Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is a clip from a recent full-length podcast episode:
youtu.be/QRLizv9Xhu4
Hilton and Hyatt Credit Card Strategy, Citi AAdvantage Executive Changes & Amex Green Strategy with Matthew Dong
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Matthew Dong to discuss building a smarter travel rewards strategy with credit cards, hotel programs, airline lounges, and upgrade opportunities.
Justin and Matthew compare Hilton and Hyatt strategy, including why Matthew is expanding beyond Hyatt and focusing more on Hilton for better resort options in places like Hawaii.
Matthew explains how he started with cashback before moving deeper into points and miles with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and shares luxury redemption highlights including Emirates First Class, Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives, and a Park Hyatt Maldives stay.
Matthew also explains his current Hilton Surpass Card strategy, including using referrals, buying groups, and planned spending to reach the $15,000 and $30,000 spending thresholds for Hilton free night certificates. He also discusses a possible future Hilton Surpass to Hilton Aspire upgrade to maximize resort credits, airline credits, and premium Hilton benefits.
The conversation also covers major Citi AAdvantage Executive Card changes, including the annual fee increasing, portal credits, Lyft credits, and loyalty point boosts. Justin and Matthew discuss who may still benefit from the card and who may want to reconsider it after the fee hike.
They also discuss the American Express Green Card as a downgrade and upgrade tool, including how it can help preserve Membership Rewards points, trigger upgrade offers, and potentially become more valuable if Amex refreshes the card.
—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:
👉 SoundCloud → soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast
👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490
👉 Spotify → open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg
👉 iHeartRadio → iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405
👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧
📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—
💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:
👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links
👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel
👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy
👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
ftuniversity.com/?aff=24
👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9
👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy
👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel
👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more. Descript offers tools, including studio sound, removal of filler words, and the ability to edit from a generated transcript.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—
👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar →
subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel
🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:
✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—
RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints
🌐 Stay Connected With Me:
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
👍 Like on Facebook → facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl
📸 Follow on Instagram → instagram.com/justinvacula
—
✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast!
Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
This is a clip from a recent full-length podcast episode:
youtu.be/QRLizv9Xhu4
Hilton and Hyatt Credit Card Strategy, Citi AAdvantage Executive Changes & Amex Green Strategy with Matthew Dong
Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Matthew Dong to discuss building a smarter travel rewards strategy with credit cards, hotel programs, airline lounges, and upgrade opportunities.
Justin and Matthew compare Hilton and Hyatt strategy, including why Matthew is expanding beyond Hyatt and focusing more on Hilton for better resort options in places like Hawaii.
Matthew explains how he started with cashback before moving deeper into points and miles with cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and shares luxury redemption highlights including Emirates First Class, Qatar Qsuites to the Maldives, and a Park Hyatt Maldives stay.
Matthew also explains his current Hilton Surpass Card strategy, including using referrals, buying groups, and planned spending to reach the $15,000 and $30,000 spending thresholds for Hilton free night certificates. He also discusses a possible future Hilton Surpass to Hilton Aspire upgrade to maximize resort credits, airline credits, and premium Hilton benefits.
The conversation also covers major Citi AAdvantage Executive Card changes, including the annual fee increasing, portal credits, Lyft credits, and loyalty point boosts. Justin and Matthew discuss who may still benefit from the card and who may want to reconsider it after the fee hike.
They also discuss the American Express Green Card as a downgrade and upgrade tool, including how it can help preserve Membership Rewards points, trigger upgrade offers, and potentially become more valuable if Amex refreshes the card.
—
🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:
👉 SoundCloud → soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast
👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490
👉 Spotify → open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg
👉 iHeartRadio → iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405
👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧
📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast RSS feed:
feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss
—
💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:
👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links
👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel
👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more:
getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy
👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars:
ftuniversity.com/?aff=24
👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link:
rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9
👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool
withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy
👉 Sign up for NextCard Pro features to maximize your credit card benefits:
nextcard.com/affiliates/hurdygurdytravel
👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more. Descript offers tools, including studio sound, removal of filler words, and the ability to edit from a generated transcript.
https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY
—
👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar →
subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel
🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:
✨ One-on-one calls with me
✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)
✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬
✨ Bonus content 🎁
—
RSVP for monthly in-person meetups in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania:
meetup.com/phillymilesandpoints
🌐 Stay Connected With Me:
🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
👍 Like on Facebook → facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast
🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl
📸 Follow on Instagram → instagram.com/justinvacula
—
✨ Thank You for Listening & Supporting the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast!
Stay tuned for more tips, strategies, and stories to help you optimize your travel, rewards, and lifestyle. 🚀🌍💳
