About Lori Zaino
Lori was born in Chicago but has lived in Madrid, Spain, for nearly two decades. Bilingual in Spanish and English (and forever attempting to learn Italian and Thai), she loves digging into diverse languages and cultures through travel.
Just as comfortable backpacking as she is at the Ritz, Lori loves creating budget-meets-luxe itineraries to far-flung, exotic destinations. An OG Ryanair flyer, Iberia expert, and Platinum Marriott Bonvoy member, she finds ways to maximize her points and miles to have unconventional and exciting travel experiences from Sri Lanka to Guatemala to Myanmar to Sicily.
She’s camped in the Malaysian jungle with orangutans, salsa danced the night away in Cuba, used her points and miles for Emirates first class, hiked Machu Picchu, and floated in the Dead Sea. These days, she’s introducing her 2-year-old son to the world of travel (he’s already lounged on the beaches of the Caribbean and seen the Eiffel Tower), but she still enjoys traveling solo, with friends, and with her husband. Her favorite destinations include southern Italy, Ibiza, and Thailand.
Lori has written for publications such as CNN, NBC, The Points Guy, Insider, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Culture Trip, Viator, The Sun, The Infatuation, and beyond, and has been quoted in Travel & Leisure, TIME, MSN, Mic, and more. Lori has also been a guest on the Miles Away podcast and BYU Radio.
You can follow Lori on Instagram, Twitter, and LoriZaino.com.
Countries Visited
U.S. States Visited
Marriott Platinum
American Airlines Platinum Pro
Oneworld
Emirates
Qatar Qsuites
Regularly transferring Chase and Amex points to Iberia for business class flights between ORD-MAD
Chase Ultimate Rewards
Lori's Latest Articles
See More ArticlesRelax and Recharge: 13 Best Wellness Retreats Worldwide for Women
Wellness is for everyone, but sometimes it’s nice to escape to a retreat surrounded by same-sex, like-minded individuals. Some retreats cater to men specifically, but if you’re a woman looking for a female-centric wellness retreat, this article is for you….
Self Care, Serenity, and Solitude: 16 Best Solo Wellness Retreats in the U.S.
With both wellness travel and solo travel on the rise, it’s no surprise that solo wellness retreats are growing in popularity. Traveling alone in a way that benefits your physical and mental health is easy — with no one else…
20 Best Honeymoon Destinations for Every Budget and Location [2023]
Selecting the right destination for your first trip as a married couple isn’t easy, as there are so many popular honeymoon destinations where you can have the trip of a lifetime. Choosing the perfect honeymoon destination comes down to thinking…
How (And Why) I Transfer All of My Amex Platinum Card’s Points to Iberia Avios
I greatly value the Membership Rewards points that I earn with The Platinum Card® from American Express. In fact, one of the main reasons I still keep my Amex Platinum card, even though I live abroad, is because of these…
The 15 Best All-Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts and Packages in the World [2023]
When it comes to a honeymoon, most couples want the trip of a lifetime made easy. Planning a wedding can be exhausting, and an all-inclusive honeymoon is a simple way to relax, unwind, and enjoy a memorable trip with your…
The Best 13 Honeymoon Destinations in the U.S. [2023]
Your honeymoon should be the trip of a lifetime, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to head to the Caribbean, Europe, or beyond. Couples can enjoy a memorable honeymoon right here in the U.S. In fact, you might not…
12 Things To Know About Flying Low-Cost Airlines in Europe [2023]
Europe feels like the place to be this year — and beyond. But the inflated cost of airfare, lodging, and well, everything else, isn’t making getting there any easier. While you may be able to score a solid flight deal…
The 20+ Best European Honeymoon Destinations by Season, Budget & Interest
The rich sounds of opera wafting down a Venice canal from your gondola, holding hands atop the Eiffel Tower, a cabana overlooking the glittering Greek Aegean Sea … this is the kind of romance you can expect during a European…
The 10 Best Caribbean Islands for an Unforgettable Honeymoon
Planning a wedding can be hard work. When it’s time for that coveted honeymoon, you probably want to lounge on dreamy, white-sand beaches, swim in crystal clear waters, and stay in some of the most romantic resorts in the world….
Can You Live in a Hotel? [And Would You Even Want To?]
Julio Camba was a journalist that lived in room 338 at The Westin Palace, Madrid for nearly 20 years (more than 7,000 nights) from 1942 to 1962. Now a Marriott Bonvoy property, we’re asking the burning question: could you really…
What Is “Bleisure Travel” and How Can It Benefit You?
