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All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

Chris Hutchins

Upgrade your life, money and travel.

  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?

    #283: Learn exactly when you might need travel insurance and when your credit cards already have you covered. Chris breaks down what travel insurance covers, how those benefits compare to the coverage built into popular credit cards, and when it makes sense to buy additional protection. Plus, what US health insurance actually covers abroad, and specialty policies worth getting for medical evacuation, scuba diving, and trips off the beaten path.

    Link to Full Show Notes: https://www.chrishutchins.com/travel-insurance


    Partner Deals

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    DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web

    Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth

    Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free

    Fabric: ⁠Affordable term life insurance for you and your family

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Credit Cards:

    • Best Cards Page 
    • ⁠June's Best Welcome Offers⁠

    Travel Insurance Providers

    • Allianz Travel Insurance

    • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection

    • Travel Guard

    • World Nomads

    • Travel Insured International

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Travel Insurance (BCBS Global Solutions)

    • Squaremouth

    Medical Evacuation & Specialty Coverage

    • Medjet

    • Global Rescue

    • AirMed

    • Covac Global

    • Redpoint Travel Protection

    • American Alpine Club

    • Divers Alert Network (DAN)

    • Garmin SAR Insurance

    Health Insurance Resources

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core

    • Kaiser Permanente International Coverage

    • Christian Healthcare Ministries

    • Medicare Plan G / Medigap (Medicare.gov)

    • LifeX Research

    ATH Podcast

    • Ep #277: The Japan ER Visit That Changed How We Travel (& Tokyo Disney) with Amy Fox

    • Ep #113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:30) What Trip Cancellation Insurance Actually Covers

    (04:41) How Trip Change and Interruption Coverage Works

    (05:40) Reimbursement Limits for Trip Delays

    (06:39) Lost and Delayed Bag Coverage Explained

    (08:01) Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation Coverage

    (09:24) Political Security and Disaster Evacuation Coverage

    (09:49) Medical and Dental Expense Limits While Abroad

    (10:11) How Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Works

    (10:27) Travel Insurance Add-Ons Worth Considering and a High-Level Recap

    (13:38) Pricing Out Real Policies for a Two-Week Europe Trip

    (17:24) Coverage You Likely Already Have vs. Unique Policies Worth Buying

    (18:18) What Counts as a Premium Credit Card?

    (18:58) How Cards Stack Up on Trip Cancellation and Interruption

    (21:32) Coverage for Award Flights Booked with Points

    (28:10) Price Drop Protection

    (28:46) Where Credit Card Trip Delay Coverage Beats Travel Insurance

    (30:05) Delayed Luggage Coverage on Premium Cards

    (31:41) Lost Bag Protection & Reimbursement Limits

    (34:02) Emergency Evacuation Benefits Included with Credit Cards

    (37:07) What Travel Accident Insurance Really Pays Out

    (39:07) When Standalone Travel Insurance Makes More Sense

    (39:31) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling Abroad

    (40:11) Rental Car Coverage and Primary vs. Secondary Insurance

    (46:12) What Credit Cards Cover Well

    (47:27) What US Health Insurance Actually Covers Abroad

    (50:54) How Health Sharing Plans Handle International Travel

    (51:43) Understanding Medicare Coverage Abroad

    (53:13) Handling Non-Emergency Medical Issues Overseas

    (56:22) Getting Evacuated to the Hospital of Your Choice

    (59:21) Specialty Coverage for Search and Rescue

    (01:00:57) Why Scuba Divers Need a Dedicated Membership

    (01:02:07) Travel Insurance Takeaways & Final Recommendations


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    17 June 2026, 9:00 am
  • 53 minutes 19 seconds
    Saving Money and Optimizing is My Kryptonite

    #282: When does optimization stop helping and start hurting? Chris shares how a string of seemingly smart decisions had him pouring hours into marginal gains that never materialized. He unpacks the hidden cost of optimization, the role AI plays in amplifying it, and how he's learning to focus on what actually moves the needle.

