About Chris Hassan
Chris has years of marketing and hospitality experience, so running the social media channels and writing about family travel is a natural fit for him here at Upgraded Points.
A Boston native now living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Chris has a passion for sharing travel tips for families and has been featured on BBC News, Parents.com, The Washington Post, The Weather Channel, and other publications.
Chris earned his B.S. in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, studied hotel management even further in Switzerland, and then worked in luxury hotels in New England for years after graduating.
After meeting his wife and catching the travel bug in Europe, Chris and his young family always make travel a priority. With grandparents in each hemisphere, international travel has become an integral part of his kids’ lives, and being able to pay for it with points and miles makes it easier to afford.
While he is no stranger to flying long distances in the back of a plane with 2 kids, being able to fly business or first class and lie-flat is the preferred way to go. Chris is a firm believer that kids belong up front just as much as any other well-behaved paying customer.
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
World of Hyatt Globalist
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Star Alliance
Etihad Apartment (A380)
United Polaris — his preferred way to get between the U.S. and Brazil
TAP Miles&Go via United Airlines between North and South America
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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Citi Prestige® Card, and Cartão Pão de Açúcar Itaú Platinum
Chris's Latest Articles
See More ArticlesTransfer Citi Points to Avianca LifeMiles With a 25% Bonus
If you have some Citi ThankYou Points and would like to maximize their value, we’ve got a nice promotion for you. Right now, you can get a 25% bonus when you transfer your ThankYou Points to Avianca’s LifeMiles program. Even…
Etihad’s A380 Returns to New York in April [AUH to JFK]
Much to the delight of luxury travelers and AvGeeks around the world, Etihad’s iconic Airbus A380 returned to the skies on July 25, 2023, after being grounded during the pandemic. Until now, the superjumbo has been exclusively flying between the…
Review of The Everywhere Bag From Away – Is It Worth It? [2024]
The author received a complimentary bag for this review. All opinions are the author’s own, and Away had no input in any part of this review. Since I often travel with my wife and kids, we have used and abused…
Amex Offer: Spend $250 at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Get $50 Back
Check your accounts because American Express just rolled out a nice Amex Offer for select IHG Hotels & Resorts. Now through June 15, 2024, when you spend $250 or more at participating IHG Hotels & Resorts, you can earn $50…
Walt Disney World Summer Ticket Offers [Big Savings]
Taking a family vacation to Walt Disney World is a dream for many kids and a goal for many parents. But the cost can be eye-watering for many of us travel planners. Well, to help make your summer trip a…
Free Hertz Rental With 3+ Day EV Rental [Ends March 31]
Rental cars can be a significant expense when traveling, but if you prefer charging instead of pumping gas, Hertz is offering 1 free day when you rent an electric car for 3 or more days. Renting an EV can add…
Get Up to 10% Cash-Back at Best Western, IHG, and More With Rakuten Spring Travel
For a limited time, Rakuten is offering up to 10% cash-back on purchases with many travel retailers, including Best Western, Expedia, IHG, Orbitz, and Tripadvisor. Earning 10% cash-back is a great deal. However, Rakuten also offers the option to earn…
DreamWorks Land at Universal Orlando Coming Summer 2024
Good news for Universal Orlando fans: we finally know when DreamWorks Land will be opening — summer 2024! The new additions to the KidZone section of the park will be a welcome addition for families looking for attractions that are…
New Lufthansa Mileage Bargains: 55k Miles Round-Trip in Business Class
Much like Air France-KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards, Lufthansa Miles & More has a regular promotion offering discounted reward redemptions for flights on Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, and SWISS. Lufthansa has launched its newest Miles…
March Bilt Rent Day: March Madness Benefits and Double Points
For March’s Rent Day, Bilt is getting into the competitive mood for NCAA college basketball with the introduction of the Bilt Bracket and some exciting new Bilt Experience opportunities. The start-up, which has made waves with its no transaction fee…
Grand Hyatt São Paulo in Brazil [In-Depth Hotel Review]
My family and I recently had an excuse to visit São Paulo, Brazil, for a long weekend, which opened up the opportunity to visit some hotels that have long been on my radar. São Paulo is a massive city with…
[Expired] Earn 4x Bonus Miles on Apple Purchases via Shopping Portals [Ends Tonight!]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Using shopping portals to earn bonus points and miles on purchases you were already going to make is a great way to boost your balance, especially if it’s a…
[Expired] Enter for a Chance To Win a Trip to Walt Disney World
Have you been dreaming of an enchanting journey filled with magic, excitement, and cherished memories? Well, we have some great news! Here’s your chance to win a dream vacation from Upgraded Points — discover the one place on Earth where…
[Expired] 30% Off Alaska Airlines Flights [Book by February 14]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Alaska Airlines is back with another nice little (see: quick) sale where passengers can save 30% on eligible flights. Dates and destinations are limited, but if you can make…
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opening Summer 2024 at Walt Disney World
After more than a year since the iconic Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World closed for a re-theme, we now know that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, it’s replacement, will open in Summer 2024! Fans will still get the thrill of the…
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Reopens March 17
Good (splashing) news for Disney water park fans: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is finally reopening on March 17, 2024! After closing for refurbishments on November 6, 2023, guests have only had 1 Disney water park to enjoy as of late. However,…
Delta Refreshes 737-800 First Class, Adds More Delta One Suites to A350-900s
Delta passengers will be in for a treat when boarding select Boeing 737-800s in first class, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin starting this month. These refreshed interiors are the same that can be found on Delta’s A321neo, which gets rave…
[Expired] Earn Up to 50,000 Best Western Bonus Points (5K per Stay) Through May 5
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. If you have a stay at a Best Western property coming up, you’re not going to want to miss this promotion. Best Western Rewards members can earn 5,000 bonus…
[Expired] Earn Double (or Triple) Alaska Mileage Plan Elite Miles
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Alaska Airlines has had a rough start to 2024, so it is looking to boost sales after having 20% of its fleet grounded for most of January. This is…
Universal Epic Universe Orlando Details Announced
Universal Orlando Resort is already a fan favorite and popular destination, and its appeal is set to soar even higher with the introduction of Universal Epic Universe in 2025. Universal likes to keep new projects under wraps for as long…
Get Up to $100 Back on Hyatt Stays in Canada With Amex Offers
If you have some Hyatt stays on your calendar, check your Amex Offers to score some cash-back. Right now, there is a targeted offer for $100 back after spending a minimum of $500 at Hyatt properties in Canada. Let’s look…
Find out about other members of the team
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.
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.
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.
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.
Julian Kheel
Content Contributor
Julian Kheel first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. With over 15 years of professional experience studying travel loyalty programs, Julian has served as CNN’s Senior Editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the Editorial Director of The Points Guy, and has worked as a consultant for the Big 3 U.S. airlines.
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.
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.
Senitra Horbrook
Writer
Senitra Horbrook is a frequent solo traveler who began using points and miles in 2012. Formerly credit cards editor at The Points Guy, Senitra has also contributed to Forbes Advisor, AwardWallet, Insider, among others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chris Dong
Editor & Content Contributor
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, The Washington Post, and Lonely Planet, among others
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.
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.
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.
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.
Katie Seemann
Senior Content Contributor and News Editor
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, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.
Ryan Smith
Content Contributor
Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and now plans to let his wife choose their destinations. 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.
Amar Hussain
Senior Content Contributor
Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.
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.
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.
Lori Zaino
Senior 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.
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.
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.
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 “Carrying On with Victoria M. Walker” newsletter.
Stella Shon
News Managing Editor
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.
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.
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.
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.