Jestan Mendame

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Location
Jacksonville, Florida
School
University of the Philippines
Expertise
Asian destinations, Points and miles, Travel hacks
  • Jestan caught the travel bug in 2018, when he started exploring Southeast Asia as a solo DIY traveler, chasing cheap flights, staying in hostels, and hunting for cheap local eats.
  • While hiking in Taiwan, he nearly got lost in a rainstorm with nothing but an empty backpack, a soaked map, and a dying phone.
  • Still allergic to paying full price, he now plans trips with his wife using points, miles, and credit card benefits to save on flights and hotel stays while spending less out of pocket.

Experience

Jestan is from the Philippines and started out as a digital nomad, writing about destinations, hotels, and restaurants he visited. What began as a way to finance his adventures eventually led to a career in travel journalism. Now based in the U.S. with his family, he continues to hunt for deals on flights, hotels, and dining using points and miles. He enjoys maximizing credit card benefits and sharing his insights on his personal blog. He has worked for several travel media sites, including Points Panda, Deals Points, and Upgraded Points, covering aviation, award travel, and loyalty programs.

Education

Jestan holds a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of the Philippines.

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