If you’ve been considering a new credit card, September is looking great! 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 is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of these generous welcome offers. Here’s a […]

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 […]

Many of our readers want to know if they can earn the Southwest® Companion Pass with the 100K Rapid Rewards offer that is currently available on the Southwest® personal credit cards. Yes, you can! Let’s outline the details! As a reminder, the card_name and the card_name both have welcome offers of 100K Rapid Rewards after spending […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The Standard Hotels brand is Hyatt’s latest acquisition. Standard Hotels is a high-end boutique hotel brand known for its hip, artsy, and nightlife-oriented atmosphere. It’s not “standard” in the generic sense—the name is intentionally ironic, as their hotels are anything but standard. Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International happened in late 2024 and many of these […]

Welcome back to your ultimate guide to the best Caribbean hotels to book with points! If Part One had you dreaming of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, get ready to turn those daydreams into reality. We’re diving deeper into the Caribbean’s most stunning resorts—think hidden gems, luxe escapes, and vibrant spots where your points can […]