Inside the Upgrade
Free Travel Tools & Guides
Calculators I built and step-by-step guides (with pictures!) to help you travel in style, on a budget.
ToolsGuides
Free tools
Tools to help you plan affordable luxury travel
Free calculators I built for my own trips. Newest at the top.
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Is This Award Worth It? Points vs. Cash Calculator
Put in the points, the fees and the cash price, and get a straight answer on whether an award is a good deal.
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Free guides
Step-by-step, with pictures
Hotels
Hotel upgrade script
The exact script that’s gotten me everything from in-room champagne to private villa upgrades.
Points
Chase Ultimate Rewards
How to earn and redeem Chase points, real bookings, 5/24 explained, and which cards to start with.
Cards
The Amex Gold
Your meal ticket to luxury travel: earning on everyday food and how I’ve used the points.
Cards
Capital One Venture X
My everyday card: how to earn and redeem the miles and whether the fee pays for itself.