    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/optimizing-is-my-kryptonite/


    Partner Deals

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    Superhuman: ⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS

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    Upwork: ⁠Free job posting to find, hire, and pay top freelance talent

    Mercury: ⁠Manage, move, and grow your money

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Articles & Podcasts

    • Every
    • After Automation: Article | Podcast

    Tools & Apps

    • PointsPath (use code ALLTHEHACKS15 for 15% off Pro)
    • Autopilot (first $100 in savings free)
    • Claude
    • ChatGPT
    • Deep Personality

    Services

    • Clickables

    Events

    • Points Travel Festival

    ATH Podcast

    • #181: Making an Easy $3k/mo from Online Deals with Kai

    • #273: Stop Overthinking and Start Deciding with Derek Sivers

    • Builder Community

    • Membership

    • Best Cards Page

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:26) Why Chris Feels Like He Has Zero Free Time

    (08:18) The Cabo Flight Booking Rabbit Hole

    (10:33) Building an AI Framework for Booking Travel

    (11:11) Chasing an Extra 15% Off With a United Card

    (12:49) When Optimizing Costs More Than the Original Price

    (15:53) Why Video Is Eating So Much of the Podcast's Time

    (18:56) The Endless Pursuit of Better YouTube Thumbnails

    (25:50) Recognizing the Real Cost of Over-Optimization

    (26:32) What AI Revealed About Why Chris Over-Optimizes

    (27:51) The Psychology Behind Chasing the Best Deal

    (30:02) Is AI Making Optimization Better or Worse?

    (31:11) Buying Back Time

    (31:39) A New Philosophy for Booking Flights

    (33:30) Tools That Help You Optimize Without the Mental Overhead

    (36:29) Chris’ New Flight Booking Rules

    (37:03) Re-Optimizing Work to Create More Free Time

    (38:14) The Paper "Star" System for Catching Rabbit Holes

    (42:20) Revisiting Old Lessons

    (44:09) Using Technology to Audit How You Spend Your Time


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    10 June 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Taking My Health Into My Own Hands: Tests, Records, and What Actually Worked

    #281: Chris shares the full playbook he used to take control of his health after digging into his family historical and lab results. He breaks down which tests are actually worth your money and when each one matters. Plus, how he built a personal health AI from his own medical records to surface what doctors missed.

    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/personal-health-ai-diagnostics/.


    Partner Deals

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    Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Doctors & Medical Practices

    • PrimaryMD

    • One Medical

    • Blueberry

    • Zocdoc

    Biomarker & Blood Testing

    • Function Health

    • SuperPower

    • InsideTracker

    • InstaLab

    • Ulta Lab Tests

    • Quest Diagnostics

    • Labcorp

    Specialized Diagnostics

    • Nucleus

    • 23andMe

    • Levels

    • Prenuvo

    Health Data Aggregators & AI Tools

    • Apple Health

    • Google Health

    • Epic

    • Claude

    • ChatGPT

    • Gemini

    • PubMed

    Tech & Wearables

    • Oura Ring

    • Whoop

    ATH Podcast

    • #097: Optimizing Your Health: Diagnostic Tests, Choosing a Doctor, Sleep, Longevity, Inflammation and More with Dr. Jordan Shlain

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (00:46) Chris' Lifelong Battle with High Cholesterol

    (07:20) Switching to a More Proactive Doctor

    (09:39) Family Medical History: The Cheapest Diagnostic Tool

    (10:59) Why ApoB and Lp(a) Belong on Every Lipid Panel

    (17:04) Detecting Soft Plaque with a CT Angiogram

    (20:02) Moving Beyond Statins for Better Cholesterol Control

    (21:46) How Chris Got a $500/Month Drug Covered by Insurance

    (25:11) Branching Out to Other Health Diagnostics

    (26:15) Comparing the Major Biomarker Blood Work Services

    (32:31) What Whole Genome Sequencing Actually Tells You

    (34:36) The Real Value of Continuous Glucose Monitoring

    (36:08) Getting a Full-Body Skin Scan from a Dermatologist

    (36:32) Using a DEXA Scan to Baseline Body Composition

    (37:17) Benchmarking Fitness with a VO2 Max Test

    (37:51) The Case For (and Against) a Prenuvo Whole-Body MRI

    (39:51) Why You Still Need a Human Doctor in the Loop

    (44:02) Finding the Right Primary Care Setup for Your Budget

    (46:21) The Health Basics Worth More Than Any Fancy Test

    (48:40) Building a Personal Health AI From Your Medical Records

    (56:56) Smarter Ways to Track Your Diet with AI

    (01:01:43) Why Chris Records Every Doctor's Appointment

    (01:02:25) Final Takeaways on Modern Health Diagnostics


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 June 2026, 9:00 am
  • 50 minutes 57 seconds
    The Hidden Rules of Credit Card Approvals

    #280: Learn how to dramatically improve your odds of getting approved for the credit cards you actually want. Chris breaks down the hidden system every bank uses to evaluate applications, why your credit score matters far less than what's on your report, and the real factors driving denials, from credit-to-income ratios to recent inquiries to each issuer's internal model. He also walks through what to do before you apply, how to sequence applications across issuers, and the right moves to make after a denial.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/credit-card-approval-strategy.


    Partner Deals

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    LMNT: ⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Credit Cards

    • The Atmos™ Rewards Visa Summit Card

    • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

    • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

    • Capital One Venture X Business

    • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

    • Capital One Spark Cash Plus

    Tools & Resources

    • Doctor of Credit

    • MyFICO Forums

    • LexisNexis

    Articles

    • Complete Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank

    ATH Podcast

    • #221: Deep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact

    • #228: Deep Dive on Citi Credit Cards and ThankYou Points (Best 2-Card Combo)

    • #236: Deep Dive on Amex Credit Cards and Membership Rewards Points

    • #242: Deep Dive on Capital One Credit Cards and Miles (+ Why I Love Them)

    • #247:Deep Dive on Bank of America Credit Cards (Up to 5.25% Cash Back)

    • Best Cards Page

    • AMA: Submit A Question

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (03:50) Why Chris Lets His Cards Report High Balances

    (05:06) When Your Credit Score Actually Matters

    (05:53) Why Business Cards Stay Off Your Credit Report

    (06:39) What Actually Counts as a Business

    (10:55) How Your Credit-to-Income Ratio Drives Approvals

    (14:48) What Your Payment History Reveals

    (15:08) Why Recent Inquiries Can Sink Your Application

    (17:44) The Chase 5/24 Rule Explained

    (18:44) The Hidden Internal Models Banks Use

    (19:18) Diagnosing a Listener's Surprise 820-Score Denial

    (24:56) What to Check Before You Hit Submit

    (25:55) Sequencing Business Card Applications for Approval

    (28:05) The Best Personal Card Offers Right Now

    (28:50) Why a Checking Account Can Boost Your Odds

    (30:10) Using Frozen Credit Bureaus to Your Advantage

    (32:37) Tag-Teaming Applications With a Partner

    (33:32) Why Last-Minute Fixes Don't Work

    (34:32) Using Pre-Qualification Tools to Avoid Hard Pulls

    (34:49) Cutting Unnecessary Credit to Get Approved

    (35:27) What Actually Happens After a Denial

    (40:54) When It Makes Sense to Close a Card

    (44:26) The Hidden Value of Card-Linked Offers

    (46:15) Every Major Bank's Application Rules

    (48:45) The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    27 May 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    How Long-Term Investors Actually Think About Risk with Ben Carlson

    #279: Learn to handle market volatility and build long-term wealth in a world dominated by AI disruption, market fear, inflation concerns, and nonstop financial noise. Chris and Ben discuss why investing remains psychologically difficult, how to think about global diversification, when to reevaluate your portfolio, and the risks most investors still overlook.


