This week’s reader success story comes from Leigha, and shows how points and miles can really save the day when things go wrong! Japan was a bucket list destination for both my husband and me, and we were thrilled to share the experience with our toddler. We had everything meticulously planned—flights booked months in advance, […]

Your Hilton points can take you just about anywhere—from a dreamy beach escape in the Maldives to a luxury stay in one of Japan’s most popular cities. In this post, we’ll give you five aspirational Hilton properties to book on points or free-night certificates.  Hilton prices its hotels dynamically, making it a bit more challenging […]

There is a new kid in town. (Well, a new kid in the “Citi.”) The Citi Strata Elite℠Card is alive now for applications with an 80K Citi ThankYou® points welcome offer. But if you can go into a bank to apply in person, the in-branch offer is 100K points. Even better news is that Citi […]

We had a reader mention that she would like to hear how the we travel the world on points and miles and do so safely. I have ALWAYS felt safe, except for one Vietnam taxi story I will share below The three of us often travel without our husbands, so today, I will share some […]

Are you team carry-on only? Dragging multiple suitcases through cobblestone streets in Europe while trying to catch a train is the moment many travelers realize they’ve packed too much. The struggle of navigating airports with excessive luggage, waiting at baggage claim, and worrying about lost bags can turn what should be an exciting journey into […]

Southwest® is making sweeping changes to its lineup of personal and business credit cards, with higher annual fees, new perks, and the removal of several benefits. Some updates are already live, and more will roll out into 2026 as Southwest introduces assigned seating. We’ve put together this full guide to help you understand what’s new, […]

This past weekend, Disney hosted our family aboard the Disney Wish, and wow, what an adventure! We spent three nights aboard the ship on our sailing to the Bahamas (and three nights definitely didn’t feel like enough)! Narrowing down our favorite parts wasn’t easy, but here are the five things we’ll be talking about for […]

Amanda is a fairly new reader of ours. She followed a prior reader success story that we’d published to Moab, Utah, and replicated it! Here is her Reader Success Story to Moab: Since finding Travel Mom Squad a year ago, I  have taken three domestic trips and have the Netherlands and Denmark booked for May! […]

The Southwest Airlines® credit cards are some of my very favorites! I have gotten so much value out of the points I have earned on them. My favorite was probably taking my whole family to Maui. What makes these cards even better is that by opening a personal and business card, you can earn the […]

We have noticed a common credit card points and miles misconception among beginners.  Many people think it is about getting that perfect credit card and putting all your spending on that card. That is a great first step. But that is what it is: a first step. With that strategy, you can probably get a […]

Hello, fellow points and miles enthusiast—we see you and are here to help!  It wasn’t that long ago that we were starting our own points and miles journey, and within that first year, each of us had gone on nearly free trips. We continue to do that, and our passion is helping you, the beginner, […]

When choosing where to spend your hard-earned hotel points, the options can feel overwhelming. Each major hotel chain promises value, but the reality often falls short when you discover that dream property costs triple what you expected in points. This week, the Travel Mom Squad takes a dive deep into why one hotel program stands […]

London is a city that blends timeless charm with modern magic. From afternoon tea in a centuries-old hotel to rooftop cocktails with skyline views of the London Eye, it’s a destination that effortlessly balances tradition and trend. Thankfully, points and miles can open the door to this iconic capital without draining your savings account. We’ve […]

If a beach trip isn’t how you want to use your points and miles, that’s okay. Check out our family ski trip reader success story, which could be the best way for you to use points and miles. Remember: You do you! I wish I had the name of the reader who submitted her story, […]

It is the dream of many to fly in business-class seats “someday!” It’s often possible to find business-class award seats between North America and Europe for 70 to 80K miles and up, but what about the real deals that cost even fewer miles than that? Yep, that is possible with some of the best sweet-spot […]

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply. There are traditional ways to save on a Disney cruise—sail at off-peak times, get an inside or guaranteed […]

On a recent trip to Iceland, my family of five decided to use Reykjavik as a home base (because hotel-hopping with a family for a four-night stay wasn’t ideal). We took a couple of day trips from Reykjavik and spent one day exploring the city itself. Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre proved to be […]

 Planning a bucket-list trip to Iceland and Ireland might seem out of reach for a family of five, but what if you could score flights and hotels using mostly points and miles? Jess recently returned from this exact adventure, navigating the tricky world of Iceland flight bookings and European hotel room occupancy limits with […]

Traveling can be exhilarating, but long layovers, delayed flights, and crowded terminals can easily turn an exciting trip into a stressful experience. Fortunately, Priority Pass offers a solution with access to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide where travelers can relax, recharge, and escape the chaos. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone looking to add […]

Many of our readers are searching for a warm escape, particularly during the winter. Florida is a popular destination, and Bonita Springs, located on the southwest coast of Florida, is a great family visit. It is a charming city renowned for its stunning beaches, diverse outdoor recreational opportunities, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere. Our reader, […]

While we often recommend the card_name as a beginner-friendly first card for those seeking credit card points and miles, there is a definite time when the card_name might work best. In fact, I just applied for it after years of holding the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.      Learn How to Apply bonus_miles_full     […]