The points-and-miles world is full of opinions about getting the absolute maximum value from every single point. And while that advice can be helpful, sometimes you just have to block out the noise, ignore the spreadsheets, and book the trip anyway. Even if it is not the most optimal redemption on paper. The entire point […]

Joyce sent in her reader success story about a mother-daughter trip to Japan.    Planning The Trip I started accumulating points and miles in early 2023 and started planning for a mother-daughter trip to Japan in 2024 (a year in advance!). It’s been close to 20 years since my mom and I last took a […]

I was terrified the first time I boarded a plane alone with all four of my kids. My youngest was 16 months old and still breastfeeding. The others were 4, 6 and 9. I stood at the gate with a stroller, multiple passports and a diaper bag, acutely aware that no other adult was coming […]

We have a lot of requests for more content about how to make points and miles work for big families. For some great examples of points-fueled big-family trips, check out our reader success stories! We’ve had lots of readers with big families share the trips they’ve booked, and these can be a great planning template. […]

This reader success story comes from Crystal all about her recent Disney World adventure! Here is her story: We just came back from our very first Disney trip two weeks ago—booked almost entirely on points and miles—and I have you ladies to thank! I’ve never been a “Disney person” (I had actually never been at […]

Some of the world’s most popular destinations are no longer just crowded—they’re expensive, and it feels like it hits points-and-miles travelers first. Award prices have crept up, hotel availability has tightened, and “good value” redemptions can be harder to find than they used to be. The upside? Many of the experiences travelers want—beaches, food scenes, […]

I’ve been to Guatemala six or seven times over the years and often with kids in tow. That repeat experience is exactly why I keep coming back to it as one of the most family-friendly destinations I know to book with points and miles. Guatemala isn’t an obvious choice for family travel. It doesn’t come […]

We left Jenn and her family of four in Istanbul last Friday. Here is the continuation of her story to Christmas markets and Amsterdam:   After an amazing time in Istanbul, we took an inexpensive economy flight (around $100) on Turkish Airlines to Cologne, Germany. At Istanbul Airport, we had access to the IGA lounge […]

Every January, the same reminder pops up: Spring break isn’t that far away, and the best deals won’t last. And every year, the moment flight searches begin, that urgency seems to be immediately rewarded with sticker shock—award space is gone, prices have jumped, and booking with points suddenly feels impossible. This Spring break season is […]

My family (25 of 32 people) just got back from a glorious Christmas trip to Costa Rica. We had a blast surfing, snorkeling, going on a catamaran, playing games together, and just enjoying each other’s company. My favorite part? Watching cousins hanging out together! We gifted the Airbnb (expensive at Christmastime) to everyone, and almost […]

One of our faithful readers, Jenn, sent us this reader success story about going to four cities with her family of four. They visited Frankfurt, Istanbul, Cologne, and Amsterdam with their family of four (P1, P2, 18-year-old son, 11-year-old son). Here’s her story:   Flights Our trip began with a flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, […]

I know many of you wonder how we travel so often and acquire so many credit card points and miles. First of all, this is our job, so we definitely are more intense about points and miles than you need to be. We also prioritize a LOT of travel so that we can show you […]

Gabb sent us this recent reader success story to sunny Puerto Rico!    I have been using points and miles for about three years now. I live on the East Coast & have taken flights to Paris, Italy, Florida, and California using points and miles, but this trip, we used points and miles not only […]

Melissa submitted this reader success story to Yellowstone National Park and also broke the news that the Denver Capital One Lounge no longer carries the chocolate-covered raisins I love so much. (No wonder I can’t find them anymore!🥲) Here’s Melissa’s story:   Where did we go: Bozeman, West Yellowstone, and Big Sky, Montana. Who Went: […]

I’m always keeping an eye on award flights to Central and South America—especially after spending an epic summer there with my kids last year. It’s one of those regions I’m already itching to return to thanks to its mix of affordability and family-friendly destinations. That’s why recent award pricing on American Airlines immediately caught my […]

I’ve always thought cruises weren’t for me. Being trapped on a boat didn’t sound like my idea of fun, and neither did crowds or the germs that come with them. But then Disney invited my family to a media preview sailing on its newest cruise ship, the Disney Destiny. It felt like the perfect opportunity […]

Let’s be honest, planning travel for a family of five (or more) can feel like organizing a Broadway production on a budget. You have different sleep schedules, conflicting snack preferences, and an uncanny ability for someone to need the bathroom exactly when boarding starts. Here at Points Talk Squad, we have spent years figuring out […]

The Southwest® Companion Pass® is among the best deals in the points and miles world.  Either my husband or I have had the Southwest® Companion Pass® off and on for the last seven years. When you earn the pass, you get to fly someone with you for free (minus taxes and fees starting at $5.60) […]

Is a trip to Scotland in your future? If it’s not, you should certainly add it to your list! From the dramatic Highland landscapes to charming villages and historic cities, Scotland is full of unforgettable places to explore, and finding the right place to stay can make your trip even more magical. If you’re dreaming […]

Whether you want to relax on a stunning beach or have an unforgettable adventure in nature and watch the adorable monkeys, Costa Rica has something for you. Read on to learn how this gorgeous country’s “pura vida” vibes can be yours, whatever your points budget. Bougie, budget, or basic—we got ya!   Bougie Flight: JetBlue Mint  […]

Family vacations are the best, but they can get pricey fast, especially with kids in tow. This is when you can use those hard-earned points and miles to book incredible stays at some of Mexico’s top all-inclusive resorts, making that dream trip way more affordable. Plus, Mexico is super accessible from most parts of the […]