In this week’s Just the Tip, we’re breaking down whether the Amex Platinum Card is actually worth its $895 annual fee. We walk through the benefits, credits, points-earning potential, and personalized welcome offers, including how we’ve used real credits for flights, luxury hotels, lounges, and everyday perks. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly who this card is (and isn’t) for, how to check your own offer without hurting your credit, and whether the Amex Platinum fits your travel style and spending habits.

If you are interested in applying for the American Express Platinum Card, be sure to use this link

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Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this episode we chat with Jocelyn and Justin, the owners and captains of the historic Schooner J & E Riggin, for an inside look at life and travel aboard a nearly 100-year-old windjammer. We talk about what makes sailing the Maine coast so special, from wind-powered routes and themed sailings to cozy onboard life and fresh, locally sourced meals cooked on a classic wooden stove. We also dive into what guests can expect on a multi-night sailing, including fall foliage cruises, and why this one-of-a-kind adventure is unlike any other way to experience Maine.

View the 2026 sailing schedule for the Schooner J & E Riggin. Travel Squad Podcast will be sailing on the September 30 to October 4 fall foliage cruise - join us!

Find a great flight deal into Maine by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this week’s Just the Tip, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Afternoon Tea, from its royal British origins to how the experience works today, tea selections, tiered bites, etiquette tips, and the little luxury extras that make it special. Plus we share the unforgettable afternoon teas we’ve done around the world and the iconic ones still on our bucket list.

A few places we’ve done afternoon tea and loved!

• Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada

• Claridges in London, UK

• Empress Hotel in Victoria, Canada

• Café 100 by The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong

• The Driskill in Austin, TX USA

• LondonHouse in Chicago, IL USA

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Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this episode we spent four days in Cabo relaxing on the beach, adventuring out onto the water, sightseeing, and enjoying the amazing cuisine.

On this trip we did the classic Cabo Arch tour and a ⁠whale watching tour⁠ that was amazing and we saw multiple kinds of whales and other sea life. See the tours we did and others we considered in our ⁠Cabo Viator Shop⁠.

Episode Highlights:

• Visiting Medano Beach and baby sea turtle release
• Cabo San Lucas Marina
• Cabo Arch Tour with a visit to Lovers Beach & Divorce Beach
• ⁠Whale Watching Tour ⁠
• Where to eat in Cabo
• Where to get drinks in Cabo

We stayed at the ⁠Fairfield Inn Cabo ⁠and loved the rotating breakfast buffet! It was in a good location and it's part of the Marriott family so you can work with points here! However, if you prefer an all inclusive hotel, check out ⁠Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas⁠.

How to get from the airport into Cabo: Ubers are not permitted to/from the airport. You can get a taxi in the airport, arrange a private shuttle, or take the shared ⁠transportation shuttle⁠ like we did on this trip. You could also rent a car, but not needed for this trip!

Find a great flight and hotel deals to Cabo, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

On this week's Just the Tip, we share the must-pack items in your person bag for flights. With this checklist, you'll never forget your travel pillow, chapstick, ear pods, or any other flight essentials.

Find a great flight and hotel deals by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop:⁠ Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠&⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠

Connect:⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠, and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

To kick the new year off, were sharing our top tips and hacks to travel a little more luxury using points, miles, and credit card perks the smart way. We share tips about staying organized and tracking bonuses to flying premium cabins, scoring luxury hotels for nearly free, and maximizing perks like lounge access and hotel credits. If your2026 resolution is to travel more often and spend less, this is the episode for you!

Track flight deals on Thrifty Traveler Premium! One of our top hacks is combining points bonuses with point flight deals! Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

We’re breaking down what glamping really is and share unforgettable luxury camping experiences around the world that we’ve had, from bubble hotels in Mexico’s wine country to safari lodges in Uganda and hill country luxury tents in Texas. We’re inspiring you to go glamping with all the info on what to expect, who glamping is best for, and why it’s the perfect way to experience nature with comfort, style, and incredible views.

Find a great flight deal to your next glamping destination by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: Trip Itineraries ⁠& ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠

Connect: ⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠, and ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.

Contains affiliate links, thanks for supporting Travel Squad Podcast!

In this weeks episode, we’re continuing on to Part-two of our adventures in the Canadian Rockies and going to one of the most epic national parks in the world - Banff National Park! We took an early summer trip to this jaw dropping gorgeous destination for several days of hiking, taking in the unreal sights of turquoise blue waters and exploring the great outdoors that only Canada has to offer. If you love lakes, mountains, wildlife, and those beautiful forest mountain vibes, then this is the trip for you! We also dip into nearby Yoho National Park to see the most gorgeous turquoise lake. You don’t want to miss this bonus park when you visit Banff.

In this episode we cover:

• Tips for visiting Banff National Park, including where to buy park passes and the shuttle system
• General travel tips for the area
• Where to stay in ⁠Lake Louise Village⁠
• Lake Louise
• The Beehive Trail & Lake Agnes Tea House
• Yoho National Park
• Emerald Lake
• Natural Bridge
• Lake Moraine
• Cave and Basin
• Lake Minnewanka
• Two Jack Lake
• Upper Hot Springs

Make sure to listen to part 1 of this trip to extend your trip up into ⁠Jasper National Park⁠, you won't want to miss the Icefields Parkway! And if you want to take this trip for yourself, download our ⁠7-Day Banff Travel Guide⁠ & view our ⁠Hiking Must Haves⁠ to help take the planning off your shoulders. If you have more time in the area, check out these ⁠recommended experiences⁠ to get even more out of your trip.

Find a great flight deals to Banff, or anywhere else, by signing up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrifty Traveler Premium⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and get flight deals sent straight to your inbox. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.

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Shop: ⁠⁠Trip Itineraries ⁠⁠⁠&⁠⁠ ⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠⁠

Connect:⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠and contact us at travelsquadpodcast@gmail.com to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.