The Great Indian Points and Miles Show Podcast By Aadil Bandukwala cover art

The Great Indian Points and Miles Show

The Great Indian Points and Miles Show

By: Aadil Bandukwala
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Unlock the secret to seeing the world without breaking the bank! The Great Indian Points & Miles Show dives into real-world hacks for turning credit card rewards, airmiles, and loyalty programs into unforgettable adventures. From free flights to luxury hotel stays, we break it all down with practical tips, jaw-dropping success stories, and strategies that work for anyone. Whether you're dreaming of your first free trip or leveling up your travel game, this is your ticket to wanderlust without the wallet pain!Aadil Bandukwala Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Bangalore’s Best Cafés, Brews & Bakes: Coffee Crawl with The Great Indian Points & Miles Show Crew
    Jul 4 2025

    Welcome to a brand new flavor drop from The Great Indian Points & Miles Show—say hello to The Great Indian Yum Yum Show 🍩 ☕We cooked this up thanks to a flood of DMs, comments, and caffeine-fueled requests from you, our incredible community.In this first-ever Yum Yum episode, Aadil is joined by his co-hosts Dhimant, Ameya, and a special guest Vivek (aka the espresso whisperer) for a no-nonsense, all-fun, full-flavor café crawl across Bangalore—the OG coffee capital of India.What’s inside?✅ The sexiest flat whites in town ☕✅ Cold brews that slap harder than your Monday blues 🧊✅ Cafés with vibes, soul, and maybe even Wi-Fi 😅✅ Dessert bombs you can’t afford to gatekeep 🍰✅ Yum Yum Awards for best cafés by vibe, value, working spot, patisserie, and most overrated spot 😏Whether you’re a coffee snob, dessert lover, remote worker hunting good Wi-Fi + caffeine combos, or just someone planning your next Bengaluru brunch—this episode has your back.🆕 This series is a fun experiment—if you love it and want more café, food, and travel chats, drop a comment below telling us where we should go next: Delhi? Goa? Paris?📍 Featured spots include: Maverick & Farmer, Lavonne, Humblebean, Subko, Theobroma, Amintiri, Lazy Suzy, Happy Belly Bakes and some seriously underrated gems.🎧 You can also tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast platform. ☕️ Don’t just collect points. Burn them. And maybe sip a good pour-over while you’re at it.Timestamps:00:00 - Welcome to The Great Indian Yum Yum Show 🍰 ☕03:00 - Meet the Crew: Aadil, Dhimant, Ameya & Vivek06:00 - Bangalore’s Café Scene: From Filter Coffee to Flat Whites07:00 - Dhimant's Early Coffee Café Experiences10:00 - Ameya’s Micro-Trends in Bangalore Cafés14:00 - Coffee Economics 101 with Vivek17:00 - Subko Café Special: Pistachio Cookie & Haleem Puff Pastry20:00 - The Journey of a Coffee Enthusiast: Coffee vs. Audiophiles26:00 - Understanding Coffee: Espresso vs. Pour-over Explained30:00 - Top Cafés for Remote Work in Bangalore32:00 - Vada Pav Debate: Bangalore Edition35:30 - Indiranagar’s Best Cafés & Hidden Gems36:00 - Maverick & Farmer’s Burgers & Cold Brews40:30 - Lavonne’s Brunch & Desserts42:00 - Humblebean’s Signature Coffees & Granola Bowls45:00 - Cafés of Jayanagar & JP Nagar: Drip & Drop, Coffee & Talk52:30 - Lazy Suzy’s Hot Chocolate vs. Smoor53:30 - Desserts Worth the Calories: Happy Belly Bakes & Mason du Brownie56:00 - Most Overrated Cafés in Bangalore59:00 - South Bangalore Cafés: Recommendations & Picks1:02:00 - Central Bangalore Cafés & Top Picks1:11:00 - Amintiri’s Epic Cakes and Desserts1:19:00 - Old School Cafés: Matteo, OG Café Coffee Day1:22:30 - Matcha Madness: Best Spots for Matcha Lovers1:26:00 - The Yum Yum Awards 🏆 (Best Coffee, Best Vibe, Overrated & More!)

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • 🇯🇵 Japan: Ultimate Food Adventures, Flights, Hotels, Shopping & Insider Travel Tips!
    Jun 26 2025

    Dreaming of Japan? Get ready for the most comprehensive guide on how to maximize your points and miles to unlock the ultimate Japanese adventure! From choosing the right flights and hotels to savoring the best vegetarian and non-vegetarian eats, exploring hidden gems, must-do experiences, and shopping smartly, we've got you covered.


    Join our expert panel as they break down everything you need to know about making your Japan trip unforgettable.


    Highlights:

    ✈️ Best airlines and redemptions for economy and business class to Japan.

    🏨 Top accommodation picks: Marriott vs Accor, and why location matters.

    🚄 Is the JR Pass worth it? We give you the pros and cons.

    🍜 Insider tips on Japanese cuisine—must-try dishes, convenience store finds, and Michelin-level eats.

    🎢 Unique experiences: DisneySea food paradise, Mario Kart essentials, Onsen etiquette, and hidden towns.

    🛍️ Japan shopping guide: from tech gadgets and sneakers to stationary and must-buy souvenirs.


    Full of laughter, practical tips, and delicious insights—this is the episode you don't want to miss!


