by returning guest Marc Konchinsky, they share personal experiences with MGM properties and strategies for maximizing rewards through credit card points and miles. The episode also covers upcoming meetups in Greater Philadelphia, the b...
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March 31, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula welcomes Danielle Fiorino to discuss how to travel the world at low cost using credit cards, points, and miles.
Danielle shares her experiences from the PointsQuest conference in New York, attending the 2024 Olympics, and traveling to Madrid to see Taylor Swift.
They also talk about the benefits of various credit cards, lounge access, and upcoming travel plan...
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March 30, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula interviews Emmanuel Crouvisier of CardPointers.
They discuss strategies for optimizing credit card spending using the CardPointers app and browser tool, which helps users automatically activate card-linked offers. Emmanuel shares his journey into miles and points, his family's travel history, and how he eventually created CardPointers.
Listeners learn about t...
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March 29, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and co-host Darren Remsburg delve into Justin's recent travel adventures, focusing on his fourth cruise of 2025 aboard the Celebrity Silhouette.
Justin shares insights on low-cost travel using credit card points, miles, and perks, and highlights his experiences with the Celebrity Silhouette, including the variety of food options, casino strategies, and on-board...
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March 19, 2025 • 39 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula shares insights from his recent cruise on the Holland America Nieuw Statendam, obtained through a Wynn Las Vegas tier match offer.
The episode covers detailed travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, and cruise amenities, as well as personal experiences and evaluations of ship facilities, dining options, internet service, and onboard entertainment.
Jus...
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February 27, 2025 • 53 mins
Join host Justin Vacula on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as he explores the world of points and miles with Julia Menez from Geobreeze Travel.
Discover how to travel at low cost using credit card rewards, benefits, and loyalty programs.
In this episode, they discuss the points and miles lifestyle, financial independence, and share tips on maximizing travel rewards. Learn about exciting conference experiences, favorite travel tips...
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February 21, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and returning guest Mandi discuss a recent casino comp cruise experience on the Carnival Panorama, including tips for traveling at low cost with credit card points and miles.
They explore destinations such as Cabo, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta, and discuss onboard activities, food options, and creative spending in the casino. They also share insights on maximizi...
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January 16, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula shares a detailed travel report from his stay at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, utilizing a complimentary offer from Caesars Rewards Diamond Status.
Joined by returning guest Mandi, Justin discusses the logistics of their trip, transportation, the luxurious amenities at Atlantis, and the trade-offs they made to stay within budget.
The duo talks about the ...
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January 14, 2025 • 54 mins
In this episode of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast, host Justin Vacula and guest Mandi share their experiences from their January 2025 cruise on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady.
They discuss how they secured a comp offer, the dining experiences onboard, and various port stops, including Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Bimini Beach, Bahamas.
They highlight the ship's amenities, including fitness classes, casino sessions, a...
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