Demita posted her reader success story to Bora Bora in our Facebook Group and agreed to let me add it here. Thanks, Demita!     Wow, what a dreamy once-in-a-lifetime vacation we took to Tahiti and Bora Bora. This is by far the most complicated point trip I have ever booked. Important note: Conrad devalued […]

There are two types of people in this world. The first group books a family beach vacation with a killer pool setup and calls it a win. The second group wants a family adventure filled with pine trees, waterfalls, s’mores by a firepit, and a decent chance of spotting a bald eagle. Obviously, both of […]

If you’re familiar with the major hotel loyalty programs, then you already know the drill. Stay with Hyatt, earn World of Hyatt points. Stay with Hilton, earn Hilton Honors points. Stay with Marriott, earn Marriott Bonvoy points. But I Prefer Hotel Rewards is a little different. It’s the loyalty program for hundreds of independent hotels […]

American Airlines and Hyatt are calling it quits(ish) on their enhanced loyalty partnership, but World of Hyatt already has another airline waiting in the wings. Hyatt and Delta Air Lines announced a new long-term partnership on Sept. 9, 2026, the same day Hyatt and American confirmed they would wind down their existing relationship. The new […]

One of the most overlooked premium credit card benefits is the hotel credit available through The Edit.  This is one of those perks that deserves more attention because it can significantly reduce the cost of a stay while adding valuable extras you might not have booked otherwise. Whether you have the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve® […]

There’s something about a beachfront hotel that immediately feels like a vacation, and The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa in Oceanside, California, delivers exactly that. Located right across from the beach and just steps from the Oceanside Pier, this Destination by Hyatt property combines a laid-back Southern California feel with upscale touches that make a […]

Hilton Honors Free Night Rewards are easily one of the most valuable perks you can earn from a hotel credit card. Unlike some hotel free-night certificates that are capped at a certain number of points, Hilton Free Night Rewards can be redeemed for a standard room at almost any Hilton property worldwide. And when we […]

This week’s reader success story comes from Shauna, who had an epic trip to Peru thanks to points and miles. Here’s her story: I started using points and miles in 2022 after coming across some videos by Pam and Alex online.  Eventually, I bought Points Talk Academy® and Points Talk Academy Next Level® as soon […]

Business class gets all the attention in the points-and-miles world. But sometimes you don’t need a bed in the sky; you just need to get to say, Europe, without spending a small fortune. Fortunately, economy award availability to Europe is generally much easier to find than premium-cabin awards. The bad news? Not every award is […]

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 […]

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 European flights. And now it’s already adding two more destinations. They grow up so fast! Alaska Airlines has co-branded credit cards offered through Bank of America. Just recently, they have become one of our favorite ways to travel to Europe. Beginning in May […]

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. […]