The Points Guy: Airlines Make More Money Selling Miles Than Flying Planes

The Points Guy: Airlines Make More Money Selling Miles Than Flying Planes

#880: Neal and Toby chat with The Points Guy (real name: Brian Kelly) about the latest trends in travel, points, and the airline industry. We learn about how Brian created The Points Guy and what he’s learned over the years, and why travel points aren’t dying – they’re evolving. Then why Spirit Airlines ultimately failed and how airlines make more money through their loyalty program vs. airfares. Finally, tourists aren’t really to blame for overtourism…is it the government’s?? Get 10% off using MORNINGBREW10 at altrarunning.com/morningbrew [http://altrarunning.com/morningbrew] Check out The Points Guy Summer Travel Hub 2026: https://thepointsguy.com/lp/s/summer-travel/ [https://thepointsguy.com/lp/s/summer-travel/] Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd [https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd] Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note]  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow]https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Stocks Have Their Best Quarter Since 2020 & ‘Supergirl’ is a Super Flop

#879: It’s the first day of the second half of 2026, which means it’s time to wrap up the first half of the markets! A new study shows heavy AI adopters are actually expanding their workforce. DC Studios’ Supergirl flops at the box office – is this a worrying sign for the reboot plan? Then a special Wednesday edition of Neal’s Numbers (cause we’re off Thursday) on a new ‘hot girl’ accessory, Biscoff is booming, and old content is still tried and true among movie watchers.  Get 10% off using MORNINGBREW10 at altrarunning.com/morningbrew [http://altrarunning.com/morningbrew]  Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd [https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd] Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note]  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow]https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Comcast Dumps NBCUniversal & SCOTUS Protects Fed’s Independence…For Now

#878: The Supreme Court blocks Trump’s attempt to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook but upholds its other firings. Comcast is splitting off NBCUniversal into its own company in another media shakeup. World Cup fever has everybody sporting soccer jerseys – true football fans or not. The hacky sack is cool again, and some are being sold for as much as $23. Finally, Alphabet joins the Dow Jones Index for the first time Learn more at https://www.schwab.com/oninvesting [https://www.schwab.com/oninvesting]  Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd [https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd] Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note]  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow]https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Chinese AI Model Closes Gap on US & African Teams Surprise at the World Cup

#877: Chinese AI models are beginning to catch up to Anthropic and OpenAI, threatening America’s top spot in the AI game. NASA races to save a telescope that is falling back down to Earth. Nine out of 10 African teams have advanced in the World Cup. The fall of Spirit Airlines has caused a travel boom for the bus industry. Finally, what you need to know in the week ahead.  Learn more at https://www.schwab.com/oninvesting [https://www.schwab.com/oninvesting] Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd [https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd] Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note]  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow]https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Did Google Predict Venezuela Earthquakes Before it Happened? & GTA VI’s Launch Plan Irks Gaming Purists

#876: Two powerful earthquakes devastated Venezuela and there are reports that Google alerted millions before it happened. Apple is taking some heat after it raised prices on its products due to the memory chip supply crunch. Oil prices have fallen down to pre-war levels. Grand Theft Auto VI has a release date, but some fans are irked by a digital-only release. Finally, is Taylor Swift having her wedding at Madison Square Garden? To learn more visit https://www.servicenow.com [https://www.sage.com/morningbrew] Grab tickets to our Performance Revue show! https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd [https://www.morningbrew.com/events/brew-performance-revue-2026?utm_campaign=performance_revue_2026&utm_source=mbd] Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note]  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here:⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow]https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]