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 […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, October is looking great! We have a plethora of great offers to let you know about this month. 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 […]

If you have ever stared longingly at those lie-flat business seats while trudging to your middle seat in the last row of economy with your kids, snacks, and sanity barely hanging on, then this post is for you. With the right stash of points and miles and everything you learned from Award Travel Academy, you […]

After falling hard for Secrets St. Lucia (and those ocean views), we weren’t ready for the magic to end. So we took our tenth-anniversary celebration to the next level, literally, by heading into the mountains for the most unforgettable hotel experience of our lives.  Ladera isn’t just a resort. It’s a love letter to nature. […]

Many of our readers want to know if they can earn the Southwest® Companion Pass with the card_name offer that’s currently available. Yes, you can! Let’s outline the details!   Learn How to Apply bonus_miles_full   Despite the annual_fees annual fee, there are several reasons to love this card apart from the huge welcome offer! […]

Secrets® St. Lucia Review: What It’s Really Like Staying at This New Adults-Only Resort on Points I love a good plot twist—and this one came with a beach view. When I first joined Award Travel Academy, St. Lucia felt totally out of reach. Availability was scarce, and the points price tag was high enough to […]

The 90K offers on the card_name and card_name are BACK! We love these offers so much because they earn some of our very favorite types of points—Ultimate Rewards®! And the best part? Neither one has an annual fee! Think you don’t qualify for a business card? Think again and read this post.  You can earn […]

The Southwest® Companion Pass® is among the best deals in the points and miles world.  Either my husband or I have had the Southwest® Companion Pass® off and on for the last seven years. When you earn the pass, you get to fly someone with you for free (minus taxes and fees starting at $5.60) […]

How We Picked St. Lucia Every year, my husband and I take a trip together, just the two of us. It is one of my favorite traditions. We celebrate our marriage and enjoy some time away together. We’re fortunate to have a supportive family who steps in to care for our kids while we travel. […]

Hidden Gems: Underrated European Hotels Bookable With Points Europe is full of luxury hotels—places that are tucked into the hidden neighborhoods of historic cities, seaside escapes that feel like secret sanctuaries, and boutique retreats that ooze charm.  But the best is when you’re able to identify one of these gems and it’s also bookable with […]

I just returned from London, and I have to tell you all about the best airport lounge and the strangest airplane seating arrangement. My husband and I flew from Denver to Boston on United (no, that wasn’t the strange seating).    The Best Airport Lounge I have been bragging ad nauseam about the Delta Sky […]

Is a trip to Scotland in your future? If it’s not, you should certainly add it to your list! From the dramatic Highland landscapes to charming villages and historic cities, Scotland is full of unforgettable places to explore, and finding the right place to stay can make your trip even more magical. If you’re dreaming […]

Whether you want to relax on a stunning beach or have an unforgettable adventure in nature and watch the adorable monkeys, Costa Rica has something for you. Read on to learn how this gorgeous country’s “pura vida” vibes can be yours, whatever your points budget. Bougie, budget, or basic—we got ya!   Bougie Flight: JetBlue Mint  […]

Family vacations are the best, but they can get pricey fast, especially with kids in tow. This is when you can use those hard-earned points and miles to book incredible stays at some of Mexico’s top all-inclusive resorts, making that dream trip way more affordable. Plus, Mexico is super accessible from most parts of the […]

From Swedish saunas to gorgeous gardens, Scandinavia has something for everyone. Now, this notoriously expensive part of the world might sometimes seem like it’s out of financial reach—but if Denmark, Sweden, or Norway is on your travel wish list, your points and miles can help make this memorable trip a reality! Here is some Scandinavian […]

I may never use points and miles for the Maldives again! I’ve been there twice and loved it both times but it is a long, long flight. I just completed my second trip to Bora Bora and am thinking, “Why go to the Maldives, when I can go to Bora Bora?” In fact, I wanted […]

I recently returned from another trip to French Polynesia. The main purpose was to return to the Hilton Conrad Bora Bora Nui and take my sister with me. I also wanted to try another hotel on the trip and decided to stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. Here’s what I thought about […]

TMS takes on Bora Bora again! Alex, Jess, and I all had return visits to the Conrad Bora Bora Nui at different times this summer. What were our thoughts the second time? What stood out, and do we have plans to return a third time? Here are the questions we each answered about our trips: […]

Recently, I flew a completely new business class product (for me): Air Tahiti Nui business class from SEA-PPT. I literally had no idea what I was getting into or what to expect. I just knew that the flight to Papeete, Tahiti (the place I had to connect to get to my final destination of Bora […]

Is your social media feed filled with cherry blossoms, ramen, and gorgeous Japanese architecture? You may be suffering from Japan FOMO. (I know I am!)  This wonderful country is one of the hottest destinations for Americans, with its fabulous food and exciting sights. The exchange rate has also been quite favorable, so your dollar can […]

Whether you’re booking an aspirational vacation or simply a night at the airport before your early morning flight, hotel free-night certificates are a useful part of any traveler’s points-and-miles toolkit. Read on to learn how to maximize value from hotel free-night certificates, wherever your travels take you.    Use Them Before They Expire  The most important […]