American Airlines’ Betrayal vs. The Perfect European River Cruise

Have you ever dreamed of floating down the Danube, exploring medieval towns and world-class cities from the comfort of a luxury ship? In this episode of No Tourists Allowed, we pull back the curtain on the complete European river cruise experience, giving you a firsthand account of what it's truly like to travel from Budapest to Vienna. We're also tackling major travel news as American Airlines sparks outrage by changing its loyalty program, and we’re revealing an insider tool that will completely change how you book flights with points. Is a river cruise right for you, and is American devaluing its most loyal customers? Let’s dive in.

Join hosts and travel industry veterans Mike Putman and James Ferrara as they share their latest adventures and insights. James has just returned from an incredible AmaWaterways cruise along the Danube River and provides a full review of the journey. He details the intimate, upscale atmosphere of the small ship, the all-inclusive shore excursions in historic ports, and the incredible regional food both on and off the vessel. From the stunning architecture of Budapest to the musical history of Vienna and a side trip to Salzburg, you'll learn exactly why this is one of the best ways to see Europe. This segment offers a deep dive into the river cruise lifestyle and a direct comparison of AmaWaterways vs Viking, helping you decide which line fits your travel style.

But that's not all. The hosts also discuss a quick business trip to Georgia, sharing their top picks for the best restaurants Savannah has to offer. Hear their authentic reviews of the historic 18th-century mansion restaurant, The Pink House, and the chic Art Deco supper club, The Grey, located in a restored 1930s bus station. In travel news, we break down the controversial decision by American Airlines to stop awarding points on certain fares, exploring the impact of the American Airlines Basic Economy loyalty points change and what it means for frequent flyers. And for our travel hack of the episode, Mike reveals Seats.Aero, a powerful award travel search tool that makes it easy to find amazing deals on business and first-class flights using your points. We’ll show you how to find award travel deals you never thought possible. Finally, stick around as we discuss the recovery of Jamaica's tourism after the recent hurricane and announce the lucky winner of our luxury Alaska cruise giveaway with Princess Cruises!

Introduction and Podcast Teasers

Mike Putman: American Airlines came out this week with an announcement that they are not going to provide loyalty points for people who purchase Basic Economy, which has sent a lot of people into an uproar.

Mike Putman: I ran into this site called Seats.Aero. It is a really cool feature for those people who, like myself, have banked millions of American Express points and frequent flyer points.

James Ferrara: We have got a luxury cruise for two to one of the great experiences of cruising: the great land, the last frontier, Alaska.

Mike Putman: Today is the day that we are going to draw a lucky winner. Good day, everyone. I'm Mike Putman.

James Ferrara: And I'm James Ferrara. Welcome to No Tourists Allowed. Mike, we have been slackers, but we could be forgiven because we've been on the road a lot in 2025.

Mike Putman: Experiencing the product, as I like to call it.

James Ferrara: Yeah. We put a lot of podcasts in the can, so we were able to release some while we were traveling, but it's been tough to get together in the fourth quarter.

James Ferrara: I'm very glad to be back with you here at the start of the year. One of our New Year's resolutions is that we're going to try to be with you at No Tourists Allowed even more in 2026.

Mike Putman: Or more consistently. Not more overall, but we've had a couple of gaps. It's just the way it goes when you're in the travel business.

Mike Putman: There are cycles where there are lots of conventions and meetings. They always seem to come in boxes of four or five weeks where I see myself traveling.

James Ferrara: We're going to talk with everyone today about a couple of trips and real-life experiences we've had as travelers. We're going to talk about some industry news shaking up the travel industry and some insider tips and hacks, typical of a No Tourists Allowed episode.

Industry Recognition and Awards

Mike Putman: Absolutely. I also wanted to share that my company, Custom Travel Solutions, won a Magellan Award. These awards are given to organizations that excel at certain facets of the travel business.

Mike Putman: It's done by an organization called Travel Weekly, which is our industry rag. These are really coveted awards. Custom Travel Solutions won as the world's best private label travel club provider for 2025. And I know InteleTravel won as well.

James Ferrara: We did. Several of my companies won. We actually have four Magellan Awards this year across the portfolio.

James Ferrara: We received two for InteleTravel and two for Hickory Global Partners regarding technology innovation and engagement programs with travel advisors. We are very proud to be recognized for that.

