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Ohad Sternberg

The Points Derivative: Hedging, Speculating, and Arbitraging in the Travel Market

Strategy Saturday

The Points Derivative: Hedging, Speculating, and Arbitraging in the Travel Market

Points aren’t coupons - they’re derivatives • Businesses can hedge against airfare inflation, speculate on sweet spots, and arbitrage transfer bonuses • Treat your points like futures contracts, not freebies, and you’ll turn everyday spend into protection, profit, and outsized travel returns.

Best Value for Points When Crossing the Pacific

Best Value for Points When Crossing the Pacific

Crossing the Pacific is the ultimate stress test for points • Cash fares hit $6K–$12K in business, but ANA takes you to Tokyo for 75K, or 110K roundtrip on partners... 7–10¢ per point ROI • For Businesses, $500K spend unlocks $40K+ in Asia trips • Cashback? Dead in the water!

Best Value for Points When Crossing the (North) Atlantic

Best Value for Points When Crossing the (North) Atlantic

Crossing the Atlantic Ocean is where points prove their worth • Why pay $4K–$7K cash when Iberia flies you JFK–Madrid for 34K Avios or Virgin gets Delta One for 50K? That’s 6–10¢ per point ROI • For Businesses optimized spend turns $500K into $20K+ in travel... cash back can’t compete!

Turning 21K Points Into a Virgin Upper Class Transatlantic Flight

Turning 21K Points Into a Virgin Upper Class Transatlantic Flight

The upgrade you feel: breeze through check-in, linger in the Clubhouse, then slide into a herringbone suite with direct aisle access and real linens. With the right Bilt to Virgin Red bonus, 21k points buys quiet, privacy, and proper rest across the Atlantic.

Santiago (De Chile) for 35,000: The Cheapest Ticket to South America’s Business Class

Santiago (De Chile) for 35,000: The Cheapest Ticket to South America’s Business Class

September is prime for LATAM business-class redemptions to Santiago at 35K points • Optimized points turn $500K spend into $21K–$65K travel value • The multiplier effect compounds ROI, giving Businesses mobility, client access, and growth while competitors stick to cash or low cashback.

From Cashback to Compounded Stretch: How Smart Companies Unlock Real Travel ROI

From Cashback to Compounded Stretch: How Smart Companies Unlock Real Travel ROI

Most Businesses settle for 1.5% cashback: $200K spend for a $3K ticket. With optimized points at 4.2% earn and 1.35¢ value, the same flight costs ~$111K spend. That’s nearly half the outlay, turning travel from sunk cost into growth. UpNonStop makes every dollar do double duty.

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

Weekend Edition / Dear Ohad...

This week in miles & points: United killed the Excursionist Perk, Alaska + Hawaiian launched Atmos Rewards, Turkish ran a short award discount, KrisFlyer’s Spontaneous Escapes returned, Qantas offered double points/status, and Delta flashed sub-20k SkyMiles Europe deals. Here’s what matters now.

Stopover Science: How to Add Cities Without Adding Costs

Strategy Saturday

Stopover Science: How to Add Cities Without Adding Costs

Safari, sushi, and a side of the Seine - on one award. That’s the promise of stopovers done right: more trip for the same (or barely more) points, cash kept clean, and availability that survives real-world needs (two seats, sometimes four).

The US to Africa Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

The US to Africa Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

Safari without sticker shock. Our August 2025 playbook gets you in lie flat to Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Cape Town and Zanzibar. Aeroplan stopovers for 5,000, Qatar Qsuite one stop, Flying Blue into the islands, Royal Air Maroc to Morocco. Real seats, low cash, repeatable wins.

The US to Oceania Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

The US to Oceania Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

Chasing Australia, New Zealand, Fiji without burning a year of points? Our August 2025 playbook lands real lie flats now. Aeroplan with 5,000 point stopovers, Alaska free island pauses, Qantas nonstops when they drop, Asia resets via Tokyo or Singapore, United partner space that sticks.

The US to Latin & South America Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

The US to Latin & South America Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

Lie flat to Rio, Bogotá, Lima, Santiago without torching points. Our August 2025 playbook hits Aeroplan for 5,000 point stopovers, MileagePlus for low cash partner space, LifeMiles for surgical wins, SkyMiles for LATAM wide-bodies. Real seats, midweek jackpots, stacks that pay.

The US to Europe Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

The US to Europe Playbook: Best Redemptions Right Now

Want lie flat to Paris, Madrid, Rome without torching points or cash? We cracked Europe for August 2025. Think Iberia at 40,500 Avios each way, Flying Blue from 50,000 to 70,000, Aeroplan magic with a 5,000 point stopover. Real seats, low fees, repeatable plays. Let’s go!