Elizabeth sends in today’s reader success story to Maui. Here’s her story:   We recently took our first trip to Maui, all on points and miles!  Since 2017, my husband and I have been doing the “slow burn” credit card points strategy—putting all our household costs on our Southwest card. We’d earn enough points for […]

This week’s reader success story to the Grand Cayman Island comes from Christopher, one of the men in the Squad. I particularly love it because it offers the option to replace or extend a visit to Grand Cayman instead of booking the Kimpton Seafire. Here is his story: This past June, my spouse and I […]

We left Jenn and her family of four in Istanbul last Friday. Here is the continuation of her story to Christmas markets and Amsterdam:   After an amazing time in Istanbul, we took an inexpensive economy flight (around $100) on Turkish Airlines to Cologne, Germany. At Istanbul Airport, we had access to the IGA lounge […]

One of our faithful readers, Jenn, sent us this reader success story about going to four cities with her family of four. They visited Frankfurt, Istanbul, Cologne, and Amsterdam with their family of four (P1, P2, 18-year-old son, 11-year-old son). Here’s her story:   Flights Our trip began with a flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, […]

Gabb sent us this recent reader success story to sunny Puerto Rico!    I have been using points and miles for about three years now. I live on the East Coast & have taken flights to Paris, Italy, Florida, and California using points and miles, but this trip, we used points and miles not only […]

Melissa submitted this reader success story to Yellowstone National Park and also broke the news that the Denver Capital One Lounge no longer carries the chocolate-covered raisins I love so much. (No wonder I can’t find them anymore!🥲) Here’s Melissa’s story:   Where did we go: Bozeman, West Yellowstone, and Big Sky, Montana. Who Went: […]

Marci sent in her reader success story to the Secrets Impression Moxché, which is one of our favorite stays, too. Here it is: During the fall of 2024, my husband (P2) began struggling with clinical depression and eventually resigned from his high-stress job. Needless to say, traveling hasn’t been a priority; instead, we’ve been focused […]

Rachel sent us this reader success story about her trip to Prague and Dublin. This trip would have cost nearly $12,000, and they paid under $700! Here’s how it went:   A Voucher Starts it All This whole trip started because we had a voucher for slightly over $2,000 on Aer Lingus. Back in 2020, […]

Kelsey sends us this reader success story where her family takes on Türkiye! I’ve been to Istanbul before but would love to check out Cappadocia sometime, so I was especially excited to read this success story! Here it is: I have always been in love with travel, but after taking my kids to Spain in […]

Cathie shares her reader success story about traveling to Paris and Greece with her family of eight for two weeks! Here’s her story: My husband had always dreamed of taking his daughters—ages 19 and 21—on a trip to the Mediterranean, but it was never financially possible. And certainly not now that we have two additional […]

Lauren sends in her amazing reader success story to Scandinavia, where she spent two weeks. Here is her story: Last month, I was able to take my partner (my P2) and my in-laws on a two-week trip to Scandinavia, Finland, and Estonia for less than $900 per person. Below, I detail how we earned points, […]

Our next reader success story about a short trip to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa shows how points and miles can make even a weekend trip happen! Sadly, I’ve lost the name of our reader, so reach out if you see this! I’d love to credit you! The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point […]

Anna sent in her reader success story about her anniversary trip to Cancun. She started using points and miles seriously in August of 2024 after watching the TMS Webinar. This was her first big redemption, and it was an unforgettable trip—and she’s already planning the next one. Here’s her story:   Our Points-Fueled Anniversary Trip […]

Kayla sent us our most recent reader success story: ten days in Italy. Here is her story: I just got back from my dream Italian vacation! I started this hobby in early 2024 and just spent ten days in Italy on points and miles. We spent three nights in Rome, three in Florence, three in […]

Carrie sent us this reader success story: Father’s Day in Chicago. She used points and miles to make her husband’s baseball dreams come true. Here’s her story: I used all the Points Talk Squad tips to turn a last-minute work trip into a fun Father’s Day weekend! For reference, my husband and I live in […]

One of our readers sent in this story (please send your name to me so I can credit you)! Here is her experience at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey, with a family of four AND Globalist status.    First Impressions Arriving at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, we immediately felt a sense of calm wash over us. […]

Lauren’s success story to Hot Springs National Park was a trip she took with her husband and their high school exchange student! What a great use of credit card points and miles! Here is her story.   Great Use of a Southwest® Companion Pass® My success story is a trip my husband and I took […]

Amanda’s reader success story about trips to Iceland and Greece combines two amazing points and miles destinations. Here’s her story:   I came from a “one vacation a year” family that slowly turned into “no vacations a year,” and I grew up around a bunch of “we’re taking our kids to Europe or the Caribbean” […]

Natalie shares her reader success story to Budapest with us today. Alex, Jess, and I have a trip planned to Budapest this spring, so we were excited to hear about hers! Here’s her story:   My trip to Budapest was a classic example of how points and miles enable you to adjust plans when life […]

Kate sent us her Reader Success Story: Family Western Adventure for a family of 6! We think you will love this adventure! Where Did We Go: Jackson Hole, Jenny Lake & Yellowstone Who Went: My family of 6 including me, my husband and 4 daughters (ages 14, 10, 8 & 7) Flight Info: 6 economy […]

One of our wonderful readers, Jesse, sent in this success story about her amazing trip to Secrets Cap Cana, in the Dominican Republic.     Our return trip to Secrets Cap Cana was one of the most meaningful points and miles redemptions we’ve made since I started this hobby in March 2023. My husband and I […]