Today was the first day that I was heading to the Capital One Lounge after they made the changes to lounge access that severely impacted families. I have been used to long lines every time I go there, and was curious what it would look like today. No line. I walked straight to the check-in […]

Have you ever had a travel day that felt almost too good to be true or one that completely fell apart before you even left the airport? In this episode, Alex, Jess, and Pam share their best and worst travel days and the moments that made those experiences so memorable for very different reasons. They […]

Points and miles people hate fees almost as much as they love a good redemption. Unfortunately, TSA has rolled out a new $45 option for travelers who show up without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. As of February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration is enforcing a new policy at airport […]

American Express is tightening access to its Centurion Lounge network once again. Starting July 8, 2026, Amex will introduce new limits on guests and lounge entry timing. The changes arrive shortly after Capital One announced upcoming restrictions to its own lounge access. Together, the moves point to a clear trend: premium credit card lounges are […]

How are you navigating the new rules for airport lounge access? With major changes impacting families in 2026, this episode breaks down what you need to know about the evolving lounge access landscape. The removal of free guest access and the introduction of fees for authorized users could significantly affect your travel experience. While the […]

Do you feel overwhelmed by the constant changes in the points and miles world? In this episode, we break down everything that happened in 2025, from exciting new card releases to some challenging policy changes. Whether you’re feeling discouraged by the negative headlines or wondering if this hobby is still worth it, we’re here to […]

A lot of credit cards include something commonly called “lifetime language” in the fine print. That language limits you to earning the welcome offer once in your lifetime, no matter how long it’s been since you closed the card. If you already had it years ago, you’re usually out of luck. When a card that […]

How do you decide which credit cards actually earn a permanent spot in your wallet? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess break down the cards they plan to carry daily in 2026 and the thinking behind those choices. Instead of chasing every new offer, they focus on what truly supports their real-life spending, travel […]

Bilt has moved on from its original single-card setup and now offers a tiered credit card lineup. With Bilt 2.0 in place, cardholders now have more choices—and more tradeoffs. Here’s how the three Bilt credit cards compare.   How Bilt’s Credit Card Lineup Is Structured Bilt now follows a familiar tiered credit card approach that […]

Do you get overwhelmed booking award travel, especially business class flights? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter from Thrifty Traveler to talk through what really goes into finding great award opportunities. They share how they each got started with points and miles, how they approach finding strong […]

American Airlines has started offering free in-flight Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members. The move brings the carrier closer to competitors that already include complimentary onboard internet. According to the airline, free Wi-Fi will be available across 100% of its narrowbody and dual-class regional aircraft. Once the rollout is complete, the service should be accessible on nearly […]

Fair Credit Isn’t the End of the Road If you’ve ever checked your credit score, seen “fair,” and immediately assumed rewards credit cards weren’t for you, you’re not alone. For a long time, the credit card world has made it feel like perks, cash back and travel rewards are reserved for people with pristine credit […]

I was lucky to get several The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with NLL (no lifetime language) offers a couple of years ago. I have slowly cancelled them (in hopes of getting new offers and also not wanting to pay that high annual fee). Today I went down to just one such card. But […]

If Europe has been on your travel radar for 2026, now might be the moment to lock something in. A new transatlantic sale is pushing round-trip economy flights to Europe down to around $399, with discounted fares available on Aer Lingus and British Airways. The sale runs through January 22, and while the lowest prices […]

How did Alex, Pam, and Jess go from confusion about points and miles to becoming the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, they each share their personal journeys into the world of award travel. From initial curiosity to their first unforgettable trips, they discuss how discovering points and miles changed the way they travel. The […]

Rakuten has officially rolled out what appears to be its best referral offer ever, and it’s a big one. New users can earn $50 cash back after making qualifying purchases, and that’s real money you can cash out, not points or store credit. If you’ve been around for a while, you know Rakuten bonuses usually […]

For decades, access to airport gates followed a simple rule: if you didn’t have a boarding pass, you didn’t enter. After the security changes that followed 9/11, U.S. airports became sharply divided spaces. Ticketed passengers moved through security to the gate. Everyone else waited outside—saying goodbye at the curb, reuniting at baggage claim, and missing […]

Every year reshapes the points-and-miles landscape, and 2025 delivered some of the biggest swings we’ve seen in recent memory. From amazing earning opportunities to painful devaluations, the hobby reminded us why it’s exciting—and why it can be frustrating. Here’s a full look at the good, the bad, and the truly ugly in the points-and-miles world. […]

What are your travel plans for 2026, and how are you using points and miles to make them happen? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share their exciting plans for the upcoming year. From safaris in Tanzania to river cruises in France, they break down how they’re using credit card rewards to book these dream trips and maximize their points. The Squad dives into their […]

I’ve long had Marriott Bonvoy® status with my credit cards and the status that comes with them.  I also love flying Singapore Airlines, so I appreciated it when Traci (our compliance editor) sent me this link. Got Marriott status, like me? If so, you can status match to KrisFlyer, and it’s super easy! Here’s the […]

What were the highlights this year for award travel for the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess take you through their year of points and miles. From opening new cards to traveling to incredible destinations, they share how they maximized their credit card rewards in 2025 to make their travel dreams […]