Sigh. I have started another Park Hyatt love affair. Here is my Park Hyatt Bangkok review—for an all-too-short stay of just one night that I would love to repeat. Park Hyatt Bangkok is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district, next to the upscale Central Embassy Mall. It is […]

Here is a truly glamorous example of a credit card points-and-miles redemption: a reader success story to the Maldives and Dubai! Rachel’s redemption is certainly aspirational.   Rachel’s Story on Earning Credit Card Points and Miles My husband and I just returned from a two-week dream trip to the Maldives and Dubai. This was my […]

Big changes are coming to Southwest Airlines® this year, and we know you’ll want the scoop on how it’s going to impact your next family adventure. No more “bags fly free” is one change that almost feels sacrilegious, but there are other changes coming to Southwest Airlines®, too! 🥲    Baggage Policy is Changing Southwest’s […]

Let’s be real—luxury travel isn’t just about five-star service and plush robes. It’s about stepping into a world that feels tailor-made for you, where every moment is crafted to perfection. You can now unlock some of the most incredible stays worldwide with your Hilton points, thanks to their partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the […]

This week’s episode is a little different—and a lot of fun. Jess, Pam, and Alex are joined by Traci for a special game of Would You Rather!? – Points Talk Edition. Traci challenges the squad with a lineup of delightfully diabolical travel questions designed to reveal where they really stand when it comes to their […]

If you’ve ever looked at a $1,200 plane ticket and thought, “Yeah . . . maybe next year,” welcome to the club. Travel isn’t cheap, but having a stockpile of credit card points and miles  can change that completely. It’s not just about saving money (though, let’s be honest, that part is pretty incredible). It’s […]

From the moment we pulled up to the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana, I knew we were in for something special. It is tucked away on a quiet stretch of beach about 45 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. We were warmly greeted with cool towels, a yummy drink, and the vibe? Pure relaxation. If you’re […]

I love Air France and KLM for getting to Europe on points and miles! One reason is the Flying Blue Promo Rewards that come out on the first day of every month. Check out my post detailing the four reasons I love Air France. These are such good deals, so I will update this post […]

Megan sends in her reader success story about a trip to NYC with two IHG status perks. Here’s her story: InterContinental Ambassador Status Last year, I bought the InterContinental Ambassador status after learning about it from this blog post. I enjoyed the perks on a trip to New York City and will likely renew it. […]

Many readers want to know more about airline transfer bonuses because these can really help your miles go further. A transfer bonus is when you transfer points from a flexible currency like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, or Citi ThankYou® Points to a travel partner, and you receive a […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, May is bringing the heat with some of the best welcome offers we’ve seen in a while. Whether you want to earn free hotel stays or rack up airline miles, these elevated offers are worth a closer look. Some deals are only available briefly, so now is […]

In this episode, Jess takes us step-by-step through her family’s spring break trip to Japan—a points and miles masterpiece that cost just $200 total out of pocket for four round-trip flights and multiple hotel stays. From first class flights to washer/dryers in hotel rooms, this trip had it all. Whether you’re dreaming of cherry blossoms, […]

Whatever part of the world you’re traveling to, Hyatt has an aspirational hotel that can be as memorable as your destination. While these stays could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if paid in cash, you can book them with our favorite points—Hyatt points! While they will cost more points than your average hotel, with […]

Sometimes a first redemption is easier if you aren’t going too far from home. Starting out nearby can help someone get confidence in moving forward! Here is Lori’s reader success story to The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont.   Lori’s Points Adventure to Vermont Our first ever redemption was amazing!  We live in […]

Whether looking for a chic European city hotel, a beach retreat in the Maldives, or a rejuvenating visit to a Japanese spa, IHG points can help you find the aspirational hotel stay of your dreams.  Here are seven aspirational IHG properties to book on points. IHG—the hotel group behind Kimpton (a brand I love), InterContinental, […]

At some point in your travel journey, you’ve probably been stuck at the airport with a delayed or canceled flight, wondering if or how you’d ever get your money back. The good news? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rolled out new rules in 2024 that finally hold airlines accountable in these frustrating situations. Here […]

Have you ever been at checkout, ready to earn some serious points, only to realize later that you used the wrong credit card and left bonus points on the table? Or even worse, have you ever found out after the fact that you had an American Express or Chase offer that could have saved you […]

I recently returned to the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa, but this time around with another daughter. This time, Alex came with me! Even though I’ve reviewed this hotel before, I wanted to talk about new insights, cover different rooms, and tell you what it was like visiting when the resort was at max […]

In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they’re breaking down […]

Credit card points and miles are not only for flying to destinations—road trips are also a great way to use points for hotel stays. In this post, Brooke primarily road-tripped most of her trip in her reader success story: a Southwest road trip! Here’s her story:   Southwest Road Trip We spent nine days and […]

All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean  While we love using our points for hotel stays and flights, it’s even better if those points can pay for your meals, drinks, and snacks on vacation, too! If the Caribbean is on your bucket list, you can book many all-inclusive resorts with various types of points in different locations […]