#27 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're keeping it close to home...literally.

In this episode, we're talking about starting small with points and miles. We'll break down how I booked a Chicago weekend trip for my family using two cards most beginners can actually get, discuss how Companion Pass works and why it's one of the best deals in travel, and share why a $22.40 domestic trip might be the most important booking I make all year.

Tune in to learn how to build real confidence with points and miles so when Japan is finally on the calendar, you're ready.

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• How to earn and use Southwest Companion Pass to fly your partner for free
• Why signup bonuses are the fastest way to accumulate points and miles
• How to book hotel nights through Chase Ultimate Rewards and transfer to Hyatt
• What to know about flying with a lap infant before your first family trip
• Why starting with a simple domestic trip is the smartest first step toward Japan

Featured on the Show

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Follow John on Instagram — @itsjohndiaz
• Email the show — rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.com

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#26 This week we’re breaking down exactly how I booked Japan Airlines Business Class from Los Angeles to Tokyo using points and miles.

In this episode, I walk through my entire booking process step-by-step from spotting the award availability to leveraging a Capital One transfer bonus that made the redemption even more valuable. I also share the math behind the booking, including the miles used, taxes paid, and what the same flight would have cost in cash.

Along the way, we also touch on some important Hyatt news, including upcoming changes to the World of Hyatt award chart that could increase redemption costs for some of the most desirable hotels.

Tune in to learn how I turned everyday spending into a $6,000+ business class flight to Japan, and how you can prepare for similar opportunities in the future.

What You’ll Learn from This Episode

• How I booked Japan Airlines Business Class for 55,000 miles from LAX to Tokyo

• How a Capital One transfer bonus helped reduce the number of points needed

• Why flexibility with award travel can unlock rare business class opportunities

• Important World of Hyatt award chart changes coming soon

• Why you should always have a plan before transferring points to airline programs

Featured on the Show

Max Miles Points - Instagram @maxmilespoints

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVM1xTQgbDL/?igsh=a2p5ejhjeGthMTBy - how to ACTUALLY find 55,000 point Japan Airlines Business Class flights by Max Miles Points

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

My Referral Link - https://i.capitalone.com/JEbHdVzBz

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#25 This week we’re talking about leveling up your travel strategy with a Player Two.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what a Player Two actually is, how to leverage referral bonuses and welcome offers, and how to strategically manage things like 5/24, authorized users, and minimum spend requirements. I also share how my wife and I use this system to stack points for bigger trips to Japan and beyond.

Tune in to learn how working as a team can unlock more points, bigger redemptions, and more accessible travel experiences around the world.

What You’ll Learn from This Episode

• What a Player Two strategy is and who it works best for (spouse, sibling, friend, travel partner)

• How to stack welcome bonuses and referral bonuses for massive point growth

• Why authorized users are different from a true Player Two strategy

• How to manage minimum spend together without going into debt

• How combining (or strategically splitting) points can fund bigger trips like business class flights and full hotel stays

Another Example of someone using a Player Two System

Our Credit Card Strategy For Couples (2 Player System) by Daniel Braun
https://youtu.be/Wuftu11aFO8?si=Nyn-7C1MpOFJlMmh

Episode 5: How We Took a $15,000 Japan & South Korea Trip for $221 Using Points

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→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#24 In this episode, I break down the best Japan travel apps to download before your trip the tools that genuinely make navigating, booking, eating, shopping, and staying safe in Japan so much easier. These are apps I’ve personally used across multiple trips, plus a few I’ve researched and added for our upcoming visit (especially traveling with a baby).

I also share a quick points-and-miles update:

• Capital One → Japan Airlines 30% transfer bonus (ends February 28)
– Improves the transfer from 1:750 to roughly 1:975
– Found business class seats around 70,000 miles per person
– Considering booking for a fall trip

• Venture X cardholders now have access to purchase FIFA World Cup tickets (Feb 12–24, while supplies last)

Then we dive into the apps organized by category so you know exactly what to download and why.

