About Daniel Ross
Daniel’s passion of aviation first took root when he was a little boy and would go with his father and brother to the airport to “watch the planes.” A few years later, at the age of 13, he boarded an aircraft on his own for the first time to visit his aunt in Barcelona, and from that moment on, his love of flying was fused with a passion for travel.
His love of languages prompted him to pursue a degree at the University of Manchester in French and Portuguese. He lived in France and Brazil throughout his undergraduate studies to become fluent in those languages. When he’s not writing or flying you’ll usually find him brushing up on Greek and Japanese – his 7th and 8th languages.
His first job after college was as a travel consultant at Flight Centre followed by a stint as a business development manager for the same company. Daniel wasn’t satisfied just selling trips. At age 26, he took his love of flying to the next level by getting a Master of Science in Air Transport Management from the University of Loughborough.
He has written for various sites since graduating in 2018, including Insider, Simple Flying, and The Points Guy, and has covered everything from route launches and inaugural flights to aircraft deliveries and the hottest fare deals.
You can follow his adventures on Instagram.
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite
British Airways Executive Club Gold (Oneworld Emerald)
Oneworld
Singapore Suites
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class (new seats)
Qatar Airways First Class DOH-SYD for 105,000 Avios and $133 (cash value of ticket ~$9,800!)
American Express Membership Rewards
The Platinum Card® by American Express UK, British Airways American Express Premium Plus, Yonder
Daniel's Latest Articles
See More Articles![Qatar Airways Unveils Next Generation QSuite — Including New Companion Suite](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Qatar-QSuite-Next-Gen-Companion-Suite-1.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Qatar Airways Unveils Next Generation QSuite — Including New Companion Suite
If you didn’t think Qatar’s QSuite could get any better, it can, and it will. The airline chose the first day of the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow to unveil its next-generation QSuite to a crowd of VIPs plus excited media…
![Norse Atlantic Offering Fares to Europe From $109 [Book by July 29]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/B787-9-OE-LNM-Landing.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Norse Atlantic Offering Fares to Europe From $109 [Book by July 29]
Norse Atlantic Airways is offering cheap (even cheaper than usual!) fares to Europe, starting at $109. Eligible travel dates run from September 2024 to March 2025. You’ll find deals in both economy and premium, and deals include both the East…
![Save $250 off of $1,250+ With Amex Offer for Qantas Flights](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Qantas_211109_3286.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Save $250 off of $1,250+ With Amex Offer for Qantas Flights
Owning an American Express credit card can save you money on your next Qantas flight. Thanks to a new Amex Offer, you can save $250 when spending $1,250 or more on one or more Qantas flights. If you are planning…
![[Expired] Last Call for Delta Business Credit Card Welcome Offers [Earn Up to 110k SkyMiles!]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Delta-SkyMiles-Platinum-Business-American-Express-Card-restaurant.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
[Expired] Last Call for Delta Business Credit Card Welcome Offers [Earn Up to 110k SkyMiles!]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. There’s nothing like an increased welcome bonus to get us points and miles aficionados excited. American Express has launched limited-time, increased welcome offers on its 3 co-branded Delta Business…
![Save $250 on Virgin Atlantic Flights With New Amex Offer [Targeted]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Virgin-Atlantic-A350-Upper-Suite-cabin.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Save $250 on Virgin Atlantic Flights With New Amex Offer [Targeted]
How does $250 off your next trip across the Atlantic sound? Thanks to Amex’s latest Virgin Atlantic Amex Offer, you’ll get exactly that when spending $1,800 or more on Virgin Atlantic flights to the U.K. and beyond. Here’s how it…
![Delta Air Lines Confirms Unbundled Business Class Is Coming](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Delta-Airbus-A350-at-Sydney-SYD.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Delta Air Lines Confirms Unbundled Business Class Is Coming
Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it is considering changing the way it sells its business class tickets — known in the industry as “unbundling.” Already introduced by other airlines around the globe, this could see passengers having to spend…
![Qantas’ Third Nonstop European Service Takes Off to Paris](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Qantas-Dreamliner-and-A380-at-London-Heathrow-LHR.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Qantas’ Third Nonstop European Service Takes Off to Paris
You can now fly nonstop between France and Australia, thanks to Qantas’ new service from Perth (PER) to Paris (CDG) — just in time for the Olympics. This is the first time the 2 cities have been connected with nonstop…
![Lufthansa’s Allegris Cabins Coming to Chicago on July 17 — What To Know](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Lufthansa-Allegris-first-flight-1.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Lufthansa’s Allegris Cabins Coming to Chicago on July 17 — What To Know