Executive Planning and Dining in Savannah

Mike Putman: That's awesome. We are fresh back from a trip last week. We had an executive off-site planning in Savannah. My travel has been blotchy lately, meaning I haven't been gone for any extended periods.

James Ferrara: But you make up for it in the summer when you go golfing.

Mike Putman: This month is going to be hazardous. I think I'm going to Florida on three separate occasions in January, along with Germany and Madrid.

Mike Putman: We had a great experience in Savannah for a planning session with a few other executives. It was bone-chilling cold and the wind was blowing, which is unusual. It didn't make for many outdoor activities, but we did get to go to a couple of nice restaurants.

James Ferrara: It was the opposite of what we talk about at No Tourists Allowed in some ways, but it's good to give the negative example. We had three days and two nights in Savannah with a heavy business schedule.

James Ferrara: We were basically sequestered in a conference room during the day. But in the evenings, with research from Mike, we found two excellent dinners that gave us a glimpse of Savannah.

James Ferrara: It’s a wonderful, atmospheric place. The hotel itself was a great experience, too. There are beautiful areas of town, great restaurants, lots of shopping, and wonderful history. I wish we could have spent more time there.

Mike Putman: I spoke to some friends who frequent Savannah and did a little research. We were staying in the river district, which is the central downtown area.

Mike Putman: We stayed at The Alida, which is a Marriott Tribute property. It was very nice. The rooms were great, it had a nice restaurant on site, and a reasonable bar. It is in a great location right across the street from the JW Marriott.

James Ferrara: It had funky decor styled like a stylized ski chalet in the lobby. There was a cute little store and a rooftop bar.

James Ferrara: My favorite detail was that you could order a Crosley turntable and pick from their library of vinyl records. I picked Aretha Franklin's soul hits. Having the vinyl brought up to play in your room was a hip detail.

Mike Putman: There was a record player in my room, but I didn't turn it on. I don't think I've used a record player in 40 years.

Mike Putman: I picked out a couple of restaurants with Southern flair to showcase true Southern cooking to my Northern fellow executives. The first place we went was The Olde Pink House. It was the star for me.

James Ferrara: It's the only 18th-century mansion in Savannah.

Mike Putman: It is 16,000 square feet with many different rooms, all very tastefully decorated. It feels like you're walking into a home with gatherings in each room.

Mike Putman: I was taken aback by the extensive menu for a restaurant that size. The food was excellent and the service was really good. That was one of the best dinners I've had this fall.

James Ferrara: I agree. It was a very welcoming place. The management and the servers were all friendly and attentive.

James Ferrara: The rooms had fireplaces, chandeliers, and historic portraits. It was very sumptuous and felt like eating in someone's mansion. It turned out to be enormous and a great experience.

Mike Putman: The next night, we went to the top-rated restaurant, though I would personally put The Olde Pink House at the top.

Mike Putman: We went to The Grey, which is a converted Greyhound bus station that has been tastefully redecorated. We had a very nice meal there as well.

James Ferrara: The bus station is from the 1930s with beautiful Art Deco architecture. These guys brought it back to life and discovered those original details.

James Ferrara: It has a cool vibe that feels like a supper club. It serves beautiful new Southern cuisine. I enjoyed it, but I preferred The Olde Pink House even more.

James Ferrara: There was actually a Christmas market along the river across the street from the hotel. Another New Year's resolution I have is to force myself to get out more. On arrival day, we were tired, but we pushed ourselves to walk the riverfront.

James Ferrara: We found a famous cookie store and bought a bunch of everything. I felt good about pushing myself out of the hotel for that serendipitous experience.

River Cruising in Central Europe

Mike Putman: A couple of weeks earlier, I think you were on a river cruise in Europe.

James Ferrara: I took a river cruise from Budapest to Vienna and beyond into Germany. I was on AMA River Cruises.

James Ferrara: Mike has talked about them before because he did a Christmastime cruise. We caught the first couple of days of some of the Christmas markets in Austria and Germany. It was spectacular.

James Ferrara: AMA is very upscale, warm, and friendly. These river cruise ships are small, so it's an intimate experience with only about 140 people on board.

James Ferrara: There is one big dining room and one salon. You're off the ship as much as you're on it because you're pulling into these medieval towns right along the river every day. You can go back and forth several times during a stay.

Mike Putman: There are no long queues getting on and off. There are no passport requirements.

James Ferrara: There's no tender ship; you're just walking down the gangway right into the middle of everything because these towns grew up around the rivers.

