In this episode I chat with my buddy Han about his recent travels. We discuss: Flying up front for cheap Wynn Resorts World Vegas opening NoMad and Park MGM Dealing with bulges Note* This episode was recorded in early July (2020). Some information, especially talks around masks and mandates, may have changed between recording and publishing. 

Travel Fanboy: A Budget Travel Podcast

TFB & Han talk flying up front, Resorts World Vegas, NoMad and Park

In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Vegas Advantage's John Mehaffey about the current table game conditions in Las Vegas and the best values for players. You can listen in most places where podcasts are found. A massive thanks to John for joining me. Vegas Advantage is a fantastic resource and he's a wealth of information. Here's some of what we discuss: Current conditions Where low rollers should go Best spots for those comfortable with $25+ minimums Our favorite casinos up and down the Strip Some good off-Strip casinos worth considering Make sure to follow John and Kristina's on Twitter: John Mehaffey Twitter Kristina Mehaffey Twitter Vegas Advantage Twitter If you're interested in giving me $3 a month to email you, here's how you can make that happen: TFB Newsletter Thanks for listening. Keep crunching those numbers. 

Best Places To Gamble in Las Vegas: Table Game Edition With John Mehaffey

It's a bankroll building extravaganza. I have three things I keep in mind when building a bankroll: Have a separate account Establish a number and automate Have rules and follow them I mention I like SoFi for my separate gambling account. I have a referral link below if you're interested. This doesn't drive my mention of them in this episode. I've used SoFi Money for over a year as my 'vacation fund' and I have no major complaints. Choose a separate account that works best for you and your needs.  Links for things mentioned in the show: Discord Server - Red Chip Travelers Newsetter - TFB Vegas Newsletter SoFi - TFB referral bonus    

Building a Bankroll

In this off the cuff episode, I discuss the sale of Las Vegas Sands' assets and the future of Las Vegas.  I also wax poetic about the Vegas entertainers of yesteryear, the want for more deep theming, and the city's unique opportunity to capture America's attention again.    *I neglected to note this in the episode but it's probably important--I'm a Las Vegas Sands shareholder at the time of this recording. 

Emergency Pod - Shifting Sands and the Future of Las Vegas

The sportsbook and the big board can be a confusing thing. Have no anxiety though -- Sportsbook Tom helps us understand what all the numbers mean and guides us through making our first football bet.  We also talk about good Vegas sportsbooks and take some live chat questions.  Find Sportsbook Tom here: The Vegas Parlay @sportsbooktom   Join the Red Chip Travelers Discord Server to be a part of the next show:   Red Chip Travelers invite link   Thanks for listening. Crunch those numbers. May your math not be faulty. 

Sports Betting Basics and The Big Game With Sportsbook Tom

In this episode we dispel the notion that casual gamblers are "attacking" the casino.  Really, our strategies are more playing styles that act as loss mitigation techniques. I use an interesting /gambling Reddit post as inspiration. Thanks to Arcade High for the music: https://arcadehigh.bandcamp.com/track/kingdom Have a great new year, everyone. 

The Strategy Illusion

Bethany and I discuss earning status easy ways to rack up tier credits credit card shortcuts questions from the chat You can see the live stream on the Bougie Miles YouTube channel.  Thanks for listening. Be sure to follow on the socials so you can be informed on when our next live casino chat will be. Be good to each other!

Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program with Bougie Miles

In this episode, I chat with friends Han and Joe about the future of points and miles, what we think is overrated in the travel world, and force Han to choose a side.  Timestamps:  5:18 - Han's unpopular travel opinion (transpacific economy) 10:09 - Joe's unpopular travel opinion (kids should fly wherever they want) 16:22 - Adam's unpopular travel opinion (loyalty points are overrated) 24:59 - Affiliate blogs going forward 36:30 - Token gambling segment 38:12 - How we're saving money for future travel in these times 49:28 - One good thing A big thanks to @AstheJoeFlies for editing this show.  Also, thanks to you all for listening, the constant support, and the fun interactions. I hope you're well. Be good to each other. 

A Long Conversation to Nowhere With Han and Joe

In this episode, I'm joined by writer, points and miles expert, and blue check mark having JT Genter. We talk being a digital nomad, underappreciated programs and debate when thoughts and prayers are necessary for travel writer complaints.  Be sure to follow JT on Twitter Big thanks to this episode's editor, @lordluceus. Reach out to Franjo on Twitter if you ever need any audio production help.  Thanks to everyone for listening. Be safe. Be good to each other.     

Who Cares or Thoughts and Prayers with JT Genter

In this episode, I'm joined by Sergio of Viva Las Value. He gets me caught up on all things happening in low rollerdom in Las Vegas. Quick notes: The April Biloxi trip has been postponed Las Vegas Happy Hour list is moving to Viva Las Value Sergio and I discuss: Good promos Our favorite table games Sergio's favorite cheap eats in Vegas Be sure to follow Viva Las Value on Twitter! Thanks for listening everyone. Be good to each other!

Getting Caught Up On Low Roller Vegas

In this episode, I cover a myriad of topics which include: the scene's appetite for credit getting things right why annual fees matter planning a $1000 Vegas trip value based destinations TFB's Craps and Laughs   Big thanks to the Bunker members, social followers, and other content consumers. For more TFB: travelfanboy.com @travelfanboy Patreon.com/travelfanboy Safe travels. Be good to each other. 

