TSA lines are having a moment, and it’s not in a good way. Just this morning, I hopped on social media and was immediately bombarded with posts showing crazy TSA lines. Travelers across the country are sharing horror stories of hours-long waits, missed flights, and security lines stretching so far you’ll need to pack a […]

What’s it like to take your family on a safari in Tanzania? In this episode, Jess and Pam are joined by Megan Condello, who recently returned from a safari with her family. They’re breaking down their experiences, from booking flights to the safari itineraries, and sharing tips for a family-friendly adventure of a lifetime. Jess […]

If you’re looking for a beach vacation with stunning views, it’s hard to top Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This city offers many luxurious resorts that are a short flight from the western U.S., and you can book this trip no matter what your points budget is.  In this series of blog posts, we show you […]

We just returned from Austin, Texas, after our second nomination at the iHeart Podcast Awards in the travel category. Nope, we didn’t win, but what an honor!    Flights Jess drove from Houston (no miles needed), I flew United, and Alex flew on Southwest. We met up on Sunday night and left on Tuesday morning, […]

If flights you’ve been watching just jumped in price, you’re not imagining it—the cost of airfare is already rising ahead of summer. This isn’t your usual seasonal bump, either. Between high travel demand and rising fuel costs—driven in part by escalating tensions involving Iran—higher ticket prices are popping up earlier. And as airlines adjust, travelers […]

Traci just sent us her reader success story to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Here’s her story: Recently, my family of four ventured to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas. I’d come across this property a few times in the points and miles world, and the Gatorade-blue waters called to me during the […]

Disney fans have long had a couple of co-branded credit card options through Chase. Now there’s a new higher-tier option: the Disney® Inspire Visa® Card. With a steeper annual fee and a larger welcome bonus than the existing Disney cards, it’s designed for travelers who visit Disney destinations regularly. But does it actually deliver enough […]

World of Hyatt members looking to try glamping this year have a new incentive to do so. Hyatt has launched a limited-time promotion offering 2,000 bonus World of Hyatt points per eligible night on stays at Under Canvas properties and select outdoor partner properties across the United States. Members can earn up to 60,000 bonus […]

Luxury travel doesn’t always mean five-star resorts and infinity pools. Sometimes it means hiking for four days straight, showering (maybe), and collapsing into a bunk bed in a remote mountain hut. Over the past several years, I’ve used points and miles to backpack some of the world’s most spectacular trails, from the Dolomites to Iceland […]

A review of the Andaz Delhi is something that I’d never thought I’d be writing. Me in India? Preposterous! But sometimes you find yourself going places you never thought you’d see. And here is my review of the Andaz Delhi, if you want to head to India, too.   Redemption The Andaz Delhi is a […]

This was the trip I’d been dreaming about all year—the one I honestly never thought I’d take. No, it wasn’t entirely on points and miles (though they definitely got me there in style). India, Nepal, and Bhutan . . . just saying the names of these places feels magical. And while I’ve always had a […]

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to visit India? In this episode, Pam shares highlights from her recent trip through India, Nepal, and Bhutan, a journey she had dreamed about for years after reading books about the region’s culture and history. From bustling cities to sacred rivers and mountain monasteries, she reflects on […]

I often go to Seattle to visit my son and remember past visits to the old American Express® Centurion® Lounge there. It was smaller then, and a bit darker, but I still enjoyed the visit. Today, I was visiting the Centurion Lounge for the first time since it’d been completely renovated and . . . […]

Shannon shares her reader success story to Prague and Madrid with us today. Here is her story:   I spent the fall of 2023 learning about points and miles, and in November 2023, I opened my first credit card (Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, of course!).  In between then and now, my husband and I have […]

Marriott Bonvoy® members have a new way to stretch their free night certificates a little further. As of March 12, 2026, Marriott increased the maximum number of points members can add to a Free Night Award certificate from 15,000 points to 25,000 points. That extra flexibility could help travelers book hotels that previously fell just […]

I hadn’t been in an American Airlines Admirals Club® lounge in, like, forever—but this week, I’ve been in the same one twice! Going to and coming back from St. Kitts, my daughter Kasey and I flew American Airlines for at least part of each trip, and thanks to my newly acquired Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, […]

I just spent a delightful hour at the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). I love flying into LGA when I go to New York City anyway, because it is a closer drive to get into the city, and this lounge makes LGA an even better idea. This lounge is next […]

What if your savings account helped fund your next family trip instead of just earning a little interest each month? That’s the idea behind the Bask Bank Mileage Savings Account. Instead of earning interest, you earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles simply by keeping money in your account. For travelers who actively use miles, it can […]

I was terrified the first time I boarded a plane alone with all four of my kids. My youngest was 16 months old and still breastfeeding. The others were 4, 6 and 9. I stood at the gate with a stroller, multiple passports and a diaper bag, acutely aware that no other adult was coming […]

We have a lot of requests for more content about how to make points and miles work for big families. For some great examples of points-fueled big-family trips, check out our reader success stories! We’ve had lots of readers with big families share the trips they’ve booked, and these can be a great planning template. […]

What’s your ideal family travel strategy? In today’s fun and lively episode, The Points Talk Squad plays a family edition of “Would You Rather?” with travel-themed dilemmas. Alex and Jess are joined by Traci and Megan, who each share personal experiences and strategies. Tune in to hear their answers to these tough travel choices and […]