What if you could cover the cost of all those road trips, tournaments, and quick overnight stays without paying out of pocket? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how points and miles can be used for the kind of travel families are already doing, from kids’ sports weekends to airport stays and visiting […]

JetBlue is raising checked baggage fees, citing a recent spike in jet fuel costs. And while baggage fees themselves aren’t new, the timing—and the reason—feel a bit harder to stomach. What JetBlue’s New Bag Fees Look Like For most travelers, a first checked bag now costs about $39 during off-peak periods or $49 during peak […]

An African safari can feel completely out of reach for most families, but what if there were ways to bring that cost down using points and miles? In this episode, Jess, Megan, and Pam break down how to make a safari more affordable, from flights to lodging and everything in between. The Squad walks through […]

Travel credit cards can unlock incredible benefits, from free flights and hotel stays to airport lounge access and travel protections. But before you can start earning points and miles, you need a solid credit profile—whether you’re building credit for the first time or working to rebuild it. That’s because many of the best travel rewards […]

Chase has introduced a new hotel price-match guarantee through Chase Travel℠, a move that brings its portal more in line with (my personal favorite) Capital One’s long-standing price-match benefit. While this seemingly could make booking through the Chase portal more appealing, the details aren’t necessarily supporting this.  How the Price Match Works With this new […]

What’s it like to take your family on a safari in Tanzania? In this episode, Jess and Pam are joined by Megan, who recently returned from a safari with her family. They’re breaking down their experiences, from booking flights to the safari itineraries, and sharing tips for a family-friendly adventure of a lifetime. Jess and […]

We just returned from Austin, Texas, after our second nomination at the iHeart Podcast Awards in the travel category. Nope, we didn’t win, but what an honor!    Flights Jess drove from Houston (no miles needed), I flew United, and Alex flew on Southwest. We met up on Sunday night and left on Tuesday morning, […]

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to visit India? In this episode, Pam shares highlights from her recent trip through India, Nepal, and Bhutan, a journey she had dreamed about for years after reading books about the region’s culture and history. From bustling cities to sacred rivers and mountain monasteries, she reflects on […]

I just spent a delightful hour at the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). I love flying into LGA when I go to New York City anyway, because it is a closer drive to get into the city, and this lounge makes LGA an even better idea. This lounge is next […]

What’s your ideal family travel strategy? In today’s fun and lively episode, The Points Talk Squad plays a family edition of “Would You Rather?” with travel-themed dilemmas. Alex and Jess are joined by Traci and Megan, who each share personal experiences and strategies. Tune in to hear their answers to these tough travel choices and […]

Southwest Airlines has launched a new status match challenge that allows travelers with elite status from other airlines to receive Rapid Rewards A-List or A-List Preferred. While Southwest has offered status matches in the past, this version is extra enticing because it allows travelers to match all the way up to A-List Preferred, the airline’s […]

Airbnb has completely changed how many families (mine included) travel. Instead of squeezing into a standard hotel room with piles of people and suitcases, we’ve spread out in apartments in Europe, rented homes near national parks, and booked longer stays that make it feel more like we’re living somewhere rather than just visiting. But tragically, […]

Can you use points and miles in a way that actually fits your life, not someone else’s highlight reel? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down the many different ways this hobby can work depending on your goals, your season of life, and what kind of traveler you are. From bougie hotel lovers […]

It’s been a rocky stretch for longtime Southwest Airlines® fans. First, the airline scrapped its open seating. And to add insult to injury, it also eliminated free checked bags. But now, there’s at least one silver lining. Southwest® announced it will begin installing ultrafast in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink across its fleet, and the service […]

You may have seen headlines about TSA PreCheck® being suspended as part of the partial U.S. government shutdown. Take a deep breath. PreCheck isn’t shut down. While an initial statement suggested changes to Trusted Traveler programs, TSA has since clarified that screening operations continue as normal.   Why Travelers Thought PreCheck Was Suspended Amid funding […]

At first glance, Capital One Shopping looks like a basic deal-finding browser extension. But in reality, and when used intentionally, it can do so much more. This guide breaks down how Capital One Shopping works, where it delivers the most value, and how to use it as part of a broader savings strategy—without expecting perfection. […]

Can you travel on points without spending a lot? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how low spenders can still earn and redeem points for flights, hotels, and more. They break down practical strategies for earning rewards without the need for big monthly expenses. The Squad discusses how everyday purchases like groceries, gas, […]

I’ve been using the American Express airline incidental credit on my eligible Amex cards for years. And like many other points and miles people, I relied on United TravelBank to do it. It was simple. Every January, I’d just select United as my airline, load amounts into my TravelBank, and the charge would trigger the […]

Are you ready to make Citi ThankYou® Points work harder for you? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess dive into the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, sharing how recent changes have made these points more valuable than ever. They discuss how a new card and the ability to transfer points to a major airline have […]

Barclays AAdvantage cardholders are about to see a major issuer shift—and while the transition with this card is automatic, your strategy shouldn’t be. With Citi taking over the AAdvantage portfolio this spring, you’re probably wondering whether to let the conversion happen, close the account, or make a proactive move before the change takes effect. Before […]

card_name and card_name just announced that their cards will now include wellness benefits for a limited time. Here are the details. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers can receive $359 cash back for a WHOOP Life annual membership, while Chase Sapphire Preferred® cardmembers can receive $100 cash back for any WHOOP annual membership. Existing WHOOP members can […]