Finding the Best Deals on Flights with Zach Resnick

Brokering Points

The world of brokering points offers a fascinating yet complex landscape for those looking to buy or sell miles. Chris Hutchins and Zachary Resnick discuss how this market operates, highlighting the importance of trust within tight-knit communities, such as the Hasidic Jewish community, which dominates this space 1. Zachary explains that while there are many services available online for selling points, the process often involves sharing sensitive information like account logins, which can be risky 2. He notes, "If you have a community that has extremely high trust... you could have a sustained edge and an ability to build up liquidity in these various miles and points."

If you have a community that has extremely high trust... you could have a sustained edge and an ability to build up liquidity in these various miles and points.

--- Zachary Resnick

The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing these transactions, such as the hassle of booking flights for others and the potential for fraud 2.

   

Maximizing Value

Maximizing the value of miles and points is crucial for efficient flight redemptions. Zachary Resnick emphasizes that understanding how to use these points can yield better value than selling them, with market rates for transferable point currencies around 1.25 to 1.3 cents per point 3. He explains that business owners who accumulate large amounts of points may find it more beneficial to sell them due to their inability to use them effectively 3. Chris and Zachary also discuss the concept of points arbitrage, where significant savings can be achieved by using points for high-value flights 4.

If you know how to use your miles and points, you will always get better value using them.

--- Zachary Resnick

This strategy is particularly beneficial for those who can leverage points for expensive trips, such as business class flights to Europe, where the cost in points can be significantly lower than the cash price 4.

   

Award Tools

Award search tools play a pivotal role in effectively utilizing miles for flight bookings. Zachary Resnick highlights tools like Seats Aero, which has revolutionized the industry by providing comprehensive information on point usage and making it easily searchable 5. Despite its powerful capabilities, he notes that it may be overwhelming for beginners due to its complexity 5. Chris Hutchins mentions other tools like Point Me Concierge and Award Cat, which offer flexible search options and can be particularly useful for planning large trips, such as family vacations to Europe 4.

Seats Aero is a tool you've talked about on your podcast before, Chris. It's really like kind of taken the miles in points industry by storm.

--- Zachary Resnick

These tools are invaluable for those looking to maximize their points' value, providing options that might not be immediately apparent through traditional search methods 4.