THE blog

search the blog:

read more

If you’ve searched for Marriott hotels lately, chances are you’ve come across the Moxy brand. The bright colors, trendy lobbies, and playful vibe definitely stand out from your typical hotel experiences. But what exactly is a Moxy hotel, and is it a good fit for your next trip? I’ve stayed at two Moxy properties over […]

Old Greek Orthodox cathedral in Athens

read more

If you’ve got a Hyatt stay coming up, it’s worth taking a couple of minutes to check if there’s a promotion you should register for first. World of Hyatt currently has several limited-time promos running, including bonus points for paid stays, extra rewards at extended-stay brands and even bonus miles on glamping getaways. Here’s a […]

read more

Laura wrote a previous reader success story, and here is her second one with her family of five, island-hopping in Hawaii! Here’s her story:   Hello, fellow points and miles fans! The Points Talk Squad recently published my reader success story from our fall family trip to NYC.  Over the kids’ spring break this year, […]

read more

A big Sapphire welcome offer is enough to send points and miles enthusiasts straight to Chase’s application page! But before you hit the submit button, there’s one important question to ask: Are you actually eligible for the bonus? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward. Chase’s Sapphire rules have changed over the years, and many travelers […]

Cathedral in Varna, Bulgaria

read more

If you’ve read my work for Points Talk Squad before, you probably know I’m a big fan of American Airlines and the AAdvantage program. One reason is that I’m incredibly flexible when I travel. I don’t always have a specific destination in mind—I just want to go somewhere interesting for a good price. That flexibility […]

Plane wing over a cloudy sky with the sun setting over water

read more

Economy awards don’t get the same fanfare as lie-flat business-class seats or first-class champagne. But they can be one of the smartest ways to use airline miles. That’s especially true if you’re booking multiple seats, traveling during school breaks, or trying to avoid paying inflated cash fares during peak travel dates. The trick is knowing […]

Person holding dollars

read more

Credit card points and miles are great for paying for our flights and hotels. But those aren’t the only vacation costs. There are still rental cars, food, and excursions to pay for. You can certainly book rental cars through a portal and pay for some excursions with the Capital One purchase eraser. To be honest, […]

Pink background with blue exclamation point on the right

read more

The world of points and miles can seem almost too good to be true. Free flights, luxury hotel stays, airport lounge access, and thousands of dollars in travel perks often come from credit card rewards programs. But for newcomers, there’s usually one major concern: credit. After all, earning a boatload of points usually involves opening […]

Vibrant rose bush with pink blooms

read more

United Airlines has made a small change to its MileagePlus program, but its impact is big—especially for families and groups traveling together. Until recently, MileagePlus miles added to a shared pool could only be redeemed for flights operated by United or United Express. But that’s no longer the case. United has expanded miles pooling to […]

Points Talk® | Three New Welcome Offers: Which One Is Best for You?

read more

Are you trying to decide which new Chase credit card offer is the best fit for you? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down three new elevated welcome offers currently available, including a rare opportunity to earn 100,000 of their favorite points. The Squad dives into the earning potential, statement credits, bonus categories, […]

read more

For many years, Hyatt was the go-to hotel option for many points travelers wanting to experience the gorgeous beaches and rich history of Hawaii. Sadly, many Hyatt properties are seeing their points prices increase, so you may be considering your options.  Fear not, points traveler! There are many other points hotels in paradise! Alex recently […]

read more

Veda sent in her reader success story to the Dreams Jade Resort and Spa in Cancun. We love hearing from the squad, so keep sending these stories in! Hyatt has changed its redemption levels, so you may not find the same points cost that she found, although it is still a Category B for Hyatt’s […]

read more

There’s something about Boston that works for families. It’s walkable, packed with history, has plenty of kid-friendly food options, and somehow still feels manageable with kids in tow. We just spent Memorial Day weekend with Alex’s family, including four boys aged 5, 9, 12, and 14, and everyone had a great time. And the best […]

read more

Like many people in the points-and-miles world, my main, go-to hotel program used to be Hyatt. The first thing I did when planning a trip was to check whether there was a suitable Hyatt and, if I had enough points, book it. This was especially true if I needed to travel at a peak time.  […]

American Airlines airplane flying with a control tower in the background.

read more

American Airlines AAdvantage® is one of the most recognizable airline loyalty programs in the world. Whether you’re earning miles through flights, credit cards, or everyday spending, the program has plenty of opportunities to turn those miles into travel. But like many modern airline programs, the value is far from straightforward. Award pricing can fluctuate, partner […]

read more

Whether you’re looking to visit the iconic Christmas markets or take a waltz lesson, charming Vienna has something for every traveler.  Jess loved her trip to this beautiful city in 2024, and it pairs well with a visit to Prague, which is about four hours away by train. So, this trip would be perfect for […]

Points Talk® | Unpopular Credit Card Benefits We Actually Love

read more

Are you tired of high annual fees, confusing credits, and benefits you never actually use? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down credit card benefits that fly under the radar but can deliver real value. Alex, Jess, and Pam share the overlooked perks they actually use, as well as the benefits they think […]

Beach chairs lined across the shore of the Black Sea

read more

Chase has rolled out elevated welcome offers on several of its most popular rewards cards, giving both consumers and business owners a chance to earn six-figure bonuses! The limited-time offers include a 100,000-point bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, record-high offers on the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® […]

Young girl looking out over Ollantaytambo, Peru

read more

Flexible points currencies are only as valuable as the ways you can redeem them. And when it comes to versatility, Chase Ultimate Rewards® are among the strongest options around. Between airline and hotel transfer partners, redemptions through Chase Travel℠, and newer features like Points Boost, there are plenty of ways to cash in your rewards. […]

read more

Rachel sent us her reader success story, where points and miles saved her a ton of money. She enjoyed an $11,000 trip for only $645. Here’s her story:   I’m so excited to share this with you gals! I’ve been following for almost three years and have learned so much from you. This was our […]

Old monastery with a volcano looming in the background

read more

If you’ve been eyeing a trip to Spain this summer, now could be the time to book. Iberia has launched a new award sale offering discounts of 10% to 30% on Avios redemptions across much of its route network. And to make the deal even sweeter, Citi is running a transfer bonus making these redemptions […]

Wondering which credit card you should get? 

FREE consultation

Click the button below to get a free credit card consultation.

sign me up!

We got ya! 

Do you want to fast-track your points and miles education?

Get Award Travel Academy and learn everything you need to know to travel for nearly free!

Check it Out

Get Our Courses

Advertiser Disclosure: Points Talk Squad has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Points Talk Squad and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how or where products appear on this site. Points Talk Squad has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.