James Ferrara: I found Hungary fascinating. As Americans, I don't think we get a lot of exposure to that culture and history. It's complicated but very European.

James Ferrara: It has been influenced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, Napoleon, and the Soviets. The people have been through a lot. The architecture along this whole trip was incredible.

James Ferrara: In Vienna, we went to the concert hall that used to be owned by the Strauss family and saw beautiful waltz music performed in the original location. In Austria, I did a day trip to Salzburg where The Sound of Music was filmed and visited the birthplace of Mozart.

James Ferrara: The food everywhere was great. My taste runs toward this kind of cuisine. We were there for the beginning of goose season, so I had some terrific goose and all of the sausages and schnitzels.

James Ferrara: The cruise line did a great job of bringing regional food onto the ship. I got off the ship to eat authentic local food whenever I could, but the meals on the ship were just as good.

Mike Putman: Before I went on a river cruise, it seemed so foreign. I had a neutral picture of what it would be like, but it turned out to be one of my favorite trips.

Mike Putman: AMA is a world-class product. The intimate setting with fewer passengers and being so close to everything in port is special. I know with AMA, the shore excursions are included.

James Ferrara: That's a big difference between river cruising and ocean cruising. They all include shore excursions, which can be walking tours or coach tours.

James Ferrara: I went on every one I could. They helped me really see and experience the area, though some people just walk off the ship and wander around.

Mike Putman: I did both. I'm not usually one for shore excursions because I feel confined, but I went on one in every port. Some ports we did two.

Mike Putman: Afterward, I would walk around and try to discover things. If our listeners get a chance to go to that part of Europe and want to see a lot of the landscape, I highly recommend it.

James Ferrara: I fell in love with this type of travel. It is relaxing and intimate. People sometimes think it's only for the elderly, but that isn't true.

James Ferrara: Every shore excursion had options for gentle, regular, or active paces. On the active end, you would see the same things but by bike or hiking.

James Ferrara: They even brought in local entertainment at different ports of call. One group would get on, and the next day they'd get off and someone else would join.

James Ferrara: AMA even has pools on the top deck with swim-up bars. I was on the Amalia, and it was a fascinating experience. It makes me want to go back for a land trip and spend more time in those locations.

Mike Putman: They call Paris the "City of Lights," but there is nothing like being in Budapest when the sun goes down. The colors you see, especially in the winter, are spectacular.

James Ferrara: It is lit up beautifully. We ended it all with an Oktoberfest celebration under a tent with oompah bands and lots of pretzels.

Mike Putman: If you look at the commercial standpoint, there has been an explosion of new ship builds. If you took today's number of ships compared to fifteen years ago, there are probably 70% or 80% more now.

James Ferrara: The category killer is Viking, which has a tremendous number of ships. But AMA is a different approach. Viking is very dependable; you know exactly what the room will look like, similar to a Marriott.

James Ferrara: Besides this trip, I've been in Portugal, Ireland, and beyond. I continue to find that Irish hard apple cider is the gold standard.

Mike Putman: You've one-upped me on a drinking thing.

Hurricane Recovery and Caribbean Tourism

James Ferrara: We also had a big trip scheduled to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but it was canceled the day before we were supposed to leave.

James Ferrara: Because the hurricane in Jamaica displaced so many people, resorts in St. Vincent and other islands had to house staff and guests temporarily. It felt like the right reason to have an event canceled—to take care of people who need it.

Mike Putman: I was looking forward to it because I've never been to St. Vincent, but I understood the reason. It felt good in a way to give up your spot for someone who needs it more.

James Ferrara: We raised some money for Jamaica. My company did a matching program and a campaign to help.

James Ferrara: The hurricane was devastating to parts like the Black River area and Montego Bay. Our attorney in Jamaica lost his office, and everyone in the office lost the roofs on their houses.

Mike Putman: I read a report yesterday that visitors are back. They aren't fully open—the Hyatts said they'll stay closed until late 2026—but they are beating projections for passenger arrivals. That's great news because that economy depends on tourism for 70% to 80% of its income.

James Ferrara: It's important to remember that most of Jamaica was not affected in that way. Those resorts are open.

James Ferrara: Support the economy there when they need us. Don't write off the whole island because that only makes things worse.

American Airlines Loyalty Changes

Mike Putman: Switching gears, I want to talk about some recent news regarding American Airlines. I have been a loyal supporter with top-tier status for 18 of the last 19 years.

