From Zero To $30,000 In Savings: Iran's Journey With Travel Points And Miles Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast

From Zero to $30,000 in Savings: Iran's Journey with Travel Points and Miles

1M ago 47:30

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In this episode of the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast, I’m joined by Iran—someone who proves you don’t need to do everything perfectly to travel big with points and miles.

Iran started just like many of us: no clue about travel rewards, just a tempting Delta offer in her inbox.

Fast forward a year, and she’s booked a $7,400+ trip to Kauai for her family—flights, Hyatt stay, lounge access, and upgrades included—for under $50.

And now? She’s planning a $30,000 Europe adventure using points.

Iran shares:

How she got started with zero knowledge and one Delta card
Her strategy for booking Hyatt stays and Virgin Atlantic flights
Mistakes she made (including a Hyatt status mishap)
Why flexible points came later—and how that actually helped
Practical tips for beginners, including travel budgeting and credit card strategy

Iran’s story is down-to-earth and encouraging, especially if you’re just starting out or still figuring it all out.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Lazy Budget Travel Tips
01:14 Iran's Journey into Travel Rewards
02:13 First Steps with Travel Credit Cards
05:15 Diving Deeper into Points and Miles
06:39 First Redemption and Kauai Trip
08:52 Booking Strategies and Tips
16:31 Upcoming Europe Trip Plans
24:33 The Value of Small Redemptions
25:16 Starting with Co-Branded Credit Cards
25:58 Flexible Points and Credit Card Strategies
29:26 Debunking Credit Card Myths
33:15 Rapid Fire Questions
43:39 Dream Destinations and Final Thoughts

Links + Mentions:

Follow Iran’s travel adventures on Instagram: @myvacationstation
Join the Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group to share your wins, ask questions, and suggest future episode topics

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Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

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19 episodes