Tiffany sent us her reader success story about using points and miles to stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Here is her story: My best travel on points to date…. In April 2025, my husband and I stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Village for five nights, all on points. We used […]

United Airlines isn’t slowing down when it comes to changes, and this latest round hits both ends of the cabin. Just days after boosting earning rates and perks for co-branded cardholders, United is now increasing checked baggage fees while also shifting toward “unbundled” premium fares.   Bag Fees Are Climbing Yet Again First, there’s the […]

One currency to connect them all, one currency to bind them—and through a network of airline programs, make award travel far more flexible than most frequent flyer miles…. In the world of airline rewards, that currency is Avios. Originally created by British Airways, Avios now powers the loyalty programs of several airlines, including British Airways, […]

We get a ton of questions about what luggage we use, and we always say the Away brand. Each of us is literally obsessed with these bags, and I see tons of them in airports, so we aren’t the only ones. People like  Away luggage because it makes something as boring as a suitcase feel […]

My love for Kimpton Hotels is no fluke! After my recent stay at the Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento, which left me disappointed, I am happy to say that the Kimpton Marlowe in Boston renewed my faith. From the moment I walked in the door and smelled the Kimpton Signature Scent (which I’ve since ordered for my home), I […]

We love our Marriott Bonvoy credit cards because most of them come with an annual free-night award each year on your cardmember anniversary. A couple even sometimes come with free-night awards as part of the welcome offer! The card_name comes with a free-night award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one night […]

Amsterdam is one of those rare cities that is both historic and modern. It’s not defined by a single landmark, but by the atmosphere, beauty, and lifestyle you experience everywhere you go.  The canal system is unlike anywhere else in the world, and the city’s walkability, along with its famous bike culture, makes it a […]

Airlines don’t make most of their money from flying anymore. A huge share comes from their loyalty programs and a big chunk of that comes from credit cards. United’s latest MileagePlus changes make that reality even clearer. Starting April 2, 2026, earning rates dropped for general members, while cardholders are now rewarded with higher rates […]

What if you could cover the cost of all those road trips, tournaments, and quick overnight stays without paying out of pocket? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how points and miles can be used for the kind of travel families are already doing, from kids’ sports weekends to airport stays and visiting […]

JetBlue is raising checked baggage fees, citing a recent spike in jet fuel costs. And while baggage fees themselves aren’t new, the timing—and the reason—feel a bit harder to stomach. What JetBlue’s New Bag Fees Look Like For most travelers, a first checked bag now costs about $39 during off-peak periods or $49 during peak […]

Every once in a while, dinner shouldn’t have to feel like another thing on your to-do list. It should feel like a break. And with the right credit card, having a dine-in or takeout dinner break can even come with a little extra bonus. Maybe it’s statement credits that lower the bill for a nice […]

A lovely reader sent in this reader success story about her trip with her son to Seattle!  Here’s Candace’s story:   I’ve used points and miles for a long time. My first redemption was in 2011, when I used travel portals from two different cash-back credit cards to book flights to Kauai for my husband […]

Big news for points and miles enthusiasts: several credit cards have just rolled out elevated welcome offers, and that can make a huge difference if you’re considering a new card. An elevated offer simply means the number of points you can earn by meeting a card’s minimum spending requirement is temporarily higher than usual. For […]

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 […]

Recently, I went to St. Kitts with my daughter and stayed at the delightful Park Hyatt there. Unfortunately, flights to St. Kitts are usually redeyes from Denver or most of the West Coast, and I just don’t like those because I can’t find lie-flat seats. For that reason, I usually take a flight to Miami, […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, you’re checking in the right place! 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 […]

The points-and-miles world is full of opinions about getting the absolute maximum value from every single point. And while that advice can be helpful, sometimes you just have to block out the noise, ignore the spreadsheets, and book the trip anyway. Even if it is not the most optimal redemption on paper. The entire point […]

An African safari can feel completely out of reach for most families, but what if there were ways to bring that cost down using points and miles? In this episode, Jess, Megan, and Pam break down how to make a safari more affordable, from flights to lodging and everything in between. The Squad walks through […]

Travel credit cards can unlock incredible benefits, from free flights and hotel stays to airport lounge access and travel protections. But before you can start earning points and miles, you need a solid credit profile—whether you’re building credit for the first time or working to rebuild it. That’s because many of the best travel rewards […]

It is no surprise that we love Chase Ultimate Rewards®! We are always trying to earn more of them to book great Hyatt stays. A favorite credit card that allows us to earn Ultimate Rewards® is the Chase Freedom Flex℠. We love the Freedom Flex because of the quarterly bonus for spending in rotating categories. […]