Gabb sent us this recent reader success story to sunny Puerto Rico!    I have been using points and miles for about three years now. I live on the East Coast & have taken flights to Paris, Italy, Florida, and California using points and miles, but this trip, we used points and miles not only […]

Bilt’s next-generation credit card lineup launches in February. Here’s what’s changing, how the transition will work, and what cardholders need to know. Bilt has confirmed plans to launch a new version of its credit card program, known as Bilt Card 2.0, in early 2026. The update marks a significant shift for the company, introducing a […]

Rakuten has officially rolled out what appears to be its best referral offer ever, and it’s a big one. New users can earn $50 cash back after making qualifying purchases, and that’s real money you can cash out, not points or store credit. If you’ve been around for a while, you know Rakuten bonuses usually […]

For decades, access to airport gates followed a simple rule: if you didn’t have a boarding pass, you didn’t enter. After the security changes that followed 9/11, U.S. airports became sharply divided spaces. Ticketed passengers moved through security to the gate. Everyone else waited outside—saying goodbye at the curb, reuniting at baggage claim, and missing […]

Every year reshapes the points-and-miles landscape, and 2025 delivered some of the biggest swings we’ve seen in recent memory. From amazing earning opportunities to painful devaluations, the hobby reminded us why it’s exciting—and why it can be frustrating. Here’s a full look at the good, the bad, and the truly ugly in the points-and-miles world. […]

What are your travel plans for 2026, and how are you using points and miles to make them happen? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share their exciting plans for the upcoming year. From safaris in Tanzania to river cruises in France, they break down how they’re using credit card rewards to book these dream trips and maximize their points. The Squad dives into their […]

I’ve long had Marriott Bonvoy® status with my credit cards and the status that comes with them.  I also love flying Singapore Airlines, so I appreciated it when Traci (our compliance editor) sent me this link. Got Marriott status, like me? If so, you can status match to KrisFlyer, and it’s super easy! Here’s the […]

There is just something about a beach trip that resets your soul. Whether it’s the powdery white sand, turquoise waves, or simply an excuse to stay in your swimsuit for a week. What makes a beach getaway better than the destination? Booking it using points and paying pennies on the dollar for your dream vacation, […]

2025 was another year full of earning and redeeming points and miles for nearly free travel! This year we took more family trips than we have ever before. It was a great year full of making great memories. Here’s Alex’s 2025 points and miles recap!   Alex’s 2025 Points and Miles Recap January We spent […]

For points-and-miles travelers, late December often brings more than just holiday crowds and peak-season pricing. It’s also the time of year when airline loyalty programs quietly roll out changes that make award travel more expensive, and often with little warning. This year is no exception. In recent weeks, both Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles and The British […]

Every year I say I am going to travel less, and every year I fail. 2025 was no exception to that (though I did manage to relax a little more than I did in 2024)! I took so many trips this year that would have never been possible without points and miles, and I marked […]

What were the highlights this year for award travel for the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess take you through their year of points and miles. From opening new cards to traveling to incredible destinations, they share how they maximized their credit card rewards in 2025 to make their travel dreams […]

It’s an exciting day for Southwest® fans. Southwest Airlines® and Turkish Airlines just announced a new partnership that will make it much easier to book trips from the U.S. to Europe—and well beyond—starting January 2026. Southwest® isn’t operating long-haul international flights of its own, but this partnership is part of a broader strategy to connect […]

When I look back on 2025, I realize it had become a marathon I accidentally signed up for—powered by points and miles. What was supposed to be a quieter year of travel turned into a nonstop carousel of airports, lounges, and a ton of jet lag. I was bouncing between time zones a couple of […]

Melissa submitted this reader success story to Yellowstone National Park and also broke the news that the Denver Capital One Lounge no longer carries the chocolate-covered raisins I love so much. (No wonder I can’t find them anymore!🥲) Here’s Melissa’s story:   Where did we go: Bozeman, West Yellowstone, and Big Sky, Montana. Who Went: […]

One of the most aspirational dreams of many travelers is to book a safari. I have to tell you, they are everything you dreamed of—and more. Our favorite hotel brand, Hyatt, has added safari bookings to their portfolio! Let’s check it out! There are 15 select safari stays by Asilia Africa that are bookable across […]

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card will lose unlimited airport lounge guest access starting January 15, 2026, replacing it with a capped guest policy and added fees. A long-standing lounge benefit tied to the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is officially coming to an end. Beginning January 15, 2026, cardholders and authorized users will no longer be able to […]

December is the best month to apply for a new credit card for several reasons. Let’s go over them! Increased Spending With all the spending for gifts, holiday meals, Christmas parties, travel to visit family, and so many other things, it is safe to say that most of us spend more money in December than […]

I’m always keeping an eye on award flights to Central and South America—especially after spending an epic summer there with my kids last year. It’s one of those regions I’m already itching to return to thanks to its mix of affordability and family-friendly destinations. That’s why recent award pricing on American Airlines immediately caught my […]

The Bilt reward program has added a new airline transfer partner, and it is one that many people did not expect. You can now transfer Bilt points to Spirit Airlines Free Spirit. This makes Bilt the only loyalty program to offer point transfers to Spirit Airlines. Reward tickets start at just 2,500 points, which means […]

Chase has quietly reduced the Points Boost on some The Edit hotels, and it’s a meaningful change if you book luxury stays with Ultimate Rewards points. Originally, The Edit redemptions were reliably priced at 2 cents per point, making them one of the simplest high-value uses of Chase points with no guesswork involved. That guarantee […]