Appetite for Credit

For this episode I want to look back on 2019, some of the highlights of things I’ve seen and learned and then look ahead to 2020 to help galvanize you and me to try something different and employ some strategies to make travelling more enjoyable and hopefully a little less expensive. Let’s go back and look at some of my favorites of this past year: Best hotel stay:  Aria Gorgeous  Well appointed rooms, as one would expect I like the way the casino feels---it’s very open, fresh looking Maybe the most comfortable bed in Vegas Booked through Chase LHRC  Rate was just above $100 Priority check-in $100 f&b credit---used at Carbone $30 breakfast credit If you are interested in adding bank provided booking portals to your travel repertoire in 2020, start off right by checking out a recent post by BW on BougieMiles.com about the Mastercard Luxury Hotel and Resorts Portfolio. It’s underreported, but can be just as good if not better than FHR and LHRC. Ok everyone, let’s go over these booking portals one more time: Amex = Fine Hotels and Resorts Chase = Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection Mastercard = Luxury Hotel and Resorts Portfolio Are we having fun yet? We’ll get to this again a little later Best meal of 2019 Alinea Pricey---$600 a couple and up A true food “experience” Over a half dozen courses A trip to the kitchen to see the show It’s a world renowned restaurant and while I like to promote budget conscious choices, it’s sometimes fun to splurge Honorable mention: Carbone Wonderful, delicious Italian Calm, pretty atmosphere I had great company on my visit Great Italian food is hard to beat Penne with vodka is a must Best gambling experience: Craps at the Cal A Vegas Vacation meet up Many of the gambling podcast community’s greatest were there Me, of course YCBOT BunBoy 360 Vegas crew Most importantly, great community members as well Dynamite session---I think I tripled up All this despite only 2x odds Best points and miles learning: Status Match Galore MilesTalk has a great rundown Being able to finagle the system in a way that one elite hotel status grants top tier status in a plethora of other networks Caesars Diamond and MLife Gold are great examples Make sure to use your $100 celebration dinner before Jan 31 Also match back to Wyndham in January as well For 2020: Do a credit card audit early in the year Are you using all the benefits of your cards? Annual fees are a “travel membership” you’re paying If you have $1200 in cc annual fees, you’re paying $100 a month for that membership Is it worth it? Do you have benefits that overlap? Is it time to close a card? Be aware of credit score considerations Are cheaper alternatives available? I’ll likely dump the Amex Platinum this year It’s pricey at $550 and I’ve gotten full value out of it in the past, is was always a stretch to do so I’m not confident my travels will justify it this year The two sexy perks for me are Centurion Lounge access and FHR I may be able to supplement that with a cheap Mastercard that allows for access to their luxury hotel program Also I need to recognize that while Centurion Lounges can be nice, I’m rarely impressed by them  I can also just try to show them my Twitter feed to get in---the standard “do you know who I am?” usually works Cards I’m looking at for 2020: Anything in the Capital One family Expanding transfer partners Good sign-on bonuses Spark has 200k after considerable spend Another Amex card to replace Platinum Green seems fun but the perks aren’t a true “value” to me Clear credit doesn’t cover full cost Neither will Away credit Gold is a front runner with the grocery bonus category Travels for 2020: Louisville last weekend in Feb (had to reschedule) April 17 weekend - Biloxi Fanboy Fanfare?  A collection of gamblers and podcasters convening on the Mississippi coast Links: Bougie Miles MasterCard Portal MilesTalk Status Match 

The best of 2019 and TFB in 2020

In this episode, we throw it back to the Vegas Fanboy glory days. This is a rerun of episode #50 of Vegas Fanboy called "Low Roller for a Day".  I'm joined by my podcasting rivals, Mark and Dr. Mike of You Can Bet on That. In this show I discuss my casino-going strategy for low rollers and Mark and Mike talk about what they would do if they had to be low rollers for a day. We also talk about basic craps strategies for those on a budget.  If you must listen to more YCBOT: http://youcanbetonthat.com/ To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/TravelFanboy Thanks for listening!

Low Roller for a Day with You Can Bet on That (Rerun)

In this episode, I chat with Spencer Howard of 10xTravel and Straight to the Points about the cheapest and easiest ways to fly domestic first class. We discuss using points and miles to fly up front on: Alaska American Delta United I want all of you to be able to take a seat up front at some point in your travels. You all deserve to travel with a little more space and a little more nuts. During your travels, if you find yourself sitting in a big front seat, I’d like for you to share that on the socials with the hashtag #TFBsWarmNuts. Thanks to you for your patience with the audio. I recently switched from Mac to PC and am having to learn a whole new system. We'll get it right at some point. Be sure to check out Spencer here: 10xTravel Straight to the Points Safe travels. Be good to each other. 

Warm Nuts: Cheapest and Easiest Ways to Fly Domestic First Class with Guest Spencer Howard

In this episode,  I discuss the Founders Card membership program and whether casual travelers can find value despite its high price tag.  I start by talking bout my motivation to get into the points and miles hobby. Really, of course, it was to expand my gambling bankroll and comp myself at some of the amazing Vegas properties.  I follow that up, seamlessly I might add, by detailing the merits of the Founders Card. It's an expensive program, to be sure, but it has some surprisingly valuable perks and benefits which, for the right person, could provide quite a bit of value. For cheap Caesars Diamond status? I think there are better options.  Let me know what you think. Is the Founders Card worth it for you? For more, read David Slotnick' piece for Business Insider: Founders Card: Worth it? Thanks to the influencer supporters over on Patreon.  Save travels. Be good to each other. 

Is the Founders Card Worth It?

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Travel Fanboy: A Budget Travel Podcast

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