    Ben Carlson is the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management and the author of five books on investing, including his newest, Risk and Reward. He's the creator of the blog A Wealth of Common Sense and co-host of the Animal Spirits podcast.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/risk-market-volatility-ben-carlson


    Partner Deals

    Thrive Market: ⁠30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift

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    Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Ben Carlson: Website | X

    • Book: Risk and Reward

    • Podcast: Animal Spirits

    A Longer Life Can Lead to Financial Concerns, and More Questions

    The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko

    Roger Federer's 2024 Dartmouth Commencement Address

    ATH Podcast

    • #128: The Psychology of Money with Morgan Housel

    • #174: Secrets of Success in Life and Work with Legendary Silicon Valley Investor Andy Rachleff

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (00:49) Why Investing Is Still So Hard for Most People

    (01:37) How Today's Media Makes Markets Feel Scarier Than Ever

    (02:51) The Core Idea Behind Ben’s New Book

    (05:10) What Japan's Lost Three Decades Teach Long-Term Investors

    (08:50) Why You Need Exposure Beyond Your Home Market

    (10:18) Will AI Reshape Global Markets or Just U.S. Stocks?

    (14:01) Could a Dot-Com-Style Crash Happen Today?

    (15:57) Why AI Could Still Trigger the Next Bubble

    (17:57) Focus on What You Can Control, Not What You Can't

    (19:16) The Worst-Case Inflation Scenario of the 1970s

    (21:47) How to Think About Inflation in Today's Economy

    (23:36) The Inflation Hedges Most People Already Have

    (26:58) How to Filter the Noise and Stay Long-Term

    (33:31) The Penalty Kick Study and Why We Hate Doing Nothing

    (35:08) When It's Actually Time to Reevaluate Your Plan

    (36:49) Planning Your Career and Money for an AI Future

    (43:33) Why Optimism Is a Long-Term Investing Edge

    (47:25) The Tax Alpha Most Investors Are Missing

    (50:05) Applying These Lessons Closer to Retirement

    (51:53) The Risks Most Investors Forget to Plan For

    (56:50) The First Move to Rethink Your Risk Profile Tonight

    (59:42) Where to Find Ben and His New Book


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    20 May 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    The AI Tools I'm Building to Replace My Spreadsheets with Anish Acharya

    #278: Is AI making it possible for the average person to live a fully optimized life? Chris and Anish swap notes on how custom AI tools are replacing years of spreadsheets, and reshaping the way we work, learn, create, and relate to each other. They dig into why Chris has abandoned OpenClaw, the architecture mistakes almost everyone is making, and what happens when the subsidies on all these tools eventually go away.


    Anish Acharya is a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where he leads consumer and AI-native investing.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/ai-tools-spreadsheets-anish-acharya/


    Partner Deals

    Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent

    Green Chef: ⁠50% off your first month + 20% off for two months with code 50ALLTHEHACKS

    NetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance

    Mercury: ⁠Manage, move, and grow your money

    Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    AI tools and platforms

    • Claude

    • OpenAI Codex

    • ChatGPT

    • Gemini

    • Perplexity Computer

    • Cursor

    • OpenClaw

    Tools Chris is using in his stack

    • CardPointers

    • 1Password

    • Zapier

    • Apple Health

    • Notion

    • Dropbox

    Travel and points tools

    • Google Flights

    • Seats.aero

    • Roame

    ATH Podcast

    • #265: I Built an AI Assistant That Works While I Sleep

    • #275: The Custom Everything Era with Kevin Rose

    • Newsletter

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (02:08) How Chris Replaced His Award-Flight Spreadsheets With an Agent

    (04:20) Why Your AI Setup Should Be Platform-Agnostic

    (07:13) Why Sub-Agents Don't Actually Make Sense

    (13:29) Skills, Connectors, Projects, and Channels Explained

    (17:29) Anish on the Two Big Breakthroughs: Coding Agents and Personal Agents

    (18:29) Zero Marginal Cost of Doing Work

    (21:01) Will Knowledge Get Less Democratized in the AI Era?

    (22:17) The Four Layers of Personal AI: Knowledge, Data, Trust, and Connection

    (24:35) The Black Pill: Do Most People Have Enough Agency for This?

    (26:29) How Chris Connected His Own CardTool App to Claude

    (32:07) The Family Video Montage Built From iMessages and Photos

    (33:51) Reverse-Prompting and Breaking Tasks Into Discrete Steps

    (36:35) Is AI Making Us More Connected, or Less?