🗺 Navigation & Transit

• Google Maps
• Mobile Suica (Apple Wallet)
• Welcome Suica App
• GO Taxi

🌐 Internet & Connectivity

• Airalo (eSIM)
• Japan Wireless (portable Wi-Fi option)

🗣 Language & Communication

• Google Translate
• Papago
• LINE
• WhatsApp

🛍 Shopping & Product Translation

• Payke

🍣 Food & Restaurant Planning

• Google Maps
• Tabelog
• OpenTable
• Uber Eats

🎟 Experiences & Booking

• Klook
• Booking.com

🧮 Practical Tools

• iPhone Calculator (currency conversion)
• XE (currency app alternative)
• NERV (earthquake alerts)

🎢 Bonus Apps

• Universal Studios Japan App
• Tokyo Disney App
• HappyCow (vegetarian/vegan dining)
• Mama Papa Map (baby facilities)
• Visit Japan Web (customs QR code)

Whether you’re navigating Tokyo stations, booking Shibuya Sky at sunset, scanning skincare at Donki, reserving hard-to-book restaurants, or planning your first Japan trip with a stroller this episode is designed to make your trip smoother, less stressful, and more prepared.

If Japan is on your radar or you’re planning your next return download these before your next trip and if I missed one you love, send it my way.

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#23 In this episode, I introduce a new segmented format for Rewarding Routes that allows me to cover updates, news, listener questions, and a main topic all in one episode. I share a quick update on the Bilt Palladium denial and why I still accepted a $0 annual fee Bilt Blue card. From there, I run through major Japan and credit card news, answer a listener question about how I plan trips, and then dive into the main topic: why business credit cards are one of the most powerful tools for earning more points.

• New episode format: Updates, News, Listener Q, Main Topic
• Accepted Bilt Blue $0 AF
• Pokémon expanding at Universal Studios Japan
• PokéPark KANTO opens Feb 5, 2026
• Chase Sapphire early access to FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets (Feb 10)
• Japan cherry blossom forecast
• Tourism hits 42.7M visitors
• Trip planning
• Why business cards work for beginners
• Approved for Amex Blue Business Plus

American Express Blue Business Plus® Credit Card (Targeted Offer Page)
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/campaigns/small-business/credit-cards/blue-business-plus/explore-now/

Amex Blue Business Plus: 75K Points, No Lifetime Language (Targeted)
https://frequentmiler.com/amex-blue-business-plus-offer-75k-points-no-lifetime-language-targeted/

🇯🇵 Japan & Travel News
Universal Studios Japan Announces Major New Pokémon Experience
https://tdrexplorer.com/universal-studios-japan-announces-major-new-pokemon-experience/

We Visited PokéPark Kanto: Japan’s Real-Life Pokémon Park
https://www.ign.com/articles/we-visited-pokepark-kanto-japans-real-life-pokemon-park

PokéPark KANTO Guide & Tickets
https://matcha-jp.com/en/25445

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast
https://tokyocheapo.com/living/tokyo-cherry-blossom-forecast/

💳Points, Miles & Credit Card Strategy
Chase Sapphire & the 2026 FIFA World Cup
https://www.pointsbyj.com/post/chase-sapphire-fifa-world-cup-2026

How to Apply for a Business Credit Card as a Sole Proprietor
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-apply-for-a-business-credit-card-as-a-sole-proprietorship/

Amex 1-Bonus-Per-Lifetime Rule
https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/american-express-bonus-lifetime-restrictions/

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelmomsquad/

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→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#22 How much do you really need to save for a trip to Japan?

This is one of the most common questions I see from people planning their first trip and the honest answer is that there’s no single number that fits everyone. Every Japan trip looks different depending on your travel style, priorities, and what you value most.

In this episode, I break down the real world costs of traveling in Japan by walking through the major spending categories you’ll encounter, from everyday expenses once you land to experiences, transportation, food, and the smaller costs people often forget to plan for. The goal isn’t to give you a strict budget, but to provide a clear baseline framework so you can confidently decide how much you should save for your trip.

