We are all still collectively mourning the changes World of Hyatt is making to their award chart starting May 1st, 2026. If you have been following us for a while, you know we are Hyatt girls through and through. For years, we have been saving all our precious Chase Ultimate Rewards® specifically for Hyatt redemptions. […]

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 […]

American Airlines is rolling out a new boarding process at its Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hub, and it could change how you board your next flight. The airline has begun testing electronic boarding gates. Instead of handing your boarding pass to an agent, passengers scan their own passes before entering the jet bridge. Think of it […]

Several airline loyalty programs use Avios as their rewards currency, but not all Avios programs work the same way. One of the most useful of these programs is Iberia Club, the loyalty program of Spain’s flag carrier, Iberia. The program—formerly known as Iberia Plus—was recently rebranded as Iberia Club as part of a broader refresh […]

When a credit card welcome offer is high, that’s basically the bank saying, “Here, take the free points and miles now.” If you’re already spending on groceries, bills, or a trip, taking advantage of a welcome offer can turn those normal purchases into a pile of points. It’s one of the easiest wins in the […]

Megan shared her ten-day trip to Japan as our latest reader success story. Here it is:   In April of 2025, my family of four (me, my husband, and two kids—ages 6 and 8 at the time) successfully executed our first major miles and points redemption. We traveled to Japan and spent a total of […]

If a beachy adventure to Mexico is on your travel wish list, you can use your points and miles to make it happen!  For those based in the Eastern or Central U.S., Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen are easily accessible and offer gorgeous beaches perfect for snorkeling, other water sports, or simply relaxing with […]

When people start getting serious about credit—whether to qualify for travel rewards credit cards or simply protect their finances—they often hear about credit freezes. A credit freeze is one of the strongest tools available to prevent identity theft. It stops lenders from accessing your credit report, which makes it much harder for someone to open […]

Capital One is giving its small-business card lineup a facelift, rebranding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business and Capital One Spark Miles Select cards as the Capital One Venture Business and Capital One VentureOne Business, respectively.  If those new names sound familiar, that’s the point. The update brings Capital One’s business cards more in […]

American Express is making another round of changes to benefits for the American Express Platinum Card®—and this time, it’s a mix of added flexibility and some paper cuts. One change adds value, while the others are small and somehow still noticeably painful. This latest round of updates expands flight discounts, including eligible domestic economy fares. […]

Remember when mom used to say, “If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you?” It turns out airlines absolutely would—especially when it comes to raising fees. Just days after United and JetBlue bumped up their checked bag prices, Delta, Southwest, and American have followed right behind. And when airlines all jump, it’s travelers who […]

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 […]

So if you’ve tried using the $10 DoorDash credit from a Chase Sapphire card lately, you’ve probably noticed a change: a lot of the pickup spots now have a $20 minimum. That basically killed the old moves that I loved of grabbing free snacks and calling it a day. I was used to getting a […]

We love that you can earn valuable and flexible points with Citibank.  Citi ThankYou® Points may not always get the same hype as other programs, but they quietly pack a serious punch when it comes to booking luxury hotels and incredible flights The earning potential is strong, and the real magic comes from Citi’s airline […]

Tiffany sent us her reader success story about using points and miles to stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Here is her story: My best travel on points to date…. In April 2025, my husband and I stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for five nights, all on points. We used […]

United Airlines isn’t slowing down when it comes to changes, and this latest round hits both ends of the cabin. Just days after boosting earning rates and perks for co-branded cardholders, United is now increasing checked baggage fees while also shifting toward “unbundled” premium fares.   Bag Fees Are Climbing Yet Again First, there’s the […]

One currency to connect them all, one currency to bind them—and through a network of airline programs, make award travel far more flexible than most frequent flyer miles…. In the world of airline rewards, that currency is Avios. Originally created by British Airways, Avios now powers the loyalty programs of several airlines, including British Airways, […]

We get a ton of questions about what luggage we use, and we always say the Away brand. Each of us is literally obsessed with these bags, and I see tons of them in airports, so we aren’t the only ones. People like  Away luggage because it makes something as boring as a suitcase feel […]

My love for Kimpton Hotels is no fluke! After my recent stay at the Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento, which left me disappointed, I am happy to say that the Kimpton Marlowe in Boston renewed my faith. From the moment I walked in the door and smelled the Kimpton Signature Scent (which I’ve since ordered for my home), I […]

We love our Marriott Bonvoy credit cards because most of them come with an annual free-night award each year on your cardmember anniversary. A couple even sometimes come with free-night awards as part of the welcome offer! The card_name comes with a free-night award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one night […]

Amsterdam is one of those rare cities that is both historic and modern. It’s not defined by a single landmark, but by the atmosphere, beauty, and lifestyle you experience everywhere you go.  The canal system is unlike anywhere else in the world, and the city’s walkability, along with its famous bike culture, makes it a […]