Washington, D.C., is a city where history, culture, and cherry blossoms collide most magically. You can spend your mornings wandering the Smithsonian, your afternoons kayaking on the Potomac, and your evenings eating at one of the incredible restaurants there. But if I am being honest, D.C. can drain your wallet faster than you can say […]

Avianca’s Lifemiles program is currently promoting a limited-time “Flights With Miles” sale offering up to 45% off select award flights. If you’ve been considering redeeming Lifemiles, this promotion could be worth a look, especially since there’s also a current American Express Membership Rewards® transfer bonus to Lifemiles. Bookings must be completed by March 9, giving […]

Melissa sent us her reader success story to London and Amsterdam: I’m an ATA and an ATA Next Level student. We’ve just returned from our first points and miles trip, and I’m eager to share it with our community.  We live outside of Washington, D.C., so we flew to London from IAD to CDG to […]

We have countless requests from readers to show how we find business-class seats. I need to find one for my husband to get to Norway this summer, so buckle up: I’m showing you from start to finish how I do it. Suffice it to say, now that he has traveled business class, he won’t go […]

Recently, a granddaughter’s wedding in Sacramento, California, gave me the opportunity to stay at another Kimpton hotel, the Kimpton Sawyer. If I’m not staying at a Park Hyatt (my fave), I am searching for a Thompson (in the Hyatt portfolio) or Kimpton (in the IHG portfolio). I had an Edit credit to use before January […]

Southwest Airlines has launched a new status match challenge that allows travelers with elite status from other airlines to receive Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred. While Southwest has offered status matches in the past, this version is extra enticing because it allows travelers to match all the way up to A-List Preferred, the airline’s […]

Spending money dining out while traveling in Europe can potentially add a significant amount to your travel budget. Combine that with long sightseeing days, museum marathons, and jet lag, and sometimes what you really need is a comfortable reset button. That’s where Hyatt club lounges come in. Club lounges are less common in Europe than […]

Airbnb has completely changed how many families (mine included) travel. Instead of squeezing into a standard hotel room with piles of people and suitcases, we’ve spread out in apartments in Europe, rented homes near national parks, and booked longer stays that make it feel more like we’re living somewhere rather than just visiting. But tragically, […]

With all the great Hilton credit card offers, I wanted to share how to transfer Hilton points and a couple of other Hilton tidbits you should know about. First, here’s how to transfer points. Step 1: Sign in to your account on hilton.com Step 2: Under your name, pick the “points” menu Step 3: Select […]

Can you use points and miles in a way that actually fits your life, not someone else’s highlight reel? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down the many different ways this hobby can work depending on your goals, your season of life, and what kind of traveler you are. From bougie hotel lovers […]

Before going to the Park Hyatt St. Kitts, I had heard some negative reviews. The service was slow, the hotel was outdated, there wasn’t much to do, etc. So how did it stack up? Here are my thoughts on the Park Hyatt St. Kitts.   Service at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts We were warmly […]

This reader success story comes from Crystal all about her recent Disney World adventure! Here is her story: We just came back from our very first Disney trip two weeks ago—booked almost entirely on points and miles—and I have you ladies to thank! I’ve never been a “Disney person” (I had actually never been at […]

It’s been a rocky stretch for longtime Southwest Airlines® fans. First, the airline scrapped its open seating. And to add insult to injury, it also eliminated free checked bags. But now, there’s at least one silver lining. Southwest® announced it will begin installing ultrafast in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink across its fleet, and the service […]

We all love an airport lounge. And while they may be less common, many hotels have lounges, too. Accessing hotel lounges can save you money on food and drinks while traveling because you can pop in for snacks, drinks, or even entire meals. Because you know we love the World of Hyatt loyalty program, we’re […]

If the bright lights of New York City are calling you, the New York Marriott Marquis might be the perfect place for your next Big Apple adventure. This hotel will put you within walking distance to Broadway, museums, delicious food, and more.  Read on to learn how I booked it, what I thought, and if […]

You may have seen headlines about TSA PreCheck® being suspended as part of the partial U.S. government shutdown. Take a deep breath. PreCheck isn’t shut down. While an initial statement suggested changes to Trusted Traveler programs, TSA has since clarified that screening operations continue as normal.   Why Travelers Thought PreCheck Was Suspended Amid funding […]

At first glance, Capital One Shopping looks like a basic deal-finding browser extension. But in reality, and when used intentionally, it can do so much more. This guide breaks down how Capital One Shopping works, where it delivers the most value, and how to use it as part of a broader savings strategy—without expecting perfection. […]

Can you travel on points without spending a lot? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how low spenders can still earn and redeem points for flights, hotels, and more. They break down practical strategies for earning rewards without the need for big monthly expenses. The Squad discusses how everyday purchases like groceries, gas, […]

If the winter games in Milan have you dreaming of Italy, your points and miles can take you there—even on a limited budget! Whether you’re drawn to the city for fashion, food, or architecture, Milan has something for everyone.  In this series of blog posts, we show you ways to get to a specific destination, […]

From Dream to Reality: How Points and Miles Made Our Kenya Safari Possible Denise shared this reader success story about how she used points and miles to take her family to Kenya for a safari. Here is her story: As an animal lover, I’d always harbored dreams of experiencing an African safari. My children share […]

Hotel credits have become a staple of premium travel credit cards. On paper, they can offset annual fees significantly—sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year. In practice, however, these credits aren’t always easy to use. Many require prepaid bookings through specific portals, minimum-stay requirements, or choosing luxury properties that cost far more than you’d normally […]