If you’re looking to take the kids to the most magical place on Earth, you probably know that’s going to be expensive. But your flights and hotels don’t have to be—that’s what our points and miles stashes are for!  For travelers from the western U.S., Disneyland can be a more convenient choice than Disney World. […]

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most since getting into this points-and-miles hobby is all the aspirational flights I’ve taken with credit card points and miles. Yes, business class is ALWAYS incredible, and something I never thought I’d do, but the following flights have taken it over the top!   Singapore Suites from JFK to […]

In the summer of 2016, I packed up my four kids (ages 18 months, 4, 6, and 9) and “moved” to Europe for nearly three months. Without my husband. Here’s the quick backstory: My husband and I had sold our house in Colorado and were trying to figure out where we wanted to live next. […]

We’re always looking for ways to turn our credit card points into high-value hotel stays, and American Express has brought us a new option to do just that. Recently, the bank added The Leading Hotels of the World® (LHW) as a transfer partner at a 4:1 ratio.  Now, that may sound like a terrible value, […]

If you have American Express® cards that come with premium hotel credits (or several as many in our community do), you’re probably looking to maximize those benefits. Whether you plan to wander the streets of Europe or take the kids to Disney World, let’s help you find the perfect stay. Enrollment is required for select […]

Rove Miles launched in 2025 as a new way to earn transferable rewards on travel and everyday purchases. Now, the program is adding quite a few more ways to earn. On Aug. 28, Rove launched a new mobile app, Rove Dining, instant-earning gift cards, in-store shopping offers, and a revamped hotel-booking platform. Some of these […]

I love Air France and KLM for getting to Europe with 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 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 […]

Whether your family loves the beach or big cities, your IHG points can help you book the trip that fits your style.  We love the IHG program for family travel for many reasons, including:  Fourth night free on award stays if you hold the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit […]

Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights or taking gorgeous hikes, Iceland has something for your family—and it’s less than a six-hour flight from the East Coast of the U.S. In this series of “for every points budget” posts, we show you how to get to a destination, whether you have plenty of points or are […]

It seems like just yesterday Alaska Airlines was dipping its toes into flights to Europe. And now it’s already adding two more destinations. They grow up so fast! Beginning in May 2027, Alaska will launch nonstop flights from Seattle (SEA) to Athens (ATH) and Paris (CDG), including what will become the longest flight in Alaska […]

On August 15, 2026, we had our third annual Points Talk Squad Meetup in Chicago! This is a free event we host locally for any of our students who are able to join us. And honestly, we are surprised at how far many of our students will fly to have lunch with us! Thank you […]

There are hotels that simply give you a place to sleep, and then there are hotels that have the relaxation vibe and make you want to return.  Liostasi Hotel on the Greek island of Ios is definitely the latter. And it is one that I would return to for so many reasons. Built into the […]

For many, planning a trip to a national park starts the same way: you search for lodging, only to find independent lodges, expensive cabins, or boutique hotels that don’t participate in any major loyalty program. If you’re hoping to use your Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, or IHG points, it can feel like there aren’t many options. […]

If you’re new to travel rewards, you should know that Citi ThankYou® Points are one of the most flexible currencies you can earn—and my personal favorite. Depending on which Citi credit card you have, you can redeem your points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and shopping. But the best value comes from transferring your […]

Flying Blue is changing how you book award flights on Air France and KLM. While the lowest award rates aren’t increasing, you’ll soon get fewer perks for your miles. Here’s what you need to know. Flying Blue Introduces Light, Standard, and Flex Awards Starting Sept. 8, Air France and KLM Flying Blue award flights will […]

Using points to redeem free nights at Hyatt all-inclusive resorts can be a great redemption. Whether you are booking with points earned from one of the Hyatt credit cards or a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards®, you are bound to get good value. There are two Hyatt credit cards, the personal card_name and also […]

When I first shared my plans for spending six weeks in Europe with my kids, everything looked great on paper. I had a rough itinerary, a handful of award bookings, and a strategy for balancing points, vacation rentals, and low-cost airlines. Now that we’re home, I can confidently say most of the plan worked exactly […]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ each offer two $250 credits for hotel stays booked through The Edit, totaling $500 each calendar year. Each credit requires a separate prepaid stay of at least two nights. But Chase has quietly added an important restriction to the terms and conditions of this credit: You […]

One of the biggest myths I hear is, “I wish I had known I needed to book a trip to Europe [or anywhere] sooner because now it’s too late to book my trip.” Actually, that’s often not true. Time and time again, I have great luck finding last-minute flights with points and miles. Particularly when […]

I’ll be the first to admit that I like to search for award flights the old-fashioned way (versus using some of the amazing award search tools out there). Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment. But seeing the new Avios calendar feature has my Luddite heart rejoicing. Avios.com has rolled out a new award calendar […]