Twenty-eight-year-old Sam Huang has more than a million air miles – and he knows how to use them.
Born in Pasadena, he didn’t start to travel until 2008 – and it wasn’t until he graduated university that he learned how to collect miles.
As the owner of a company that helps businesses monetise their websites, he racked up miles quickly – and gained media attention when he took a $60,000 (£44,228) around-the-world trip on Emirates first class for $300 (£221).
Now, he has over 31,000 followers on Instagram, where he shares images of his travels.
He also runs the blog TopMiles, on which he reviews and documents his flights and hotel stays, and teaches readers about how to use air miles.
Scroll down for a look at how Huang built his luxury lifestyle flying first class for next to nothing.
This is 28-year-old Sam Huang, the man who has mastered using air miles to fly first class and stay in some of the world's most luxurious hotels.
http://instagr.am/p/BTej9E6Fq3p
He made headlines in 2016 when took a $60,000 (£44,228) around-the-world trip on Emirates first class for $300 (£221).
Business Insider wrote about his trip here, and you can watch his video below:
He now runs blog TopMiles, where he reviews and documents his flights and hotel stays, and teaches readers about how to use air miles. He also has over 31,000 followers on Instagram.
http://instagr.am/p/BBr_91GNYkI
Born in Pasadena, Huang told Business Insider that his first true solo travel experience was in 2008 when he went to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics using cash he "saved from an online venture." "I have been hooked ever since!" he said.
http://instagr.am/p/42HScBtYgZ
While backpacking through Europe, he met a guy who was flying around the world for free using credit card points. "I didn't really give it much thought at the time," he said.
http://instagr.am/p/7iieh7tYma
However, after graduating college he started to research miles online. "The rest is history," he said. His currently total point balance is "well over 1 million."
http://instagr.am/p/0-nm39tYjd
He currently lives in Asia — "primarily in Taipei," which he says is the best place for street food.
http://instagr.am/p/2vv0LotYoi
With and without his miles, he's done some pretty incredible stuff. He's flown on a Gulfstream private jet...
http://instagr.am/p/BXgGzX-Fixn
...boasted about the double-windowed bathroom in Cathay Pacific first class...
http://instagr.am/p/BLJM_XIBH2I
...(after enjoying the airline's first class Hong Kong lounge)...
http://instagr.am/p/_F8rnNNYrU
...indulged in the Thai Airways first class lounge spa...
http://instagr.am/p/BEJPcCAtYrF
...tended the bar in business class on Qatar Airways...
http://instagr.am/p/BAth0IONYhH
...chilled in the LAX first class lounge on the same day as Snap CEO Evan Spiegl...
http://instagr.am/p/BOM44AQhwvX
...enjoyed all-you-can-drink Krug Champagne in business class on Eva Air...
http://instagr.am/p/BHClLgtBMDg
...and spent some time chilling in the Malaysia Airlines first class lounge.
http://instagr.am/p/BBS2tBetYuB
However, Huang said nothing compares to flying Etihad Residence — a $23,000 (£16,954) flight in one of the airline's onboard three-room apartments which he got for $104 (£77).
http://instagr.am/p/BDkzOmytYtt
The Residence includes the first private room with a full sized double bed. He said the apartment stretches across half the width of an A380 plane. Read about his experience here.
Flying around-the-world trip in first class on Emirates is another of his greatest miles achievements. He called the experience "true Arabian decadence."
http://instagr.am/p/9WZfVetYny
Read about his experience here.
This is the shower.
http://instagr.am/p/9fZu5uNYkw
He also spent a pretty sweet Christmas Eve in a first class suite on Singapore Airlines — a $16,000 (£11,794) flight that cost him $480 (£354).
http://instagr.am/p/BNZmTlFBt1l
Read more about it here.
It started with a trip to what he called the "world's most exclusive first class lounge," The Private Room at Changi Airport in Singapore.
http://instagr.am/p/BOCzQJdh_Jo
"Hands down the most elegant dining room of any airport lounge I've been to," he said.
http://instagr.am/p/9sFil_tYjt
On board, he enjoyed the special Christmas entrée of roasted turkey with stuffing.
http://instagr.am/p/_sUEcntYiA
He's enjoyed some pretty great food on board Singapore Airlines, such as this "first class ribeye"...
http://instagr.am/p/BNt4PVShk9l
...And lobster and Champagne. He says the airline is the only one to serve both.
http://instagr.am/p/9h8uYJNYgp
Despite all of this, his favourite airline is one you've probably never heard of — Garuda Indonesia. Only in first class, of course, where highlights include skipping immigration at the airport, having two ground escorts, a shoe-to-slipper service, and an onboard chef.
http://instagr.am/p/BVpihv-lb7a
"They really pamper you like a king, with VIP service starting the moment you are picked up in a Mercedes at your hotel," he said. A $7,000 (£5,160) flight, he got it for $76 (£56).
Flight aren't the only things he gets with his miles. He also stays in some pretty luxury ($1,000 or £737+ per night) hotels with no payment required, like the Park Hyatt Maldives. He recommends the Maldives for a honeymoon.
http://instagr.am/p/BDqUPZrtYhE
Or the Park Hyatt Shanghai.
http://instagr.am/p/BJ-hYU4BQWU
Or the Hyatt Regency, Paris. He may have had to pay for some of them, though.
http://instagr.am/p/BT9KUMGlDh0
One of his favourite places to travel is Venice, which he said is great "to get lost in."
http://instagr.am/p/BGcH2cWtYuO
He also loves Tokyo for "culture shock." Here is is rowing in cherry blossoms with his dad.
http://instagr.am/p/BSlV20ilVpD
The travel is all well and good, but he does have another job — he runs an online business which specialises in "maximising website monetisation."
http://instagr.am/p/BQIfel9hz8y
He calls his business his "bread and butter," and says he starts every day responding to emails and getting things done before moving onto his travel side-gig.
Next, he'll meet with the TopMiles Development team, working on the site's content and database that shows users which airlines and credit cards are the best fit for them.
http://instagr.am/p/3oi82btYkl
"My spare time is nothing too interesting — I'm usually planning for my next big trip on miles, hitting the gym, and your general day to day tasks," he told Business Insider.
http://instagr.am/p/BU9fgvwFXHH
"I do work every day, but when you love your job it doesn't really feel like work."
http://instagr.am/p/BRa6qmPlB-N
And as far as where he'd like to go next? "I would love to be able to go to Antarctica," he said. "Alas there's no way to get there using points!"
http://instagr.am/p/BPP5bYgB_3o
