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In this episode, Jess and Alex are sharing all the magic, insights, and travel tips they brought back from a recent media event at Walt Disney World. From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to exciting new ticket and resort updates, they’re joined by Megan—Travel Mom Squad’s Disney expert—to talk about how to make a Disney trip more […]

Travel Mom Squad readers love Disney vacations because they offer the perfect mix of family-friendly fun, nostalgia, and magical experiences that create unforgettable memories. Even better, we can use credit card points to decrease the cost of these trips. Sometimes, these are the most important trips you will take with your family, and you want […]

One of my favorite airports to stay at when I have an early departure is the Westin Denver International Airport. It is just a short walk to get to the airport and I enjoy the views of the tarmac or the airport, depending on where your room is.  This hotel is one of the first […]

Today, we are joining Stephanie on her reader success story to Dublin and Southern Ireland—a place known for its lush greenery, rolling hills, and rugged coastline. She took this trip in 2022 with her family of four. Here is her story: We are a family of four living just outside of Washington, DC, in Alexandria, […]

I love Park Hyatts. They are the gem of the Hyatt hotel brand, and the Park Hyatt Auckland is no exception. This was the first hotel we stayed at on our recent trip to New Zealand, and I am already plotting a return visit. Here is my Park Hyatt Auckland review.         […]

I just completed a return to New Zealand on points and miles. My first trip to New Zealand was to the South Island. We were supposed to go to the North Island on that same trip too, but they had sudden flash flooding, and we had to cancel that part of our itinerary. So this […]

New Zealand has been high on so many of your travel wish lists—and for good reason! In this episode, Pam shares details from her recent two-week adventure on the North Island of New Zealand, including how she booked business-class flights and multiple free hotel nights —all using points and miles (and one fortuitous mistake fare). […]

Amy sent us this reader success story to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. She didn’t even go on this trip but facilitated the trip for her family. Here’s her story: I have three kids in their twenties who have started opening their own cards to dabble in getting points and miles. My 25-year-old son and his […]

Not sure how to maximize your points? In this episode, we break down the top three ways to use each of the four major flexible points currencies—our favorite points currency (IYKYK), American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points—so you can book travel smarter.   Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on […]

Stephanie sent in this story about her ski trip to Park City on points. Many of our readers love to ski or snowboard and Park City is a mecca for winter activities.  Here is her story:   A Winter Wonderland: Our Family Ski Trip to Park City, Utah While most travelers chase the sun in […]

Once again, I recently found myself on the brink of missing a positioning flight.  Cue the adrenaline rush! There’s nothing worse than that panicked, sinking feeling that your hard-earned business-class redemption, booked with precious points and miles, might slip through your fingers. Or worse—that your trip itself might be at risk.  So when you’re scheduling […]

Jodi sent us her reader success story to Clearwater Beach in Florida on credit card points and miles. We love reading your stories, and especially love when the stories are about someone’s very first award redemption! Here’s Jody’s story:   Jody’s Story with Credit Card Points and Miles I first discovered the Travel Mom Squad […]

Deciphering points and miles “code,” so to speak, can be a challenge!  “If you add your Player 2 as an AU, he’ll be at 5/24 and won’t get approved for a CIP and you’ll have a tough time racking up enough points to fly in J.”  Got that?  Translation:  If you add your spouse as […]

St. George, Utah, is a gorgeous destination spot in the southwest corner of Utah, known for its warm climate, stunning red rock landscapes, and endless outdoor adventures. With its close proximity to Zion National Park, it’s a perfect addition to any National Parks road trip or just an escape from cold winter weather. So when […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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® […]

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 […]