Lufthansa’s much-anticipated Allegris cabins in first, business, premium economy, and economy took to the skies for the first time in May. The cabins initially debuted on a single Munich-based Airbus A350-900 aircraft bound for Vancouver (YVR) before heading to Toronto…
![Book Tickets on the Heathrow Express Train for just $13 for a Limited Time This Summer](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Heathrow-Express-at-Paddington.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Book Tickets on the Heathrow Express Train for just $13 for a Limited Time This Summer
If you’re flying to London this summer and will be arriving at Heathrow Airport, then you might consider taking advantage of this special offer for express travel into the city. The special limited-time offer sees ticket prices being slashed by…
![Nearly 400 More Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) Properties Join Hilton Honors](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Pousada-de-Lisboa-Small-Luxury-Hotels-of-the-World-sign.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Nearly 400 More Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) Properties Join Hilton Honors
In February, Hilton Hotels announced a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) as part of a new strategy to give guests access to hundreds of new independent boutique-style hotels. Earlier this year, a handful of SLH properties…
![Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Joining SkyTeam on September 1; Earning and Upgrade Details Released](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SAS-SkyTeam.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Joining SkyTeam on September 1; Earning and Upgrade Details Released
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will officially join the SkyTeam Alliance as of September 1, 2024. We’ve known that since the move was finalized with SkyTeam and Scandinavian Airlines jointly signing an Alliance Adherence Agreement on April 29, 2024. The news that…
![Complimentary Blade Helicopter Transfers Available for Select New York Marriott Guests This Summer](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BLADE-Marriott-partnership-in-New-York.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Complimentary Blade Helicopter Transfers Available for Select New York Marriott Guests This Summer
Marriott is upping the level of luxury for some of its hotel guests in New York this summer. A new partnership with Blade will allow a very select few eligible guests to be whisked from the airport to the hotel…
![Alaska Airlines Connects LA With 2 New Mexican Destinations](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Alaska-Airlines-jets-at-JFK.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Alaska Airlines Connects LA With 2 New Mexican Destinations
Alaska Airlines is looking forward to winter with the addition of 2 new Mexican sunshine destinations. The new nonstop services from Los Angeles (LAX) are to La Paz (LAP) and Monterrey (MTY). “We recently celebrated 35 years of service to…
![Emirates’ Boeing 777-300s With New Business Class Will Debut in August](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Emirates-Boeing-777-jets-at-Dubai-DXB.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Emirates’ Boeing 777-300s With New Business Class Will Debut in August
Be gone, outdated 2-3-2 layout. As of July 1, some of Emirates’ Boeing 777-300 will be taken out of service to be retrofitted with an all-new business class. The new business class product, thought to be similar to the one…
![Stay in Dubai for Free This Summer With Emirates](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Emirates-Be-Part-of-the-Magic-Livery.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Stay in Dubai for Free This Summer With Emirates
If you’re booking a long-haul getaway this summer, this Emirates offer could be exactly what you didn’t know you needed. The UAE-based carrier is offering a free stay at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel Dubai for anyone traveling to or…
![Fiji Airways Will Soon Join the American Airlines AAdvantage Program](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Fiji-Airways-A350-at-Sydney.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Fiji Airways Will Soon Join the American Airlines AAdvantage Program
There’s a new transpacific relationship in the air. Fiji Airlines — the national carrier of Fiji — will join the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program. “This loyalty partnership marks a significant milestone, bringing together two renowned carriers to offer new…
![Air Canada Adds 3 New Winter Sun Routes](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Sint-Maarten-Beach.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Air Canada Adds 3 New Winter Sun Routes
As we near the halfway point of the year, Air Canada is looking ahead and adding 3 new routes to its winter schedule. “Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations will offer a multitude of travel options and increased frequencies from…
![WestJet Launching New Route Between Minneapolis and Calgary in Spring 2025](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/WestJet-Boeing-737-family-jets-at-Calgary-Airport.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
WestJet Launching New Route Between Minneapolis and Calgary in Spring 2025
WestJet will continue to grow its transborder route network next spring. The Canadian airline will add nonstop service to Minneapolis (MSP) from Calgary (YYC) — the airline’s main hub and base airport. Here are the details about WestJet’s latest U.S….
