About Amar Hussain
Amar was born and raised in England and sadly didn’t catch his bout of wanderlust until his early twenties.
Playing catch up, Amar embarked on an 11-country round-the-world gap year after graduation and then became well and truly hooked. The first gap year inspired a second which ended up being a 23-country down-the-world trip along the Americas.
Since then Amar has endeavored to turn his gap year into a “gap life” and has spent the last 13 years traveling the 7 continents. He has also lived in places such as Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico.
Amar is also an avid travel and outdoor product reviewer and tester. From the blistering Sahara Desert to the glaciers of Antarctica, he has put travel gear through its paces on 7 continents.
Amar holds a B.S. in Management & Strategy from Aston University, still runs the travel website OnlyWanderlust.com, and has contributed to publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Elite Daily, and Business 2 Community. You can follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Countries Visited: 63
U.S. States Visited: 9
Favorite Softside Luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline
Favorite Hardside Luggage: DELSEY Paris Helium Aero
Favorite Underseat Luggage: Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner
Favorite Laptop Backpack: SWISSGEAR 1900
Favorite Carry-On Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 40
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
Hilton Honors Diamond
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
Oneworld
The Apartment on Etihad
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
Lufthansa First Class From Boston (BOS) to Frankfurt (FRA) With 50,000 Asiana Club miles
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred®, American Express® Gold Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Amar's Latest Articles
See More ArticlesLittle River Canyon National Preserve Guide — Canyon Mouth, Blue Hole, and More
Little River Canyon National Preserve is known for its towering waterfalls, breathtaking sandstone cliffs, stunning overlooks, and verdant foliage. This preserve is located near Fort Wayne in northeast Alabama. Each year, over 800,000 visitors come to explore. There’s something for…
Samsonite Pro Travel Softside Luggage Review – Is It Worth It? [Video]
When we think of Samsonite, we think of reliable and durable luggage that won’t break the bank. The company dominates the mid-range luggage market, offering hardside and softside luggage in a variety of materials and designs, as well as offering…
Big Thicket National Preserve Guide — Visitor Center, Hiking, and More
Big Thicket National Preserve is one of the first national preserves in the U.S., sprawling over 113,000 acres of land in Southeast Texas. This preserve has an incredible array of animals, plants, and ecosystems, making it an excellent place for…
The 26 Best Museums in Paris, France [2023]
Paris isn’t just the French capital; it’s also one of the world’s most important art and cultural cities. That’s part of what draws tourists worldwide to Paris, but while most people know the city is full of museums, many don’t…
Big Cypress National Preserve Guide — Camping, Hiking, and More
Big Cypress National Preserve is in southwestern Florida and consists of swamps and forests. Its most prominent feature is the Big Cypress Swamp, one of the most critical resources for the Everglades. There’s so much to see and do —…
Mojave National Preserve Guide — Camping, Visitor Centers, and More
Mojave National Preserve spreads over a million acres of canyons, caverns, sand dunes, ancient lava forms, and forests. This preserve has countless opportunities for adventure and recreation, including hiking trails, exploring historic buildings, wildlife viewing, and camping. Each year, nearly…
The 12 Best Museums in San Diego, California [2023]
San Diego is a vibrant city with a lot to offer, but it’s probably not the first place that comes to mind when you’re in the mood to visit top-notch museums. However, this corner of California is home to some…
Mount Rushmore National Memorial Guide — Hiking, Visitor Centers, and More
One of America’s most iconic features is the awe-inspiring, immense Mount Rushmore, a fascinating sculpture that towers over the Black Hills of South Dakota. Each year, over 2 million visitors make their way to stand in awe of the sculpted…
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Guide — Camping, Waterfalls, and More
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a phenomenal place to visit in Michigan. This park features inland lakes, spectacular beaches, remarkable rock formations, and approximately 100 miles of hiking trails. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this park, including camping,…
The 13 Best Museums in Seattle, Washington [2023]
Seattle is known for many things. From its famous Space Needle landmark to being regarded as the city with the best coffee in the U.S., it’s earned a reputation for being a diverse city with a one-of-a-kind culture. This unique…
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Guide — Camping, Dune Climb, and More