As corporate and leisure travel have both bounced back after the COVID-19 pandemic, companies, travelers, and the travel industry itself are all figuring out how to navigate the “new normal” in the travel world, which includes concepts like revenge travel,…
The 20 Best U.S. Wellness Retreats: Escapes for the Mind, Body & Soul
Wellness retreats are an easy way to enjoy a vacation while also taking the time to focus on your well-being. Whether it be a spa break, a yoga retreat, or a luxury wellness resort, a wellness retreat allows you to…
The 12 Best Food Hotspots in Europe for Hungry Travelers
Gazing out over the Mediterranean, exploring medieval villages and castles, strolling regal gardens, and practicing your high-school French, German, Italian, or Spanish … these are all things that you probably envision when thinking about your next European vacation. But perhaps…
The 12 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana [2023]
Sometimes you want a vacation where you explore hidden gems, visit cultural sites, or head to every museum in town. Other times, you want to enjoy some fun in the sun. Those looking for the latter should head to Punta…
A Review of Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm [And a Look at the New Atlantis The Royal]
There’s no shortage of luxurious and over-the-top hotels to choose from in the glittering city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. And if you’re searching for a place to stay in the city, Atlantis, The Palm should be a…
Boost Your Wellbeing: The Complete Guide to Wellness Retreats
Wellness is not just a hyped-up term that refers to spiritual healing or cleansing your chakras with crystals. While it can refer to those more … eccentric … methods of restoration for the mind and body, wellness often just refers…
Wellness Vacations: Hype or Healing? [Trends, Benefits, Destinations]
We’ve all been there: a rough few months, mounting work stress, constantly catching colds and flu, or forever trying to drop those last few pounds or quit smoking. Ask anyone if they’d love a few extra hours of sleep; the…
The Best Places To Sit on a Plane for Less Turbulence
You’ve finally found a comfortable position scrunched up in your tiny plane seat, so you close your eyes for a much-needed nap. Then, out of nowhere, you feel the plane begin to move. Your eyes pop open, and the pilot…
28 Fun Things To Do in Madrid, Spain [2023]
The Spanish capital is often overlooked in favor of beachy Mediterranean hubs like Barcelona or inviting Andalusian towns like Seville. But Madrid has so much to offer visitors, from cuisine to culture and nightlife with a taste of the “real”…
11 Luxury Bangkok Hotels To Book With Points [For Max Value]
The bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand, is known for its dazzling temples, flavorful street food, enormous shopping malls, and vibrant energy. From crowded street markets to iconic nightlife, the city never seems to sleep. But you might need to, and…
15 Things To Know About Booking Rental Cars (And What To Avoid)
Renting a car seems like a basic process and is likely something you’ve done before. But, there are some things to know about renting a car that can save you time, energy, and money. Whether you’re a beginner to the…
Find out about other members of the team
Amar Hussain
Senior Content Contributor
Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.
Andrew Kunesh
Former Content Contributor
Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.
He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.
Ashley Onadele
Content Contributor
Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.
Brandon Brunner
Former Content Contributor
Brandon was born and raised in California and really didn’t travel much growing up, even outside of his own state. While attending college, he was constantly looking to find the cheapest fares to any destination abroad, and quickly learned about the motto- “Chase the fare, not the destination”. Luckily, his first international flight was to Costa Rica (under $300 roundtrip) where that “Pura Vida” lifestyle (and Imperials) hit him hard, and he knew he had to see more.
Brian Graham
Former Content Contributor
Brian’s first ever airplane ride was in a private turbo-prop jet. He was merely an intern boy trying to make a good impression, but it turns out the plane made an impression on him.
It wasn’t until Brian relocated to Dallas, TX, and moved in with an American Airlines employee that he truly discovered how incredible travel could be.
Carissa Rawson
Senior Content Contributor
Carissa served in the U.S. Air Force where she developed her love for travel and new cultures. She started her own blog and eventually joined The Points Guy. Since then, she’s contributed to Business Insider, Forbes, and more.
Caroline Lupini
Former Content Contributor
Caroline Lupini always enjoyed traveling, but it became her goal to do as much as possible after a 3-week trip around Europe in 2011. In March 2014, Caroline left her job and embarked on nearly full-time travels.
As a frequent traveler, frequent flyer miles have played a large role in planning her trips. Caroline has enjoyed discovering the ins and outs of how to maximize different types of miles, hotel points, and transferable points currencies.
Charlie Page
Former Content Contributor
Charlie is a Senior First Officer and has been an airline pilot for nearly 15 years. He currently flies long-haul on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner after 10 years buzzing around Europe on the A320. He got into travel and aviation from an early age, fortunate enough to be taken on some great family holidays.
His earliest memory of visiting a flight deck was aged 8 and it was from then on that he was determined to become an airline pilot.
Cherag Dubash
Content Contributor
Cherag was born in a family associated with aviation and was hooked on to planes since the age of 3, the time he undertook his first flight on an Airbus A310 from Mumbai to Dubai.
Based in Abu Dhabi, the London City University graduate is regularly seen on Instagram, travelling over 100K miles each year in First and Business Class while holding down a regular job.
