Oh, Hi There, I'm Ohad! 👋🏻

Quick Introduction: TL;DR

Name: Ohad Sternberg 👨🏻‍🦲
Stats: Software Manager 👨🏻‍💻 turned ⏩ International Developer 🇺🇳 turned ⏩ Award Travel Consultant 🚀
Home: Jersey City, NJ 🗽
Years on the Planet: 43 🎂
# of Miles traveled around the Planet: +5,000,000 🛫
# of Countries visited on the planet: 70 🗺️
Lived In: 🇮🇱 + 🇺🇸 + 🇲🇩 + 🇨🇷 + 🇻🇺 + 🇹🇭 + 🇯🇵 + 🇦🇺
Languages Spoken: English, Hebrew, Romanian, and some Russian & Bislama (+/-) 🗣️
Specializing in: Star Alliance, OneWorld, SkyTeam and the 3ME Carriers (Emirates, Etihad, Qatar)

Longer Introduction: Who Am I?

I’m the kind of person who, when faced with a fork in the road, always turns left… especially if it means snagging a seat in business class instead of economy. You could say I’m allergic to cramped seats and in-flight meals that resemble mystery meat (seriously, what is that stuff?).

You might know me as a former software manager from LinkedIn, but these days I’m more of an award travel consultant for businesses and organizations. With my wand (a.k.a. points & miles) and a sprinkle of strategy, I help companies unlock the magic of affordable, premium travel. Whether your team is flying to pitch investors in Tokyo or hosting an offsite in Lisbon, I’ve got the hacks to get your people there efficiently, comfortably, and cost-effectively. Trust me - I’ve been there.

But let’s rewind a bit. My journey to becoming an award travel expert wasn’t exactly straightforward. In fact, it was more like one of those winding mountain roads in the Swiss Alps - beautiful, thrilling, and occasionally terrifying (and yes, I’ve driven one of those roads, but that’s a story for later).

The Early Days: Where It All Began

Once upon a time, in a world where dial-up internet was considered cutting-edge technology, a young version of me discovered a deep, unrelenting love for adventure. I’m the son of a flight attendant who made sure I skipped school as much as possible to join him in seeing the world. I wasn’t one of those kids who wanted to be an astronaut or a rock star. Nope. I wanted to be a globe-trotting explorer, map in one hand and passport in the other. I had dreams of discovering hidden temples, sipping exotic beverages, and befriending local wildlife (though, to be fair, I wasn’t entirely sure what “wildlife” meant at the time - I just assumed it involved cuddly animals).

Fast forward a few years, and my wanderlust had only grown stronger. After earning a few degrees (you know, the usual AA, BA, MA, and Executive Education in Liberal Arts, Economics, Management, and Product Development), I found myself working in software management. But as much as I loved solving complex fraud-prevention software problems, my heart was in delivering value to people - and eventually to organizations - through smarter travel strategies. There was a whole world out there, and I was stuck in meetings discussing bugs and sprints.

The turning point came during a particularly grueling project when I realized two things: (1) I needed a change, and (2) I needed more miles. While some people had epiphanies about life’s meaning, mine was about points and miles - how I could earn them, redeem them, and, most importantly, help teams travel efficiently without breaking budgets. That was the moment my obsession with award travel was truly born.

The Pivot: From Software to International Development

At some point, I realized that staring at lines of code all day wasn’t cutting it. Sure, I could optimize a program like nobody’s business, but was that going to quench my thirst for adventure? Hardly. So, I did what any rational, globe-trotting dreamer would do: I quit my software job in 2010, joined the Peace Corps, and started my international development career. Yes, you read that right. I traded in my ergonomic desk chair for a rickety bus seat somewhere in rural Eastern Europe (Hi Moldova!), and let me tell you - the ride was bumpier than a rollercoaster built in the ’80s.

International development was a whole new world - quite literally. I found myself working on projects that were a far cry from my previous life in software. I learned how to manage teams in chaotic environments, negotiate with locals over the price of bananas or taro, and communicate when neither party spoke the same language (spoiler alert: a smile and thumbs-up work wonders). Working for the Prime Minister’s Office of a previously known cannibal country (Hi Vanuatu!) was definitely a highlight of my 30s. Remind me to tell you the story I had with a woman who ate someone in one of my future stories.

But here’s the thing - this detour into development wasn’t just about adventure. It was about learning how to deliver results in unpredictable conditions, a skill I now bring to corporate travel programs: managing logistics, anticipating disruptions, and keeping teams productive.

Despite the chaos, I thrived. I gained a deep appreciation for improvisation (because, believe me, nothing ever goes as planned) and learned to roll with the punches. And, of course, I kept accumulating miles. Even in the most remote corners of the world, I was still figuring out how to make every journey count.

After several years, I felt the tug of my old passion: travel. But now, I knew exactly how to do it smarter, cheaper, and with more flair. It was time to return to the world of award travel consulting, armed with a fresh perspective and a sense of purpose: helping businesses and their teams travel efficiently and luxuriously.

Discovering Award Travel: The Moment Everything Changed

I remember the first time I realized that award travel was more than just a hobby. It was an art form. There I was, sitting at my computer late one night, scouring forums and blogs, trying to figure out how to get to Europe without spending a fortune. I’d heard whispers of people flying in luxury for pennies on the dollar, and I was determined to crack the code.

It didn’t take long before I became completely obsessed. I started learning everything about points, miles, and loyalty programs. I stayed up until the wee hours crafting itineraries that would take me around the world without breaking the bank. I was like a mad scientist, but instead of potions, I was brewing the perfect award travel strategy - now applied to corporate travel programs.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Mishaps included ending up in the middle seat of the last row despite booking first class, or being stranded due to blackout dates. Every mistake made me better at planning complex itineraries that protect schedules and budgets.

It wasn’t long before my personal motto was born: Always turn left in life.
When you board a plane, turn left. That’s where the big, comfy seats are. That’s where the champagne flows freely. And yes, your team can experience that, too - without overspending.

My Mission: Help Businesses Maximize their spend towards better Travel

Let’s be real - business travel can get expensive, fast. Between flights, hotels, and meetings, costs escalate. But here’s the thing: they don’t have to.

My mission is simple: help organizations maximize points and miles while improving the traveler experience. I help companies reduce T&E spend, secure premium-class seats for executives, and create loyalty programs that reward employees for smart travel behavior.

My vision focuses on delivering measurable value in every interaction. Through audits, workshops, or day-to-day strategy, I ensure every mile spent adds ROI.

UpNonStop: Award Travel Maximizer for Businesses

I work with startups and enterprises but predominantly small and medium-size businesses in optimizing their travel programs. Together, we navigate award travel like pros, with strategies that include:

• Designing loyalty programs that reduce T&E spend without sacrificing comfort
• Crafting itineraries that keep teams on schedule - even when flights go sideways
• Securing premium-class experiences for executives at economy-class prices

Running this business isn’t without its challenges: staying ahead of loyalty program updates, responding to urgent client calls mid-journey, and fielding endless strategic questions. But I love it. Helping teams save thousands while traveling efficiently and comfortably? Absolutely priceless.

Of course, I still travel myself, continuously testing strategies and exploring new destinations. Whether it’s flying first-class to Bali or sipping wine in a European village, every trip helps me refine the next corporate itinerary.

And the humor hasn’t faded: clients joking about booking trips to the moon (not yet!) or explaining “trip positioning” to skeptical CFOs. Adventure is part of the job - and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yours Truly,
--Ohad Sternberg
ohad@upnonstop.com