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PODCAST

Rewarding Routes

Rewarding Routes is the podcast that helps you turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips to Japan and Asia. Learn how to use points and miles, create fun itineraries, and explore cultural experiences without overspending. Whether you"re planning your first trip or your fifth, get inspired to make travel more rewarding.

society & culture places & travel

All Episodes

27:41

Where to Stay in Tokyo: A Simple Breakdown of a Few...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/12/05

#15 Tokyo is the world’s largest city, and choosing where to stay can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I break down a curated set of key neighborhoods to help you pick the best area based on your travel style, budget, and vibe. We talk about energy levels, train access, room sizes, food, nightlife, shopping, and what each area is best known for. Whether you want neon lights, quiet cultural streets, luxury shopping, or family-friendly space, there’s a perfect Tokyo neighborhood for you. Nei...

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40:47

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Made Easy: The Trifecta,...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/11/28

#14 In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-part mini-series all about how I use Chase Ultimate Rewards® to turn everyday spending into trips to Japan and beyond. I walk through why Chase is the bank I’ve relied on for most of my hotel stays, how I think about flexible points vs. co-branded cards, and why Hyatt is the star of the show for my style of travel. You’ll hear how Chase fits into my real life, to using Southwest for positioning flights out of Orlando and how I’m adjusting my strategy w...

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31:03

The Shinkansen Explained: What to Know Before Your...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/11/21

#13 Today we’re diving into one of the coolest parts of traveling through Japan: the Shinkansen Japan’s iconic high-speed bullet train. It’s fast, efficient, unbelievably smooth, and honestly one of my favorite ways to move around the country. In this episode, I break down how the Shinkansen actually works, the major train types you’ll see across different regions, and what first-time travelers should know before hopping on. I’ll cover the most common trains on the Tokaidō Line (Tokyo → Kyoto...

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37:01

What’s in My Wallet (2025 Edition): Cards I Use to...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/11/14

#12 I’m sharing exactly what’s in my wallet as we wrap up 2025 and head into 2026. I break down the cards I actually use every day, why they fit my spending habits, and how they support the future trips I’m planning especially Japan. With the home-buying process finally behind us and the move complete, my wallet looks different this year. I also share why I slowed down on opening cards, how lenders react to new credit activity, and what I learned going through that experience while trying to ...

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13:22

The Most Rewarding Route Yet: Becoming a Dad

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/11/07

#11 Big life changes are happening behind the scenes and this one’s the most rewarding one yet. In this episode, I’m sharing a major personal update that’s going to shape the future of Rewarding Routes. From moving into our new home to preparing for our first child, it’s been an exciting (and honestly, emotional) season of change. I wanted to take you behind the mic and talk about what’s been going on, how I’ve been managing everything, and what’s next for the podcast and for me personally. B...

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24:08

Stress-Free Travel Starts Here: My Favorite Credit...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/10/31

#10 Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to actually look forward to airport travel days instead of dreading them? From breezing past long security lines to relaxing in airport lounges with free food and Wi-Fi, these credit card perks make flying smoother, calmer, and surprisingly enjoyable. In this episode, I share the travel perks I use from my favorite credit cards to make every airport day stress-free. From TSA PreCheck and Global Entry to lounge access and no foreign transactio...

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44:17

25 Reasons I Keep Going Back to Japan

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/10/24

#9 Japan isn’t just a destination for me it’s a feeling. In this episode, I’m sharing the 25 reasons why I keep going back to Japan, and why it continues to feel like the one place in the world that truly clicks for me. From the respectful culture and quiet public spaces to the small details that make everyday life feel intentional Japan just does things differently. I’ll talk about my biggest personal goal visiting all 47 prefectures and why I want to experience each one slowly, learning wha...

