Miami Meetup Recap

Sep 26, 2025

The Miami meetup brought together 82 travel enthusiasts for a fun-filled weekend. Discussion sparked on whether carrying cash is still necessary when traveling, revealing mixed opinions. Big changes in the Amex Platinum card were unveiled, including a fee hike but enhanced benefits. The new Southwest business card offer could secure a valuable Companion Pass. Attendees enjoyed social gatherings, a hot chicken challenge, and enlightening sessions on AI trip planning and spending strategies.

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ADVICE

Use Citi Transfer Bonuses Fast

Check Citi transfer bonuses (Turkish 50%, Virgin 30%, LifeMiles 25%) before Oct 18 and calculate award sweet spots.
Use Turkish 50% bonus to make harder Turkish awards more attainable after recent devaluations.

ADVICE

Time Southwest Spend For Companion Pass

Apply for the Southwest performance business card late in the promotional window and delay completing spend until Jan 1 to maximize the Companion Pass length.
Avoid finishing the spend too close to year-end to prevent early bonus awarding by Chase.

ANECDOTE

Meetup Energy And Secrets

The Miami meetup had about 82 attendees with lively bar nights and suite upgrades for many members.
Angie and Joe praised meetups as the place where the hobby's best tips and trades happen informally.

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Episode 139 of the Award Travel 101 podcast featured Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic with a recap of the Miami meetup and the latest travel news. The highlight post centered on whether travelers still need local currency, with most members agreeing that while cards dominate, a small amount of cash is still useful in certain locations. Big news included the refreshed Amex Platinum card with an increased $895 annual fee but a slew of valuable new credits (Resy, Lululemon, FHR, Uber One, Oura, and more), Citi transfer bonuses up to 50%, and new Southwest Business card offers that can lock in a Companion Pass for nearly two years. Angie and Joe also shared recent personal card moves, promos expiring soon, and how they’re using points and credits for upcoming trips.

The Miami meetup drew about 82 attendees at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, where upgrades ranged from suites to presidential rooms. Despite a grumpy check-in clerk and a chemically unbalanced pool that ruined swimsuits (compensated with Hyatt points), the group enjoyed lively evenings at the hotel bar, a hot chicken challenge, and plentiful breakfasts. Sessions at the Hotel Colonnade featured talks on Rove Miles, AI trip-planning with Notebook LM, and creative ways to generate spend. Social activities included a dinner at Bay13 and the immersive SuperBlue art exhibit, with attendees also making use of their new Amex Resy and Lululemon credits around Miami.

Both hosts emphasized the value of in-person meetups as the “secret sauce” of the hobby, where tips and strategies get shared informally. Angie recounted how one member even offered her a companion ticket after a conversation, while Joe picked up a new acronym that led to fresh insights. The episode closed with a reminder that the next major Award Travel 201 meetup will take place in Phoenix, April 16–18, 2026, with tickets already available to members.

Links to Topics Discussed

Where to Find Us

The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
You can also email us at 101@award.travel
Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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