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Ohad Sternberg

If You Treat Points Like a Hobby, You’ll Keep Getting Hobby-Sized Results

If You Treat Points Like a Hobby, You’ll Keep Getting Hobby-Sized Results

Most people chase “free” flights and settle for weak redemptions. The real power in points comes from thinking like a strategist—maximizing value, planning redemptions in advance, and using spend as a tool, not a chore. Play smart, and your travel game levels up fast.

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

Elite perks that feel like pranks, communal shampoo trauma, Wyndham’s promo labyrinth, robe theft ethics, and the awkward art of saying “I want my own room.” This week, Ohad checks into hotel chaos with sass, sarcasm, and zero tolerance for loyalty program gaslighting.

The Award Hacker’s Guide to Summer in Europe (Without Fuel Surcharges)

The Award Hacker’s Guide to Summer in Europe (Without Fuel Surcharges)

The Award Hacker’s Guide to Summer in Europe (Without Fuel Surcharges) by someone who’s done it wrong so you don’t have to

I Booked a Castle with Points. My Friends Booked a Super 8.

I Booked a Castle with Points. My Friends Booked a Super 8.

From Motel to Medieval: I swapped a bland roadside motel for an 800-year-old castle stay—all booked with points. While my friends paid cash for fluorescent lights and vending machines, I enjoyed turrets and butlers without spending a dime. Here’s how points can turn your trip into a royal adventure.

How we Book an African Safari with Points: A 2-Person Redemption Adventure

How we Book an African Safari with Points: A 2-Person Redemption Adventure

Fly to Africa in business class, sleep in $2,000-a-night safari lodges, and sip sundowners while lions prowl nearby—all booked with points. This is the ultimate guide to turning your loyalty stash into a once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure without spending like it.

How One Reader Booked a $5,000 Delta One Ticket for $5.60—And How You Can Too

How One Reader Booked a $5,000 Delta One Ticket for $5.60—And How You Can Too

What if you could fly in a $5,000 lie-flat Delta One seat for less than the cost of a coffee? ☕ One traveler did—paying just $5.60 💵 No elite status, no insane spending. Just smart point strategy and a little-known booking trick that airlines hope you never learn 🤫

How a Plumbing Company Turned Card Spend into First-Class Flights (+ Presidents Club Trip) Without Changing Their Budget

How a Plumbing Company Turned Card Spend into First-Class Flights (+ Presidents Club Trip) Without Changing Their Budget

A Phoenix-based plumber was earning just 1.5% cash back on $80K/month in business spend - until he brought us in to unlock $40K+ in first-class flights and team retreats. No extra spend. No gimmicks. Just strategy. Here’s how he turned everyday expenses into luxury travel and loyalty.

United Airlines Just Moved the Goalposts Again—Here’s Why You Should Stop Playing Their Game

United Airlines Just Moved the Goalposts Again—Here’s Why You Should Stop Playing Their Game

United just gutted MileagePlus—again. Higher status thresholds, fewer upgrade perks, and a nerfed Excursionist Perk. Loyalty programs aren’t rewarding you—they’re squeezing you. In 2025, flexibility beats loyalty. Play smart, not loyal. Here's why.

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

Snarky etiquette meets points-hoarding delusion in this week’s Dear Ohad. From overhead bin wars to seafood crimes at 38,000 feet, Ohad tackles the absurdity of modern travel with dry wit and zero patience for your TikTok-blasting seatmate. Bonus: romance advice that won’t get you deported.

Building Company Culture at 35,000 Feet

Building Company Culture at 35,000 Feet

Forget ping-pong tables—real team loyalty is built miles above the office. Discover how smart SMB founders are using points-funded travel to create unforgettable offsites that boost trust, alignment, and retention—all without blowing the budget. Ready to fly higher together?

How to Build a Company Offsite with Points: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small & Medium-Size Businesses

How to Build a Company Offsite with Points: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small & Medium-Size Businesses

Spending $30K+ per month on business cards? You could be sending your team on an unforgettable offsite—in business class. Learn how SMBs are turning everyday expenses into all-expenses-paid trips using points, not P&L. Step-by-step breakdown. Big ROI. No fluff.

Stuck at a Non-Gateway Hub? Here's Your UpNonStop Playbook

Stuck at a Non-Gateway Hub? Here's Your UpNonStop Playbook

Locked in Philly or a non-gateway city? Don’t chase nonstop flights - chase value • The best redemptions often start elsewhere • Use positioning flights to JFK, BOS, or IAD to unlock Qsuites, ANA Business, or Emirates First for fewer miles • Your airport’s the on-ramp, not the destination.