    (41:45) The Coming Flood of Bill Disputes, Appeals, and Speeding Tickets

    (44:52) Gemini, OpenAI Apps, and Claude Connectors Compared

    (47:03) The Hidden Power of Zapier's MCP Server

    (50:20) Managing Logins and Sensitive Data Without Losing Sleep

    (53:20) What's Still Not Possible With AI Today

    (56:56) The Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect Applied to AI

    (01:00:11) The Subsidies Behind Your $20 ChatGPT Plan

    (01:04:59) Evaluating the Actual Cost of AI


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 May 2026, 9:00 am
  • 51 minutes 43 seconds
    The Japan ER Visit That Changed How We Travel (& Tokyo Disney) with Amy Fox

    #277: The last morning of our Japan trip turned into a sprint to a Tokyo emergency room, and challenged what we thought we knew about traveling abroad. We break down what a Japanese ER really cost, credit card benefits most travelers don't know they have, the best places to shop in Japan right now, and how to navigate Disney Tokyo without losing your day to four-hour lines.

    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/japan-er-disney-shopping


    Partner Deals

    Copilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2

    Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth

    Fabric: ⁠Affordable term life insurance for you and your family

    DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web

    Storyworth: Share your mother's stories in a custom book (+ up to $20 off)

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Flights & Award Booking

    • Japan Airlines

    • Finnair

    • Avios

    • American Airlines

    • Award Tool

    • Seats.aero

    Hotels

    • Park Hyatt Tokyo

    • Hilton Tokyo Bay

    • Disney Ambassador Hotel

    • Airbnb

    Activities

    • teamLab

    • KidZania

    • Tokyo Disneyland

    • Tokyo DisneySea

    Luggage & Transportation

    • Yamato Transport

    • RideSafer Travel Vest

    • Suica Card

    • Takuhaibin Delivery Services

    Technology & Planning

    • Claude

    • Claude Code

    • Codex

    • Google Maps offline

    • Google Translate

    • T-Mobile

    Shopping

    • Muji

    • Don Quijote (Donki)

    • Loft

    • Takashimaya

    • ARC5 PALM-Sized 5-Blade Electric Luxury Razor

    • Keana Rice Pack face mask

    Food & Dining

    • 7-Eleven Japan

    • FamilyMart

    • Koffee Mameya

    • Afuri Ramen

    • Rokurinsha

    • Mos Burger

    Credit Cards

    • Bank of America® Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card

    • Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    • The Platinum Card® from American Express

    ATH Podcast

    • AMA: Submit A Question

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:20) The Chaotic Last Day — and Why a Great Hotel Concierge Changes Everything

    (06:01) What Happened When We Had a Medical Emergency in Japan

    (14:05) Rethinking Which Credit Card to Use for Booking International Travel

    (17:48) Why Japan Is One of the Best Places to Shop Right Now (and What to Buy)

    (27:32) DisneySea vs. Disneyland Tokyo

    (28:34) The Disney Lines Strategy: Premier Access, Vacation Packages, and Happy Entry

    (35:25) The Popcorn Hack and Other Only-in-Japan Disney Tips

    (41:54) Trip Highlights, Honest Regrets, and How We Handle Jet Lag

    (45:01) How Letting Go of "Once-in-a-Lifetime" Made the Trip Better

    (48:26) Don't Be Afraid to Ask for What You Need

    (49:48) The One-Day Buffer That Makes Every Trip Better


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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    6 May 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Saving $30K+ on the Perfect Spring Break Japan Trip with Amy Fox

    #276: Learn how Chris and Amy booked four nonstop business class seats and a week at the Park Hyatt Tokyo almost entirely on points. They break down the strategy, key takeaways for traveling with kids, Chris' AI-powered trip planner, and more.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/50k-points-japan-trip


