All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

#296: You're probably overpaying for cell service, and switching could save you hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing coverage or features. Chris breaks down what's changed with the big carriers and MVNOs, the math behind "free phone" deals, the few features only AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile still offer, and his shortlist of the best unlimited plans. He also shares the cheapest backup line for two-factor texts, a $20 home internet backup, how to think about cell phone insurance, and the smartest way to buy a new iPhone.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/best-cell-phone-plans-2026

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For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Carriers & Plans
US Mobile (←Get $30 off)
Total Wireless
Mint Mobile
Visible
Backup Lines & Backup Internet
RedPocket
Tello
MobileX
Keepgo (←Get 1GB free)
Roamless
UniFi 5G Max
Tools for Comparing Plans & Coverage
BestPhonePlans
Coverage Map
Cell Phone Insurance
AKKO
Buying a New iPhone
DON'T Buy Your iPhone 18 Pro Max From Your Carrier (Buy From Here Instead)
Apple Shortcut to Change Active SIM Card
Swappa
ATH Podcast
#138: Optimizing Cell Phone Plans: The Best Carriers, Deals, Plans, Insider Pricing, Insurance and More!
#284: 20+ Credit Card Benefits You’re Probably Not Using
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:53) The Current State of Cell Phone Plans
(05:40) Why Major Carriers Are So Expensive
(11:55) Features You Can Only Get From Major Carriers
(13:46) How to Pick the Right Network for Where You Live
(14:48) What Is Premium Data and Does It Matter?
(16:22) Understanding Video Streaming Limits
(16:46) How Much High-Speed Data Do You Need?
(16:59) Comparing Hotspot Data
(17:08) International Coverage, Tablets & Smartwatches
(17:18) The Best Alternatives to Major Carriers
(19:40) The Cheapest Unlimited Plan: Mint Mobile
(20:29) US Mobile Starter on AT&T (Dark Star)
(22:06) Total Wireless Max 5G on Verizon
(22:56) How Much More You Get for $25–$32 a Month
(24:42) Why Chris Is Switching to US Mobile Unlimited Premium
(25:21) Visible Plus Pro: A Steal if the Promo Pricing Lasts
(28:41) The Bottom Line on the Best Affordable Plans
(29:43) US Mobile’s Killer Multi-Network Feature
(35:19) Choosing Between Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile on US Mobile
(36:58) The Cheapest Backup Line for Two-Factor Texts
(38:30) Setting Up Cellular Backup Internet at Home 
(41:29) Cell Phone Insurance: Credit Cards vs. AppleCare vs. Carrier Plans
(44:44) How to Get the Best Deal on a New iPhone

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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#295: Chris shares the strategies he actually uses to earn, spend, and maximize millions of points and miles. He breaks down how many credit cards most people really need, his approach to booking award travel for a family, the rise of massive card-member flight discounts, when to pay cash vs. points, and some of his favorite—and most unusual—redemptions.
Meghan Coyle and Sally French are the hosts of NerdWallet's Smart Travel podcast, a weekly show on travel news, loyalty programs and travel credit cards that helps listeners travel more and pay less.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/award-flights-card-strategy-nerdwallet

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Gusto: ⁠Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software
Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth
LMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix
Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free
Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
NerdWallet Smart Travel podcast
Meghan Coyle
Sally French
Award Search & Points Tools
Seats.aero
PointsPath (15% off with ALLTHEHACKS15)
PointsYeah
Shopping Portals, Gift Cards & Offers
Rakuten
Capital One Shopping
Rove
GCX
SavenDeals
ATH Podcast
#290: The New Rules of Points & Miles in 2026 with Brian M
Chris' Credit Card Optimizer
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:06) How Chris Got Into Points & Miles
(05:01) When Chris Became a Points & Miles “Expert”
(07:25) Paying for a Wedding Video With Delta Miles
(13:38) Why Chasing an Extra Point per Dollar Doesn't Move the Needle
(15:34) The Optimal Two-Card Strategy
(16:50) Maximizing Points Without Overspending
(19:52) Should You Buy Gift Cards to Earn More Points?
(22:36) Booking Award Travel for a Family
(25:06) Chris’ Strategy for Finding Award Flights
(27:34) Leveraging Flexibility and Award Search Tools
(31:45) What to Do With Points If You Don't Want to Play the Game
(34:30) Setting Alerts and Picking One Award Search Tool
(37:01) The Huge Discounts Hidden Behind Airline Credit Cards
(39:21) The Risks of Speculative Bookings
(41:08) When Chris Breaks His Own Transfer Rule
(45:15) The Easiest Way to Redeem Points When You Don't Want the Hobby
(47:17) Are Hotel Redemptions Easier Than Flights?
(51:07) The Real Math Behind Cash vs. Points
(55:02) Chris's Rule of Thumb for Comparing Cash and Points
(56:12) A Trick for Getting Refunds on Flights You Need to Cancel
(59:03) Chris’ Take on the New Southwest

Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#294: Chris breaks down everything he's learned going all in on World of Hyatt. He covers the brands and footprint, earning points with Hyatt credit cards and transfers, what points are really worth, every status tier and milestone reward, and how to get Globalist treatment without having status.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/world-of-hyatt-deep-dive

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For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
World of Hyatt
Gondola
Frequent Miler Reasonable Redemption Values
rooms.aero
seats.aero
Hyatt Concierge on X
ATH Podcast
#167: Best Tools for Booking Hotels with Points & Miles with Greg the Frequent Miler
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:48) The World of Hyatt
(08:05) Where Hyatt Is (and Isn't) Around the World 
(12:17) How the World of Hyatt Program Works
(15:51) Earning Points with Hyatt Experiences
(16:23) Transferring Points from Credit Cards
(17:43) Earning Points with Hyatt Personal and Business Credit Cards
(26:07) Why Buying Points Is Rarely a Good Deal
(26:46) Maximizing Hyatt Promotions
(27:21) Earning Points with Peloton
(28:06) Converting Aeroplan and American Points
(30:41) Understanding Hyatt Status Tiers
(35:51) Guest of Honor Awards
(36:55) Getting Globalist Perks on Paid Stays with Hyatt Privé
(38:41) Using Points to Upgrade Your Room
(39:05) Milestone Rewards: 20 and 30 Nights
(41:00) 40 Nights: Guest of Honor and the Suite Upgrade Award
(43:14) 50 and 60 Nights: Reaching Globalist
(44:30) 70 to 150 Nights: Milestones Beyond Globalist
(46:18) Transferring Awards and Certificates to Others
(47:40) The Hyatt Brand Explorer Program
(50:31) Fast Tracking Status with Hyatt Challenges
(53:20) How Far Should You Go for Status?
(53:53) What Are Hyatt Points Really Worth?
(58:53) How Bad Was the May Devaluation?
(01:00:51) A Fun Hack for All-Inclusives
(01:01:12) How to Find Hyatt Award Availability
(01:02:52) Getting Discounts and Perks on Cash Stays
(01:04:14) Hyatt's Best Rate Guarantee
Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#293: Learn to make your home healthier by focusing on the environmental factors that actually matter. Chris and Dom break down how to improve air and water quality, ventilation, mold prevention, lighting, and EMF exposure, plus what to prioritize in your bedroom, which popular healthy-home products to avoid, and the best upgrades at any budget.

⁠Dom Francks⁠ is the General Manager of ⁠Lightwork Home⁠, a Stanford-trained engineer, and former climate-tech product leader.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/healthy-home-air-water-light-dom-francks/.

