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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Booking travel with points is great, but booking comfortable travel with points is even better. And if you’re traveling with kids, friends, or extended family, standard rooms can start to feel cramped really fast. This is where suite upgrade awards come in. If you hold Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards, Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards, or have […]

Credit cards that offer points that can be redeemed for hotel stays are an important part of our points and miles journey.  Sometimes we have a card and don’t want to pay the annual fee after the first year, so we are always sure to evaluate whether it makes sense to keep each card. But […]

Flying to Japan can cost a lot of points, especially if you want to travel in a premium cabin for such a long journey. So you’ll probably want to save points on your lodging once you get there. Luckily, you can find great hotel deals with your points (or free-night certificates if you have them). […]

Ever since writing about The Chatwal hotel in New York City in a previous blog post, I’ve been wanting to stay at this high-end property with fascinating history and connections to Broadway. The problem: it’s a Category 8 property and costs a lot of Hyatt points. So I thought this aspirational property would always remain […]

I recently returned from another trip to French Polynesia. The main purpose was to return to the Hilton Conrad Bora Bora Nui and take my sister with me. I also wanted to try another hotel on the trip and decided to stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa. Here’s what I thought about […]

Whether you’re booking an aspirational vacation or simply a night at the airport before your early morning flight, hotel free-night certificates are a useful part of any traveler’s points-and-miles toolkit. Read on to learn how to maximize value from hotel free-night certificates, wherever your travels take you.    Use Them Before They Expire  The most important […]

Your Hilton points can take you just about anywhere—from a dreamy beach escape in the Maldives to a luxury stay in one of Japan’s most popular cities. In this post, we’ll give you five aspirational Hilton properties to book on points or free-night certificates.  Hilton prices its hotels dynamically, making it a bit more challenging […]