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, […]

One of our readers, Lisa, told us how she helps people get the right insurance coverage for their trips for free, including knowing whether your credit card coverage will cover you the way you plan it to! 😬 In talking to her and the experience she had once, we thought this would be great info […]

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 […]

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 […]

What Shopping Portals Are and Why They Matter You wouldn’t walk past a $20 bill on the sidewalk just because you were “in a hurry.” Yet online shoppers do something similar every day without even realizing it: they skip using a shopping portal.  Shopping portals are websites that reward you with extra points, miles or […]

Have you ever wondered whether it is easier to travel with toddlers or teens when you are using points and miles to explore the world as a family? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Traci as they share what they have learned from years of traveling with kids at every age. They […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, December is looking great! We have plenty of great offers to let you know about this month. Whether you want to earn free hotel stays, rack up airline miles, or earn transferable points you could use for both, these elevated offers are worth a closer look. Some […]

I recently flew home from a fun girls’ trip to Portugal on TAP, which was a new airline for me. Normally on a daytime flight back to the US from Europe, I’d be happy to fly in economy and save my points, but for this trip the business-class award flight was so reasonably priced that […]

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 […]

If the thrill of a water slide or the delight of a splash pad is on your kids’ vacation wish list, there are many points-bookable hotels that have their own water parks. From Cancun to California, there’s a points property that will help your water babies burn off their energy during your next trip.   If […]

Chase recently added “lifetime language” to some of their Ink cards—specifically, the ones with no annual fee. If you’re not sure what “lifetime language” means, it’s a limitation on a card applicant being eligible to earn a welcome offer on a card if they’ve already had that card (or sometimes certain other cards) at any […]

It’s no secret that Scotland is my favorite place to travel, so I’ll take any excuse to write about it. And with Scotland’s popularity growing, not just for Harry Potter fans or Outlander enthusiasts, but for families and adventurers alike, now is the perfect time to plan a trip. Whether it’s the cobbled streets of […]

 Is Marriott Bonvoy® the secret to luxury hotel stays, or just another confusing points program? In this episode, Alex and Pam break down how to earn, redeem, and maximize Marriott Bonvoy® points. They simplify the complex credit card options and eligibility rules, covering strategies for earning points, using free-night certificates, and enjoying luxury hotel […]

We are so happy to share our two courses with you—Award Travel Academy and Award Travel Academy Next Level. When we started our points and miles journey years ago, we spent so much time, energy, and frustration trying to figure out the complicated world of points and miles. I would have LOVED a course to […]

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 […]

It’s time for a review of the card_name. You won’t be surprised to learn that I am a fan of American Express cards.  I have personally found that American Express cards are usually easy to be approved for (but require excellent credit), which I am glad for because I love earning American Express Membership Rewards® […]

When we talk about the best hotels to book with points, we’re looking for more than just a free night’s stay. The real sweet spots are properties that offer oversized value, such as spacious rooms or suites that would normally cost a fortune, paired with standout amenities like pools, spas, on-site dining, and prime locations. […]

Let’s be honest, planning travel for a family of five (or more) can feel like organizing a Broadway production on a budget. You have different sleep schedules, conflicting snack preferences, and an uncanny ability for someone to need the bathroom exactly when boarding starts. Here at Points Talk Squad, we have spent years figuring out […]

Have you used all your card credits and perks before the year ends? With the holidays approaching and schedules getting busier, it’s easy to forget about valuable benefits waiting to be redeemed. From shopping and dining credits to free night certificates and travel perks, there’s still time to make sure nothing goes unused. In this […]

If you’ve ever tried booking a Hyatt free night using points, you know the pain: clicking through day by day, guessing when award space might open up, juggling multiple hotel pages—it was a tedious process. But Hyatt has finally answered our collective prayers by making finding award availability easier—FINALLY! With the rollout of its new […]

Do you need help planning a girls’ trip that feels luxurious but doesn’t drain your wallet or your points balance? Whether you picture spa days in the desert, shopping weekends in big cities, or a European escape filled with good food and laughter, The Points Talk Squad shares their favorite types of getaways and how […]