{"podcast":{"title":"Point Me To First Class","slug":"point-me-to-first-class-6237146","podcast_index_feed_id":6237146,"rss_url":"https://feeds.libsyn.com/464010/rss","website_url":"https://pointmetofirstclass.com/podcast","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/5/d/a/25dae9ed72ce1f8bd959afa2a1bf1c87/PMTFC-Podcast-Cover-Art-3000.jpg","author":"Devon Gimbel MD","episode_count":184,"summary":"Point Me to First Class is a show for employed professionals, solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, and business owners with higher-than-average personal and/or business expenses who want to learn to leverage them into credit card points to spend on travel. Your expenses are your greatest untapped asset - but learning how to use them to travel the world doesn't have to be confusing or complicated. Each week, Devon Gimbel shares valuable tips, tools, and strategies to help you uplevel your skills earning and redeeming credit card points and shows you how to spend them on incredible travel experiences. Interested in learning more about working with Devon? Visit www.pointmetofirstclass.com to learn more. This podcast is for you if you find yourself asking questions like: How do I earn credit card points and use them for travel? How can I make my expenses benefit me? How can I earn as many credit card points for as little spending as possible? How to maximize value from credit card points. How to earn credit card points for travel. Turn credit card points into travel.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-20T16:19:21.757777+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/point-me-to-first-class-6237146"},"episode":{"title":"145. Behind the Scenes at World of Hyatt: Loyalty, Care & the Future of Travel with Laurie Blair","slug":"145-behind-the-scenes-at-world-of-hyatt-loyalty-care-the-future-of-travel-with-laurie-blair","published_at":"2025-12-08T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/point-me-to-first-class-6237146/145-behind-the-scenes-at-world-of-hyatt-loyalty-care-the-future-of-travel-with-laurie-blair","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/point-me-to-first-class-6237146","url":"https://pointmetofirstclass.com/world-of-hyatt-behind-the-scenes/","audio_url":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/971afa5f-caf9-4235-9445-9b18164a0a4c/PMTFC_podcast_episode_145-_WOH_with_Laurie_Blair_-_EditV2.mp3?dest-id=3917916","summary":"Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on behind the scenes in loyalty programs—and what drives executive decisions about what to offer, add, or take away from their members' experience? In this episode, I get to do exactly that. I'm joined by Laurie Blair, Hyatt's Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Loyalty, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Hyatt designs a program that travelers actually feel loyal to. We talk about what truly sets the World of Hyatt program apart, how they make decisions about elite benefits and redemptions, and what status holders can expect in the future. We get into everything from the rarity of fixed award charts and hotel loyalty programs, stealth devaluations, and Hyatt's approach to balancing business goals with prioritizing their members—to the underrated redemptions you should absolutely be taking advantage of. Laurie also shares what it's like to build a loyalty program that discerning travelers trust and love, how Hyatt listens to its members, and why care—not just points—is the foundation of everything they do. If you've ever wondered how loyalty is built inside one of the most respected travel brands in the world, this is your backstage pass. Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/world-of-hyatt-behind-the-scenes/ Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy","meta_description":"Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on behind the scenes in loyalty programs—and what drives executive decisions about what to offer, add, or take aw…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2954,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/point-me-to-first-class-6237146/episodes/145-behind-the-scenes-at-world-of-hyatt-loyalty-care-the-future-of-travel-with-laurie-blair/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/point-me-to-first-class-6237146/145-behind-the-scenes-at-world-of-hyatt-loyalty-care-the-future-of-travel-with-laurie-blair.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}