After falling hard for Secrets St. Lucia (and those ocean views), we weren’t ready for the magic to end. So we took our tenth-anniversary celebration to the next level, literally, by heading into the mountains for the most unforgettable hotel experience of our lives.  Ladera isn’t just a resort. It’s a love letter to nature. […]

The personal version isn’t the only one getting a makeover! Changes have been made to card_name, so if you have a small business, you’ll want to read on. The annual fee is jumping to annual_fees, but you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually on the Business Platinum Card®. Here’s how: For […]

This post comes to us from Jess before she was even part of TMS. It’s about another Miraval property than the one featured in our podcast for today, so we thought you’d like a repeat performance of her review!   Magic at Miraval Austin Set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the Miraval Austin wellness […]

Does a getaway to a wellness resort seem like an unattainable luxury? Alex and Jess recently stayed at Miraval Arizona. In this episode, they’re sharing their experience from booking their flights and room to their favorite activities, and everything in between. While Miraval is known for its premium wellness experience, they’re here to show you […]

Secrets® St. Lucia Review: What It’s Really Like Staying at This New Adults-Only Resort on Points I love a good plot twist—and this one came with a beach view. When I first joined Award Travel Academy, St. Lucia felt totally out of reach. Availability was scarce, and the points price tag was high enough to […]

My wildest dreams came true on my recent Taylor-Swift-inspired trip to New York City! A friend and I were discussing how much we missed The Eras Tour, and I threw out the idea that we should take a trip to NYC and do all the Swiftie things. We couldn’t get it booked fast enough, because […]

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. […]

Today’s review concerns my favorite American Express credit card, the card_name which I plan to keep in my wallet. Despite an annual fee of annual_fees, I get more value from it than I pay. Skeptical? Stay tuned as I tell you why I love it so much…. For rates and fees of the American Express […]

While we often recommend the card_name as a beginner-friendly first card for those seeking credit card points and miles, there is a definite time when the card_name might work best. In fact, I just applied for it after years of holding the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The enhanced travel protection on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® […]

Which credit card would you choose if you could only pick one from each major bank? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad shares their top picks and explains why each card works best for their individual travel habits, home airports, and spending priorities. While there isn’t a single right answer for everyone, their discussion […]

Planning family travel is no small feat. Between picking kid-friendly destinations, sticking to a budget, and trying to maximize your hotel points, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why Gondola looks promising. It is a new hotel-booking tool that helps moms (and families) travel smarter, save money, and even earn free nights. In this guide, I’ll […]

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 […]

If you’re already using points and miles to stretch your family’s travel budget, you know the thrill of finding ways to earn a few extra points and miles. Keeping track of which shopping portal has the best deal, which card-linked offers are active, and whether it’s even worth stacking an offer can feel overwhelming. That’s […]

Let’s discuss Delta Airlines and its credit cards. Personally, I really like Delta. Their seats are super-comfortable, and I fly them so I can use the Delta Sky Club® lounges! I get to visit Delta Sky Clubs almost anytime I fly Delta, thanks to card_name.    Delta Program and Partners Delta Airlines’s frequent flyer program […]

The Southwest® Companion Pass® is among the best deals in the points and miles world.  Either my husband or I have had the Southwest® Companion Pass® off and on for the last seven years. When you earn the pass, you get to fly someone with you for free (minus taxes and fees starting at $5.60) […]

Ever wondered how you can fly someone for free on all your Southwest® flights for the next year or two? The Southwest® Companion Pass® is one of the most valuable perks in travel rewards, especially for families who travel frequently. It allows a companion to fly with you for just taxes and fees, giving you […]

How We Picked St. Lucia Every year, my husband and I take a trip together, just the two of us. It is one of my favorite traditions. We celebrate our marriage and enjoy some time away together. We’re fortunate to have a supportive family who steps in to care for our kids while we travel. […]

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” […]

You may think that traveling for free on points and miles is as good as it gets, and let’s be honest—it is pretty great! But it gets better. There are credit cards out there that not only give you bonus points for signing up but also benefits like access to airport lounges, travel insurance, and […]

Hidden Gems: Underrated European Hotels Bookable With Points Europe is full of luxury hotels—places that are tucked into the hidden neighborhoods of historic cities, seaside escapes that feel like secret sanctuaries, and boutique retreats that ooze charm.  But the best is when you’re able to identify one of these gems and it’s also bookable with […]

Are you feeling overwhelmed about planning your first international trip? From excitement about exploring a new destination to concerns about currency exchanges, language barriers, and navigating unfamiliar transportation systems, there’s a lot to consider. But whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned domestic traveler, the good news is that with a little preparation, international […]