Kathryn sent us the next reader success story: adventuring in Moab. Moab is one of our readers’ favorite places to use points and miles. Here is Kathryn’s story: For my boys’ fall break (they’re ages five and eight), I knew I wanted to stay with Hyatt. At first, we tried desperately to make Costa Rica […]

I know there is a general aversion to paying an annual fee on a credit card. People tend to forget that along with annual fees come some amazing benefits, not to mention those welcome offers you earn after meeting the minimum spending requirements. (Those welcome offers are what enticed us to get the card in […]

Booking round-trip tickets to Hawaii for 20K miles might seem too good to be true, but it’s not! It can be a little trickier to book these flights than most other award flights, but if you’re up to the challenge, your effort can pay off with a lot of miles saved. Are you up for […]

In this episode, Jess and Megan walk us through their recent family getaways to two standout Hyatt properties in the American Southwest: the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale in Arizona and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in New Mexico. From flights on Southwest® using Companion Passes to family-friendly resort and cultural activities, they break down exactly how they […]

The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale just got a serious upgrade. After a $115 million renovation and rebranding, this Arizona resort is practically a brand-new hotel. I had the chance to check it out over President’s Day week with my daughters and Jess was there with her family over Easter weekend.  Funny enough, Alex was there over […]

Let’s face it—many of the best reward credit cards come with an annual fee.  While many cards hover around a manageable $95 annual fee, there’s a whole other class of “high-roller” cards with fees ranging from $325 to $695 a year. So, the real question is: are they worth it? My answer: a resounding YES—especially […]

Laura sent us her reader success story to the Big Apple: NYC! It is also one of our favorite places to use credit card points and miles! We also have a lot of NYC content on our website if you get inspired by Laura’s trip. Here is her story:   Earning and Using Points/Miles I […]

Glamping Stays You Can Book Through World of Hyatt If visiting a National Park is on your summer wish list, you can book a “glamping” (bougie camping) stay with your Hyatt points. Your family can hike in gorgeous natural settings by day and sleep under the beautiful night sky in a luxury tent. Going glamping […]

Have you ever checked into a hotel and immediately knew it wasn’t the hotel for you? I recently had this happen on a stay at the Zoëtry Mallorca. I was on a girls’ getaway with my daughter, Lindsey, and the theme of our trip was supposed to be luxury. Our stay at the Nobis Palma […]

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is a luxury eco-resort in the Arenal Volcano region of Costa Rica. It is famous for its natural hot springs, lush rainforest setting, and world-class spa. Recently, we stayed there for three nights after completing a four-night stay at the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort.   This hotel is part of the […]

In this episode, Jess, Pam, and Alex break down their recent spring break trips to Costa Rica—highlighting three unforgettable resorts, two different travel styles, and one shared love for how easy (and affordable!) this country is to explore with points and miles.  Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube   Flights on […]

A multi-generational trip to Costa Rica on points offers something for everyone, making it an ideal destination for families with different ages, interests, and activity levels. And using points means there’s more in the travel budget for amazing activities! We recently returned from a trip there with Alex’s family. Two parents, two grandparents, and four […]

If you want adventure or relaxation (or both!) in Costa Rica, Rio Perdido might be just what you’re looking for. Set within a 1,500-acre private reserve, Rio Perdido offers everything from cliffside yoga to a mile-long thermal river to a canyon adventure. Here’s how we did it on points and miles….   Getting There We […]

Natalie sent in this reader success story to Singapore and Australia. Here is her story: Flights For our big trip in August 2024, my boyfriend and I had long set our sights on visiting Singapore. We are big horse racing fans, and Singapore had announced that their famous Turf Club would cease operations in October […]

Thailand is a dream destination, offering everything from the vibrant energy of Bangkok to the tranquil beaches of Phuket and the lush jungles of Chiang Rai. But what if you could elevate your experience even further? Imagine staying in some of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels, all without stretching your budget. We’re sharing our ten best […]

One of my very first credit card points and miles redemptions was to Thailand. I have wanted to return there for years and I finally made it happen! I’ve recapped our trip, but this post specifically is a review of the Conrad Koh Samui, the first hotel we stayed at on our trip. The Conrad […]

We’re continuing my recent Thailand trip today with a review of the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui. We came here after a stay at the Conrad Koh Samui that we didn’t want to leave. How does the Ritz-Carlton compare? Nestled on 58 acres of a former coconut plantation, The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui offers a luxurious retreat overlooking […]

Thailand was one of the very first destinations I booked a trip to with credit card points when I first embarked on this whirlwind journey of nearly free travel. I fell in love with everything about the “Land of Smiles” and had been dreaming of a return visit for years. This year, that dream became […]

In this episode, Pam shares her full itinerary from her recent return to Thailand—a dream trip she’s been wanting to repeat since her very first adventure on points and miles years ago. From business-class flights on Singapore Airlines, to luxury stays at the Conrad, Ritz-Carlton, and Banyan Tree—and of course, daily massages for $12—Pam takes […]

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 […]