THE blog

search the blog:

read more

Whether your family loves the beach or big cities, your IHG points can help you book the trip that fits your style.  We love the IHG program for family travel for many reasons, including:  Fourth night free on award stays if you hold the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit […]

read more

Bilt Rent Day is a monthly promotion from Bilt Rewards that happens on the first of every month. It gives Bilt members the chance to earn extra rewards, bonuses, and special perks. Now that more and more people are applying for the Bilt credit cards, we will highlight what you can expect each Rent Day. […]

read more

Megan sent us her reader success story about her mom-daughter trip to Italy a while ago. Here it is: I discovered the world of points and miles through Points Talk Squad. Apple Podcasts recommended your podcast to me two years ago, and I was instantly hooked. Thank you for sharing your content in such a […]

read more

Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or taking gorgeous hikes, Iceland has something for your family—and it’s less than a six-hour flight from the East Coast of the U.S. In this series of “for every points budget” posts, we show you how to get to a destination, whether you have plenty of points or are […]

The Parthenon in Athens in front of a deep blue, cloudless sky

read more

It seems like just yesterday Alaska Airlines was dipping its toes into flights to Europe. And now it’s already adding two more destinations. They grow up so fast! Beginning in May 2027, Alaska will launch nonstop flights from Seattle (SEA) to Athens (ATH) and Paris (CDG), including what will become the longest flight in Alaska […]

read more

On August 15, 2026, we had our third annual Points Talk Squad Meetup in Chicago! This is a free event we host locally for any of our students who are able to join us. And honestly, we are surprised at how far many of our students will fly to have lunch with us! Thank you […]

read more

There are hotels that simply give you a place to sleep, and then there are hotels that have the relaxation vibe and make you want to return.  Liostasi Hotel on the Greek island of Ios is definitely the latter. And it is one that I would return to for so many reasons. Built into the […]

read more

When a welcome offer gets bigger, my ears perk up. And that’s exactly what happened with the Capital One Spark Cash and Capital One Spark Cash Plus business cards. The offers are some of the best we’ve seen, but there’s one catch: you’ll need to be comfortable with a serious minimum spending requirement. If you […]

read more

If you’ve been thinking about adding a business card to your points and miles strategy, this is a pretty incredible time to take a look at Chase. Several Chase business cards currently have elevated welcome offers, including some Chase is calling their “best offer ever.” And remember, you don’t need a huge company with employees […]

Points Talk® | London on Points: Flights, Hotels, and Things to Do

read more

London is one of those destinations you can visit again and again and still find something new to explore. In this episode, the Points Talk Squad shares how they use points and miles to plan trips to London, from booking flights and finding the right hotel to making the most of everything the city has […]

read more

For many, planning a trip to a national park starts the same way: you search for lodging, only to find independent lodges, expensive cabins, or boutique hotels that don’t participate in any major loyalty program. If you’re hoping to use your Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, or IHG points, it can feel like there aren’t many options. […]

Metal sided building with Thank You painted on the side in blue paint.

read more

If you’re new to travel rewards, you should know that Citi ThankYou® Points are one of the most flexible currencies you can earn—and my personal favorite. Depending on which Citi credit card you have, you can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and shopping. But the best value comes from transferring your […]

Dark black car on a dark black background

read more

Booking flights and hotels gets all the attention when you’re planning a trip, but getting to and from the airport can be a budget-buster in its own right. Bilt’s latest partnership adds another transportation option for members, this time with premium chauffeur service through Blacklane. What’s New? Now Bilt members can book Blacklane rides directly […]

read more

Amanda’s reader success tory about a family trip to London and Paris includes a cautionary tale! 👀 My story is a cautionary tale of why everyone should have at least one solid travel card with insurance!    Getting Started with Points and Miles We unknowingly started with points and miles back in July 2023. My […]

read more

Flying Blue is changing how you book award flights on Air France and KLM. While the lowest award rates aren’t increasing, you’ll soon get fewer perks for your miles. Here’s what you need to know. Flying Blue Introduces Light, Standard, and Flex Awards Starting Sept. 8, Air France and KLM Flying Blue award flights will […]

Large hotel with multiple pools

read more

Using points to redeem free nights at Hyatt all-inclusive resorts can be a great redemption. Whether you are booking with points earned from one of the Hyatt credit cards or a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards®, you are bound to get good value. There are two Hyatt credit cards, the personal card_name and also […]

American Airlines airplane cruising through a clear sky

read more

If you fly American Airlines even a few times a year, having the right AAdvantage® credit card can make your trips not only more comfortable but more rewarding. But with several cards offering different combinations of free checked bags, priority boarding, airport lounge access, and bonus miles, choosing the right one isn’t always all that […]

Beach scene with palm tree

read more

I just renewed my card_name with a annual_fees annual fee. It is definitely worth paying that fee the first year for the Marriott Bonvoy points that come from earning your welcome offer. I’m past the point of earning those welcome-offer points, and yet I still renew this card year after year. Am I crazy? I […]

read more

When I first shared my plans for spending six weeks in Europe with my kids, everything looked great on paper. I had a rough itinerary, a handful of award bookings, and a strategy for balancing points, vacation rentals, and low-cost airlines. Now that we’re home, I can confidently say most of the plan worked exactly […]

read more

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ each offer two $250 credits for hotel stays booked through The Edit, totaling $500 each calendar year. Each credit requires a separate prepaid stay of at least two nights. But Chase has quietly added an important restriction to the terms and conditions of this credit: You […]

Points Talk® | The Best Ways to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards® Beyond Hyatt

read more

Are Chase Ultimate Rewards® points still valuable if Hyatt is no longer your go-to redemption strategy? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down the best ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards® beyond Hyatt, including airline transfers, hotel options, and booking through the Chase travel portal. The Squad shares how they’re thinking about Chase […]

Having Trouble Keeping Track of Your Credit Card Benefits?

FREE BENEFITS TRACKER

Click the button below to get our free Benefits Tracker Spreadsheet!

Get the tracker!

We got ya! 

Do you want to fast-track your points and miles education?

Get Award Travel Academy and learn everything you need to know to travel for nearly free!

Check it Out

Get Our Courses

Advertiser Disclosure: Points Talk Squad has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Points Talk Squad and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how or where products appear on this site. Points Talk Squad has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.