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If you’re looking for a family-friendly home base in San Diego where you kids can spot planes, helicopters, and boats, look no further than the Sheraton San Diego Resort!  I wound up at this hotel for a July stay because my husband/Player 2 scored a ticket to Comic-Con! And even though we were visiting during […]

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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 […]

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All information about American Express cards have been collected independently by Points Talk Squad.  American Express cards are no longer available through Points Talk Squad. 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 […]

An aerial view of a mountainous island in the middle of a bright blue sea

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All information about American Express cards has been collected independently by Points Talk Squad.  American Express cards are no longer available through Points Talk Squad. 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 […]

Aerial view of the massive Marquis Los Cabos All Inclusive Resort & Spa surrounded by sand and blue water.

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When you think of hotel loyalty programs, names like Hilton Honors™, Marriott Bonvoy®, and World of Hyatt probably come to mind. But those aren’t the only programs that can reward you for your hotel stays—especially if you’re into independent luxury hotels over big-name chains. The Leading Hotels of the World® is a collection of more […]

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The Fine Hotels + Resorts® credit available with your American Express Platinum Card® or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express can be one of the easiest premium card benefits to use, but only if you know exactly where to book and what qualifies. Here’s the simple process I follow.   Log in to American […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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There are few cities on earth that make you feel like you accidentally wandered into a movie set quite like Rome. One minute you are standing in front of the Colosseum, wondering how it was built, and the next you are enjoying an espresso and romanticizing your life while walking down a cobblestone street, dreaming […]

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If you’ve searched for Marriott hotels lately, chances are you’ve come across the Moxy brand. The bright colors, trendy lobbies, and playful vibe definitely stand out from your typical hotel experiences. But what exactly is a Moxy hotel, and is it a good fit for your next trip? I’ve stayed at two Moxy properties over […]

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Like many people in the points-and-miles world, my main, go-to hotel program used to be Hyatt. The first thing I did when planning a trip was to check whether there was a suitable Hyatt and, if I had enough points, book it. This was especially true if I needed to travel at a peak time.  […]

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In my opinion, there’s nothing better than summer—except for maybe some summer travel points promotions! And right now there are several great ones when it comes to hotels. Here are some of the best hotel promotions currently available. Wyndham Rewards: Earn up to 30,000 Bonus Points Wyndham Rewards is offering one of the strongest hotel […]

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Some hotels impress you. Others make you stop in your tracks. Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest falls firmly into the second category. Right in the center of Budapest, it feels less like a hotel and more like a movie set. We mentioned The Great Gatsby on occasion. When I first walked in after traveling for over […]

Lounge chairs and umbrellas on sand

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When Hyatt first announced its 2026 award category changes, many of us immediately braced for the worst. If you’ve been in the points and miles world long enough, you dread hearing anything about a change to this wonderful hobby. And yes, there are definitely some losses this year. But after digging through the changes, we […]

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IHG One Rewards just launched its new summer promotion, but this time, members will need to make a choice before earning any bonus points. After registering, members can choose between one of two offers: Earn 2,000 bonus points every two qualifying nights Earn 8,000 bonus points every four qualifying nights The promotion is valid for […]

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Amsterdam is one of those rare cities that is both historic and modern. It’s not defined by a single landmark, but by the atmosphere, beauty, and lifestyle you experience everywhere you go.  The canal system is unlike anywhere else in the world, and the city’s walkability, along with its famous bike culture, makes it a […]

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A review of the Andaz Delhi is something that I’d never thought I’d be writing. Me in India? Preposterous! But sometimes you find yourself going places you never thought you’d see. And here is my review of the Andaz Delhi, if you want to head to India, too.   Redemption The Andaz Delhi is a […]

Large Hotel with pool and palm trees

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Marriott Bonvoy® members have a new way to stretch their free night certificates a little further. As of March 12, 2026, Marriott increased the maximum number of points members can add to a Free Night Award certificate from 15,000 points to 25,000 points. That extra flexibility could help travelers book hotels that previously fell just […]

Blue pool with children swimming and playing on an inflatable llama with a desert background

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Hotel credits have become a staple of premium travel credit cards. On paper, they can offset annual fees significantly—sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year. In practice, however, these credits aren’t always easy to use. Many require prepaid bookings through specific portals, minimum-stay requirements, or choosing luxury properties that cost far more than you’d normally […]

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It’s no secret that I love certain hotel brands. The Park Hyatt. Kimpton Hotels. Another brand that I love is the Hyatt Thompson brand so when we changed our annual retreat to the Thompson Houston, I was excited to stay at another one. I was NOT disappointed.  Redemption The Thompson Houston is a Category 5 […]

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There is no place on Earth quite like New York City. The famous concrete jungle is the epicenter of all things show business, food, art, history, shopping, and experiences. With so much to do and see, every visit can feel like your first. I love NYC because there are endless options for booking your stay […]

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.