About Jarrod West
Jarrod has been writing about the ins and outs of credit cards and loyalty programs, along with airlines and hotels, for over 6 years. He is regularly called upon to share his expertise on the latest news within the space, and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, RetailMeNot, and Yahoo! Finance.
Jarrod has over 20 credit cards in his wallet and has tested out dozens more in order to vet the very best card options for readers. As he is constantly sampling new cards, Jarrod also earns (and redeems) over 1 million points and miles each year. This allows him to book luxury travel experiences the world over, and save tens of thousands of dollars in the process.
He first became fascinated with the world of travel rewards as the perfect way to visit dream destinations without breaking the bank. Now, he is on a mission to help others realize their travel goals and upgrade their travel experiences.
He holds a B.S. in Economics from Northern Kentucky University and now calls New York City home. Jarrod also runs his own website, the Freequent Flyer Blog, where he has helped readers earn over 20 million points and miles (approx. $200k+ in travel savings) through his free credit card consultations. Outside of writing and traveling, he loves trying new restaurants, reading, and cheering on Liverpool F.C.
Follow Jarrod on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Countries Visited: 21
U.S. States Visited: 24
Highest Hotel Status: World of Hyatt Globalist
Highest Airline Status: American AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Favorite Airlines: Qatar (world’s best business class), Emirates (elegance in every detail), and Air France (fantastic inflight food and wine offerings).
Favorite Airline Alliance: Oneworld
Favorite Business Class: Qatar Qsuite
Favorite Type of Points: American Express Membership Rewards
Top 3 Cards in Wallet: The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, and The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
World of Hyatt Globalist
American AAdvantage Platinum Pro
Oneworld
Emirates A380
Qatar Qsuite
3 months of full-time travel for 2 throughout 18 cities in Europe, with all flights and 70% of hotel stays covered thanks to points and miles
American Express Membership Rewards
Jarrod's Latest Articles
See More ArticlesBuy Wyndham Points With a 30% to 40% Bonus [Ends December 30]
The latest Wyndham Rewards promotion allows you to purchase Wyndham points with a 30% to 40% bonus through December 30, 2023. Here are the details of the promotion, a look at whether it’s a good deal, and how you can…
Buy Air Canada Aeroplan Points With up to a 30% Discount
Throughout the year, numerous promotions — across many travel providers — allow you to purchase points or miles with a bonus or discount. However, not all of them represent a good opportunity for award travelers. We’re here to filter through…
Buy Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points With up to a 70% Bonus
U.S.-based travelers might not be intimately familiar with the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program, but it’s a go-to option for scoring some fantastic redemptions. The program doesn’t regularly run promotions for purchasing points, but receiving a 70% bonus can offer…
Save Up to 50% at Amazon by Using Chase Ultimate Rewards Points [Targeted]
Amazon and Chase are teaming up for an offer of up to 50% off your next purchase with Amazon when using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points as a payment method — a great option for those who regularly shop with…
Travel Points & Miles Valuations – How Much Are They Actually Worth? [December 2023]
Credit cards, airlines, and hotels don’t give out their own point and mile valuations, so, unfortunately, there are no official answers on what points and miles are actually worth. Therefore, it’s up to you to make your own conclusions on…
December 2023 Point Purchase Promotions & Bonuses
There is no shortage of ways to earn points and miles. From credit card welcome offers to bonus categories, shopping portals, and dining programs, the list goes on and on. Given the numerous options, travelers are often conflicted about purchasing…
December Credit Card & Loyalty Program Transfer Bonuses [Up to a 30% Bonus!]
It’s a new month once again … and with a new month comes a new round of transfer bonuses to take advantage of. Today, we’ll dive into all of this month’s newest transfer bonuses for the top transferable rewards programs…
The Best Current Chase Offers [Travel, Dining, Entertainment, Shopping]
It’s no secret that Chase has some of the best rewards cards on the market. With premium cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, cash-back cards such as the Chase Freedom Flex℠, and small business…
The Best Current Amex Offers [Travel, Dining, Entertainment, Shopping]
It can be easy to forget about Amex Offers on your various American Express cards, but keeping an eye on these deals is a fantastic way to save money or earn additional points on products or services you were planning…
30% Transfer Bonus From Amex Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
American Express Membership Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club have a partnership that’s allowed travelers to unlock incredible value in exchange for their points. And now, the duo is back with a new promotion that can help you book these…
Purchase Flying Blue Miles With up to a 100% Bonus [Through December 21]
While there’s no shortage of ways to earn a large number of points and miles quickly via credit cards, on occasion, it may make sense to strategically purchase miles for an upcoming redemption if it gives you added flexibility or…
2023 Annual Credit Card Statement Credits To Finish Using Now
For those of you holding credit cards that charge annual fees, the various statement credits that the cards offer are a great opportunity to offset the overall cost of your card. Now that it is nearly 2024, many of the…
Last Call To Use the $50 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit on Your Amex Platinum Card
Each year, those with The Platinum Card® from American Express receive 2 separate $50 statement credits for Saks Fifth Avenue — one of which can be used between January and June, and the other from July through December. It’s hard…
Last Call To Use the $200 Dell Credit on Your Amex Business Platinum Card
Cardholders of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express receive up to $400 in annual Dell statement credits each year, broken into 2 credits of up to $200 that are available in each half of the year. Now that we…
Get 10% to 15% Off of Your Wyndham Hotel Stays [Book by December 15]
Those needing to book a stay at a Wyndham hotel are in luck, as the hotel chain’s latest promotion will help you save some cash. The sale is broken into 2 tiers, allowing you to save 10% to 15% off…
Amex Business Platinum Card and Amex Business Gold Card: Why You Should Have Both
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Business Gold Card are 2 of the best business credit cards on the market thanks to their combination of perks, protections, business benefits, and rewards ecosystem. A common question…
Amex Business Gold Card Annual Fee Increasing Soon
For those of you who have been on the fence about whether to add the American Express® Business Gold Card to your wallet, here is a reminder that the annual fee is set to increase soon. By applying soon, you…
Amex Business Gold Card: 4x Bonus Categories [Explained]
The American Express® Business Gold Card is easily one of the best business credit cards for racking up points quickly on your largest business expenses. That said, while the card offers a variety of different 4x bonus categories, you only…
[Expired] $200 Amazon Gift Card Welcome Offer on the Prime Visa Card
This is the last call on an elevated offer on Amazon’s Prime Visa Card to celebrate the retailer’s huge Black Friday event. The Prime Visa card has always been an excellent option for those who frequently shop at Amazon, and…
[Expired] Buy Avianca LifeMiles and Get Up to a 160% Bonus [Ends December 5]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Though many are unfamiliar with it, Avianca LifeMiles is a useful program to leverage when booking award tickets with Star Alliance carriers such as United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and…
15 Benefits of the Capital One Venture X Business Card [2023]
Business owners looking for a one-size-fits-all premium credit card will love the Capital One Venture X Business Card*. From 2x to 10x rewards on purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, a large welcome bonus offer, and more, there…
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.