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Gusto: ⁠Free 3-month trial of the #1 payroll software
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Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today
Thrive Market: ⁠30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Articles & Guides
The Lightwork Blueprint: 40 Action Steps for a Healthy Home
The best air purifiers for your home
What are EMFs? A rational, skeptical, curious person’s guide
Tools & Products
Airthings
AirGradient
Atmocube
Jaspr
Conway
BlueAir
IQAir
Austin Air
People & Podcasts
Brian Hoyer on Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin
ATH Podcast
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:06) How Your Home Affects Your Health
(03:30) What Improvements Actually Feel Like
(04:51) The Precautionary Principle for Chemicals Like PFAS
(06:27) How Healthy Is the Average Home?
(08:09) What to Expect From a Healthy Home Assessment
(09:09) Four Things That Determine Bedroom Air Quality
(14:37) Choosing an Air Quality Monitor
(16:19) Using Air Purifiers for Filtration
(17:37) The Simplest Ways to Improve Ventilation
(18:33) Why Some Air Purifiers Cost So Much More
(20:45) Ventilation vs. Filtration for VOCs
(23:15) How to Get More Fresh Air Through Your House
(24:26) What Chris Learned From Monitoring His Bedroom Air
(27:14) Managing Humidity and Dust Testing
(32:14) What a Full Mold Investigation Really Involves
(33:49) Optimizing Your Bedroom Lighting
(36:05) How to Spot Hidden Light Flicker
(37:19) When Incandescent Bulbs Beat LEDs
(38:27) A Practical Approach to EMF Exposure
(39:58) Does Limiting EMFs Actually Matter?
(41:29) Are Baby Monitors Safe?
(43:35) What to Prioritize (and Ignore) in Your Bedroom
(46:48) Testing and Improving Water Quality
(49:35) DIY Water Testing, and Which Filters to Use
(51:42) Carbon Monoxide Monitors & Combustion Gas Leaks
(52:51) Optimizing Your Workspace Lighting
(56:24) Home Products to Avoid
(58:46) Do More Plugs Mean Better Grounding?
(59:29) How to Make Your Home Healthier for $500
(01:01:53) The Best Healthy Home Upgrades for $2,000
(01:02:44) Higher-End Healthy Home Improvements
(01:04:34) When to DIY vs. Hire a Professional

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#292: What happens to your points and miles when you die? And how can you make sure they don’t disappear? Chris breaks down how major banks, airlines, and hotel programs handle rewards after death, strategies to protect or transfer your points, and the steps you can take now to make things easier for your family. Plus, learn what to do if you’re already dealing with a loved one’s rewards, why documenting your accounts and logins matters, and the surprising rules around gift cards, divorce, and timeshares.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/points-and-miles-after-death

Partner Deals
LMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix
Haven: ⁠Skip the waitlist for the best sauna⁠.
Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent
Copilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2
DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Tools & Resources
Points & Miles Death and Transfer Rules PDF
Silo Markets
Trustworthy
Notion
1Password
Books & People
The Points Guy
Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins

ATH Podcast
#200: Debunking Tax Myths, Avoiding Audits and Maximizing Savings with Jasmine DiLucci
#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:16) Your Points & Miles Aren’t Actually Your Property
(02:31) Can You Legally Access a Deceased Person's Accounts?
(07:49) What Happens to Bank & Credit Card Points After Death
(09:52) Why Amex Is One of the Most Generous Programs
(14:00) Transferring Points Before Someone Passes Away
(17:32) How Annual Fees Are Handled 
(18:01) What Happens to Business Cards
(18:28) Moving Bank Points to Loyalty Programs 
(19:01) What Happens to Airline Miles
(23:18) Why You Should Push Back With Airlines
(24:22) Other Ways to Use or Preserve Airline Miles
(25:59) How Hotel Points Are Handled (and Why They're Easier)
(31:36) Hotel Certificates & Flight Credits 
(32:50) What Happens to Rental Car Points
(34:04) Don't Hoard Your Points
(34:21) Document Every Account and Login
(37:26) Set Up Points Pooling and Authorized Users in Advance 
(37:52) Leave Clear Instructions for Your Heirs
(38:12) Why You Need a Financial Power of Attorney 
(38:46) Don't Let Auto-Pays Shut Down an Account
(39:17) Proactively Transfer Points Out 
(39:55) Where to Move Bank Points in a Hurry
(45:40) Choosing Someone to Manage Your Points & Miles
(47:09) The Checklist for When a Family Member Passes
(48:30) Hang Up, Call Again
(50:04) Document Everything You Do
(50:39) How Points Are Handled in Divorce
(51:40) Why Gift Cards Are Different
(51:59) The Risks of Inheriting a Timeshare
Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.