Inspiring Conversations with Julia Menez of Geobreeze Travel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Menez. 

Hi Julia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
These days, I’m traveling to multiple new countries each year using points and miles, teaching clients how to travel for free, and hosting a points strategy podcast where I interview travelers from all walks of life about their points and miles strategies… all while working full-time as an actuarial consultant. 

I originally heard about award travel from different FIRE (financial independence retire early) blogs, and quickly became obsessed with the idea of getting to travel for free by using credit cards in a smarter way. However, as I looked around for ways to level up my game, I realized two things:

1. the best way to level up was to connect 1-1 (or in small groups) with other award travelers, and

2. there was a real lack of diversity in the award travel community and among featured points and miles thought leaders. 

Playing the game of getting luxury travel for next to no cost is one of my favorite things in the world. However, it can be discouraging trying to find people who you identify with who are also into points and miles. This is especially true if you are just starting out and are overwhelmed with all of the award charts and credit card offers, or worse, received a mean response on a forum making fun of you for not already knowing all of the intricacies of award travel when you tried to ask a simple question. 

So, I started points strategy coaching and launched the Geobreeze Travel podcast because 

1. I’m just lonely sometimes, and I know some other award travelers out there are looking for someone to talk to too 

2. To help people who have been afraid to ask questions quickly level up their game without feeling overwhelmed, confused, or judged

3. To spread points and miles to communities not normally represented when we talk about who gets to travel for free. Everyone should get to talk about getting to travel for free.

Since starting the podcast a little more than a year ago, we have nearly 70k plays and a growing diverse community of award travelers! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the main struggles with growing Geobreeze Travel has been what level of expertise to provide in my free content on Instagram and on the podcast. Everyone is looking to skip straight to the advanced points bookings to get free international first-class around the world flights, but also get confused if they do not have a solid foundation for how points and miles work. 

I’ve taken the approach of providing more beginner information on my Instagram @geobreezetravel and more advanced content on the podcast. 

Additionally, it’s always a challenge finding more guests who want to talk about points and miles. If you have an award travel trip that you would like to share, please reach out! 

As you know, we’re big fans of Geobreeze Travel. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Julia Menez is a points strategy coach, speaker, and host of the Geobreeze Travel Podcast. 

After traveling to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars each year with points, miles, and credit card rewards, Julia distills the strategies from top award travelers around the world in her Geobreeze Travel podcast and prepares personalized points and miles plans for her private coaching clients. 

Through her podcast, Julia features a diverse roster of guests with experiences that are traditionally underrepresented in larger points and miles blogs and media. Her episodes often highlight travel hacking women, immigrants, or people of color. 

Julia has been a speaker for FinCon, a course instructor for Frequent Traveler University, and quoted in publications such as creditcards.com, Money Magazine, Fodor’s Travel, and Business Insider. Her podcast was nominated in the 2021 Plutus Awards for “Best New Personal Finance Podcast”, and she has hosted points workshops for thousands of registered guests across numerous platforms. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Check out the free content for how to get started with traveling on points and miles on my Instagram @geobreezetravel and on the Geobreeze Travel podcast. 

Additionally, if you would like to get free hotel upgrades, download my free hotel upgrade email template at www.geobreezetravel.com/download-gifts. I’ve used this email template to save more than $1000 at a stay at the Grand Wailea in Maui, a Waldorf Astoria resort. 

If you are looking for more personalized help, we offer group coaching each month on www.geobreezetravel.com/hangouts and also limited one-on-one coaching at www.geobreezetravel.com/calendly. 

And lastly, whenever you apply for a credit card, please never apply through Google or those promos that banks mail you. Shop around for better offers and use a friend or content creator’s referral or affiliate links to help them earn points or commissions! If you’d like to use my links, you can find them at www.geobreezetravel.com/cards 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.geobreezetravel.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel