From museums to the Eiffel Tower, the City of Lights has so much to offer families. You can visit this popular destination in luxury or on a budget. Grab your beret and a baguette, and let’s go to Paris! In this series of blog posts, we show you ways to get to a specific destination, whether […]

I usually love every Kimpton Hotel I meet, but I finally met one that was underwhelming. Welcome to my Kimpton Vividora Barcelona review, a.k.a. staying in a dorm room. Quirky, cute, but still a dorm room. It is located on a small, pedestrian side street near La Rambla, and the lobby seemed promising and charming. […]

Did I just stay at a hotel that may be my new favorite? I am on a trip to Mallorca after visiting Madrid and Barcelona. I left Alex and Jess in Barcelona and flew to Mallorca to meet another of my daughters. First stop: Nobis Hotel Palma in Mallorca, Spain. It was love at first […]

I knew that on my trip to Barcelona and Madrid, I also wanted to go somewhere else in Spain that was “new” to me. I remembered a fellow traveler on an airplane showing me pictures of the island of Mallorca and telling me that it was his favorite place. Problem solved—Mallorca it was. Mallorca on […]

Alex, Jess, and I usually take two trips together a year. One is our planning retreat in December, and the other is a trip just for fun. Last year for our “just for fun” trip, we went to Singapore, and Jess suggested that our trip this year should be “Points Talk Squad Takes Spain.” I […]

​The Thompson Madrid is a luxurious hotel situated in the heart of Madrid, near the Gran Vía and the Puerta del Sol. It was also a quick walk to the Plaza Mayor, the largest square in Madrid. It’s smack in the center of Madrid, in fact, and close to tons of dining, shopping, and nightlife. […]

Our reader success story comes from Ted, Jess’s husband, about his trip to Bora Bora as a Player Two. He definitely has a different perspective about why this points and miles trip meant so much to him, reminding us once again how important it is to “you do you!”   “When you see the Southern […]

If you’re anything like me (used to snowy Denver winters), you’re always dreaming of your next beach vacation. And if you’re flush with Hyatt points or have points to transfer, you’re in luck! Dreams Resorts, part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, offer stunning beachfront properties in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America that are perfect for […]

Today we’re catching back up with my family’s spring break trip to Greece and Croatia with kids on points and miles!  Next up, Croatia.   Dubrovnik, Croatia with Kids We flew from Athens to Dubrovnik with Aegean Air, using the same family fare we had used before. The flight was about an hour and a […]

Michelle sent us her reader success story to Italy. I especially love this story because they took grandma along! Here’s her story: I first got into points and miles in 2023 after stumbling across the Points Talk  Squad podcast. Soon I became totally obsessed! One idea that really caught my attention was flying business class […]

The Maldives are a destination that dreams are made of. With the postcard-perfect turquoise waters, powdery white beaches, and iconic overwater villas, it’s one of the most romantic and unforgettable places on earth. While its luxurious reputation may seem financially out of reach, using points and miles can make it surprisingly accessible, whether you’re seeking […]

Laura sent us her reader success story to the Big Apple: NYC! It is also one of our favorite places to use credit card points and miles! We also have a lot of NYC content on our website if you get inspired by Laura’s trip. Here is her story:   Earning and Using Points/Miles I […]

Glamping Stays You Can Book Through World of Hyatt If visiting a National Park is on your summer wish list, you can book a “glamping” (bougie camping) stay with your Hyatt points. Your family can hike in gorgeous natural settings by day and sleep under the beautiful night sky in a luxury tent. Going glamping […]

Have you ever checked into a hotel and immediately knew it wasn’t the hotel for you? I recently had this happen on a stay at the Zoëtry Mallorca. I was on a girls’ getaway with my daughter, Lindsey, and the theme of our trip was supposed to be luxury. Our stay at the Nobis Palma […]

A multi-generational trip to Costa Rica on points offers something for everyone, making it an ideal destination for families with different ages, interests, and activity levels. And using points means there’s more in the travel budget for amazing activities! We recently returned from a trip there with Alex’s family. Two parents, two grandparents, and four […]

If you want adventure or relaxation (or both!) in Costa Rica, Rio Perdido might be just what you’re looking for. Set within a 1,500-acre private reserve, Rio Perdido offers everything from cliffside yoga to a mile-long thermal river to a canyon adventure. Here’s how we did it on points and miles….   Getting There We […]

Natalie sent in this reader success story to Singapore and Australia. Here is her story: Flights For our big trip in August 2024, my boyfriend and I had long set our sights on visiting Singapore. We are big horse racing fans, and Singapore had announced that their famous Turf Club would cease operations in October […]

Thailand is a dream destination, offering everything from the vibrant energy of Bangkok to the tranquil beaches of Phuket and the lush jungles of Chiang Rai. But what if you could elevate your experience even further? Imagine staying in some of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels, all without stretching your budget. We’re sharing our ten best […]

We’re continuing my recent Thailand trip today with a review of the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui. We came here after a stay at the Conrad Koh Samui that we didn’t want to leave. How does the Ritz-Carlton compare? Nestled on 58 acres of a former coconut plantation, The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui offers a luxurious retreat overlooking […]

Thailand was one of the very first destinations I booked a trip to with credit card points when I first embarked on this whirlwind journey of nearly free travel. I fell in love with everything about the “Land of Smiles” and had been dreaming of a return visit for years. This year, that dream became […]

Sigh. I have started another Park Hyatt love affair. Here is my Park Hyatt Bangkok review—for an all-too-short stay of just one night that I would love to repeat. Park Hyatt Bangkok is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district, next to the upscale Central Embassy Mall. It is […]