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Points Talk® | The Best Online Shopping Portals: Stop Leaving Points on the Table

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Are you getting all the points you could when shopping online? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down how to use online shopping portals to earn more rewards, including tips for popular portals like Rakuten. They also explain how tools like Savewise can alert you to points and cashback opportunities, so you never […]

Points Talk® | Travel Insurance and What to Do When Travel Goes Wrong with Lisa Jarvis

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What happens if your flight gets canceled, your luggage disappears, or you need medical care in another country? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad is joined by Lisa Jarvis, who specializes in travel insurance, passenger rights, and travel safety. Together, they break down what travelers actually need to know about travel insurance and credit […]

Points Talk® | Points Talk Squad Takes Budapest and Istanbul

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What was it really like traveling through Budapest and Istanbul on points and miles? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad shares highlights from their latest trip, including how they booked their flights with points, the hotels they stayed at, and the experiences that surprised them most. The Squad breaks down the full travel experience, […]

Points Talk® | Bilt Rewards: Card Options, Earning on Rent & Mortgage, and Program Updates

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What if you could earn rewards on your rent or even mortgage payments? In this episode, Alex, Jess, and Pam break down everything you need to know about Bilt Rewards, including the different card options, how to earn points, and how to redeem them. They also discuss how to decide if this program is worth […]

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What if you could get elite hotel perks without elite status? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down two of the most popular luxury hotel booking programs, The Edit by Chase Travel℠ and American Express® Fine Hotels + Resorts®, to help you understand how these premium credit card benefits can unlock elevated travel […]

hilton waikoloa from a distance

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Hawaii is one of my very favorite travel destinations. It is expensive, but thanks to credit card points and miles, I have been able to return year after year for next to nothing. We’ve previously shared how to use Marriott points to stay in Hawaii as well as Hyatt points. Today, we will show you […]

Points Talk® | Oahu on Points: A Family-Friendly Hawaii Adventure

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Are you dreaming of a family trip to Hawaii? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Megan to share their experience planning a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, using points. From flights to accommodations, they break down how they made this dream vacation affordable and how you can do the same. The Squad walks […]

Points Talk® | Visiting New York City and Chicago with Kids on Points

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What’s it like to visit a big city with kids, and is it actually easier than it seems? In this episode, Alex and Jess share what it looked like to take their families to New York City and Chicago, and why these trips can be more manageable and fun than you might expect. They walk […]

Points Talk | When to Cancel, Downgrade, or Keep a Credit Card

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How do you decide whether to cancel, downgrade, or keep a credit card when the annual fee hits? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down how they think through these decisions and what actually matters when evaluating whether a card is worth keeping. The Squad walks through the key factors they consider, including […]

Points Talk | Pivoting When Your Trip Gets Canceled

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What do you do when your trip gets canceled and everything you planned suddenly falls apart? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad talks through what it actually looks like to pivot in real time when travel does not go as expected, and how to make quick decisions. The Squad shares real scenarios of trips […]

Points Talk | Using Points for Kids’ Sports, Road Trips, and Family Travel

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What if you could cover the cost of all those road trips, tournaments, and quick overnight stays without paying out of pocket? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how points and miles can be used for the kind of travel families are already doing, from kids’ sports weekends to airport stays and visiting […]

Points Talk | Making Your African Safari More Affordable with Points and Miles

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An African safari can feel completely out of reach for most families, but what if there were ways to bring that cost down using points and miles? In this episode, Jess, Megan, and Pam break down how to make a safari more affordable, from flights to lodging and everything in between. The Squad walks through […]

Beach scene with large rocks in background

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It is no surprise that we love Chase Ultimate Rewards®! We are always trying to earn more of them to book great Hyatt stays. A favorite credit card that allows us to earn Ultimate Rewards® is the Chase Freedom Flex℠. We love the Freedom Flex because of the quarterly bonus for spending in rotating categories. […]

Back of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kauai at dusk

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If you are looking to visit Hawaii with points then booking a Hyatt hotel is a great choice. Hyatt doesn’t have as many hotels in Hawaii as Marriott does, but they have some really great options! One thing I really love about Hyatt is when you book your stay with points you won’t have to […]

Westin Kaanapali Beach Resort

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Hawaii is one of the top destinations for using points and miles, and one of our very favorites. When it comes to Marriott points, there is no shortage of hotels in Hawaii to redeem them at! In this guide, we’ll show you all the many options you have for using points to book one of […]

Points Talk | How We Planned Our Family Safari in Tanzania

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What’s it like to take your family on a safari in Tanzania? In this episode, Jess and Pam are joined by Megan, who recently returned from a safari with her family. They’re breaking down their experiences, from booking flights to the safari itineraries, and sharing tips for a family-friendly adventure of a lifetime. Jess and […]

Points Talk | India, Nepal & Bhutan: Pam’s Travel Tips

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Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to visit India? In this episode, Pam shares highlights from her recent trip through India, Nepal, and Bhutan, a journey she had dreamed about for years after reading books about the region’s culture and history. From bustling cities to sacred rivers and mountain monasteries, she reflects on […]

Points Talk | Would You Rather: Family Travel Edition

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What’s your ideal family travel strategy? In today’s fun and lively episode, The Points Talk Squad plays a family edition of “Would You Rather?” with travel-themed dilemmas. Alex and Jess are joined by Traci and Megan, who each share personal experiences and strategies. Tune in to hear their answers to these tough travel choices and […]

Points Talk | Making Points and Miles Work for You!

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Can you use points and miles in a way that actually fits your life, not someone else’s highlight reel? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down the many different ways this hobby can work depending on your goals, your season of life, and what kind of traveler you are. From bougie hotel lovers […]

Points Talk | Points and Miles for Low Spenders

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Can you travel on points without spending a lot? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how low spenders can still earn and redeem points for flights, hotels, and more. They break down practical strategies for earning rewards without the need for big monthly expenses. The Squad discusses how everyday purchases like groceries, gas, […]

Points Talk | All About Citi ThankYou® Points

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Are you ready to make Citi ThankYou® Points work harder for you? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess dive into the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, sharing how recent changes have made these points more valuable than ever. They discuss how a new card and the ability to transfer points to a major airline have […]

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.