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an incredible place to explore. This park features miles and miles of sandy beaches, towering bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, verdant forests, and crystal-clear inland lakes. This park has endless opportunities for recreation, such as…
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Guide — Snorkeling, Hours, and More
Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a Hawaiian park filled with history, tradition, culture, and adventure. From exploring ancient temples and royal grounds to snorkeling and hiking, this park has everything. Each year, approximately 250,000 visitors tour this fascinating…
The 21 Best Museums in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2023]
Philadelphia is known for a lot of things. The city played an important role in U.S. history, and it’s been the setting of huge Hollywood movies. However, most people don’t realize it’s also home to some world-class museums. The city…
Antietam National Battlefield Guide — Visitor Center, Tours & More
Antietam National Battlefield protects a historic battlefield where 23,000 soldiers lost their lives, were wounded, or went missing after 12 hours of combat in September 1862. The battle in Antietam ended the first invasion of the Confederate Army of Northern…
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Guide [Alaska] — Skagway, White Pass Trail, and Dyea
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is located in Skagway, Alaska, and commemorates an event in American history known as the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897 to 1898. This park has an abundance of things to see and do, from…
The 18 Best Museums in San Francisco, California [2023]
San Francisco is known for being one of California’s most significant cultural hubs, so it’s not surprising that it is also home to some of the most important museums on the West Coast and even in the world. From fine…
Minute Man National Historical Park Guide — Trail, Hours, and More
Minute Man National Historical Park honors and commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution. This park has much to see and do, from touring historic buildings to hiking a battle trail. Nearly a million visitors annually visit the park…
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Guide — Visitor Center, Cave, and More
Cumberland Gap National Park is located in Middlesboro, Kentucky, but stretches into Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, and parts of Virginia. This national historical park has a rich natural and cultural history, breathtaking overlooks, a magnificent cave system, historic sites, and over…
The 21 Best Museums in Boston, Massachusetts [2023]
Boston might be best known for its role in early U.S. history, Ivy League colleges, and famous local accents, but many other things make this city unique. In particular, it’s home to some of the country’s best museums. Boston’s collections…
Chaco Culture National Historical Park Guide — Camping, Night Sky Programs, and More
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in New Mexico, about 90 minutes from Albuquerque. This national historical park has many archaeological sites to explore, fantastic hiking and biking trails, and rich culture and natural history. Each year, nearly 50,000…
The 37 Best Museums in London, United Kingdom [2023]
London is known for being one of the most significant cultural centers in the world. In addition to being the capital of England, it’s also home to priceless artifacts, jewels, and art pieces, all housed in the city’s museums. Few…
Find out about other members of the team
Alex Miller
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.
Andrew Kunesh
Former Content Contributor
Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.
Ashley Onadele
Content Contributor
Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.
Brandon Brunner
Former Content Contributor
Brandon was born and raised in California and really didn’t travel much growing up, even outside of his own state. While attending college, he was constantly looking to find the cheapest fares to any destination abroad, and quickly learned about the motto- “Chase the fare, not the destination”. Luckily, his first international flight was to Costa Rica (under $300 roundtrip) where that “Pura Vida” lifestyle (and Imperials) hit him hard, and he knew he had to see more.
Brian Graham
Former Content Contributor
Brian’s first ever airplane ride was in a private turbo-prop jet. He was merely an intern boy trying to make a good impression, but it turns out the plane made an impression on him.
Carissa Rawson
Senior Content Contributor
Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.
Caroline Lupini
Former Content Contributor
Caroline Lupini always enjoyed traveling, but it became her goal to do as much as possible after a 3-week trip around Europe in 2011. In March 2014, Caroline left her job and embarked on nearly full-time travels.
Charlie Page
Former Content Contributor
Charlie is a Senior First Officer and has been an airline pilot for nearly 15 years. He currently flies long-haul on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after 10 years buzzing around Europe on the A320. He got into travel and aviation from an early age, fortunate enough to be taken on some great family holidays.
