How I've earned over a million credit card points to travel the world
Over the last eight years, David Do, 33, has enjoyed "travel hacking," or the practice of maximizing rewards programs and credit card points to earn discounted travel. He has earned over a million credit card points across over 30 cards and has traveled to 33 countries. Earning $78,000 annually, David works remotely as a social worker, which allows him the flexibility to pursue his passion for traveling.
This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
2 hours ago
- CNBC
Couple lives on $132,000 in the 'Hamptons of New Zealand'—it's expensive, but 'worth it' for the relaxed lifestyle
When Phoebe Merrick first arrived on Waiheke Island in New Zealand, she thought she'd only be there for two months. It was June 2023, just before Merrick's final year of college, and the Virginia native planned to work a summer internship at a winery on the island. "I was like, 'This cannot be real,'" Merrick tells CNBC Make It of the view while ferrying over from Auckland. "I just thought it was so beautiful." Two years later, Merrick is still on Waiheke and getting ready to move into a new house with her boyfriend, Reuben Sandoy, who grew up in the area. The two met during Merrick's summer program and, by autumn, Sandoy had traveled to meet her family in the U.S. and the two decided they would live together abroad. Merrick, 22, works remotely as a freelance marketing and social media manager while Sandoy, 29, runs his own plumbing business on the island. Together, the two make roughly $132,000 U.S. dollars per year. Here's how they live and spend their money on Waiheke. Waiheke Island is the second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand and is a roughly 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland. The area is known for its wineries and beaches. Roughly 9,000 people live on the island during the winter, and the population swells to upwards of 45,000 each summer. More than 900,000 people visit the popular tourist destination each year, and it's sometimes referred to as the "Hamptons of New Zealand," where the rich and famous vacation. But ultimately, what drew Merrick to Waiheke is the reason why Sandoy has lived there the majority of his life: the beautiful scenery and slow pace of living. As a local, Sandoy appreciates that everything is close and there's little traffic. He also has little competition as a plumber to earn business on the island. Adjusting to life far from home took Merrick some time. There were differences in routine, like driving on the other side of the road and living without the conveniences of Amazon delivery. It also came with a level of culture shock around money and the price of living far from a big city. "I felt like a millionaire when I first came over," Merrick says, noting that paying with the strong American dollar versus the New Zealand dollar made her savings go farther. As of May, $1 USD is worth about $1.70 NZD. Her earnings don't go as far in local currency, but "it's worth it for the lifestyle for me. I love living on an island," Merrick says. Here's how Merrick and Sandoy spent their money in April 2025. Living on an island like Waiheke is expensive. The couple has been living in Sandoy's mother's house rent-free for several years. What they saved on rent they've funneled away for a down payment, mortgage payments and future renovation costs for a new house. After their savings, the couple's second-highest spending category was for food. Food costs are high because a lot of things have to be imported; going out to eat also comes at a premium when many restaurants cater to wealthier tastes and higher budgets. "You'll go to restaurants, and it won't be like just a casual pizza or burger — it'll be a truffle ravioli or caviar on crayfish and all of that," Merrick says. The two enjoy food and are willing to spend on it — Merrick likes to host dinner parties and cook most meals, especially if she can recreate American recipes she misses, while Sandoy enjoys little luxuries like a steak dinner. "It's probably what we enjoy spending the most money on versus anything like shopping or going into the city," Merrick says. The couple's third-largest budget item for the month was on transportation — Sandoy drives around the island for work and spent about $800 NZD, or about $470 USD, on gas. Merrick prefers to take the bus around the island; the two will also visit Auckland via ferry and use rideshares to get around for the day. New Zealand has a free health insurance program, but Sandoy pays an additional $100 NZD, or about $58 USD, per month for premium coverage. Merrick is on her parents' health insurance and schedules doctors appointments for when she visits home in Virginia. Sandoy says he's been preparing to buy his own home with Merrick since they began dating, but the housing market has been tough