Overview

• The October 1 livestream launching the team challenge is published as Episode 326 with timestamps and transcript access on YouTube and podcast apps, alongside a publisher compensation disclosure.
• Greg reviewed his Malta benchmark, presented final totals, and graded it a B+, clarifying the scoring standard and why his trip is not part of the judging.
• Practical takeaways in the episode include distance‑based intra‑Europe redemptions that can favor AMS or CDG connections, an Air Serbia business‑class segment, and a stay at Hyatt Centric Malta.
• Early dynamics feature Tim’s strong start with a daytime flight to London and a large Preferred Hotels suite before a family emergency cut his trip short.
• Stephen unveiled a two‑person approach by using 100,000 points to cover flights and lodging for himself and his wife, who is handling a separate cash budget, as competitors assess their strengths.