Southwest Airlines® is my go-to choice for domestic travel, including flights to Hawaii. I have found huge value in using Southwest® Rapid Rewards to book flights. In my opinion, you really can’t beat Southwest Airlines® for family travel. Yes, there have been changes but it is still an amazing airline. Today, I will share with […]

Which premium credit card is really worth it for your travel style and spending habits? In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad put four of the top-tier cards head-to-head. They break down the American Express Platinum Card®, Capital One Venture X, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and the brand-new Citi Strata Elite℠, exploring the earning potential, perks, […]

So you have a stash of transferable points and are ready to book a flight, but where do you even start? In this post, we’ll help you answer the question of whether to book through your credit card’s travel portal or transfer your points to airline partners.  It can be a complex question, and the […]

One of our TMS dads, Nick, sent us this reader success story to Paris and Boston. Here is his story of learning about points and miles and then using that education for an amazing trip!   As I sit here at the Hôtel du Louvre in Paris, writing this, I can hardly believe this is […]

I just returned from an Alaska cruise on Princess Cruise Lines. I paid for the cruise outright and used points and miles to offset some of our other trip costs. Sure, it is possible to pay for a cruise. Some credit card issuers, like Chase, American Express, and Citi, allow you to book cruises through […]

My family might be addicted to streaming services. Seriously, I think we have them all! So when credit card benefits include credits for streaming services, I know those are benefits I’ll be able to take advantage of! Here are six streaming services covered by my credit cards (that I would 100% pay for regardless).   […]

Just in! We have new American Express Hilton Credit Card offers!  Here’s what has changed:   card_name     Learn How to Apply bonus_miles_full   The card_name is up first. This is a great entry-level card for Hilton hotel lovers and comes with a nice welcome offer, considering that it’s a no-annual-fee card. This card […]

Hotel credit cards often come with lucrative perks, like annual free-night certificates, automatic elite status, and high earning rates on hotel spend. While we encourage applying for credit cards with flexible points first, hotel credit cards are definitely part of our points and miles strategy. Here is information about how you may be able to […]

Short getaways don’t have to be stressful or require a full week off. In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad explores the world of micro-trips: perfectly sized escapes that deliver maximum value and relaxation. Alex, Jess, and Pam share their experiences planning and enjoying these quick getaways, from domestic city breaks to international trips, and […]

For frequent diners, American Express® has quietly transformed Resy into more than just a restaurant reservation platform—it’s now a way to get a “free” meal.  However, like many credit card benefits, Resy credits can be confusing or underutilized unless you understand exactly how they work. Let’s break it down and talk about how to maximize […]

Kayla sent us our most recent reader success story: ten days in Italy. Here is her story: I just got back from my dream Italian vacation! I started this hobby in early 2024 and just spent ten days in Italy on points and miles. We spent three nights in Rome, three in Florence, three in […]

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 […]

I love Air France and KLM for getting to Europe on points and miles! One reason is the Flying Blue Promo Rewards that come out on the first day of every month. Check out my post detailing the four reasons I love Air France. These are such good deals, so I will update this post […]

It is no surprise that we love Chase Ultimate Rewards®! We are always trying to earn more of them to book great Hyatt stays. A favorite credit card that allows us to earn Ultimate Rewards® is the Chase Freedom Flex℠. We love the Freedom Flex because of the quarterly spending bonus in rotating categories. Maximizing […]

If you’ve been considering a new credit card, October is looking great! We have a plethora of great offers to let you know about this month. 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 […]

In a world where everyone is comparing themselves to each other because of social media and other things, one of my favorite sayings is “you do you.” This is also true for the points and miles hobby. You do you! Please don’t compare yourself to others. There are countless strategies for earning points and miles, […]

The world of points and miles can feel overwhelming when everyone has an opinion on the “right” way to do things. In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad break down common award travel advice and show why it doesn’t always apply to every traveler. From what counts as smart redemptions to how to prioritize your […]

If you have ever stared longingly at those lie-flat business seats while trudging to your middle seat in the last row of economy with your kids, snacks, and sanity barely hanging on, then this post is for you. With the right stash of points and miles and everything you learned from Award Travel Academy, you […]

Carrie sent us this reader success story: Father’s Day in Chicago. She used points and miles to make her husband’s baseball dreams come true. Here’s her story: I used all the Travel Mom Squad tips to turn a last-minute work trip into a fun Father’s Day weekend! For reference, my husband and I live in […]

After falling hard for Secrets St. Lucia (and those ocean views), we weren’t ready for the magic to end. So we took our tenth-anniversary celebration to the next level, literally, by heading into the mountains for the most unforgettable hotel experience of our lives.  Ladera isn’t just a resort. It’s a love letter to nature. […]

The personal version isn’t the only one getting a makeover! Changes have been made to card_name, so if you have a small business, you’ll want to read on. The annual fee is jumping to annual_fees, but you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually on the Business Platinum Card®. Here’s how: For […]