to navigate. Real estate prices jumped in 2021 and remain elevated compared with pre-pandemic trends. In late May, Sandoy closed on a house worth $1.055 million NZD, or nearly $621,000 USD, handing over a 10% down payment. While the price is "pretty average," Sandoy says, he says he was able to afford it because it's a fixer upper in need of renovations. Sandoy and Merrick have both been saving for future mortgage payments and renovation costs. They moved in right away and will live there while renovating the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home over the next year. "We're both very excited to renovate together," Merrick says. "It is something that we both find quite fun. It's a great financial step to take as a couple, so it will be worth it in the long run, even if it is a bit scary right now." Sandoy works up to 50 hours per week doing repairs and home projects for clients on the island; he makes around $153,000 NZD, or roughly $91,000 USD per year. It's labor-intensive work involving "crawling underneath houses or working out in the elements." Sandoy says his job can be demanding because he's self-employed. Merrick works about 40 hours per week doing social media and marketing for four local clients she found via a Facebook message board. She makes $70,000 NZD, or roughly $41,000 USD, per year. As her own boss, Merrick says she's able to make a little bit more than what other entry-level marketing roles typically pay in New Zealand. Merrick never had a full-time job in the U.S. but says "moving to New Zealand definitely changed my perspective on work-life balance." Workers are generally entitled to four weeks of paid leave each year on top of about a dozen public holidays. Merrick says many of her friends from college work over 40 hours per week, and some have as few as three vacation days per year. Merrick says that her contract jobs are flexible and her supervisors value taking breaks. "All my bosses are very understanding and definitely believe in taking time off as well, [including] for mental health," Merrick says. "I definitely do feel a lot happier just because my lifestyle is different," she adds. "Back in the U.S., everyone was too busy to spend time with each other [due to] work." On Waiheke, meanwhile, "people have a lot more free time, and we're able to all spend time together, and it feels a lot more social," Merrick says, whether it's going to the beach or traveling around the island and greater New Zealand together.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
Wine CEO's Sabbatical Leads To Renewed Passion For Work And Vineyards
The Transformative Vineyards of Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa Valley, CA In 2004, David Pearson achieved one of the top executive positions in the world of wine – CEO of Opus One winery in Napa Valley, California. During his 16 years tenure as CEO, David and his team helped to elevate the already prestigious brand to become one of the top luxury wines in the world, expanding distribution to over 90 countries and increasing the value of the brand from an average of $200 to over $500 per bottle. But then the pandemic occurred, and David Pearson decided it was time to step back and reassess his life. Supported by a loving family, he traveled to France, and what he discovered there helped propel him into a new position as CEO of Joseph Phelps winery in Napa Valley 'For 40 days I wandered around France visiting old friends. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. And while there I found the passion of the industry again – the joy and passion of wine,' David told me when I visited him at Joseph Phelps winery recently. During the course of our conversation, we tasted through five Joseph Phelps wines (notes below), and I was struck by the overflowing enthusiasm and passion in his voice as David shared his new vision for propelling Joseph Phelps winery into the next century. David Pearson, CEO of Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa Valley, CA On his sabbatical David visited the Ardèche region in the SE corner of France, where he met a vineyard owner who was farming his vines in a way David had never encountered. 'He was using a method they call permaculture, where they rolled the grass flat between the rows of vines and overtime this created a lasagna of rich organic material and new soil. When you dug it up, it was filled with worms and smelled incredibly rich,' David stated. The method employs the philosophies of regenerative farming, which advocates no or low tilling of the soil. However, David believes it is beyond regenerative and prefers to use the term 'agro-ecology, though he admits he is still seeking the perfect term. He explained that by farming in this fashion to create rich healthy soil (rather than soil that has been sprayed with agri-chemicals), the end results are higher nutrients in crops, including wine grapes. Food experts have discovered that the more nutrients in the food, the better it tastes, which could ultimately translate to more delicious wine grapes. 