Kyle Olsen

Kyle Olsen is the head of the travel team at CNN Underscored, where he leads editorial strategy on credit cards, travel rewards and travel products. A trusted expert in the credit card space, he manages a team of writers focused on helping readers travel smarter through strategic card choices, maximizing points and miles and packing the best gear for every trip.

He brings over a decade of experience across multiple sectors of the travel industry. Olsen launched his own travel agency as a teenager and has helped countless travelers make informed decisions about points, miles, credit cards, elite status and travel products. With deep expertise in aviation, cruises, rental cars and hotels, he played a key role during the coronavirus pandemic by brokering six- and seven-figure partnerships with over 20 hotels to provide housing for 450 displaced students while supporting the business needs of his hotels.

Fluent in Spanish, French, Indonesian and Filipino, Olsen regularly puts his language skills to use during his overseas travels. His background includes roles at The Points Guy, the U.S. House of Representatives and Lucerne Business, a division of the Swiss government. A cum laude graduate of American University, his insights appear regularly in CNN Travel, MSN, the San Francisco Chronicle and other leading outlets.

He believes in packing light, except for his ever-growing collection of airline amenity kits.