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20:14

The Smart Way to Spend: Turning Daily Spend Into...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/10/17

Ever see a big credit card bonus and think, “There’s no way I could spend that much in three months”? You’re not alone. When I first started learning about points and miles, I felt the same way. But the truth is, most of us already spend enough each month we just need to use that spending more strategically. In this episode, I break down ten simple and realistic ways to hit your credit card’s minimum spend without overspending or going into debt. These are everyday expenses like groceries, su...

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59:14

Flights to Japan Using Points: My Complete Guide to...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/10/10

https://stan.store/rewardingroutes #7 Flying to Japan with points and miles can feel like navigating a maze but once you figure it out, it’s like unlocking a secret travel advantage that lets you go back again and again without overspending. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how I book flights to Japan using points the same approach that’s allowed me to make Japan travel a yearly tradition. Before diving into all the redemptions and routes, I start with how I personally plan each t...

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62:21

Planning a Japan Trip? The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/10/03

#6 We kick off at the gateway: Tokyo’s airports. Narita (NRT) is farther but often cheaper with easy rides into the city via Skyliner, N’EX, or comfy airport buses you can book on Klook (taxis from NRT = $$$). Haneda (HND) is my fave closer, with the Edo Marketplace (Terminal 3) for last-minute eats and souvenirs before security. Beyond Tokyo, keep Kansai (Osaka), Itami, Chubu (Nagoya), and Fukuoka on your radar domestic hops or the Shinkansen make multi-city routes effortless. Essentials tha...

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33:06

How I Took an $15,880 Trip to Japan & South Korea for...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/09/26

#5 $15,880 Trip for $221: How Points Made It Happen Ever dream of visiting Japan (and neighbors) without draining your wallet? In this episode, I break down how we turned $15,880.20 of flights and hotels into a trip that cost just $221.62 out of pocket step by step. You’ll hear the big picture strategy behind our Orlando → San Francisco → Seoul → Busan → Tokyo route: why we used positioning flights, how airline alliances & partners unlocked seats (think Virgin → Korean)(Alaska → JAL) and ...

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30:37

Points & Miles Mistakes (So You Don’t Have to Make Them)

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/09/19

#4 Mistakes happen. And when it comes to points and miles, they can cost you more than you realize whether it’s wasted rewards, missed opportunities, or setbacks that slow down your travel goals. The good news is that most of these mistakes are preventable once you know what to look out for. In this episode of Rewarding Routes, we explore the most common mistakes people make in the world of points and miles and how you can avoid them. From the basics of managing your cards responsibly to the ...

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20:55

The Route That Started It All: How I Began Traveling...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/09/12

#1: Welcome to the first episode of Rewarding Routes! I’m John, and my mission is to make traveling to Japan possible year after year without breaking the bank by using credit card points and miles to turn everyday spending into flights and hotels. In this episode, I share how my love of travel began. Back in 2016, my wife (then girlfriend) and I packed our bags for a one way trip to Manchester. That adventure took us across Europe, Asia, and a year living in Australia. It completely changed ...

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20:34

Will Credit Cards Ruin Your Credit Score or Unlock...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/09/12

#3 When you’re diving into the world of points and miles, one of the first questions that comes up is: “If I start opening multiple credit cards, won’t my credit score drop?” It’s a fear that stops a lot of people from even getting started. And I get it your credit score is a big deal. It influences whether banks approve you for new cards, the rates you get on loans, and even how much trust lenders place in you. The idea of putting all that at risk just to chase points sounds scary… until you...

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30:30

Points & Miles Made Simple: Your First Step Toward...

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/09/12

#2 I share the exact 9-step roadmap that transformed how I travel and made my dream of exploring Japan a reality. When I first started, I was completely overwhelmed too many cards, too many programs, and way too much confusing jargon. I remember sitting at my computer late at night thinking, “Where do I even start?” If you’ve ever felt the same, this episode is designed for you. Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode: 1. Understanding the Basics: How points and miles work, why credit car...

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0:46

Rewarding Routes Trailer

Rewarding Routes ·

2025/08/22

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16 results

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