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    Resources Mentioned

    Flights & Award Booking

    • Japan Airlines

    • Finnair

    • Avios

    • American Airlines

    • Award Tool

    • Seats.aero

    Hotels

    • Park Hyatt Tokyo

    • Hilton Tokyo Bay

    • Disney Ambassador Hotel

    • Airbnb

    Activities

    • teamLab

    • KidZania

    • Tokyo Disneyland

    • Tokyo DisneySea

    Luggage & Transportation

    • Yamato Transport

    • RideSafer Travel Vest

    • Suica Card

    • Takuhaibin Delivery Services

    Technology & Planning

    • Claude

    • Claude Code

    • Codex

    • Google Maps offline

    • Google Translate

    • T-Mobile

    Credit Cards

    • Bank of America® Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card

    • Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    • The Platinum Card® from American Express

    Shopping

    • Muji

    • Don Quijote (Donki)

    • Loft

    • Takashimaya

    • ARC5 PALM-Sized 5-Blade Electric Luxury Razor

    • Keana Rice Pack face mask

    Food & Dining

    • 7-Eleven Japan

    • FamilyMart

    • Koffee Mameya

    • Afuri Ramen

    • Rokurinsha

    • Mos Burger

    ATH Podcast

    • AMA: Submit A Question

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:59) Why Booking Business Class to Japan a Year Out Actually Works

    (16:46) What Our Hyatt Points Are Worth Now — and After the Upcoming Devaluation

    (20:37)  Why We Stayed in Tokyo the Entire Trip (and Why We're Glad We Did)

    (25:43) Why TeamLab Should Be on Every Asia Itinerary

    (26:46) How to Save on Phone Data Abroad and the Rookie Mistake to Avoid

    (27:31) How We Used AI to Build a Real-Time Trip Guide Before We Even Landed

    (35:58) Japan Airlines Business Class Review

    (38:56) Inside the Freshly Renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo

    (45:37) Is the Park Hyatt Tokyo's Location Actually a Problem?

    (51:03) Did the Cherry Blossoms Live Up to the Hype?

    (53:57) Why Japan's Bathrooms, Vending Machines, and Convenience Stores Are a Revelation

    (56:09) Cash, Cards, and Transit: How to Pay Your Way Through Japan

    (57:45) What We Learned About Traveling Tokyo with Kids

    (59:19) Why Food in Japan Is Just Better (Even at 7-Eleven)

    (01:00:51) KidZania Tokyo: The Best Kid Experience You've Never Heard Of

    (01:05:26) Why Japan's Bag-Forwarding Service Is a Game Changer for Families


    Connect with Chris

    Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn

     

    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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    29 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    The Custom Everything Era with Kevin Rose

    #275: Chris and Kevin dig into how they're actually using AI tools in their daily lives right now. They explore real-world AI use cases, the tradeoffs of sharing personal data, the collapse of trust online, and what all of this means for jobs, creativity, and human connection.


    Kevin Rose is the host of Diggnation and a partner at True Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm that has invested over $4 billion in a portfolio of over 400+ founders. Kevin previously founded Zero and Oak, and was a partner at Google Ventures.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/using-ai-tools-today-kevin-rose


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    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Kevin Rose: Diggnation | Newsletter

    AI Tools & Platforms

    • Claude

    • OpenClaw

    • ChatGPT

    • Google Gemini

    • ElevenLabs

    • Vercel

    Japan Travel

    • Craig Mod's Blog

    • Park Hyatt Tokyo

    • KidZania Tokyo

    Articles & Pop Culture

    • Leica and Content Authenticity Initiative

    • All-In Podcast episode with Travis Kalanick

    • The Pitt

    • Joker Greeting

    ATH Podcast

    • Newsletter

    • Gift Card Site

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (01:07) Are We Actually Saving Time with AI—or Just Wasting It Faster?

    (10:03) The Real Risks of Sharing Your Data with AI Tools

    (21:18) Why It’s Never Been Easier to Build and Create

    (28:12) Has AI Content Already Gone Too Far?

    (37:37) How AI Is Reshaping Human Interaction

    (40:43) The Growing Need to Verify What’s Real

    (46:33) Investing in a World Being Disrupted by AI

    (51:44) Where Jobs Are Headed in the AI Era

    (55:02) What Happens to Art When Anyone Can Create?

