About
Departure Digest is your five-minute, audio-first morning travel check-in. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we cut through the noise to bring you the airline updates, hotel news, and points strategies that actually matter.
What we cover
First class experience. Coach budget.
We break down what’s worth booking and how to avoid the expensive mistakes airlines and hotels hope you make. Clear enough for beginners, sharp enough for pros — all delivered before your coffee gets cold.
Who we are
A free, audio-first publication.
Built by industry veterans who've spent years inside the travel and loyalty world, earning and redeeming millions of points and miles, and sharing insights with outlets like The New York Times, CNN, and The Points Guy.
We're fueled by a team of travel experts who have — quite literally — been there, done that.
Our experts have been featured by
OUR TEAM
Meet the founders
Benji Stawski
Benji is an NYC-based travel and personal finance expert who has flown more than 500,000 miles and brings over a decade of experience shaping editorial content for some of the biggest names in digital media.
Eliza Schuman
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Our process: Efficiency is in our DNA. Whether we're optimizing a flight booking or using AI to assist our audio narration, we move fast without sacrificing quality. Every script is written by human experts and every strategy is tested by real travelers.
Our mission is simple.
Make your trips smoother, your redemptions smarter, and your mornings a little more fun — even when you’re juggling a carry-on and a coffee.
Welcome aboard! 🫶
Ask Departure Digest
Have a travel or points question? Submit it here and it may be featured in a future episode.
Get in touch
Questions, tips, or media inquiries? Email us!
General: [email protected]
Partnerships: [email protected]
Where to follow us
See the places we talk about. Follow us on social for reviews, behind-the-scenes looks, and the travel aesthetic your feed is missing.
What is Departure Digest?
Departure Digest is a 5-minute travel voice memo that filters out marketing fluff to give you the travel news that actually matters. We cover airline updates, hotel news, points strategies, and money-saving secrets designed to help you upgrade your travel lifestyle.
Where can I listen to Departure Digest?
You can stream Departure Digest on your favorite podcast app, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or directly here on our website. For the easiest routine, subscribe to our newsletter to get the audio delivered straight to your inbox.
Is Departure Digest free?
Yes, Departure Digest is 100% free. We are reader-supported, so the best way to say "thanks" is to grab some merch or use the links on our site when planning your next trip.
How do I get started with points and miles?
Head over to our , where we strip away the technical jargon and tell you exactly which cards to prioritize. We focus on simple, high-value strategies that help you earn free flights without needing a spreadsheet to track them.
Who writes and records the updates?
Departure Digest is created by travel industry insiders who have earned and redeemed millions of miles. Our team includes alumni from places like The Points Guy, CNBC, and CNN. We are real travelers sharing honest assessments of what is worth booking and what to skip.
How is Departure Digest different from other travel blogs?
We value your time, so we pivoted from long-form articles to concise, "audio-first" updates that respect your busy schedule. We skip the clickbait and 2,000-word reviews to give you the answer in five minutes or less.
