We enjoy our elite status through different hotels, particularly our Hyatt Globalist status. But did you know that there is an elite status you can buy instead of earning it? If you have ever stayed at an Intercontinental Hotel, IHG’s luxury brand, you know they are very luxurious. Think marble, elegant furniture, and chandeliers; you […]

We often get asked this question, “Do we use points/miles for ALL travel?” The answer is no. While credit card points and miles cover most of our travel, it does not cover all of it. If you are trying to cover every single expense for your own travel, you might end up frustrated. Or, at […]

Ever wonder how some people manage to jet off on amazing vacations without breaking the bank? Today, we’re spilling the secrets on how to start traveling for ‘almost free’ by harnessing the power of credit card points and miles. Whether you’re a points newbie or just need a refresher, this episode is your passport to […]

Using credit cards has its rewards when you follow the Ten Commandments of Points and Miles.  Follow these rules, and you will rack up more points and be able to travel more often!   1.  Pay Off Credit Cards Monthly Travel is not free if you are paying interest.  Not paying off your credit cards […]

What is a waitlisted flight, and is it a viable option? Recently, I had an experience with one on Singapore Airlines. Alex, Jess, and I decided to book a trip to Singapore, and Jess did an outstanding job of convincing us that the Premium Economy on Singapore would be “just fine.” There was this incredible […]

Our latest success story is a blast from the past for Alex and I. Shannon sends her reader success story to Bali on points and miles, where she used a mix of points/miles and cash for an unforgettable trip!   Shannon’s Story I know Pam and Alex from California, and I feel like I know […]

Recently, Citibank rebranded the Citi Premier card (no longer open to new applicants) to the Citi Strata Premier Card. There were not a lot of changes to the card besides the design and a new name, increased earn rates at EV charging stations, and travel protections. We do love a flexible currency card, and all […]

With the recent Hyatt award chart changes, the Hyatt Place Kyoto is one of the hotels making a rare downgrade in a category. It was previously a Category 3 Hyatt hotel, but as of March 26, 2024, it is a Category 2. This makes standard nights only 8k points per night! While traveling during the […]

Tokyo was the last city we visited on our 2.5 week family trip to South Korea and Japan. There are so many hotels in Tokyo that it was difficult to narrow down where our family of 5 would stay for our three nights. Pam and Jess had previously stayed at the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills […]

On my recent trip to Roatan, Honduras, I had pizza at Pizzarama. This restaurant is located at Bananarama, a Dive and Beach Resort less than half a mile from the Kimpton Roatan, where I was staying. While the pizza was good, the resort was not somewhere that I would ever want to stay. Once again, […]

Ever wonder how a busy mom of two transformed from a points and miles novice to a traveling on points pro, jet-setting in first class and organizing family vacations for practically pennies on the dollar? Well, buckle up, because today’s episode is all about Stephanie’s jaw-dropping journey through our Award Travel Academy. Listen on Apple […]

Seoul, South Korea was the first stop of our family of five’s 2.5 week trip to South Korea and Japan. I originally booked two rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae with IHG points. However, after realizing we would want more comfort for our first few nights in Asia while we adjust to the […]

Our most recent reader’s success story comes from Jess’ husband, Ted. Originally, the whole family had planned to go to San Antonio to watch the eclipse. Circumstances changed for Jess and Molly, but Ted went anyway and wrote us a reader success story: Hyatt Place and the Eclipse. (Yay, for Ted)! Here’s his story: I […]

Earlier this year, Hyatt announced the end of its partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World as of May 15, 2024 (😢). They also announced their partnership with Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels. For those unfamiliar with these brands, let’s talk about Hyatt and Mr. and Mrs. Smith Hotels.   Mr. and Mrs. Smith […]

Ever wonder whether card_name or card_name is the right card for you? Well, today we’re diving deep into both to help you figure out which card might fit your wallet better. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on YouTube   Hey, we’re the Travel Mom Squad (Pam, Jess, and Alex), and in today’s […]

The card_name and the card_name are two of the most popular cards for people who use credit card points and miles. Both of these cards earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which we love!  These points are great because they are so flexible. You can use them at Chase Travel℠ (similar to Expedia) and book just about […]

Generally, hotels attached to airport terminals don’t excite me. There are a few exceptions. One is the Westin at Denver International and, more recently, the Grand Hyatt at SFO. I was pleasantly surprised by my recent stay at the Grand Hyatt at SFO. Alex, Jess, and I arrived at SFO too late to continue to our […]

Our original plan for this trip was only to visit Japan. However, we were going to be visiting Japan during the Hanami Season – the Japanese art of springtime flower watching, aka Sakura or Cherry Blossom season. This is one of the busiest tourist seasons of the year in Japan. Finding five award flights (even […]

Getting a hotel room upgrade is easier than you think. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Of course, it helps if you are celebrating a special occasion too. Honeymoons, birthdays, and anniversaries are all things that can help your cause. However, writing a nice letter asking for an upgrade or letting the general […]

Like most of our readers, I usually pick our next trip destination and then plan and book everything for our family. I’m lucky that my husband is always up for whatever big plans I have for us, but I still occasionally ask if he has any ideas or requests. When I asked him what his […]

Ever wonder how to tackle a family trip to Korea and Japan without breaking the bank? Buckle up because today’s episode is a real treat! Our very own Digital Business Manager, Megan, joins us to share her savvy strategies for a dream family vacation on a budget. Imagine flying your family halfway across the world […]