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 […]

We just got home from another great family trip (despite overcast and cold weather), and it reminded me of something I think we sometimes forget in the points-and-miles world. Points and miles aren’t about flying in business class every time or staying in the fanciest hotel. They’re about making family trips possible. In this case, […]

There are some destinations that are amazing to visit once, and others that keep calling you back. For me, Greece falls firmly into the second category. Even after multiple visits, I find myself searching for award flights and planning another trip almost every year. Part of the magic is how different each Greek island feels. […]

Most airline credit cards promise you free checked bags, priority boarding and bonus miles. But a handful offer something potentially even more valuable: a companion certificate. Depending on the airline, a companion certificate can save you a lot of money on a single trip. In general, in exchange for paying an annual fee—or sometimes meeting […]

When you think of using Hilton Honors points, you might picture an overwater bungalow in the Maldives or a beachfront resort in the Caribbean. But some of the very best redemptions are right here in the United States. From water parks and lazy rivers to private beaches and unforgettable wildlife encounters, Hilton has family-friendly resorts […]

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 […]

Bahia Principe all-inclusive resorts were recently added to the World of Hyatt program, offering points travelers a new way to spend (or earn) our valuable Hyatt points.  Bahia Principe is a group of more than 20 all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Spain—many of which are now bookable with Hyatt points. These […]

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 […]

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.  Last Chance! This offer will end at […]

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 […]