    (56:47) Tips for Planning a Trip to Japan


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


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    22 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 42 minutes 25 seconds
    The Surprising History of Points and Miles

    #274: Chris walks through the complete history of points and miles and breaks down the $140 billion machine behind them, so you can get more out of every point you earn. He covers the legal accidents that made credit cards wildly profitable, why loyalty programs are worth more than the airlines, the psychology behind why you keep hoarding points, and more. 


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/history-of-points-and-miles


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    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Movie:  The Man From The Diners Club

    Book: Mileage Maniac by Steve Belkin

    Video: How Airlines Quietly Became Banks

    Articles

    • Credit-card cash reshapes US airline loyalty — and profit by Reuters

    • Interview with Matty Simmons by The Saturday Evening Post

    • Who Pays For Your Rewards? Redistribution in the Credit Card Market by Agarwal, Presbitero, Silva, and Wix

    ATH Podcast

    • Best Cards Page

    • AMA: Submit A Question

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (00:53) The Very Beginning of Points & Miles

    (04:07) How Credit Cards Came to Exist

    (08:24) The Legal Accident that Made Credit Cards Profitable

    (15:50) The History of Rewards

    (19:06) The Story of Air Pass

    (23:20) The First Airline Co-branded Credit Cards

    (25:21) How the Credit Card System Works Between Different Banks

    (29:38) How the Airline Rewards System Works

    (35:32) Airline Rewards Grade Devaluations

    (37:31) Examples of Rare Airline Reward Point Opportunities

    (39:33) The Endowed Progress Effect

    (40:38) The Goal Gradient Effect and Chasing Airline Rewards

    (41:09) The Sunk Cost Fallacy

    (41:47) The Separate Mental Accounts Effect

    (42:46) Quick Summary of the History of Miles & Points


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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    15 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 58 minutes
    Stop Overthinking and Start Deciding with Derek Sivers

    #273: Learn to stop overthinking and make better decisions. Chris and Derek discuss how optimizing can go wrong, a coin flip trick for making decisions, journaling as a superpower, how your actions might reveal what you actually want, and more.


    Derek Sivers is an entrepreneur, writer, and self-proclaimed "slow thinker" best known for founding CD Baby, which he sold for $22M and gave the proceeds to charity. He’s since dedicated his life to creating, learning, and writing books like Hell Yeah or No.


    Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/derek-sivers-stop-overthinking-make-better-decisions


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    Copilot Money: ⁠Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2

    For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals


    Resources Mentioned

    Derek Sivers: Website | X

    • Book: Hell Yeah or No: what's worth doing

    • Articles: My Heroes | Actions, Not Words, Reveal Our Real Values | Parenting: Who Is It Really For? | Travel Is Best With Young Children | Relax for the Same Result | How To Ask Your Mentors For Help

    Books Mentioned: The Paradox of Choice | Brain Rules for Baby

    New Zealand Recommendation: Staglands Wildlife Reserve

    ATH Podcast

    • AMA: Submit A Question

    • Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

    • Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]


    Full Show Notes

    (00:00) Introduction

    (02:39) Turning Intentions Into Reality

    (07:34) Reflecting On What You Want And Why

    (13:39) Methods For Decision-Making

    (16:23) Learning To Pause, Reflect, And Push Back Through Journaling

    (31:01) Making Decisions When There Are Too Many Options

    (37:15) Coin Toss: Noticing Your Feelings While The Coin Is In The Air

    (39:52) Paradox Of Choice: Satisfice Not Maximize

    (50:30) Theory Vs. Practice

    (58:53) Decision-Making Based On Personal Goals And Aspirations

    (01:03:14) Actions Reveal Values

    (01:08:30) The Power of Saying No

    (01:18:18) Parenting Perspective

    (01:22:31) Traveling With Children

    (01:31:53) Adjusting Expectations

    (01:41:07) Relax for The Same Result

    (01:49:42) Derek Sivers’ New Zealand Recommendations


    Connect with Chris

    ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠


    Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    8 April 2026, 9:00 am
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