    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Trailer & Episode Overview

    03:05 - Context and Episode Starts

    10:25 - Why Choose JAL? Pros & Cons

    13:00 - Accommodation Tips: Marriott vs Accor

    16:55 - Is the JR Pass Worth Buying?

    19:45 - Underrated Japanese Towns & Hidden Gems

    23:30 - Tokyo Must-Dos & DisneySea Foodie Paradise

    28:00 - Top Japanese Convenience Store Picks

    31:45 - The Great Indian Yum Yum Show

    36:55 - Non-Vegetarian Must-Try Japanese Dishes

    44:34 - Tokyo Milk Factory, Deserts & More

    1:06:05 - Budgeting Food & Daily Expenses

    1:08:20 - Unique Experiences: Mario Kart, Onsens, & Tea Ceremonies

    1:16:15 - Ultimate Japan Shopping Guide

    1:28:45 - Wrap Up & Closing Remarks


    📌 Subscribe to The Great Indian Points & Miles Show for more travel hacks, points strategies, and insider guides to explore the world in style!


    #JapanTravel #PointsAndMiles #JapanFoodGuide #JapanTravelTips #TokyoDisneySea #MarioKartTokyo #JapaneseCuisine #JRPass #TokyoShopping

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Fly to Singapore, Vietnam & Dubai Using Credit Card Points | Real Redemption Stories from India ✈️💳
    Jun 24 2025

    What happens when an Indian traveller goes from budget hostels in Vietnam to scoring lounges in Singapore - all powered by credit card points?In this episode of The Great Indian Points & Miles Show, Aadil, Dhimant and Ameya chat with Srijan about real-world travel using rewards from credit cards from the India ecosystem.

    They dive into:

    🇸🇬 Singapore:✅ Why it’s the perfect playground for first-time redemptions✅ How to enjoy hawker centre food, luxury lounges, and free flights✅ Tips for flying from Indian metros to Changi without cash burn🇻🇳 Vietnam:✅ Why Vietnam is a budget-friendly, high-reward destination✅ Flight recommendations that make Vietnam super affordable✅ What not to do at popular beaches and how to spot tourist traps🇦🇪 Dubai:✅ The importance of planning ahead in dense itineraries✅ Overrated buys and underrated gems✅ A candid look at short-haul redemption decisions for Gulf destinationsPlus:✅ The emotional power of travelling with parents on points✅ Redemption mistakes (and recoveries) that every Indian traveller can learn from✅ The mindset shift from chasing business class to maximizing meaning per mile👉 Whether you’re just getting into points or planning your next big redemption, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and brutally honest travel truths.Credit Cards Discussed in the episode [Some of these are affiliate links]: Axis Magnus Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/5n6pfw6yAxis Magnus Burgundy Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/5n6pfw6yHDFC Diners Black Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/ycjhbrdeHDFC Regalia Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/ycjhbrdeHDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/ycjhbrdeICICI Sapphiro Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/5yc8bb2dICICI Amazon Pay Card Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/5yc8bb2dAU Zenith Credit Card : https://tinyurl.com/ykadacv5Timestamps:00:00:00 – Introduction: First International Trips & Travel Stories00:03:00 – Episode Starts: Scoring Your First International Vacation Using Points00:04:00 – Introducing Special Guest: Srijan Shetty & His First Credit Card (Diners Club)00:07:00 – First International Trips: Ameya, Srijan, Dhimant & Aadil Share Stories00:22:20 – Why Your First International Trip Should Be Accessible and Memorable00:23:20 – Key Criteria for Selecting Your First International Trip00:38:20 – Dubai: Why It’s a Great First Destination & Recommended Itinerary00:44:00 – Exploring Dubai: Old Dubai, JBR, Palm, and Downtown Highlights00:50:00 – Essential Dubai Travel Tips: Metro vs Taxi, Where to Stay, and More00:56:10 – Flights to Dubai: Emirates vs Indigo, How to Choose Based on Your Needs01:00:00 – Why Singapore is Ideal for Your First Points Trip01:01:00 – Flights to Singapore: Singapore Airlines, Air India & Indigo Options01:02:30 – Recommended Hotels in Singapore: Accor & Marriott Properties01:04:30 – Foodie’s Paradise: Must-try Hawker Centers, Kaya Toast, Chicken Rice01:13:10 – Best Experiences in Singapore: Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa & Night Safari01:19:00 – Important Travel Tips: Avoid Tourist Traps & Beware of the Weather01:23:00 – Recommended Redemption Strategies for Flights and Hotels01:25:30 – Why Vietnam is a Great Budget-Friendly Destination01:27:30 – Best Cities to Visit: Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City 01:28:40 – Flights to Vietnam: Singapore Airlines & Vietnam Airlines Insights01:31:20 – Recommended Hotels in Vietnam: Accor Properties & Booking Hacks01:33:00 – Ideal Vietnam Itinerary: Exploring Hanoi and Da Nang 01:36:00 – Must-try Food & Drink in Vietnam: Pho, Banh Mi & Vietnamese Coffee Guide01:43:30 – Rapid-fire with Srijan Shetty: Favorite Cards, Mistakes, Travel Hacks01:45:40 – Rapid-fire with Ameya: Card Recommendations, Budget Destinations01:47:20 – Rapid-fire with Dhimant: Best Redemptions, Travel Essentials & Hacks01:49:00 – Final Advice: Making Your First International Trip Unforgettable01:50:10 – Underrated Destinations Worth Exploring Next

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    1 hr and 56 mins
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