$200,000 for 40 Hotel Stays: The Wildest Travel Promotion Ever

$200,000 for 40 Hotel Stays: The Wildest Travel Promotion Ever

February 18, 2026 · 51 min · Season 2 · Episode 9

About this episode

This episode discusses a bold hotel promotion and the complexities of air travel disruptions.

This week on Landings and Layovers , we cover everything from government-mandated flight chaos to one of the boldest hotel promotions ever attempted. Marty breaks down the recent air traffic control disruptions, what travelers are actually entitled to when flights get canceled, and how airline agreements affect your rerouting options. Then we're joined by Sten Christiansen, an attorney by day, elite-status traveler by night, who spent roughly $35,000 flying around the world to stay at 40 different hotel brands in one summer … and won a $200,000 prize in the process. From ordering 25 cheeseburgers to hit minimum spend requirements to flying nine hours for a single hotel night, this is a masterclass in loyalty strategy, risk tolerance, and pure travel insanity. We also wrap with this week's Fare of the Week (DFW & major US cities to Riyadh under $900 roundtrip) and our Acronym of the Week: ATCSCC.

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