We also talk about why Japan can feel surprisingly affordable, how points and miles can remove the biggest barriers to visiting more than once, and why you shouldn’t cut back on the things you already know will matter most to you. To bring it all together, I share a real example from a recent 17-day trip to South Korea and Japan to show how these numbers can play out in real life.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or a return trip, this episode is meant to help you plan smarter, set realistic expectations, and build a Japan itinerary that actually feels rewarding.

Episode Highlights

• Why there’s no “correct” amount to save for a Japan trip
• How to think about your budget based on what you value most
• Why now can be an affordable time to travel to Japan
• The biggest costs to consider first (and how points & miles help)
• Everyday expenses once you land, including phone service and luggage forwarding
• What food actually costs in Japan, from budget eats to special experiences
• Paid vs free activities and how to balance both
• How transportation works, including trains, IC cards, and the Shinkansen
• Why shopping is the hardest category to budget for
• Common unexpected expenses travelers forget to plan for
• Simple budget frameworks for different travel styles
• A real-world breakdown of a 17-day Japan & Korea trip

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

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→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#21 In this episode, I break down Bilt 2.0 what changed, why it matters, and why it’s causing so much confusion in the points and miles world right now.

I start by revisiting why the original Bilt card worked so well, especially for people just getting into points and miles, and why Bilt decided to completely rethink the system. On the surface, Bilt 2.0 looks like a big upgrade especially with mortgages now included but once you look closer, things get complicated fast.

What I Cover in This Episode

• Why the original Bilt card was such a game-changer
• What Bilt 2.0 is trying to solve and where it gets messy
• A high level look at the three new Bilt cards launching February 7th
• Which card caught my attention (and which ones didn’t)
• A personal update on a card I applied for and how that turned out

The Big Question

The biggest shift with Bilt 2.0 is how you earn points on rent and mortgage. There’s a new system involved, more than one way to earn, and even Bilt made changes shortly after the announcement. I walk through the logic behind it so you can understand what’s going on without needing to be deep in the weeds.

My Honest Take

I wrap things up with who Bilt 2.0 might actually make sense for, who should probably skip it, and why you don’t need to feel pressure to jump in just because everyone else is talking about it.

If you’ve been wondering whether Bilt is still worth it, or how Bilt 2.0 might (or might not) fit into your own points strategy, this episode will help you think it through without the hype.

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→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#20

2026 is a year of transition for us, and this episode is about how travel fits into that change. Rather than locking in a packed calendar or chasing big redemptions, this year is about slowing down, planning intentionally and letting travel evolve alongside life.

In this episode, I share a real time look at how I’m thinking about travel during a season where flexibility matters more than ever. Travel isn’t stopping it’s simply taking on a new shape. One that feels more aligned with where we are right now, and one that prioritizes sustainability, confidence and enjoyment over pressure or perfection.

This conversation isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about learning how to move forward when things feel uncertain, how to make space for change, and how travel can still play an important role even when priorities shift. Instead of focusing on exact plans or rigid timelines, this episode focuses on mindset, decision-making and the thought process behind keeping travel possible during a year of transition.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why we’re keeping our 2026 travel plans loose and intentionally simple, and how removing pressure actually makes planning easier and more enjoyable
• How points and miles become more valuable during years when priorities shift, not as a way to chase luxury, but as a tool for flexibility and peace of mind
• The mindset change from “maximizing trips” to building confidence through manageable travel, especially during seasons where energy, time, and focus look different
• How domestic trips help set the foundation for bigger travel later in the year, serving as learning experiences rather than checklists
• Why planning without pressure can actually lead to better experiences, fewer regrets, and more meaningful memories
• How this season is shaping the future direction of the podcast, with a stronger focus on learning in real time and sharing the journey honestly

This episode isn’t about exact itineraries or locked-in plans. It’s about the process behind planning travel during change, using points and miles as a flexibility tool, and allowing yourself to learn as you go instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment to start. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t need to look the same every year to still be meaningful.

If travel feels different for you right now whether because of family, finances, career changes, or life in general this episode is meant to meet you where you are. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t have to stop when life changes. Sometimes it just needs to adapt, slow down, and take on a new rhythm.

2026 is a learning year.
Travel will evolve.
And that’s still a rewarding route.

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