About Brandon – Travel Rewards Expert & Points Insiders Founder
I help travelers unlock luxury trips using credit card points — with smart tools, not spammy hype. Think of Points Insiders as your cheat code to premium travel without premium prices.
Software Developer Turned Travel Rewards Strategist
Meet Brandon
I’m a travel rewards expert and software developer with 20+ years of experience building systems that solve complex problems. As the founder of Points Insiders, I help travelers optimize their credit card strategies to unlock premium travel experiences without premium prices.
My expertise: Turning analytical thinking and systematic approaches into travel rewards optimization strategies that consistently deliver outsized value.
The results: My community has unlocked millions in travel value through strategic credit card points usage, from annual Bora Bora trips to European adventures — all using points instead of cash.
How I Became a Travel Rewards Expert
The Spreadsheet Breaking Point
As a software developer, I approach problems systematically. When I got serious about credit card optimization, I did what any engineer would do — I built spreadsheets.
Lots of spreadsheets. Points tracking spreadsheets. Annual fee calculators. Benefit comparison charts. 5/24 rule trackers. I had a spreadsheet for everything.
But spreadsheets are terrible at what I actually needed: real-time decisions. Which card should I use for this restaurant? Did I activate my quarterly categories? Am I missing transfer bonuses? When does my annual fee hit?
I was constantly leaving money on the table because my “system” required me to be perfect at remembering details and checking static spreadsheets before every purchase.
The breaking point came when I realized I’d missed a 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic — worth hundreds in redemption value — because it wasn’t in my monthly review cycle.
That’s when I started building what became Points Insiders: tools that actively optimize instead of just track. Software that alerts me to opportunities instead of making me hunt for them.
From Novice to Expert
As a software developer, I approached credit card optimization like debugging complex systems: methodically, systematically, and with an obsession for efficiency.
Early wins:
- Mastered Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem
- Earned my first 100,000-point signup bonus
- Booked our first premium travel redemption
Critical mistakes (that taught me what not to do):
- Applied for cards in wrong order due to Chase 5/24 rule
- Left thousands of points on the table through poor redemptions
- Focused on collecting points instead of strategic usage
The breakthrough: Realized travel rewards optimization isn’t about accumulating points — it’s about building systems that consistently deliver maximum value.
Why I Built Points Insiders
After years of optimizing our travel rewards strategy and helping friends navigate credit card decisions, I noticed everyone was making the same preventable mistakes.
Existing tools were either too basic or overwhelmingly complex. As a developer, I kept thinking: “Why doesn’t someone build actually useful optimization software for this?”
The solution: Points Insiders — tools that don’t just educate, but actively optimize your credit card strategy.
My Travel Rewards Philosophy
Tools Over Content
While others write endless blog posts, we build software that optimizes your strategy. Our tools calculate, recommend, and alert you to opportunities in real-time.
Systems Thinking
The best results come from well-designed systems, not one-off optimizations. We help you build a credit card strategy that works consistently over time.
Clarity Over Complexity
Travel rewards can be simple with the right framework. We cut through noise and give actionable recommendations, not information overload.
Community Over Competition
The best insights come from real people sharing real experiences. Our community shares strategies that actually work.
Proven Travel Rewards Results
Personal Redemption Successes
Annual Bora Bora Strategy: 5 nights at Conrad Bora Bora Nui with business class flights for $400 out-of-pocket ($11,000+ value). This became our annual tradition after discovering world-class snorkeling.
European Adventure Optimization: 2 weeks covering London, Barcelona, and Virgin Voyages Mediterranean cruise for $800 total ($15,000+ value). Perfect example of mixing city exploration with cruise relaxation.
Business Class International Flights: Multiple premium cabin redemptions to Asia and Europe using strategic points transfers and bonus timing.
Community Impact
- 75,000+ tool users have optimized their credit card strategies
- Active Discord community sharing real-time deals and proven strategies
- YouTube channel with practical tutorials and success story breakdowns
- Weekly newsletter delivering strategic insights and opportunity alerts
Technical Advantages as a Travel Rewards Expert
My software development background brings unique advantages to travel rewards optimization:
System Architecture: I design credit card strategies like building scalable software — focused on long-term optimization rather than short-term gains.
Data Analysis: Our tools analyze real numbers to provide personalized recommendations, not generic advice.
Automation: Why manually track transfer bonuses when you can get instant alerts? Our systems monitor opportunities automatically.
User Experience: Travel rewards tools should be intuitive, not intimidating. We design for actual humans, not spreadsheet enthusiasts.
How Points Insiders Stands Out
We Actually Use These Strategies
Every card recommendation comes from real experience. Every strategy guide reflects actual redemptions. Every tool solves problems we’ve personally encountered.
I don’t recommend credit cards I haven’t used, strategies I haven’t tested, or redemptions I haven’t booked myself.
We Build Software, Not Just Content
Our competitive advantage isn’t SEO — it’s building tools that provide genuine utility:
- Smart-Spend Tracker — choose the right card for every purchase: Know exactly which card to use for every purchase
- 5/24 Status Monitor — track your Chase application window: Never miss your Chase card application window
- Transfer Bonus Alerts — catch limited-time partner bonuses: Catch limited-time opportunities automatically
- Redemption Value Calculator — ensure optimal point values: Ensure you’re getting optimal point values
We Focus on Systems, Not Tactics
Anyone can share the latest signup bonus. We help you build comprehensive travel rewards strategies that work across multiple cards, adapt to changing offers, and scale with your travel goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Brandon start travel hacking?
I started after realizing I was missing out on incredible travel opportunities while using basic cashback cards. A colleague’s business class redemption story sparked my interest in credit card points optimization.
What makes Brandon a travel rewards expert?
20+ years of analytical experience combined with systematic testing of travel rewards strategies. I’ve personally booked hundreds of thousands in premium travel value and built tools used by 75,000+ people.
What is Points Insiders?
Points Insiders is a travel rewards optimization platform that provides tools, strategies, and community support to help people maximize their credit card points and unlock premium travel experiences.
How can I learn Brandon’s travel rewards strategies?
Start with our free tools at pointsinsiders.ai, join our Discord community, and subscribe to our newsletter for weekly strategic insights and opportunity alerts.
The Mission
Immediate goal: Help more people unlock incredible travel experiences through strategic credit card optimization.
Long-term vision: Build the most useful travel rewards optimization platform on the internet.
Personal mission: Prove that analytical thinking and systematic approaches can turn anyone into a travel rewards expert — no finance background required.
Connect with Our Travel Rewards Community
Discord: Join travel hackers sharing real-time strategies and proven redemptions YouTube: Weekly tutorials, success stories, and credit card strategy breakdowns Newsletter: Strategic insights, transfer bonus alerts, and optimization opportunities Tools: Free credit card optimization software at pointsinsiders.ai
Ready to Optimize Your Travel Rewards Strategy?
Travel rewards optimization isn’t about being cheap — it’s about being smart. It’s about using analytical thinking to unlock experiences that would otherwise be financially out of reach.
Whether you’re booking your first free flight or optimizing a complex multi-card strategy, our tools and community help you build systems that work.
🎯 Start Optimizing Today
Ready to stop leaving money on the table? Use our Best Card Today tool — it’s free and provides personalized recommendations in 30 seconds.
Join the community: 75,000+ travelers have already optimized their credit card strategies with Points Insiders tools and community. Your perfect travel redemption is waiting.
You’re just one strategy away from your next luxury trip — join 75,000+ travelers optimizing smarter with Points Insiders.