There is something fun about visiting a city you already know with someone who has never been there before. I had been to Paris several times, but this was my sister’s first visit, so we really only had one goal for our two days: give her a good taste of Paris without trying to cram […]

In the points and miles world, you’ll often hear about the same hotels again and again. But there are always more properties worth putting on the radar. In this episode, the Squad shares hotels they are excited about that fall outside their usual go-to recommendations. They talk through what caught their attention, from boutique stays […]

Switzerland is one of those destinations that somehow manages to exceed expectations. The mountain villages are impossibly scenic, the trains run like clockwork, and even the smallest towns feel polished and postcard-worthy. Unfortunately, Switzerland is also one of the most expensive countries in Europe. That’s exactly why points and miles can be such a game-changer […]

Well, well, well—look who finally discovered the internet. As of October 15, 2026, World of Hyatt members can finally transfer points to each other online. No more downloading PDFs, chasing down signatures, or emailing paperwork into the void. Previously, sharing Hyatt points required both members to complete and sign a point-combining form, email it to […]

Here is Demita’s reader success story all about her family’s trip to Greece:   My name is Demita, and I’m a mom to two girls. I recently took my family to Paris and Greece!  It was the most complex points trip I’ve planned.  I opened my first Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card 13 years ago, but […]

Southwest is really leaning into the spooky season spirit, and its latest Companion Pass changes are giving travelers plenty to scream about. Starting in 2027, Southwest is changing how travelers earn its popular Companion Pass, and some of the biggest changes aren’t exactly flattering. Credit card welcome bonuses are getting the boot, and earning unlimited […]

Air Canada Aeroplan may be the loyalty program of a Canadian airline, but you definitely don’t need to live in Canada—or even fly Air Canada regularly—to get value from it. Aeroplan is one of the most useful airline programs for U.S. travelers thanks to its huge array of airline partners, several major transferable rewards currencies, […]

United Airlines is making some big changes to how travelers earn elite status in 2027. But bigger isn’t always better. While the airline is simplifying the qualification process, earning those coveted Premier perks could actually get harder. Beginning January 1, 2027, United is eliminating Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs) as a way to earn elite status. […]

The points-and-miles world is full of opinions about getting the absolute maximum value from every single point. And while that advice can be helpful, sometimes you just have to block out the noise, ignore the spreadsheets, and book the trip anyway. Even if it is not the most optimal redemption on paper. The entire point […]

From fabulous weather to delicious food to gorgeous beaches, San Diego has a lot to offer your traveling family. You can use your points to get flights and hotels to San Diego and save your travel budget to splurge at the zoo!  In this series of posts, we show you how to get to a […]

Which credit cards are actually getting the most use in the Points Talk Squad’s wallets right now? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share the five cards they are using most often when they are not working toward a minimum spend on a new card. They talk about how everyday spending, bonus categories, travel […]

The Avianca Lifemiles program has taken some serious hits over the past few years. Several rounds of devaluations have made many Star Alliance partner awards we loved more expensive, and some of the program’s best sweet spots aren’t nearly as sweet anymore. But that doesn’t mean you should write off Lifemiles. Avianca’s own flights can […]

Scott sent us this reader success story!   Thank you so much for the opportunity to share—and for all the knowledge you’ve shared with us through your podcast. My wife and I are huge fans and loyal listeners! My wife and I are both educators, and like many teachers, we’ve spent years pouring everything into […]

It looks like the Hyatt transfer devaluation bandwagon has room for one more. Hot on the heels of Chase cutting the World of Hyatt transfer rate on several Ultimate Rewards cards, Bilt is making a similar move. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Bilt will reduce its World of Hyatt transfer ratio from 1:1 to 4:3. That means […]

One of the easiest ways to get more value from your Hilton credit cards is by actually using the credits that come with them. These aren’t the flashy welcome bonuses everyone talks about, but they can quietly save you hundreds of dollars every year. I am currently staying at a timeshare we exchanged into: the […]

As a true millennial, I thoroughly enjoy a good ’90s callback. Why? Because I miss the simplicity of my childhood, when the only rule was to come home when the streetlights came on. My friends and I ruled our block, riding bikes, playing sports in the street, and spending endless hours at our community pool. […]

Bank of America is finally getting a points transfer partner—and it’s a good one. Alaska Airlines announced this week that customers with eligible Bank of America cards will be able to transfer points directly to Atmos Rewards beginning in 2027. That’s doubly exciting because, unlike American Express, Chase, Citi and Capital One, Bank of America […]

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 […]

Once you’ve traveled to some of the most popular destinations with points and miles, it can be exciting to start looking beyond the usual spots. In this episode, the Points Talk Squad explores off-the-beaten-path travel and why less-visited destinations are becoming more appealing as they travel more. Alex, Pam, and Jess talk about what can […]

My home airport (Denver) is a United hub, so the cobranded United credit cards have always been a part of my points-and-miles strategy. I’ve had all of them at one time or another! Right now, there are increased welcome offers on United credit cards. Is it time for you to grab one? We’ve covered these […]

Summer always gets the most of the attention when it comes to travel, but fall might actually be my favorite time to go somewhere new.  The crowds start to thin out and destinations completely transform for a few short weeks. But while I love a good fall foliage trip as much as the next person, […]