'Did you know that a teaspoon of healthy soil has more live organisms in it than the number of people on the whole planet?' David asked with excitement. Agro-ecology also integrates other crops in the vineyard, such as fruit trees and vegetables. It is a more holistic approach to farming, that incorporates the concepts of sustainability and regenerative farming, but also supports the relationship between plants, animals and people. For more information on some of these concepts, David recommended several books he has read: One Straw Revolution, What Your Food Ate, Braiding Sweetgrass, and others, as well as the Netflix documentary, Kiss the Ground. After his 40-day sabbatical, David Pearson started consulting with a few other wineries in France, Italy and the U.S. One of those wineries was Joseph Phelps that had just been acquired by luxury giant, LVMH. After a few months serving as interim-CEO, LVMH offered David the position of CEO. 'LVMH understands the concepts of agro-ecology because they have been implementing similar concepts in the vineyards of Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux for more than 10 years,' David explained. 'They are supportive about using these concepts at Joseph Phelps.' Therefore, David and his team are embarking on a 10-year journey to transform the vineyards of Joseph Phelps by replanting different blocks of the vineyard overtime and changing the farming practices. 'We plan to integrate the vineyards with fruit trees and vegetables. There are vineyards in Italy where the vines use 100-year old Maple trees as their trellis!' David said. He believes that overtime these more natural, environmentally-friendly farming methods will not only elevate the quality of the wine, but could eventually save money on labor and materials since they will not be tilling the soil or hedging the vines, as is done with the current farming method. The fact that the founder of the winery, Joseph Phelps, was known for his innovative spirit, and was frequently replanting vineyard blocks to increase wine grape quality, is also a fitting tribute to the new direction. 'We are having so much fun. All of us are moving towards the future and focused on innovation - the legacy that Joseph Phelps has left us all.' 'Joe founded this winery in 1973 and transformed a cattle ranch into a world class vineyard,' David said. 'He was a great visionary and known for his innovation and commitment to quality. In fact he was the first in Napa Valley to create a blended wine with a proprietary name, which he called Insignia – our flagship wine.' When asked how the employees were responding to the new vineyard direction, he responded: 'We are having so much fun. All of us are moving towards the future and focused on innovation - the legacy that Joseph Phelps has left us all.' He admitted that even though the global wine industry is currently facing many challenges, such as decreasing wine consumption, slowing wine tourism and anti-alcoholism, that it is important to remind people of all of the benefits of wine. He referenced Robert Mondavi's 'Defense of Wine,' that occurred during the 1980's when the wine industry was facing similar issues. 'We need to listen to the universe and be more open to new ideas. And remember what Robert Mondavi said: Wine is about slowing down, being with friends, and being present. It brings people together and contributes to a richer life,' he stated. The famous wine quote by Robert Mondavi, California Winemaker and Visionary Joseph Phelps offers a selection of estate wines from their Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast vineyards, ranging from the flagship Insignia cabernet-based blend to chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, viognier and a new sparkling wine. All wines are available online or in fine wine shops and restaurants. Following are my tasting notes for the five wines I tasted with David: 2018 Ovation Sparkling Wine – a full-bodied and rich sparkler with fresh notes of green apple on the nose followed by complex toasty notes, white peach, lemon meringue, a hint of salty stone, and endless streaming bubbles. Made from Sonoma Coast grapes. Sophisticated and complex. ($135, 94 points) 2023 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc - Vibrant and fresh, made with Napa Valley grapes, this wine opens with a lovely white floral nose followed by pink grapefruit, Meyer lemon and a hint of minerality on the palate, with a creamy, delectable and long finish. Aged in a larger 'cigar' shaped French oak barrel. Elegant and creamy. ($75, 93 points) 2022 Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir – a silky and sexy pinot noir with a nose of roses and raspberries, with dried strawberry, spice and a hint of truffle on the palate. Medium-bodied it has silky-smooth tannins, well-integrated toasty oak, and a long seductive finish. The grapes are from their Sonoma Coast Freestone Vineyard which is very close to the Pacific Ocean. Truly lovely, elegant, and quite delicious. ($74, 95 points). 