Chris Dong
Editor
Chris is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on timely travel trends, points and miles, hot new hotels, and all things that go (he’s a proud aviation geek and transit nerd). Formerly full time at The Points Guy, his work can now be found at AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Washington Post, and Lonely Planet, among others
Chris Hassan
Social Media & Marketing Manager
Chris holds a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management and managed social media for all Marriott properties in South America, making him a perfect fit for UP and its social media channels. He has a passion for making content catered toward family travelers.
Christine Krzyszton
Senior Finance Contributor
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
Christy Rodriguez
Travel & Finance Content Contributor
After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.
Daniel Ross
Senior Content Contributor
Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.
David Slotnick
Former Content Contributor
Born and raised in New York, David still remembers his first flight when he was only four years old: a U.S. Airways trip from New York-La Guardia to Palm Beach, Florida. He formed his love of travel around that and other family vacations, including to England at age eight and Namibia when he was 13. During college, a four-country trip around Europe with a friend cemented his passion for seeing the world.
David is currently Senior Aviation Business Reporter and a photographer at The Points Guy.
Erin Miller
Content Contributor
An experienced points hacker, Erin is Alex’s partner-in-crime and contributes to Upgraded Points with in-depth guides and relationship management. Erin’s work has been cited in multiple major publications.
Greg Stone
Content Contributor
Greg got bitten by the travel bug at a young age while traveling with his Dad on business trips to Asia. He took over the family business in 2012 and uses it to maximize his loyalty points earning. His obsession with earning and burning loyalty rewards points allows him to travel over 100 days every year.
James Larounis
Senior Content Contributor
James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.
Jarrod West
Senior Content Contributor
Boasting a portfolio of over 20 cards, Jarrod has been an expert in the points and miles space for over 6 years. He earns and redeems over 1 million points per year and his work has been featured in outlets like The New York Times.
Jeff Brownson
Former Content Contributor
Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.
Jessica Merritt
Editor & Content Contributor
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.
Juan Ruiz
Compliance Editor & Content Contributor
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in-Chief at Money Under 30.
Katie Seemann
Senior Content Contributor
Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure and Forbes Advisor.
Kellie Jez
Director of Operations & Compliance
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s compliance operation.
Keri Stooksbury
Editor-in-Chief
With years of experience in corporate marketing and with a nonprofit, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and reviewing thousands of UP articles in the process.
Lindsey Olander
Former Content Contributor
Currently based in New York, Lindsey spent her childhood in Connecticut dreaming of far-off places. Her first flight was to Disney World at age 11. Her second flight was for a high school field trip to Italy, though travel as a career didn’t stick until she studied abroad in London during college and discovered the true power of her passport. Since then, she’s worked as a travel editor at Jetsetter and Travel + Leisure, where she reported on everything from African safaris to hot hotel openings to, yes, Disney World.
Lukas Picton
Former Content Contributor
Lukas escaped his hometown south of Sydney and moved to the big smoke immediately after high-school, but the bright lights of the city weren’t enough, and he soon set his sights on more exotic international destinations and has been in love with travel ever since.
Coupled with his passion for photography, Lukas is constantly seeking out new places to visit, and ways to get that elusive ‘perfect shot’ whilst on his adventures and as a result is ranked in the top 2% of global travelers by App in the Air.
Michael McHugh
Former Content Contributor
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Michael took his first international trip in 2013 with friends to the Bahamas. Although he didn’t travel much in his younger years, on that trip, he caught the travel bug and has been hooked ever since.
Michael first caught wind of the points and miles game in 2014 while at a bar in Washington, DC where the conversation amongst friends was quickly derailed because of an alert on a friend’s phone about a mistake fare. That’s where the love affair with points and miles began.
Michael Y. Park
Editor
Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and queen of Malaysia, tramped around organic farms in Cuba, ridden the world’s longest train through the Sahara, and choked down gasoline clams in North Korea.
Nick Ellis
Editor & Content Contributor
Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to leverage the perks of each.
Ryan Smith
Content Contributor
Ryan has been on a quest to visit every country in the world and plans to hit his final country in 2023. Over the years, he’s written about award travel for publications including AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, and Forbes Advisor.
Spencer Howard
Former Content Contributor
Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.
Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!
Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.
Stella Shon
Compliance Editor & Content Contributor
With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.
Stephen Au
Senior Content Contributor
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
Susan Wright
Former Finance Contributor
While writing about finance and insurance isn’t something that keeps most people awake at night, it is what Susan Wright has focused on for more than 25 years. As a financial copywriter, Susan has an eye for money-related details such as credit and savings, and she loves to pass along helpful information to consumers. Susan holds 11 financial industry designations (including CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, ADPA, CITRMS, CIPA) as well as several licenses.
Alex Miller
Founder & CEO
Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.
Victoria M. Walker
Senior Content Contributor
Victoria holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the Howard University School of Communications and is an award-winning journalist, travel reporter, and the founder of the “Travel With Vikkie” newsletter.
UP's Bonus Valuation
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.