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 […]

Is your social media feed filled with cherry blossoms, ramen, and gorgeous Japanese architecture? You may be suffering from Japan FOMO. (I know I am!)  This wonderful country is one of the hottest destinations for Americans, with its fabulous food and exciting sights. The exchange rate has also been quite favorable, so your dollar can […]

This past weekend, Disney hosted our family aboard the Disney Wish, and wow, what an adventure! We spent three nights aboard the ship on our sailing to the Bahamas (and three nights definitely didn’t feel like enough)! Narrowing down our favorite parts wasn’t easy, but here are the five things we’ll be talking about for […]

If a beach trip isn’t how you want to use your points and miles, that’s okay. Check out our family ski trip reader success story, which could be the best way for you to use points and miles. Remember: You do you! I wish I had the name of the reader who submitted her story, […]

Spending ten days in Maui on points and miles is the ultimate travel dream come true—especially for a multigenerational trip! From a luxury beachfront resort on Ka’anapali Beach to the luxury of the Wailea area, our family, spanning grandparents, parents, and four rambunctious boys, experienced paradise together without draining our bank accounts. Using a mix […]

Abby takes us along on her reader success story to Deer Valley, Utah, where her family had an unbelievable ski trip.  We love hearing how our readers use their points and miles!   Points and Miles to Deer Valley, Utah  After reading all of the blogs and listening to the podcasts, I jumped feet first […]

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 […]

Traveling through Greece and Croatia with kids might sound ambitious, as these aren’t your usual family-friendly picks, but our family of five loved our recent spring break trip to these countries. I often get asked how I choose kid-friendly destinations, and the truth is, I don’t. I plan trips around where Tim and I want […]