From Attorney to Travel Expert: Jen Ruiz on Maximizing Points for Affordable Travel

04/28/25 • 50 min

In this episode of the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast, host Genni Franklin interviews Jen Ruiz, a former attorney turned travel expert who's mastered the art of finding unbeatable flight deals and maximizing points and miles to make traveling more affordable.

Jen shares her strategies for snagging flights as low as $16 to Ecuador and $38 to New Zealand and her insights into budget travel that doesn’t compromise on quality or experience.

Jen also talks about her bestselling books on affordable travel and gives a sneak peek of her upcoming sequel to her latest book, '12 Trips in 12 Months.'

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:58 Jen Ruiz's Journey to Full-Time Travel
02:23 The Importance of Traveling Now
04:49 Finding Cheap Flights: Budget Airlines
06:58 Using Points and Miles for Affordable Travel
07:57 Flight Alert Programs for Beginners
08:52 Getting Started with Travel Credit Cards
13:56 Maximizing Points and Miles
24:31 Favorite Loyalty Programs
27:01 Starwood and Marriott: A Tale of Two Hotel Chains
28:44 The Value of Loyalty Programs and Travel Credit Cards
30:17 Airline Preferences and Luxurious Travel Experiences
32:21 Travel Tips: Avoiding Common Mistakes
35:38 The Journey of Writing Travel Books
38:59 Upcoming Sequel and Personal Reflections
42:54 Rapid Fire Travel Questions
47:06 Final Travel Advice and Episode Conclusion

Episode Resources:

Connect with Jen Ruiz: Learn more about Jen’s adventures and tips by visiting her website and following her on social media.
Jen's Books: Check out Jen’s bestselling books on budget travel for deeper insights and strategies.

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

Jen shares her strategies for snagging flights as low as $16 to Ecuador and $38 to New Zealand and her insights into budget travel that doesn’t compromise on quality or experience.

Jen also talks about her bestselling books on affordable travel and gives a sneak peek of her upcoming sequel to her latest book, '12 Trips in 12 Months.'

Timestamps:

Episode Resources:

Connect with Jen Ruiz: Learn more about Jen’s adventures and tips by visiting her website and following her on social media.
Jen's Books: Check out Jen’s bestselling books on budget travel for deeper insights and strategies.

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

Previous Episode

Trailer

Welcome to Lazy Budget Travel Tips with Genni Franklin

In this trailer for the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast, host Genni Franklin gives you the inside scoop on the show.

If you're tired of overcomplicated strategies and just want straightforward, practical advice on budget-friendly travel, you’re in the right place!

Genni, a seasoned traveler and founder of the Traveling Franklins blog and Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook group, is here to help everyday travelers navigate the world of points and miles without all the stress.

Whether you're looking to stretch your travel budget or make the most of your travel rewards, Genni's got you covered with simple tips, real-life stories, and easy-to-follow strategies.

Each episode will feature solo segments, fun guest chats, and listener stories, all aimed at helping you travel smarter without the overwhelm.

New episodes drop weekly, so make sure to subscribe and get ready to learn how to save money and travel more!

Launch date coming soon!

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

Next Episode

Making Disney Affordable with Chelsea from Pixie Point Gals

In this episode of the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast, host Genni Franklin dives into the pressing question of whether a trip to Disney can be affordable amidst rising costs.

Joined by Chelsea Buck from Pixie Point Gals, who is well-versed in saving money on Disney vacations using points and miles, the episode sheds light on various strategies.

This includes renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points to stay at deluxe resorts for a fraction of the cost.

Chelsea shares her family's deep-rooted Disney obsession and the tricks they use to visit Disney World several times a year.

The discussion covers the differences between Disney World and Disneyland vacations, tips on using points and miles for flights and hotels, and the value of flexible points programs.

Additionally, they delve into the advantages of staying at Disney deluxe resorts, on-site dining, and leveraging perks like early morning entries and evening hours.

Tune in to learn how to make your dream Disney trip a reality without breaking the bank!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Affordable Disney Travel
00:55 Meet Chelsea Buck: Disney Fanatic and Points Expert
02:14 Disneyland vs. Disney World: A Tale of Two Parks
06:30 Flying to Disney: Points and Miles Strategies
13:53 Using Points for Disney Hotels
33:11 Disney Vacation Club: A Deep Dive
38:20 Exploring Disney Resort Stays
39:25 Maximizing DVC Points
40:12 Renting DVC Points: A Beginner's Guide
41:38 Alternative Ways to Rent DVC Points
43:24 Understanding DVC Point Costs
44:47 Saving Money on Disney Food
49:28 Using Points and Miles for DVC Rentals
50:45 Popular DVC Resorts
56:18 Money-Saving Tips for Disney Trips
01:03:07 Disney Chase Visa and Other Cards
01:05:09 Rapid Fire Disney Questions
01:10:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Episode Resources:

Traveling Franklins blog post: 10 Ways to Save Money on Disney Hotels

Connect with Chelsea and Disney Point Gals on Instagram and their website.

Support the show

Full episodes, including video, are available on Youtube.

Check out more from Genni:

Show Support for the Podcast: Check out my Credit Card Links (no cost to you) or Buy Me A Coffee (or Burrito iykyk)

Lazy Budget Travel Tips - From Attorney to Travel Expert: Jen Ruiz on Maximizing Points for Affordable Travel

Transcript

Interview with Jen Ruiz – Finding Affordable Travel & Maximizing Points and Miles
===
[00:00:00]
Welcome back to the Lazy Budget Travel Tips podcast I'm your host Genni Franklin from the Traveling Franklin's blog and today we're talking about Scoring ridiculously cheap flights and making travel more affordable without sacrificing experiences Joining me today is Jen Ruiz an attorney turn travel expert who set out to take 12 trips and 12 months while working full-time and ended