Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Erin Miller's image

Erin Miller

Content Contributor

188 Published Articles

About Erin Miller

Erin currently maintains her status as Alex’s adventure-seeking partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points through in-depth content creation and relationship management.

She caught the travel bug just after high school when her grandmother took her on a 2-week, whirlwind trip around Europe. That was that — she’s been gallivanting around the globe ever since (26 countries & counting)!

Alex’s persistence with cracking the points game wide open has allowed her to experience some incredible, new destinations and some pretty fantastic flight upgrades. She’s fully invested in this lucrative industry hack with many points-earning credit cards in her wallet. She’s constantly choosing the best card for the purchase at hand, capitalizing on category bonuses and checking portals to maximize spend.

And it’s definitely worth all the effort — with 8 different first and business class products under her belt, Erin swears it’s an insane way to fly, that will never (ever) get old.

Erin has been mentioned in a number of publications, including Business Insider, Forbes, Lonely Planet, U.S. News & World Report, and WTOP.

Countries visited icon

Countries Visited

US states icon

U.S. States Visited

-

-

-

Etihad Apartment (A380) and New Singapore Suites (A380)

Singapore Airlines (777)

Singapore Suites from JFK > FRA> SIN

American Express Membership Rewards

Erin's Latest Articles

See More Articles
Full List of U.S. American Express Centurion Lounges in 2024 [Includes Map]

Full List of U.S. American Express Centurion Lounges in 2024 [Includes Map]

We’ve compiled a complete list of all U.S. Amex Centurion Lounge locations, including detailed information on exactly where to find each lounge in your airport. We also list hours of operation, square footage, the professional chef responsible for designing each…

Learn More
Full List of U.S. Delta Sky Club Lounge Locations, Hours, and Amenities [2024]

Full List of U.S. Delta Sky Club Lounge Locations, Hours, and Amenities [2024]

We’ve gathered a complete list of all U.S. Delta Sky Club lounge locations, including detailed information on exactly where to find each lounge. We’ve also listed hours of operation and any special amenities if applicable. Finally, if you’re wondering how…

Learn More
Priority Pass Guide With Full List of 120+ U.S. Lounges and Restaurants [Includes Map]

Priority Pass Guide With Full List of 120+ U.S. Lounges and Restaurants [Includes Map]

Whether you’re just getting started with points and miles or are a seasoned traveler, this in-depth look at Priority Pass should answer any questions you have about the lounge program. Find out whether Priority Pass is worth it — and…

Learn More
The 10 Best Travel Makeup Bags [2024]

The 10 Best Travel Makeup Bags [2024]

Makeup bags require special consideration while traveling due to the delicacy of the items they carry, not to mention the potential mess that awaits you inside the makeup bag when you reach your destination. Don’t worry, though, we’ll guide you…

Learn More
The 10 Best Beach Dresses for Fun in the Sun [2023]

The 10 Best Beach Dresses for Fun in the Sun [2023]

Choosing a beach dress is an important component of your overall vacation experience, but it can be challenging given the variety of dresses and silhouettes available. Though you know your body and preferences best, in this article, we’ll guide you…

Learn More
The 10 Best Women’s Harem Pants for Travel [2023]

The 10 Best Women’s Harem Pants for Travel [2023]

Travel calls for comfortable and cozy clothes, and few items match that description better than harem pants. These bohemian pants are known for a baggy design that provides comfort and ease of movement. However, it might be tough to decide…

Learn More
The 10 Best Skirts for Beach Vacations [2024]

The 10 Best Skirts for Beach Vacations [2024]

Beach skirts are a versatile item of clothing, essential to any woman’s wardrobe while on vacation at the beach. They can be worn over your swimsuit and removed before getting in the water or simply paired with sandals and a…

Learn More
The 10 Best Travel Skorts in 2023 [Active, Comfortable Styles]

The 10 Best Travel Skorts in 2023 [Active, Comfortable Styles]

If you like wearing skirts but also enjoy the freedom that shorts offer, then a skort could be just the thing for you. These hybrid clothing items come in a huge range of styles and designs and let your legs…

Learn More
The 10 Best Beach Kimonos [2024]

The 10 Best Beach Kimonos [2024]

A beach kimono will help protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun while adding a stylish extra layer that can be dressed up or down to suit your look. Floaty and cool, a beach kimono is a…

Learn More
The 10 Best Beach Wraps, Sarongs & Cover-ups [2023]

The 10 Best Beach Wraps, Sarongs & Cover-ups [2023]

Comfortable to wear, incredibly versatile, and lightweight enough to carry everywhere with you, a beach wrap can be tied around your waist, draped over your shoulders, or worn across your body to cover up in the sun. Available in a…

