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.
Recent redemptions included: 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.
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
Hilton Honors Diamond, World of Hyatt Globalist
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion, JetBlue Mosaic
Oneworld
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 Articles[Award Alert] Wide-Open Award Availability to Tulum From 8.5k Miles
Tulum’s new airport officially opens tomorrow for international flights, and almost every U.S. airline is launching routes to follow. Travelers will no longer have to endure the 2-hour drive between Cancun and Tulum thanks to this convenient airport option. Along…
[Expired] Delta Amex Card Welcome Offers of up to 100k SkyMiles [Is It Worth It?]
The offers mentioned below have expired and are no longer available. Delta’s family of cards comes with elevated welcome offers that could score you up to 100,000 SkyMiles, significantly boosting your mileage balances. But with these new welcome offers came…
[Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to Singapore for 87.5k Points
The world’s longest flight is bookable with miles right now — across a vast amount of dates over the next year. Singapore Airlines is one of the top-rated carriers in the world, and it has an impressive business class product….
[Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to Istanbul for 51k Miles
If Türkiye is on your bucket list, you’ll want to take a closer look at these business class deals we found to Istanbul. There are currently up to 3 business class seats open per route on these Turkish Airlines flights…
Chase’s Ink Business Unlimited and Cash Cards: Up to 75,000-Point Welcome Offers
As a business owner, having the right credit card at your disposal is crucial. You’ll not only get to draw the line between your personal and business expenses, but there’s the added bonus of earning rewards on those purchases. Chase…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Excellent Availability at Zemi Beach House in Anguilla with Hilton Honors Points
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Looking to plan a warm-weather vacation and have plenty of Hilton points in your account? We just found lots of standard room availability at the opulent Zemi Beach House…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to Paris From 40,000 Points
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Bring the whole crew to Paris next fall and winter — we just found tons of business class award space from several U.S. airports. Here’s your chance to burn…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to London for As Low as 19k Points
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. One of the absolute best deals from Virgin Atlantic is back — saving you 50% off redemptions on the airline’s (already) reasonably priced award flights between the U.S. and…
Targeted Amex Offer: Earn 17.5k Bonus Points on ITA Airways
Today is a great day to have an American Express credit card in your wallet. If you’ve been targeted for Amex’s latest offer, you could earn a whopping 17.5k Membership Rewards for booking a trip to Italy with ITA Airways…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Wide-Open Availability to Italy for 54k Miles Round-Trip in Economy This Summer
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Despite what you’re told, it’s not too late to book that trip to Southern Italy (or elsewhere in Europe!) this summer. The team at Upgraded Points just found widespread…
March Madness Is Here: Capital One Cardholders Earn 5x Miles for Tickets and More
College basketball fans, listen up. Ahead of this year’s NCAA tournament, Capital One cardholders will get access to exclusive benefits and rewards. Whether you’re attending a game — or hoping your team makes it to the championship — here’s a…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to Amsterdam for 48.5k Points
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Business class deals pop up every so often — and we’ve found some great award availability to and from Amsterdam later this year. These lie-flat seats are bookable with…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Wide-Open Business Class Availability to Spain for 34k Miles
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Want to redeem your points and miles to get to Europe in lie-flat seats? Look no further than Iberia Avios, which offers one of the lowest redemption rates still…
5 Reasons I Closed the Capital One Venture Card (And the Credit Cards I Applied for Instead)
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card was my first foray into the points and miles world. I was still in college when I applied, so I only had a few priorities in mind — and the Capital One Venture…
[Expired] JetBlue Birthday Deals: $49 One-Way Flights Are Back
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. JetBlue is celebrating its 24th birthday with a week full of deals. The final deal has landed, and $49 flights are back — here are the details! JetBlue’s Birthday…
Breeze Airways Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Fees & More
You may not have heard of start-up carrier Breeze Airways, but it’s among the fastest-growing airlines in the country. Created by JetBlue founder David Neeleman in 2021, Breeze takes a different approach compared to most other airlines. Straddling the line…
[Expired] [Deal Alert] Round-Trip Flights From U.S. and Canada to Morocco for $500
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Morocco is full of travel contrasts, from bustling souks to the remote Sahara Desert. Thanks to TAP Air Portugal’s latest fare sale, you can book flights from North America…
[Expired] World of Hyatt Members Can Register To Earn 1,000 Etihad Miles per Stay [Until February 29]
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Airlines and hotels will often team up to provide reciprocal benefits for travelers, and this latest partnership is no exception. Etihad Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines based…
[Expired] [Award Alert] New Raleigh to Frankfurt Route for 70k Miles in Business Class This Summer
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. This summer, Lufthansa is coming to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) with a 5x-weekly service to Frankfurt, Germany. This new route adds to the North Carolina airport’s growing list of…
[Expired] [Award Alert] Chicago to Italy This Summer in Business Class From 57.5k Miles
Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Want to use miles to get to Italy this summer? Get ready to book some flights, because we’ve found nearly a dozen dates available in business class this July…
[EXPIRED] Special Offer Last Chance: First-Year Cash-Back Match on the Chase Freedom Unlimited
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 —…
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.