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 […]

Many of our readers want to know if they can earn the Southwest® Companion Pass with the card_name offer that’s currently available. Yes, you can! Let’s outline the details!   Learn How to Apply bonus_miles_full   Despite the annual_fees annual fee, there are several reasons to love this card apart from the huge welcome offer! […]

This post comes to us from Jess before she was even part of TMS. It’s about another Miraval property than the one featured in our podcast for today, so we thought you’d like a repeat performance of her review!   Magic at Miraval Austin Set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, the Miraval Austin wellness […]

Does a getaway to a wellness resort seem like an unattainable luxury? Alex and Jess recently stayed at Miraval Arizona. In this episode, they’re sharing their experience from booking their flights and room to their favorite activities, and everything in between. While Miraval is known for its premium wellness experience, they’re here to show you […]

Secrets® St. Lucia Review: What It’s Really Like Staying at This New Adults-Only Resort on Points I love a good plot twist—and this one came with a beach view. When I first joined Award Travel Academy, St. Lucia felt totally out of reach. Availability was scarce, and the points price tag was high enough to […]

I must admit that this credit card has flown under our radar for some time. However, with mortgages comprising a considerable portion of our spending and a loyal student discussing the Mesa Homeowners Card at our recent meetup, we decided to take a closer look at it. Here’s what I found out: Although the Mesa […]

My wildest dreams came true on my recent Taylor-Swift-inspired trip to New York City! A friend and I were discussing how much we missed The Eras Tour, and I threw out the idea that we should take a trip to NYC and do all the Swiftie things. We couldn’t get it booked fast enough, because […]

One of our readers sent in this story (please send your name to me so I can credit you)! Here is her experience at the Hyatt Regency, Monterey, with a family of four AND Globalist status.    First Impressions Arriving at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, we immediately felt a sense of calm wash over us. […]

Today’s review concerns my favorite American Express credit card, the card_name which I plan to keep in my wallet. Despite an annual fee of annual_fees, I get more value from it than I pay. Skeptical? Stay tuned as I tell you why I love it so much…. For rates and fees of the American Express […]

Get ready for changes to the card_name. The annual fee is jumping to annual_fees, but you can unlock $3,500+ in annual value if you can utilize the credits and benefits associated with the card. Along with this jump in the annual fee comes a welcome offer as high as 175,000 American Express Membership Rewards® when […]