Nancy sent in her reader success story that had seven out of her family of eight travel to Europe! Now that is an impressive redemption!   Getting Started We just returned last month from an amazing 18-day trip to Europe and our biggest redemption yet, but before I get into that, I’ll go back to […]

One of the most common questions we get is: “How do you find all those amazing business-class flights?” The answer might surprise you. It’s usually not because we have more points than everyone else. It’s because we’ve learned where and how to search. Many people start by searching for a specific flight. They type in […]

There are few cities on earth that make you feel like you accidentally wandered into a movie set quite like Rome. One minute you are standing in front of the Colosseum, wondering how it was built, and the next you are enjoying an espresso and romanticizing your life while walking down a cobblestone street, dreaming […]

Delta SkyMiles is one of the easiest airline loyalty currencies to earn, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Unlike some airline programs that rely on award charts and predictable pricing, Delta uses a fully dynamic system, and that can make award costs dramatically different for the same flight. One day you might find […]

My husband and I were invited to join Alex’s family for a Memorial Day weekend visit to Boston. If Boston is on your travel radar and you’re a World of Hyatt member, the Hyatt Regency Boston on One Avenue de Lafayette deserves a spot on your redemption shortlist.    The Points Redemption Big news first: […]

If the gorgeous hikes, beautiful countryside, and stunning beaches of New Zealand are calling you, your points and miles can get you there. If you’re taking the family, chances are you’ll need to fly in economy (or at least book seats in economy and potentially upgrade with cash or more points if this option is […]

If you feel like your next Marriott redemption suddenly looks like it costs more points than it did just a few days ago, you’re not imagining things. Marriott Bonvoy sneakily increased award pricing at many of its hotels, with some properties up 5% to 16% for the exact same room overnight. And what seems to […]

Ever since my stay at the Kimpton Seafire a few years ago, I’ve been wanting to return to the gorgeous beaches of Grand Cayman. And that’s the beauty of points and miles; we can always go back to places we love! This time, we opted to stay at the new Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman, also […]

One of the biggest misconceptions about points and miles is that every hotel stay has to be booked with points. We love a luxury hotel redemption as much as anyone, but sometimes the smartest travel decision isn’t a hotel at all. Sometimes it’s an Airbnb. The beauty of points and miles is that they give […]

World of Hyatt isn’t the largest hotel loyalty program by any means, but what it lacks in reach, it makes up for it in value. Sure, competitors like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors boast thousands more properties worldwide. But Hyatt has built a loyal following thanks to its generous award pricing and valuable benefits. Add […]

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a keeper card that many Hyatt fans get value out of year after year. This card rarely has an elevated welcome offer, but that just changed. So it may be time to consider this card if you don’t already have it.  Offer Details     Learn How to […]

Who doesn’t love a promotion that you don’t have to go out of your way for? If you’ve already got Marriott stays and United flights on the calendar, this one is about as effortless as it gets. Marriott Bonvoy® and United MileagePlus have launched a new limited-time RewardsPlus promotion. With it, you can earn 2,000 […]

Cassie sends in her reader success story to Toronto for an anniversary celebration. Here is her story:   We recently took a trip on points to Toronto for our ten-year anniversary, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of the Points Talk Squad. You ladies have taught me everything I know about using […]

When booking flights with points and miles, there’s a question that comes up all the time: Would you rather use fewer miles and pay higher taxes and fees, or spend more miles and keep your out-of-pocket costs low? There isn’t a single right answer. The best choice depends on your travel goals, how easy it […]

If you’re traveling through Denver International Airport this summer, pack more than just your carry-on—pack some extra patience too. Today, I heard more than one person yell in frustration at someone who worked there and I think we can all agree that that doesn’t help solve problems (or make work days or travel days enjoyable). […]

There are two types of people in this world. The first group books a beach vacation and spends the week horizontal next to a pool or ocean. The second group looks at visiting Alaska with diamonds in their eyes because there is nothing better than visiting glacier country wearing three jackets, a beanie, and gloves. […]

It’s never fun when a loyalty program adds more rules, especially when those rules make it harder to use your points and miles. But that’s exactly what Qatar Airways just did with its new policy that limits who you can redeem Avios for. Here’s what you need to know.    What’s Changing? Up until now, […]

I love Air France and KLM for getting to Europe on points and miles! One reason is the Flying Blue Promo Rewards, which are released on the first day of every month. Check out my post detailing the four reasons I love Air France. These are such good deals, so I will update this post monthly […]

If you’ve been waiting for Hyatt’s newest all-inclusive resorts to open, there’s great news. Reservations are now open for both the Grand Hyatt Los Cabos Resort, Golf & Spa and the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya. That’s pretty exciting news if you’re a Hyatt loyalist—or even if you’re not. While Hyatt already has a large all-inclusive […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, you’re checking in the right place! We have plenty of great offers to let you know about this month. Whether you want to earn free hotel stays, rack up airline miles, or earn transferable points you could use for both, these elevated offers are worth a closer […]

One of the easiest ways to save money while traveling is by booking hotels that include free breakfast for everyone, no elite status required. With hotel prices (and food prices) continuing to climb, complimentary breakfast can easily save a family $50 to $100+ per day, especially in major cities or resorts. The good news is […]