Sam Zia
Founder & CEO, Travel Smarter Consulting
Luxury Travel
Points Optimization
Boutique Travel Agency
Credit Card Rewards
Entrepreneur
Washington, D.C. United States (District of Columbia)
Professional Status
Employed
Available
About Me
Sam Zia is the founder of Travel Smarter Consulting, a Washington, D.C.-based boutique firm specializing in luxury travel planning and credit card rewards strategy. He founded TSC at 18 and studied History and Politics at Jesus College, Oxford, where he co-founded Oxford Speaks, a speaker society that grew to more than 2,000 members. During the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, he coordinated emergency travel for at-risk individuals at no charge. His clients include Capitol Hill offices, Silicon Valley firms, and NGOs.
Founder & CEO
Travel Smarter Consulting
Since 2020
- Boutique luxury travel firm serving Capitol Hill offices, Silicon Valley companies, and NGOs. Specializing in credit card rewards optimization, business and first-class flight booking, and custom itinerary design across Africa, Argentina, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka. Built on a flexibility-first philosophy: clients earn transferable bank points rather than locking into a single airline program. All engagements are bespoke with no standardized packages. Free initial consultations; no contracts required.
In August 2021, coordinated emergency evacuation travel for at-risk individuals during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, routing evacuees through third countries under strict connection limits, at no cost.
Co-Founder
Oxford Speaks
2021
to 2023
- Co-founded Oxford Speaks at Jesus College, University of Oxford — a speaker society that grew to over 2,000 members. Organized and hosted events featuring world leaders and public figures, including former heads of government and senior policymakers. Developed a reputation for in-depth research and incisive questioning that distinguished Oxford Speaks from other university speaker societies.
- Luxury Travel Planning
- Credit Card Rewards Optimization
- Points Strategy
- Business Travel Consulting
- Airline Product Knowledge
