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 […]

Robin sent us her reader success story that includes Washington, D.C., Paris and London! Here it is: My husband and I celebrated our ten-year anniversary last April with a dream trip to Paris and London, starting with a quick stop in Washington, D.C. It was an unforgettable experience in each city, and I’m excited to […]

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 […]

Megan sent us her reader success story about her mom-daughter trip to Italy a while ago. Here it is: I discovered the world of points and miles through Points Talk Squad. Apple Podcasts recommended your podcast to me two years ago, and I was instantly hooked. Thank you for sharing your content in such a […]

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 […]

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. […]

Amanda’s reader success tory about a family trip to London and Paris includes a cautionary tale! 👀 My story is a cautionary tale of why everyone should have at least one solid travel card with insurance!    Getting Started with Points and Miles We unknowingly started with points and miles back in July 2023. My […]

When I first shared my plans for spending six weeks in Europe with my kids, everything looked great on paper. I had a rough itinerary, a handful of award bookings, and a strategy for balancing points, vacation rentals, and low-cost airlines. Now that we’re home, I can confidently say most of the plan worked exactly […]

Michelle sends us her reader success story about her Maui babymoon!   I decided to book my family a trip to Maui for a little babymoon/anniversary trip a couple of months before my husband and I were expecting our second baby.  Flights To get there, I booked three round-trip flights from Honolulu to Maui on […]

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, […]

PTS Reader Kayla sent us this reader success story and she didn’t even go on it! But she helped her parents plan their amazing trip to Amsterdam and Iceland. Here is her story:   Thanks to the Points Talk Squad, I have taken many amazing trips on points and made several wonderful memories along the […]

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 […]

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 […]

One of the easiest ways to save money while traveling is by booking hotels that include free breakfast for everyone, no elite status required. With hotel prices (and food prices) continuing to climb, complimentary breakfast can easily save a family $50 to $100+ per day, especially in major cities or resorts. The good news is […]

Laura wrote a previous reader success story, and here is her second one with her family of five, island-hopping in Hawaii! Here’s her story:   Hello, fellow points and miles fans! The Points Talk Squad recently published my reader success story from our fall family trip to NYC.  Over the kids’ spring break this year, […]

There’s something about Boston that works for families. It’s walkable, packed with history, has plenty of kid-friendly food options, and somehow still feels manageable with kids in tow. We just spent Memorial Day weekend with Alex’s family, including four boys aged 5, 9, 12, and 14, and everyone had a great time. And the best […]

Flexible points currencies are only as valuable as the ways you can redeem them. And when it comes to versatility, Chase Ultimate Rewards® are among the strongest options around. Between airline and hotel transfer partners, redemptions through Chase Travel℠, and newer features like Points Boost, there are plenty of ways to cash in your rewards. […]

Six weeks in Europe with kids sounds expensive, and it definitely can be. Flights alone could easily run a few thousand dollars per person, and that’s before you even think about hotels, trains or the inevitable “we need snacks right now” moments. But this is exactly the kind of trip points and miles were made […]

Points and miles have often made my dreams come true. Business-class flights, luxury hotels, and beach vacations whenever I want are things I never thought would be possible. But in addition to that, points and miles can also make a five-year-old’s dreams come true, and luckily, I got to tag along. My youngest grandchild, Noah, […]

I just got back from the Big Apple, where I celebrated a birthday trip to NYC on points and miles. And no, it wasn’t for me, a friend, my daughters, or any adult—it was for my ten-year-old grandson, Kai, Alex’s son. She and I take her boys to celebrate their tenth birthdays wherever they choose. […]