![Why I Always Pick London City Airport Over Gatwick or Heathrow](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/London-City-Airport-aircraft.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Why I Always Pick London City Airport Over Gatwick or Heathrow
If you’re flying to London from the U.S., your best options are usually Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Gatwick Airport (LGW). However, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to visit more than 1 place on a trip, you’ll likely…
![JetBlue Adds Daily Flights to Presque Isle, Maine](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/JetBlue-at-JFK.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
JetBlue Adds Daily Flights to Presque Isle, Maine
JetBlue will connect Maine’s most northern airport with Boston (BOS) this September. The Department of Transport awarded JetBlue operating rights for a new route from Boston Logan to Presque Isle (PQI) after putting it out to tender as an Essential…
![Frontier Eyes Transcontinental Market in Its Latest Network Expansion](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Frontier-Airlines.jpeg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Frontier Eyes Transcontinental Market in Its Latest Network Expansion
August is going to be a big month for Frontier Airlines. The ultra-low-cost carrier has announced 7 new routes, including 2 cross-country services from New York (JFK) to Las Vegas (LAS) and from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX). “By…
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.
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.
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.
Brett Holzhauer
Content Contributor
Brett is a personal finance and travel junkie. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, he’s had over 100 credit cards and earned millions of credit card rewards. He learned the tricks of the trade from his mom, and has taken many steps forward. He wasn’t exposed to much travel as a kid, but now has a goal of reaching 100 countries in his life. In 2019, he sold all of his possessions to become a digital nomad, and he says it was one of the best decisions he ever made. He plans to do it again at some point in his life.
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.
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
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.
Dan Miller
Content Contributor
Realizing that it wasn’t all first class flights and 5-star hotels, Dan started the Points With a Crew blog in 2014, with the aim of helping families (especially large families) to use miles, points and credit card rewards to take that trip that they might have thought they couldn’t afford. He has spent over 10 years covering developments in the travel rewards credit card space. His expertise extends to all things personal finance, including student loans, budgeting and real estate, and his work has been featured in sites all over the Internet, including NerdWallet, Forbes, Business Insider, Rocket Mortgage, CreditCards.com, Bankrate, Turbotax, Credit Karma and Intuit Mint.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kathryn Schroeder
Compliance Associate
From credit cards to high-yield savings accounts, debt management and avoidance, CDs, and insurance, Kathryn has or does edit it all, and more. Just don’t expect her to always be at home while working. All she needs is four things — her computer, phone, passport, and wallet — and she can get her work done from anywhere. She does pack clothes, of course, but they’re easily replaceable if anything goes amiss (and she has baggage insurance with two of her credit cards).
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.
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
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.
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.
Stephen Au
Former 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.
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.
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.
Nick Ellis
Senior 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.
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.
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.
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.
Juan Ruiz
Senior Editor & Content Contributor
Juan has extensive experience in writing and editing content related to credit cards, loyalty programs, and travel. He has been honing his expertise in this field for over a decade. His work has been featured in various prestigious publications, such as USA Today, CNN Underscored, Forbes and The Points Guy. Juan is the visionary behind JetBetter, a premier award booking concierge service.
Ryan Smith
Senior Editor & 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.