Dreaming of a trip Down Under? What if you could stay at luxury hotels for $0? I recently returned from a trip to Australia, where my stepdaughter and I spent five nights in wonderful Melbourne. We took a page out of Pam’s book and did some hotel hopping while we were there, too. Here’s how […]

I recently returned from a trip to Australia, and I had the pleasure of flying Qantas business class from LAX to Sydney (and back). So, what did I think? Keep reading to find out…   The Redemption Australia has been at the top of my bucket list for years, but I’ve been holding out for […]

One of my favorite cities worldwide is Rome, Italy—and it’s not just because of the gelato and pizza! Rome is a city rich in history and culture. It is home to iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Pantheon, which can provide a fascinating educational experience for both children and adults. […]

On my recent trip to NYC, London, Dublin, and Florence with my sister, something happened that underscores why I don’t check luggage very often. We were flying from Dublin to Florence with a layover in Amsterdam. We had packed carry-on luggage only for a two-week trip (yes, it is possible). When we checked in at […]

We have discussed using the Chase Ink Business Cards to earn more of our favorite currency, Chase Ultimate Rewards®. One card that we’ve rarely talked about is the card_name. Jess got it to help fund a future Disney Cruise. I hadn’t considered it a viable option as it doesn’t earn Ultimate Rewards that can be […]

The card_name is a great, easy-to-use, business card that each of us at Travel Mom Squad has and uses. There are many things to like about this card— and one thing to not like quite as much, so let’s get into our review of the Capital One Venture X Business.   The Welcome Offer   […]

We know that award travel is much more complicated than just earning points. We get it, and it is for us, too! However, knowing some airline redemption sweet spots can help make things a little less complicated. We have covered many of them in individual posts, but it’s time to put them all in one […]

There is a new United Club Lounge at the Denver Airport. It is located in Concourse A near gate 25. Now, here is a statement that I never thought I’d make—this United Club Lounge is gorgeous! United must be upping their game in the lounge department. Not only is it sleek, modern, and gives off […]

Our favorite hotel points are Hyatt points because of the outsized value we get from them. One Hyatt feature we love is how easy they make it to combine Hyatt points with another Hyatt member. You don’t need to be related to them or live in the same household—as long as you’re both Hyatt members, […]

Living on the East Coast, a family road trip through New England is a dreamy way to spend your summer vacation. We spent almost 2 weeks in August traveling in our minivan with three kids on a road trip from Boston to Prince Edward Island, Canada. The first leg—from our home in Upstate NY to […]

Our next reader success story comes from Melissa who used points for a family trip to Washington DC. Here’s her story: I am actually sitting in the car driving home from our first family trip using points! My family of four drove to Washington, DC and we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. This was such […]

There is a place that just sounds so bougie to vacation in and I’ve never been there—the Hamptons. Maybe if I do a post about it, I might make it happen someday. Let’s do a Friday Family Vacation to the Hamptons so we can all feel bougie!   Flights You used to be able to […]

Jill sent us her reader success story to Australia, and we are so happy to share it with you. I LOVED my trip to Australia earlier this year and know that many of you have plans to travel there, too. Here is her story: When our son moved to Australia in 2018, we expected him […]

We talk about having Hyatt Globalist status so much that many of you may think you HAVE to get it. Absolutely not! We will be the first to say that it may not be worth the effort for many people. While we love it and always plan to have it, this (and everything we talk […]

My husband, daughter, and I recently took a road trip from Houston to Chicago. There are so many hotels from every brand imaginable in Chicago, so when we decided to stay downtown for four nights, I had quite a difficult decision to make. Ultimately, I decided on the Thompson Chicago. Here’s what we thought in […]

Recently, Alex and I flew KLM business class for the first time. This flight was from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. Our final destination was Villa Orselina, near Locarno, Switzerland, but this flight offered us a convenient way to get to Europe for low cost. After landing in Amsterdam, we took EasyJet (a cheap European […]

My family and I recently returned from a trip to Dallas and had such a blast! It’s a perfect destination for both couples and families, with amazing food, museums, and parks. If Dallas, Texas, has been on your radar, here’s how you can make it happen for nearly free using points and miles…   Flights […]

Positioning flights are a huge part of our award redemption strategy. When you can’t find a flight from your home airport (or to your final destination), positioning flights can help make trips happen. They are not without risk, though—what happens when your positioning flight is delayed (or canceled)? I have taken numerous positioning flights without […]

I am planning a trip to Greece next Spring with a friend and have been looking at Greece hotels on points/miles. If I’m doing all this research, I might as well write a post about it! I’ll be looking at the main islands and what you can book on each. Athens has soooo many options, […]

Hey there, travel enthusiasts! It’s Alex, Pam, and Jess—your fellow Travel Mom Squad. Today, we’re all pumped up to spill the beans on one of our most treasured secrets: Capital One Venture Miles!  Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on YouTube     First we dive into the cards that earn Venture miles […]

We probably hear from more people wanting to travel the 20+ hours to get to the Maldives on points and miles than any other destination. People aspire to visit the Maldives, which is made up of 26 atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands, and it is known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and […]