About Stella Shon
Stella was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she lived for nearly two decades. Stella attended college just a stone’s throw away from her childhood home, graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) with a bachelor’s degree in media and journalism. She also studied abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris, which then fueled her desire to continue seeing the world using travel rewards.
Stella now calls New York City home. With three airports practically in her backyard and plenty of airfare deals to be found, Stella easily flies 100,000+ miles every year.
She has been a points and miles enthusiast for more than six years, and her work has been featured in media outlets like CNBC, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, ValuePenguin, The Points Guy, LendingTree, Slickdeals, MoneyUnder30 and USA Today. Most recently, Stella was a corporate communications analyst at JetBlue.
Stella carries a dozen credit cards in her wallet but always reevaluates her points and miles strategy. Some of her favorite trips—all paid for with her credit card rewards—include a five-day trip trekking through Morocco, a week campervanning in Iceland with her mom and a 48-hour jaunt to Antigua, Guatemala.
Already on the books for 2023: ANA first class from Chicago to Tokyo for 60,000 points, Delta One from New York-JFK to Honolulu for just $300 (thanks to a regional upgrade certificate) and some R&R in the Dominican Republic.
You can follow Stella on Instagram and Twitter.
Countries Visited: 25
U.S. States Visited: 22
Highest Hotel Status: Hilton Honors Diamond, World of Hyatt Globalist
Highest Airline Status: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion, JetBlue Mosaic 3
Favorite Airline Alliance: SkyTeam
Favorite Business Class: Singapore Airlines A380
Favorite First Class: All Nippon Airways (ANA) – 777-330ER
Best Redemption Value: Award mistake fares exist—a one-way lie-flat business class seat EWR-CDG-CMN for 12.5k EVA Airways miles on TAP Air Portugal.
Favorite Type of Points: Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards
Top 3 Cards in Wallet: Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
Hilton Honors Diamond, World of Hyatt Discoverist
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion, JetBlue Mosaic
SkyTeam
All Nippon Airways (ANA) – 777-330ER
Singapore Airlines
Award mistake fares exist—a one-way lie-flat business class seat EWR-CDG-CMN for 12.5k EVA Airways miles on TAP Air Portugal.
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards
Stella's Latest Articles
See More Articles75k Point Welcome Offer on Southwest Personal Cards [Last Call!]
Southwest’s personal cards come in 3 flavors: the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card. Currently, all 3 cards boast an elevated 75,000-point welcome offer, which…
World of Hyatt Changes Milestone Rewards and Guest of Honor Bookings [2024 Program Update]
When it comes to loyalty program changes, they’re usually associated with 1 word … devaluations. However, Hyatt fans can take a breather with this latest announcement. Rest assured, Hyatt isn’t exactly overhauling the program, but there are certainly a few…
[Expired] Get $50 Off a $300+ Hotel With New Delta Amex Offer [Targeted]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. You’ve got your flight booked — now what? There’s a new Amex Offer that can get you $50 back when you spend at least $300 on a Delta Stays…
Targeted Amex Offer: Earn 17.5k Bonus Points on ITA Airways
Check your American Express accounts for a lucrative offer on ITA Airways, the flag carrier of Italy. If you’re interested in visiting Italy’s greatest destinations, from Florence to Milan to the Amalfi Coast, you could earn a big chunk of…
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. United Explorer Card [Detailed Comparison]
Should you get an airline or a travel credit card — and is there really a difference between the 2? Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the United℠ Explorer Card exemplify this common debate you may have when opening a new…
[Expired] Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Worth Up to 50% More for Apple Purchases
Update: The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Just in time for the holiday season, you’ll be able to cash in your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for an increased value on Apple purchases. Your points could…
Capital One Lounge Opens in Denver (DEN), Marking Third Location
Capital One’s last lounge opening of 2023 has finally arrived. Tomorrow, November 3, 2023, the third Capital One lounge will officially open its doors to travelers at Denver International Airport (DEN). Located on the mezzanine level near gate 34 in…
[Expired] Air France-KLM Reduces Award Costs on Europe Flights [50K Points for Business!]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. In a move seen rarely nowadays in the award travel universe, Flying Blue, Air France-KLM’s joint frequent flyer program, has significantly lowered award costs to Europe. This means it’s…
Frontier Airlines’ Elite Status Match: Is It Worth It?