2022 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - rich nose of boysenberry, earth and cassis, which follows through on the pallet, picking up more mixed berries, spice and cocoa. A pleasant purity of ripe fruit, with a long finish, wrapped in 50% French and 50% American oak and aged for 24 months. Composed of 8 different Napa Valley vineyards, this wine is considered the second label to Insignia. ($100, 92 points). 2021 Joseph Phelps Insignia – This wine was listed as one of the top 10 U.S. cabernets in an earlier Forbes article. It is a true classic Napa cab with both power and elegance. This wine entices with blackberry, plum, allspice and vanilla with smooth tannins and a bright acidity. It glides across the palate, mesmerizing with complex notes of oak, tobacco, and warm earth. Aged 24 months in new French oak, and made from a blend of the very best vineyards and barrel lots from that year. Always a crowd-pleaser. ($365, 97 points) Portfolio of Some of the Wines Crafted By Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA As we enjoyed sampling the wines, two small dishes arrived that are part of the wine and food pairing series offered to people who visit the tasting room. The first was goat cheese baked in pastry with fresh herbs, which paired very well with the sparkling wine and sauvignon blanc. The second dish was beef croquette cooked with truffles and aioli, and was stunning with the three red wines. The Joseph Phelps tasting room has been completely refurbished inside with comfortable chairs and tables so visitors can view the vast green vineyards and mountains that surround the property. There is also a large outdoor wooden deck with seating nooks. The winery building of dark redwood is the original one designed by Joseph Phelp to blend into nature.
CNBC
26-05-2025
- CNBC
From Las Vegas to Key West: U.S. travelers say these are the 10 most popular summer destinations in the country
According to a recent report from Tripadvisor, Americans looking to travel domestically this summer want a blend of bustling city activities and laid-back beach vacations. The report ranked the top domestic summer travel destinations for U.S. travelers using two key sources: an online survey of over 2,800 consumers conducted between March 26 and April 8, 2025, and searches made by travelers on Tripadvisor between February 1 and April 10, 2025, for travel between June 1 and August 31, 2025. The state of Florida has the most cities in the top 10, something that Hilary Fischer-Groban, Senior Director of Global Brand, Insights and Comms, tells CNBC Make It is due to the Sunshine State's many offerings. "For folks who haven't been or haven't explored it as much, there's this kind of year-long pull towards some of the theme parks and major attractions there," she says. "It has incredible beaches and a great deal of destinations. There are great driving spots all over Florida, and just different ways to connect with Florida." Despite Florida having three cities on the list, not one ranked in the No. 1 spot. The entire top 10 has a mix of city life and destinations that are close to nature. "Even within those urban destinations, there's a natural escape or a day trip from there," Fischer-Groban says. Las Vegas is the most popular domestic destination for U.S. travelers. "Vegas is a classic. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas because people write a ton of reviews and have a lot to say," Fischer-Groban says. "Vegas is such a destination for group trips. It has such a reputation for that draw and there's a lot to see outside of Vegas too." The city offers many attractions like the famous Fountains of Bellagio, the Sphere and of course, all there is to see and do along the Las Vegas Strip. "Sin City" is also close to other major destinations like the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. New York City ranked as the No. 2 most popular domestic destination for U.S. travelers. "I think New York really speaks to the experiences that people want to have. In a city like New York, there's a lot to do," Fischer-Groban says. "Folks who want to pack their calendars, a city like New York continues to deliver that density of experiences and is also quite family-friendly. You can really have any type of trip in New York." New York City offers travelers a plethora of activities, including visits to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. The Big Apple can also be a starting point for visiting other destinations, like the Hamptons, Fire Island, the Jersey Shore, and more. ,