Cherag Dubash
Content Contributor
Cherag was born in a family associated with aviation and was hooked on to planes since the age of 3, the time he undertook his first flight on an Airbus A310 from Mumbai to Dubai.
Chris Dong
Editor
Chris is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on timely travel trends, points and miles, hot new hotels, and all things that go (he’s a proud aviation geek and transit nerd). Formerly full time at The Points Guy, his work can now be found at AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Washington Post, and Lonely Planet, among others
Chris Hassan
Social Media & Brand Manager
Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.
Christine Krzyszton
Senior Finance Contributor
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Christy Rodriguez
Travel & Finance Content Contributor
After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.
David Slotnick
Former Content Contributor
Born and raised in New York, David still remembers his first flight when he was only four years old: a U.S. Airways trip from New York-La Guardia to Palm Beach, Florida. He formed his love of travel around that and other family vacations, including to England at age eight and Namibia when he was 13. During college, a four-country trip around Europe with a friend cemented his passion for seeing the world.
Erin Miller
Content Contributor
An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.
Greg Stone
Content Contributor
Greg got bitten by the travel bug at a young age while traveling with his Dad on business trips to Asia. He took over the family business in 2012 and uses it to maximize his loyalty points earning. His obsession with earning and burning loyalty rewards points allows him to travel over 100 days every year.
Jarrod West
Senior Content Contributor
Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
Jeff Brownson
Former Content Contributor
Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.
Juan Ruiz
Compliance Editor & Content Contributor
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in-Chief at Money Under 30.
Katie Seemann
Senior Content Contributor
Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure and Forbes Advisor.
Kellie Jez
Director of Operations & Compliance
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s compliance operation.
Keri Stooksbury
Editor-in-Chief
With years of experience in corporate marketing and with a nonprofit, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and reviewing thousands of UP articles in the process.
Lindsey Olander
Former Content Contributor
Currently based in New York, Lindsey spent her childhood in Connecticut dreaming of far-off places. Her first flight was to Disney World at age 11. Her second flight was for a high school field trip to Italy, though travel as a career didn’t stick until she studied abroad in London during college and discovered the true power of her passport. Since then, she’s worked as a travel editor at Jetsetter and Travel + Leisure, where she reported on everything from African safaris to hot hotel openings to, yes, Disney World.
Lori Zaino
Content Contributor
Lori is an intrepid traveler who loves creating itineraries that exude “luxe on a budget.” She’s written for CNN, NBC, The Infatuation, and more, and loves to muse about points-fueled trips to Sri Lanka, Sicily, and Myanmar.
Lukas Picton
Former Content Contributor
Lukas escaped his hometown south of Sydney and moved to the big smoke immediately after high-school, but the bright lights of the city weren’t enough, and he soon set his sights on more exotic international destinations and has been in love with travel ever since.
Michael McHugh
Former Content Contributor
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.
Michael Y. Park
Editor
Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and queen of Malaysia, tramped around organic farms in Cuba, ridden the world’s longest train through the Sahara, and choked down gasoline clams in North Korea.
Nick Ellis
Editor & Content Contributor
Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to leverage the perks of each.
Ryan Smith
Content Contributor
Ryan has been on a quest to visit every country in the world and plans to hit his final country in 2023. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.
Spencer Howard
Former Content Contributor
Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.
Stephen Au
Senior Content Contributor
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
Susan Wright
Former Finance Contributor
While writing about finance and insurance isn’t something that keeps most people awake at night, it is what Susan Wright has focused on for more than 25 years. As a financial copywriter, Susan has an eye for money-related details such as credit and savings, and she loves to pass along helpful information to consumers. Susan holds 11 financial industry designations (including CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, ADPA, CITRMS, CIPA) as well as several licenses.
Ehsan Haque
Content Contributor
Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.
Victoria M. Walker
Senior Content Contributor
Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Travel With Vikkie” newsletter.
Stella Shon
Compliance Editor & Content Contributor
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.
James Larounis
Senior Content Contributor
James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.
Daniel Ross
Senior Content Contributor
Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.
Jessica Merritt
Editor & Content Contributor
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.
UP's Bonus Valuation
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.