We all love talking about luxurious, over-the-top award redemptions—think first-class flights, overwater villas, and five-star resorts. But let’s be real—some of the best uses of points and miles are not Instagram-worthy. In this episode, we break down the difference between sexy and unsexy redemptions, why both are important, and how they each play a role […]

We all love a tropical beach vacation, traveling in business class, or staying at a luxury hotel. However, one of the less-talked-about features of credit card points and miles may be the unsexy award redemptions we can make that are just convenient or emergency lifesavers. Let’s talk about a few of these.   Family Emergencies […]

Aruba is famous for being “one happy island,” and the best way to maximize your happiness while visiting this stunning Caribbean destination is by booking your stay using points and miles! As a top-tier vacation spot, Aruba naturally sparks a lot of questions about how to book an amazing stay without breaking the bank. So, […]

Michael sent us a reader success story about how he went to Aruba on points and miles. This got my attention as I had a trip planned to Aruba that same November. We used different points and miles but the end result was the same—fun in the sun for next to nothing!   Michael’s Story […]

Once again, a reader shares her love of one of our favorite hotels in Mexico! Paige shares her reader success story to Hyatt Ziva Cancun with us. All made possible with credit card points and miles—and it was her first time not using a travel agent! Here is her story! I have loved your courses, […]

There’s nothing quite like checking into a luxury hotel knowing you booked it entirely with points and miles. Using points strategically can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But finding the best redemption rates isn’t always straightforward, as award availability fluctuates, and hotel programs have different pricing models. That’s where the right search […]

We are the first to admit that we love a nice luxury hotel on credit card points and miles. But that’s not always the case when we are doing family travel. Those types of hotels usually won’t fit an entire family, they cost a lot of points, and having to pay for breakfast for an […]

Mulled wine, thoughtful gifts, and delicious food are all part of the iconic European Christmas market experience. And with some points, miles, and planning, you could do your holiday shopping this year at a charming European Christmas market.  Here’s some inspiration for planning your trip to European Christmas markets in 2025 on points and miles. […]

If you’ve been eyeing an American Express card but aren’t sure which one to get, you’re in the right place! In this episode, we break down two great personal cards—the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express—and two great business cards—the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® […]

Let’s check out some of the best credit card welcome offers that are available now. We will look at each of these offers and see why they are valuable. Evaluating and comparing before deciding what to apply for is always a good idea. All the best offers available now are listed here so they’re easy […]

Just in! We have new American Express Hilton Credit Card Offers! I was just saying to Alex and Jess that the elevated offers have been pretty slim lately. Someone must have been listening because American Express upped their game today! Here’s what has changed:   Hilton Honors American Express Credit Card The American Express Hilton […]

When we first started earning and using credit card points and miles, we had no points and miles course to help us.  We would spend hours reading, researching, and running practice award searches. But it was way too time-consuming. We would try to take in and digest all the content, and after the hours flew […]

Our latest reader success story comes from Kayla, and it’s all about the “happiest place on earth”—Disneyland.  Here is Kayla’s reader success story to Disneyland.   Using credit card points and miles for discounted trips was something I hadn’t heard of before July 2022. Fast forward to March 2023, and my family of 4 was […]

Airport lounge access is one of my favorite benefits, and I get it with some of my credit cards. I usually try to arrive earlier than I normally would when I fly so I can visit a lounge, have a small meal, and unwind a little. It is such a nice perk! Time flies in […]

Have you ever returned from an international trip to be met with a huge immigration line? Ugh, that used to be the worst for me! But then I got Global Entry. I can now breeze through immigration no matter what U.S. city I land in. Once, upon returning from Turks and Caicos, our port of […]

From Broadway to museums to world-class food, the Big Apple has something for everyone–but it’s certainly not cheap! That’s why we love traveling to New York City on points and miles, and why many of our readers and Facebook Group members do, too. The high hotel prices mean this city can be a great place […]

Today we’re talking all about some of our favorite family hotel stays with points.  There are a few repeats in this list as we tend to create FOMO with each other when we talk about our favorite stays!   Alex’s Favorites Hyatt Ziva Cancun (all-inclusive): all the food, drinks, and treats they could want! Two […]

Dreaming of taking your family to Europe without draining your wallet? In this episode, we sit down with our team member and resident Europe travel expert, Traci Siegel, to share her tried-and-true tips for flying a family overseas using points and miles. These strategies will help make your dream a reality!   Listen on Apple […]

Where in Europe do you want to go? Greece, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Croatia? There are so many fabulous European destinations, and most beginner points-and-miles users start off their points-earning journeys earning Chase Ultimate Rewards®, so let’s talk about using Chase Ultimate Rewards® for European flights. First, there are 11 airline transfer partners that you can […]

When you’re in the beginning stages of planning that dream trip, it’s worth considering whether travel insurance might be a smart addition to your plans.  Are you traveling abroad? Do you have concerns about getting sick? Or would you feel more at ease knowing that you and your family are covered if something goes wrong? […]

Currently, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has an elevated offer. But . . . what can I do with the welcome offer from card_name? Does it make sense to get it now? Here are our thoughts and some ideas for using the welcome offer!   Learn How to Apply bonus_miles_full   For Capital […]