Talking Points

Nomadic Matt is an American travel expert, author, founder of TravelCon, and blogger. In 2008, Kepnes started NomadicMatt.com to archive his stories and monetize his traveling. The blog offers practical travel tips — from how to score cheap flights and accommodations with frequent-flyer miles and credit card points, to how to frugally navigate more than 90 far-reaching destinations across the globe by finding cheap local eats and free activities. Kepnes has traveled to more than 100 countries. Published in 2013, his first book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter, became a NYTimes Bestseller. In July 2019, Kepnes published his memoir, Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home.

Airplane food is often unpalatable or even inedible, but anyone who has flown with Singapore Airlines knows there can be haute cuisine at 35,000 feet! SIA's culinary mastermind, Antony McNeil, is the director of food and beverage at the airline. He talked to us about their farm-to-flight initiative, how an "air sommelier" might help you choose a secret vintage and why you don't have to miss out on good eating in economy class.

As a journalist and author of several New York Times bestsellers, finance expert Nicole Lapin is determined to help millennials learn the language of money. On this week's Talking Points, Lapin discusses how to take practical steps to manage your finances, the differences between good and bad debt and how breaking old habits might be the way to become a "rich bitch," as she titled one of her books.

This week, Talking Points shines the spotlight on one of the biggest things coming out of TPG in 2020 - something will undoubtedly help anyone who needs help with their travel strategy. Senior product manager Drew Macomber chats with Brian Kelly about what you can expect from our much-anticipated mobile app. A true points-and-miles enthusiast himself, Macomber and his team of developers are implementing tools to help you take your points further. His five years as a nomad will help inform your travel strategy, so you never miss a lucrative redemption again.

If you’re in the midst of planning your vacation, a few getaways, biz trips and hotel stays for the upcoming year, you’re going to want to listen to this episode. A few of our in-house experts are here to debate four major hotel chains — Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG. They dive into some of the more technical aspects of each of these brands and how you can earn and redeem with each hotel. The team also hashes out which chain offers the best elite status benefits, and who offers the best overall experience. Get ready to take notes, and hear TPG staffers duke it out over who’s number one.

On this episode, experts share what you need to know right now about traveling during the coronavirus outbreak. First, Dr. Hanh Le, the head of Healthline Media Medical Affairs, discusses the origins and concerns around the rapid and global spread of the virus, and how the medical world has responded to this global emergency. She shares sound tips you can use today to protect yourself, like how to keep your airplane seat clean and explains why health officials, like herself, are skeptical of surgical mask efficacy. After the break, Ben Mutzabaugh, TPG's senior aviation editor, shares his insights into airline suspensions, cancellation waivers and what to do if you're planning to fly in the next eight weeks. Mutzabaugh also offers his opinion on whether the airline cancellations could pose economic threats to low-cost carriers if these cancellations continue.

Michael Liersch is the global head of wealth planning and advice at J.P. Morgan. He stresses the importance of being transparent about money matters with your family, partner, or friends and how to prevent financial regrets from holding you back from your goals. He also offers advice on mitigating financial anxiety around wedding planning and how to broach conversations with loved ones around money, while suggesting ways to spend more efficiently.

TPG's Richard Kerr shares what you can find in our TPG Small Biz Facebook lounge, talks about the pros and cons of business credit cards and offers valuable tips any small business owner can put to use. PS: If you're collecting revenue from a side gig, you may be eligible for a small business credit card without even realizing it.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee is no stranger to turning anger into activism. She joins the show to discuss how war and destruction during her teenage years fueled her women's movement, which eventually helped end Liberia's 14-year civil war. For more information on how to support the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa or other charities to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Day of Service, please visit TPG's list of charitable organizations. And find more information on the best credit cards to use for charitable donations or how to give points and miles to those in need.