#25 This week we’re talking about leveling up your travel strategy with a Player Two.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what a Player Two actually is, how to leverage referral bonuses and welcome offers, and how to strategically manage things like 5/24, authorized users, and minimum spend requirements. I also share how my wife and I use this system to stack points for bigger trips to Japan and beyond.

Tune in to learn how working as a team can unlock more points, bigger redemptions, and more accessible travel experiences around the world.

What You’ll Learn from This Episode

• What a Player Two strategy is and who it works best for (spouse, sibling, friend, travel partner)

• How to stack welcome bonuses and referral bonuses for massive point growth

• Why authorized users are different from a true Player Two strategy

• How to manage minimum spend together without going into debt

• How combining (or strategically splitting) points can fund bigger trips like business class flights and full hotel stays

Another Example of someone using a Player Two System

Our Credit Card Strategy For Couples (2 Player System) by Daniel Braun
https://youtu.be/Wuftu11aFO8?si=Nyn-7C1MpOFJlMmh

Episode 5: How We Took a $15,000 Japan & South Korea Trip for $221 Using Points

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#24 In this episode, I break down the best Japan travel apps to download before your trip the tools that genuinely make navigating, booking, eating, shopping, and staying safe in Japan so much easier. These are apps I’ve personally used across multiple trips, plus a few I’ve researched and added for our upcoming visit (especially traveling with a baby).

I also share a quick points-and-miles update:

• Capital One → Japan Airlines 30% transfer bonus (ends February 28)
– Improves the transfer from 1:750 to roughly 1:975
– Found business class seats around 70,000 miles per person
– Considering booking for a fall trip

• Venture X cardholders now have access to purchase FIFA World Cup tickets (Feb 12–24, while supplies last)

Then we dive into the apps organized by category so you know exactly what to download and why.

🗺 Navigation & Transit

• Google Maps
• Mobile Suica (Apple Wallet)
• Welcome Suica App
• GO Taxi

🌐 Internet & Connectivity

• Airalo (eSIM)
• Japan Wireless (portable Wi-Fi option)

🗣 Language & Communication

• Google Translate
• Papago
• LINE
• WhatsApp

🛍 Shopping & Product Translation

• Payke

🍣 Food & Restaurant Planning

• Google Maps
• Tabelog
• OpenTable
• Uber Eats

🎟 Experiences & Booking

• Klook
• Booking.com

🧮 Practical Tools

• iPhone Calculator (currency conversion)
• XE (currency app alternative)
• NERV (earthquake alerts)

🎢 Bonus Apps

• Universal Studios Japan App
• Tokyo Disney App
• HappyCow (vegetarian/vegan dining)
• Mama Papa Map (baby facilities)
• Visit Japan Web (customs QR code)

Whether you’re navigating Tokyo stations, booking Shibuya Sky at sunset, scanning skincare at Donki, reserving hard-to-book restaurants, or planning your first Japan trip with a stroller this episode is designed to make your trip smoother, less stressful, and more prepared.

If Japan is on your radar or you’re planning your next return download these before your next trip and if I missed one you love, send it my way.

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#23 In this episode, I introduce a new segmented format for Rewarding Routes that allows me to cover updates, news, listener questions, and a main topic all in one episode. I share a quick update on the Bilt Palladium denial and why I still accepted a $0 annual fee Bilt Blue card. From there, I run through major Japan and credit card news, answer a listener question about how I plan trips, and then dive into the main topic: why business credit cards are one of the most powerful tools for earning more points.

• New episode format: Updates, News, Listener Q, Main Topic
• Accepted Bilt Blue $0 AF
• Pokémon expanding at Universal Studios Japan
• PokéPark KANTO opens Feb 5, 2026
• Chase Sapphire early access to FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets (Feb 10)
• Japan cherry blossom forecast
• Tourism hits 42.7M visitors
• Trip planning
• Why business cards work for beginners
• Approved for Amex Blue Business Plus

American Express Blue Business Plus® Credit Card (Targeted Offer Page)
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/campaigns/small-business/credit-cards/blue-business-plus/explore-now/

Amex Blue Business Plus: 75K Points, No Lifetime Language (Targeted)
https://frequentmiler.com/amex-blue-business-plus-offer-75k-points-no-lifetime-language-targeted/

🇯🇵 Japan & Travel News
Universal Studios Japan Announces Major New Pokémon Experience
https://tdrexplorer.com/universal-studios-japan-announces-major-new-pokemon-experience/

We Visited PokéPark Kanto: Japan’s Real-Life Pokémon Park
https://www.ign.com/articles/we-visited-pokepark-kanto-japans-real-life-pokemon-park

PokéPark KANTO Guide & Tickets
https://matcha-jp.com/en/25445

Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast
https://tokyocheapo.com/living/tokyo-cherry-blossom-forecast/

💳Points, Miles & Credit Card Strategy
Chase Sapphire & the 2026 FIFA World Cup
https://www.pointsbyj.com/post/chase-sapphire-fifa-world-cup-2026

How to Apply for a Business Credit Card as a Sole Proprietor
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-apply-for-a-business-credit-card-as-a-sole-proprietorship/

Amex 1-Bonus-Per-Lifetime Rule
https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/american-express-bonus-lifetime-restrictions/

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelmomsquad/

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com