Learn More
How To Use the Free Spirit Shopping Portal To Earn More Points

How To Use the Free Spirit Shopping Portal To Earn More Points

There are several different ways to earn lots of Free Spirit points, from using particular credit cards to dining out with the Free Spirit Dining program, but did you know that you can earn bonus points just by going about…

Learn More
How To Use the Wyndham Rewards Shopping Site To Earn More Points [2023]

How To Use the Wyndham Rewards Shopping Site To Earn More Points [2023]

If you’re looking to maximize your point-earning potential, head over to the Wyndham Rewards Shopping site, where retail therapy and bonus points go hand-in-hand. The shopping portal is just one of the many ways that you can earn lots of…

Learn More
Tampa International Airport [TPA] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

Tampa International Airport [TPA] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

Tampa International Airport (TPA) served over 22.1 million passengers in the airport’s 2019 financial year. TPA has won several awards over the last couple of years for its innovation and sustainable efforts in the 3-phased Master Development Plan, improving the…

Learn More
Reflex Platinum Mastercard — A Good Option For Building Credit?

Reflex Platinum Mastercard — A Good Option For Building Credit?

The Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is available to individuals with a less than perfect credit rating who are looking to build up their credit history. Let’s take a look at why you may, or may not, want to apply for this…

Learn More
First Digital NextGen Mastercard Credit Card — Is It Worth It?

First Digital NextGen Mastercard Credit Card — Is It Worth It?

The First Digital NextGen Mastercard® Credit Card can be used if you’re looking for a way to improve a damaged credit rating or to start establishing a credit history. Building credit can be challenging for some, with banks denying card…

Learn More
List of Detailed U.S. Airport Guides

List of Detailed U.S. Airport Guides

This is a central page for listing each of our detailed airport guides. Within these guides, you’ll find information on servicing airlines, terminals, security and customs, lounges, dining/drinks, and more. Articles focused on getting between terminals, lounge lists, and lounge…

Learn More
Netspend Visa Prepaid Card — Is It Really Worth It?

Netspend Visa Prepaid Card — Is It Really Worth It?

With over 10 million customers, Netspend is one of the leading providers of prepaid debit cards. They offer financial solutions for underbanked individuals who may not otherwise benefit from traditional financial services or simply choose to not have a bank…

Learn More
First Progress Platinum Secured Cards (Prestige, Select, and Elite)

First Progress Platinum Secured Cards (Prestige, Select, and Elite)

First Progress Platinum secured cards are full-service credit cards that secure credit against a security deposit rather than relying on an individual’s credit history. They’re a good option for individuals who have a poor credit rating, or for those who…

Learn More
Caribbean Airlines Baggage Fees and Policy (And Tips To Cover the Expenses)

Caribbean Airlines Baggage Fees and Policy (And Tips To Cover the Expenses)

Caribbean Airlines’ fare structure allows passengers greater flexibility when it comes to inclusions such as baggage. For all flights, excluding domestic routes, passengers can opt for the airline’s Lite fare with carry-on luggage only, or a more inclusive fare with…

Learn More
All Nippon Airways [ANA] Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, and More

All Nippon Airways [ANA] Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, and More

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is Japan’s biggest airline. ANA’s service and standards are rivaled by its counterpart – Japan Airlines – and both hold Skytrax 5-star status. With broad route coverage worldwide and new routes planned, the airline is set…

Learn More
The 12 Best Hair Dryers To Buy for Travel [2024]

The 12 Best Hair Dryers To Buy for Travel [2024]

From hotel hair dryers that lack power to letting your hair air dry in the wild, styling on the go can be a bit hit and miss when you are away from home. Don’t ruin your vacation by running the…

Learn More

Find out about other members of the team

Andrew Kunesh Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Ashley Onadele Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Brandon Brunner Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Brian Graham Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Caroline Lupini Picture

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. 

LEARN MORE
Charlie Page Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Cherag Dubash Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Christy Rodriguez Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
David Slotnick Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Greg Stone Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Jeff Brownson Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Julian Kheel Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Lindsey Olander Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Lukas Picton Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Michael McHugh Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Senitra Horbrook Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Spencer Howard Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Susan Wright Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Jarrod West Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Carissa Rawson Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Chris Dong Picture

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

LEARN MORE
Kellie Jez Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Nick Ellis Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Christine Krzyszton Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Jessica Merritt Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Katie Seemann Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Ryan Smith Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Amar Hussain Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Ehsan Haque Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Alex Miller Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Lori Zaino Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Keri Stooksbury Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Juan Ruiz Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Victoria M. Walker Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Stella Shon Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
James Larounis Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Daniel Ross Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Michael Y. Park Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Stephen Au Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
Chris Hassan Picture

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.

LEARN MORE
DMCA.com Protection Status