Do you ever wonder what cards other people have, how they use them, and exactly how many points they're earning each year? I'll be honest—I'm nosy when it comes to other people's points, and I love getting a peek inside someone else's points earning strategies.

In this first part of a two-part year-in-review series, I've invited Dr. Andrea Mabry back to the show to break down everything that shaped our points earning in 2025. This has become one of my favorite Point Me to First Class traditions, and this year marks the third installment of this annual series. We're pulling back the curtain on the credit cards we opened, the unexpected opportunities we seized, and the total number of points we earned across all our points ecosystems, from Chase and Amex to Capital One, Citi, and beyond.

Andrea and I each share our total points earned for the year, then break those numbers down by transferable versus airline-specific currencies, welcome bonuses versus organic spend, and the earning methods that delivered the most value. We talk about why this was an unusually busy year for new card acquisitions, what happened when an entire points program collapsed overnight, and what's on our radar for 2026.

Whether you're mapping out your own points strategy or just curious how two points enthusiasts approach earning at scale, this conversation offers real numbers, honest reflections, and the lessons we're taking into the new year.

Get full show notes and transcript: www.pointmetofirstclass.com/2025-points-year-in-review-part-1

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Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Have you ever taken a step back and actually evaluated what your points did for you over an entire year?

In this episode, I'm inviting you to do your own Year in Points Review—a way to look at how you earned points, how you used them, and whether your approach to earning and redeeming rewards helped you reach your travel goals.

I walk through why a year-end points review is worth doing, including how it helps you evaluate what you did well, what you could do better, and how having clear data makes it easier to decide what to keep doing, what to stop doing, and what to focus on moving forward.

I also share my personal process for reviewing both sides of the equation: points earning and points redeeming. From looking at different points ecosystems to understanding how points were earned and used, this episode walks through how to pull the details of the year into a clearer big picture.

If you want to better understand how your points worked for you this year, this episode will show you how to get started.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/​​year-in-points-review-2025

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

What really changed in the points and miles world this year—and how should that shape your strategy going forward?

In part two of our 2025 Year in Review, Kelly and I continue breaking down one of the most transformative years we've seen in award travel. Beyond rising annual fees and tightening loyalty programs, this year revealed deeper structural shifts in how airlines price awards, who gets access to the best redemptions, and what flexibility actually looks like going forward.

We dig into the continued expansion of dynamic pricing—and why it isn't always the disaster it's made out to be. You'll hear real examples of when dynamic pricing has increased access and value, along with why moments of program change can sometimes be the best time to book.

We also explore how airlines are reshaping award access around status and cardholder loyalty in ways that go far beyond free bags or early boarding. For the first time, elite status and co-branded cards are directly impacting award availability, pricing, and even whether certain premium cabins can be booked at all.

We wrap it all up by zooming out to talk about what all of this means for 2026 and beyond—how transferable points are evolving, why diversification matters more than ever, and how to think strategically about status in a landscape that's clearly shifting.

If you enjoyed part one of our year in review, this conversation brings the full picture into focus.

Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/2025-points-miles-year-in-review-part-2/

Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of!

Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy