“Had I Known of Miles & Points Sooner, I’d Have Saved a Few Grand on My College Trip to the South Pacific”

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

Welcome to the next installment of our interview series where folks share their thoughts about Big Travel with Small Money!

Miles & Points Interview:   Double Duty Daddy

Juan created Double Duty Daddy to share his life as a dad of twins, along with hobbies like travel with points & miles, and food talk.  You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

How and when did you start collecting miles and points?

I began collecting points and miles in 2012 when I joined Twitter and followed some travel bloggers.  Through them I came across points and miles bloggers like Million Mile Secrets and was absolutely hooked!

Why did you start your blog?  What’s special about it?

I am deeply passionate about two things: my twin daughters and my love for travel and always finding “the deal“.

The blog combines my deep involvement with raising my daughters along with the desire to help people who otherwise think travel is unattainable for them and making it a feasible reality.

What’s the one single thing people can do to get more miles?

It’s the common answer to this question but it’s 100% factual.  Credit card sign-ups.  If you have solid credit, are responsible with paying credit card bills in full, and want to rack-up miles in a hurry, credit card sign-up bonuses are IT.

What’s your most memorable travel experience?

Just one?  All my travel experiences are memorable but one of my most recent memorable experiences was visiting Japan for a week with my wife.  We stayed at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, Conrad Tokyo, and Hyatt Regency Kyoto.  And flew Japan Airlines First Class round-trip before the American Airlines devaluation for less than $200 out of pocket TOTAL.

Not only a great trip but a fantastic award, which always makes things much sweeter. 🙂

What do your family and friends think of your miles & points hobby?

Honestly, I think many are confused by it.  It’s a complex hobby!

There’s also the natural skepticism from people.  But overall, I’m the go-to person for my family, friends, co-workers, and readers of the blog with questions on credit cards and reward programs.

Is there any tool or trick which you’ve found especially useful in this hobby?

Sure, there are lots of tricks that make the hobby easier to manage but fundamentally, I think Twitter is a must.

My original discovery of the points and miles hobby is thanks to Twitter.  I don’t miss mistake fares, new sign-up bonuses, airfare and hotel sales, or anything else points & miles related because I’m following prominent bloggers that breed points and miles content.

You can probably get the same content on Facebook but I just feel my Twitter feed is faster at dissecting new information.

What was the least expected way you’ve earned miles or points?

When I was first starting off, I thought it was pretty cool that you could fund a new bank account with a credit card.  Free points and it doesn’t count as a cash advance (depending on bank).  YMMV.

What do you now know about collecting miles and points which you wish you knew when you started out?

I wish I had known the miles and points world existed sooner.  Had I been aware of the hobby in my 20s, I may have saved a few grand on the trip to Australia and New Zealand I took in college.

What would your readers be surprised to know about you?

Besides being a blogger, I juggle my career at a large university, real estate practice, and being the Miami host for a prominent toddler dining club called Nibble and Squeak, which has been written about in various national publications like Zagat, New York Times, and Bon Appetit Magazine, to name a few.

Any parting words?

Thanks to Emily and Daraius for the opportunity to share with your loyal readers a bit about my blog and my passion.  I’m always down to chat about points and miles so please reach out and let’s earn and burn baby!

Juan – Thanks for sharing your thoughts on having Big Travel with Small Money!

If you’d like to be considered for our interview series, please send me a note!