We have noticed a common credit card points/miles misconception among beginners.  Many people think it is about getting that perfect credit card and putting all your spending on that card. That is a great first step. But that is what it is. A first step. With that strategy, you can probably get a free trip […]

Alex and I recently spent a weekend in Park City on points and used credit card benefits. Nope, we weren’t there to do some of those magnificent winter sports that Park City, Utah boasts of. Instead, we met for a work meeting. Happily, our little business is growing and we needed to make plans. We’ve […]

Our next reader’s success story is an unusual redemption. Instead of staying at a plush hotel, they went glamping on points and miles! Brittany’s experience sounds amazing!   Glamping It’s time for some glamping!! I’ve always wanted to do it, and we finally booked it- for free!! We chose Zion National Park for our first […]

  Did you know that you can get a free night stay on your already free award night redemptions? Talk about the icing on the cake!! There are three major hotel chains that offer free hotel nights on award redemptions. You need to know this because how horrible would it be to book a four-night […]

I just completed a stay with my favorite ever Hyatt points redemption hotel! If you have Chase Ultimate Rewards to transfer to Hyatt or Hyatt points, you need to add this hotel and Lake Como to your bucket list. Seriously, it has been like I have just lived the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. […]

We last left you with our sister’s trip to Greece in Athens before we started our trip to Italy on points and miles. From Athens, we traveled via Aegean Airlines to Venice, Italy. Aegean Airlines is part of the Star Alliance so we could use miles to fly this part of our trip. As you […]

There are six Marriott Bonvoy® credit cards that allow you to earn points towards stays within the Marriott Bonvoy® program. Three of these cards are issued by Chase Bank and three are issued by American Express. These cards usually have high offers 2 to 3 times a year so make sure you sign up when […]

I just got back from my yearly sister’s trip with my sister, Julie. We have gone to Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Hawaii together. Last year we had planned a trip to Greece and London, but COVID happened. London is still difficult, so we changed the trip to Italy. This is the first time my sister […]

Anyone can learn to use credit card points and miles! And that means you! I understand that sometimes when you start, it seems complicated. I was once there. 5 years ago, Alex and I were beginners – just like you! We weren’t sure what Chase 5/24 meant, what minimum spend was, or what the heck […]

Did you know that you can actually buy points and miles? Have you ever done it? Is it worth buying points and miles? I think there are a few instances that it is worthwhile. Let’s talk about some of them.   You Don’t Have Points/Miles Yet Let’s say that you are a newbie that doesn’t […]

American Express Credit Cards have a “once per lifetime” rule. That means that “usually” you can only get one of their signup bonuses once in a lifetime per card. This makes it really important to apply for one of their cards when the signup bonus is at an all-time high. We love Membership Rewards, the […]

A reader recently asked about how to visit Alaska on points- let’s do it! Years before I got into the points and miles game, I went to Alaska a couple of times because my daughter lived there while her husband did a pediatric dental residency. I went in the dead of winter once and hated […]

Just say NO to store credit cards! What, but they are credit cards! I might get $20 off my $100 worth of clothes when I check out if I get this Old Navy credit card! What’s the logic in that? I hope some of you are laughing and totally know what I am talking about. […]

Using an airport lounge before travel or during a layover takes the sting out of traveling. And, yes, I’ve been known to get to the airport early just to eat and relax in an airport lounge! Some may call me crazy, but I call it peaceful, easy traveling. Today I want to talk about how […]

Many of you have the card_name. It’s the card we recommend people start with. Hopefully, you are close to meeting the minimum spend on it and collecting your bonus (if you haven’t opened that card yet, then we highly recommend that you do). Your question might now be, “What should I get after the card_name?” […]

I just got back from a stay in Puerto Vallarta – I just love Mexican vacations! Although we used a timeshare, I want to share some ways that you can use points and miles to visit Puerto Vallarta. One of the best things about points and miles is that you can just use them for […]

I recently spent some quality time in a place that looked like Switzerland, had majestic mountain views, and so many different languages were spoken all around me. Was I in Europe? Nope, I was 3 hours away from my own home in beautiful Vail, Colorado. Whether you want a ski vacation or simply a beautiful spring/summer […]

Are you looking for ways to increase your credit card points or miles for more free or nearly free travel? Our first way of getting credit card points is through signing up for new credit cards and getting that signup bonus. Using our credit cards instead of using cash or checks also keeps our point […]

Alex and I are all over using miles/points for our travels. However, there are some ways to save on your travels even if you are still a newbie and don’t have enough points for free travel yet. I have even used a few when I want to save points and put some spend on a […]

Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.  I have traveled to many places and countries, and I have to say, my love affair with Italy grows and grows.  The people, the gelato, the churches, the gelato, the history, the gelato, the buildings, the gelato – I love it all!! In 2018, […]

Let’s talk about the United Excursionist Perk. What, you’ve never heard of it? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. If you fly United sometimes, it is the way to get a free flight, and who isn’t all about that? Basically, the United Excursionist Perk is a free one-way award within select multi-city itineraries. If you […]