From the moment we pulled up to the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana, I knew we were in for something special. It is tucked away on a quiet stretch of beach about 45 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. We were warmly greeted with cool towels, a yummy drink, and the vibe? Pure relaxation. If you’re […]

Megan sends in her reader success story about a trip to NYC with two IHG status perks. Here’s her story: InterContinental Ambassador Status Last year, I bought the InterContinental Ambassador status after learning about it from this blog post. I enjoyed the perks on a trip to New York City and will likely renew it. […]

Many readers want to know more about airline transfer bonuses because these can really help your miles go further. A transfer bonus is when you transfer points from a flexible currency like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, or Citi ThankYou® Points to a travel partner, and you receive a […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, May is bringing the heat with some of the best welcome offers we’ve seen in a while. Whether you want to earn free hotel stays or rack up airline miles, these elevated offers are worth a closer look. Some deals are only available briefly, so now is […]

Aloha is Calling: How to Choose the Perfect Hawaiian Island for Your Dream Getaway Hawaii is the ultimate bucket-list destination—a paradise of sun-drenched beaches, lush rainforests, and breathtaking volcanoes. But with so many stunning islands to choose from, deciding where to go can feel overwhelming. Should you soak up the vibrant energy of Oahu, explore […]

I fell in love with Japan the first time I visited, and it’s still my favorite country after this most recent visit. Ted, Ella, Molly, and I spent spring break in Tokyo and Kyoto, and we had the best time!  Here’s my review of Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, where we spent four nights. It will […]

In this episode, Jess takes us step-by-step through her family’s spring break trip to Japan—a points and miles masterpiece that cost just $200 total out of pocket for four round-trip flights and multiple hotel stays. From first class flights to washer/dryers in hotel rooms, this trip had it all. Whether you’re dreaming of cherry blossoms, […]

Whatever part of the world you’re traveling to, Hyatt has an aspirational hotel that can be as memorable as your destination. While these stays could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if paid in cash, you can book them with our favorite points—Hyatt points! While they will cost more points than your average hotel, with […]

Sometimes a first redemption is easier if you aren’t going too far from home. Starting out nearby can help someone get confidence in moving forward! Here is Lori’s reader success story to The Lodge at Spruce Peak in Stowe, Vermont.   Lori’s Points Adventure to Vermont Our first ever redemption was amazing!  We live in […]

Whether looking for a chic European city hotel, a beach retreat in the Maldives, or a rejuvenating visit to a Japanese spa, IHG points can help you find the aspirational hotel stay of your dreams.  Here are seven aspirational IHG properties to book on points. IHG—the hotel group behind Kimpton (a brand I love), InterContinental, […]

At some point in your travel journey, you’ve probably been stuck at the airport with a delayed or canceled flight, wondering if or how you’d ever get your money back. The good news? The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rolled out new rules in 2024 that finally hold airlines accountable in these frustrating situations. Here […]

Have you ever been at checkout, ready to earn some serious points, only to realize later that you used the wrong credit card and left bonus points on the table? Or even worse, have you ever found out after the fact that you had an American Express or Chase offer that could have saved you […]

I recently returned to the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa, but this time around with another daughter. This time, Alex came with me! Even though I’ve reviewed this hotel before, I wanted to talk about new insights, cover different rooms, and tell you what it was like visiting when the resort was at max […]

In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they’re breaking down […]

If you love temperate climates, cobblestone streets, and delicious food, San Miguel de Allende is for you! This colonial-era city is located in Mexico about four hours north of Mexico City. My husband and I spent three nights at Numu Boutique Hotel San Miguel de Allende (part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt), and fell […]

Credit card points and miles are not only for flying to destinations—road trips are also a great way to use points for hotel stays. In this post, Brooke primarily road-tripped most of her trip in her reader success story: a Southwest road trip! Here’s her story:   Southwest Road Trip We spent nine days and […]

All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean  While we love using our points for hotel stays and flights, it’s even better if those points can pay for your meals, drinks, and snacks on vacation, too! If the Caribbean is on your bucket list, you can book many all-inclusive resorts with various types of points in different locations […]

Sadly, there have been some changes to the United credit cards. And changes are seldom good news. 😩 Here are some of the top changes to note:    card_name This card has always been great to downgrade to and still get the United Airlines saver award options when you search for award space. Sadly, you […]

Hyatt Guest of Honor bookings are an amazing feature of the World of Hyatt program, whether you’re the person earning the award or the person who gets to use it! A Hyatt Guest of Honor (GOH) award is a fabulous Milestone Award you can earn. Once you’ve earned it, you can give it to someone […]

In this episode, we’re diving deep into IHG One Rewards—a hotel program that often flies under the radar but has serious potential. From practical Holiday Inns to luxury Kimptons and InterContinentals, we’re sharing our experiences using IHG points and free-night awards, how we earn them, and why buying IHG points (yes, buying!) can actually be […]

IHG often has great signup bonuses on their cards, but they fall somewhat under the radar compared to the other hotel brands. They have long been my second-favorite brand (after Hyatt, of course). We have many readers asking us about how we use our IHG points, so here goes! First of all, there are several […]