Elite status has long been a way for travelers to get rewarded for their miles flown and their dollars spent. But as frequent flyer programs have decimated in value over the years, many travelers wonder: Is airline elite status worth…
Hilton’s Aspire and Surpass Cards Get New and Improved Benefits
It’s not always good news when card changes come knocking on your door. However, today’s announcement from Hilton Honors and American Express should delight most travelers. Hilton’s top cards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card* and the Hilton Honors…
Four Seasons Hotels Join Chase’s Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection
A big win for Chase Travel: Nearly all of Four Seasons’ properties are joining The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection (LHRC). If you’ve got select Chase cards — including the popular Chase Sapphire Reserve® — you can now book 118…
Targeted Amex Offer: Save $40 When You Spend $200 Frontier Flights
We’ve seen a lot of Amex Offers to save on airfare recently. Now, you’ll want to check your account for another targeted deal — this time on Frontier Airlines. Let’s dive into the details of this Amex Offer! New Amex…
First-Year Cash-Back Match on the Chase Freedom Unlimited [Special Offer]
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a well-rounded card for everyday uses, mainly because it earns 1.5% cash back on purchases outside its excellent bonus categories. Now, this fan-favorite starter card comes with a special welcome offer for new applicants. Chase…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Mexico City for 20,000 Delta SkyMiles Round-Trip
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Delta SkyMiles, often called SkyPesos, get a bad rap for their poor redemption value. Sure, a business class flight to Europe might cost you 400,000 SkyMiles nowadays, but we’re…
JW Marriott Charlotte in North Carolina [In-Depth Hotel Review]
The author was traveling as an invited guest of JW Marriott Charlotte. All opinions are the author’s own, and the hotel had no input in any part of this review. Charlotte, known as the Queen City, is among one of the…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Fly From Atlanta to Europe for 55K Miles in Business Class
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. When hunting for award space, Atlanta doesn’t normally get as much love as airports like Chicago or New York. However, if you live in or near the Peach State’s…
Hyatt Explorists and Globalists: Register for Free AAdvantage Platinum Pro Elite Status [Targeted]
Are you a Delta loyalist and bummed about the Medallion status and Sky Club changes? Fortunately, it’s not all bad news today for those with elite status. If you happen to be a World of Hyatt Explorist or Globalist member,…
The 8 Best Credit Cards for Return Protection [2023]
Most people open rewards cards for the primary benefit of earning and redeeming points on everyday purchases. But did you know many cards have added perks, like complimentary travel insurance and shopping protections? If a merchant won’t accept your return,…
Bilt Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card [Detailed Comparison]
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card launched over a decade ago, democratizing the travel rewards card market. This popular card offers users enticing travel perks, from no foreign transaction fees to access to 10+ airline and hotel transfer partners — all…
What To Expect From a Virgin Voyages Cruise in Europe [French Daze & Ibiza Nights!]
Virgin Voyages is one of the newer entrants in the cruise industry as it inaugurated its first sailings at the height of the pandemic. With travel roaring back, Virgin Voyages has already been a hit, operating itineraries in the Caribbean,…
Air France Arriving in Raleigh-Durham With New Flight to Paris
This fall, the French flag carrier will land in Raleigh-Durham — marking the airport’s first Dreamliner service, as first reported by Ishrion Aviation. Over the last year, airlines from Avelo to Breeze to Icelandair have launched flights from Raleigh-Durham International…
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.
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.
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.
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.