Mike Putman: They announced this week that they will not provide loyalty points for people who purchase Basic Economy. This has sent a lot of people into an uproar, especially those who have been loyal through thick and thin.

Mike Putman: It affects business travelers who might buy Basic Economy for family travel. You won't earn points for free tickets or the loyalty points that move you up the elite status ecosystem.

Mike Putman: American said they still give you a free drink and cookies, but that hasn't calmed the uproar.

James Ferrara: I do like those Biscoff cookies.

Mike Putman: American has consistently done a poor job of measuring the impact of their announcements. If they felt this was driving their business, I understand it, but there is likely a more effective way of doing it.

Mike Putman: United and Delta had record-breaking years in profit, while American just slumped in with a little bit of profit. It’s a testament to how they run things.

New Year Travel Resolutions

James Ferrara: Do you have any resolutions for this year, Mike?

Mike Putman: I'm not a resolution guy. I live my life the way I want and I don't think about rewinding.

Mike Putman: Are there things I need to change? Yes. But I'm not going to set myself up for failure by saying I'll run five miles every day. I know in my heart I won't do it.

James Ferrara: My resolution every year is to go to the gym and lose 30 pounds.

Mike Putman: With modern medicine, you can lose 30 pounds without leaving your chair. You just might not want to eat as much popcorn.

James Ferrara: When it comes to travel, I have goals. In June, I'm going to South Africa for a safari and a Cape Town visit. That's a big bucket list item.

James Ferrara: I'm going to Poland later this year, and Dubai is on the schedule because we are opening an office there. My resolution is to get to places I haven't been and do it in a meaningful, thoughtful way. I want to have real, authentic experiences and understand new cultures.

Mike Putman: If you change the way you travel, you'll be much more rewarded. Don't go to McDonald's. Get out of the hotel, even if it's an all-inclusive.

Mike Putman: Try different foods and be adventurous. I remember you once said that sometimes you try to get lost in a city. I tried that in Porto and saw things I wouldn't have otherwise seen.

Maximizing Award Travel with Seats.Aero

Mike Putman: I also wanted to share the site Seats.Aero. The website is awesome for doing broad-based searches to spend frequent flyer points.

Mike Putman: If you want to fly business class to Europe and don't care where you land, you can search "USA to Europe." It brings back results you can sort from the lowest to highest cost in points. It’s a great tool for people who have banked millions of points.

James Ferrara: I'm a point hoarder because my job involves so much travel. I amass incredible numbers of points and then I don't use them. That would be very helpful.

Mike Putman: I'm the same way. I rarely use them, maybe saving them for retirement. But for personal travel, it’s nice to fly business class without it being so expensive.

Alaska Cruise Giveaway Winner

James Ferrara: Great tip. Mike, we have some big news, right?

Mike Putman: We want to bring our producer, Nathaniel, on because we've been telling you about our giveaway. Today is the day we draw a lucky winner.

James Ferrara: We are giving away a luxury cruise for two to Alaska with Princess Cruises. It’s a seven-day Inside Passage cruise in a balcony cabin for 2026. Nathaniel, use your randomizer and tell us who the lucky winner is.

Nathaniel DeSantis: Drum roll, please. The winner is Carolyn Shallow. Congratulations, Carolyn! I will be emailing you directly with the details to connect you with Mike and James.

James Ferrara: Congratulations, Carolyn! That cruise is worth at least $5,000 or $6,000.

Mike Putman: All you have to do is get yourself there. Your meals and entertainment are included. Just bring some money for tips and drinks.

Nathaniel DeSantis: I have done this cruise twice. I recommend the helicopter to a glacier if you can swing it. It is incredible.

Nathaniel DeSantis: You land on the glacier and drink the water right off of it. It’s the best water I’ve ever tasted. My sister and dad were too chicken for that, so they did the dog sleds and said that was incredible, too.

James Ferrara: We must say those are Nathaniel's personal opinions, as No Tourists Allowed wants no liability for the helicopter! But there is so much to see, including Gold Rush history in the ports.

Mike Putman: Congratulations, Carolyn. To our listeners who didn't win, stick with us. We have more sweepstakes and great guests scheduled for 2026. Thanks for listening, and we look forward to seeing you on the road.

James Ferrara: Thank you for being here with us at No Tourists Allowed. Thank you, everybody.