Podcast: How TPG Jumped From Investment Banking to Full-Time Travel
How well do you know the TPG story?
The fundamentals are fascinating: Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, got started in the points and miles game when he was just 10 years old helping out as his dad's travel agent. Fast forward to his mid-twenties and he found himself working as a buyer at Lord & Taylor. Not happy with the career path and the pay, TPG headed for investment banking — but that still didn't fulfill him. After a few years in HR at Morgan Stanley and raking in the points for all his work-related travel, TPG started an award-booking service that would one day become ThePointsGuy.com.
Early on, TPG would consult with clients for the low cost of $50 to help book award tickets. But after some time and switching from consulting to blogging, things started to take off. And when he was recognized at a cocktail party as "The Points Guy," he knew he had to "make the jump."
That's where the When To Jump podcast comes in, a program started by Mike Lewis in which he interviews public figures, academics, executives, and everyday people about their experiences taking the plunge. When to Jump is a community dedicated to exploring a question many of us think about: When is the right time to go do what you really want to be doing?
Lewis interviewed TPG about his experience getting into award travel — and what prompted him to make that crucial decision of leaving a safe and lucrative career in finance to running a points-and-miles blog full time. The full podcast, 30 minutes long, can be played below.
You'll hear some fun stories of a young and broke TPG hustling his way through New York City (including posing as a wine expert) to his rise as one of the top bloggers in the biz.
When To Jump will be releasing the book, When to Jump: If The Job You Have Isn't The Life You Want in early 2018. It will contain more about TPG's story and other top influencers, like Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington, and when they decided to make the jump.
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| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app