Nicole is a dynamic individual with a passion for juggling the roles of a dedicated soccer mom, an inspiring public school math teacher, and an accomplished marathoner. 

When she’s not inspiring her students, you’ll find Nicole embracing the role of a loving soccer mom. With two teenage kids, she’s mastered the art of balancing cheering from the sidelines with her dedication to their academic and personal growth. But Nicole’s talents don’t end there – she’s also a marathoner, embodying discipline and determination as she conquers both literal and metaphorical finish lines.

Nicole has a unique passion for travel, a journey she has embarked on alongside two teenagers. Despite the constraints of a school schedule, she has ingeniously crafted a travel rhythm that works seamlessly for their family. Their adventures are not dictated by extravagance, but by the excitement of exploring new places on a budget-friendly basis.

What sets Nicole apart is her remarkable ability to leverage everyday spending to amass points and miles, transforming them into golden opportunities to travel the world for less. She’s a savvy strategist, teaching others the art of maximizing rewards to unlock incredible experiences. With her guidance, many have discovered the magic of turning routine purchases into passport stamps and cultural encounters.

Through her pursuit of travel, Nicole has expanded her family’s horizons beyond their wildest dreams. Learning about new cultures, navigating foreign streets, and savoring international flavors have become their shared classroom. As a mother and educator, Nicole firmly believes that the education gained through travel transcends mere textbook knowledge.

Nicole’s story is a testament to the fact that life’s truest joys lie in its diverse experiences. Whether she’s solving equations on the chalkboard, cheering on the soccer field, conquering miles on the track, or exploring the world map with her family, Nicole’s journey is one of boundless inspiration, unwavering love, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge – both in and out of the classroom.

Serena is a multi-tasking mother, obsessive travel planner, points and miles enthusiast, corporate career woman, and pet sitting business owner. 

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she loves pretending to be crazy rich flying in premium cabins and staying at luxury hotels but also makes sure to fly in economy class so that her children don’t get too spoiled.

While enjoying a career in asset management, Serena has realized her true passion lies in unlocking the world through travel points and miles.  Her greatest joy is showing her kids and parents the incredible beauty of this amazing world and not paying full price for it.  When she’s not jetting off to far-flung destinations, Serena can be found shuttling her daughters around to their various sporting events.

Serena believes that wanderlust should not be confined by a budget but rather fueled by smart financial choices.  From leveraging credit card rewards to maximizing loyalty programs, she is on a mission to help you see the world without breaking the bank.

Miguel got into award travel after his first trip to an airport lounge in March 2020.

He began researching the best card to get for airport lounge access and never stopped learning.

Miguel has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He enjoys using award travel for bucket list experiences such as running with the bulls in Pamplona, visiting Chernobyl, and gorilla trekking in Uganda.

When Miguel is not traveling, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, watching movies, & dining out.

Mitch Shannon is a LGBTQ+ travel enthusiast, points & miles aficionado based in Pasadena, California. 

With a passion for exploring the world and maximizing travel reward programs, he has dedicated his life to experiencing new cultures and helping others do the same by sharing his knowledge & videos via his social media channels.

He attended Ohio University, where he majored in video broadcast journalism. After graduation, he spent many years working and producing shows in radio & television and now works in the travel industry.

When he isn’t traveling, Mitch can often be found researching the latest credit card offers or loyalty programs, strategizing ways to maximize his points and miles for himself, his husband and close friends.

With a curious and adventurous spirit, Mitch and his husband, Polrit, travel many times a year in premium luxury cabins (business and international first) to Asia, Europe and Australia.  Their favorite travel destination is anywhere in south east Asia with a focus on Thailand and Singapore.

Overall, Mitch is a seasoned videographer, traveler and points & miles expert who is always on the lookout for the next great deal and adventure, in business or first class of course, never coach.