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 […]

The Standard Hotels brand is Hyatt’s latest acquisition. Standard Hotels is a high-end boutique hotel brand known for its hip, artsy, and nightlife-oriented atmosphere. It’s not “standard” in the generic sense—the name is intentionally ironic, as their hotels are anything but standard. Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International happened in late 2024 and many of these […]

Welcome back to your ultimate guide to the best Caribbean hotels to book with points! If Part One had you dreaming of sandy beaches and turquoise waters, get ready to turn those daydreams into reality. We’re diving deeper into the Caribbean’s most stunning resorts—think hidden gems, luxe escapes, and vibrant spots where your points can […]

The narrative around points and miles often assumes that travelers need a partner to maximize the value—someone to share redemptions with, refer cards to, and split the earning responsibilities. This perception often leaves solo travelers wondering if they’re at a disadvantage in the points game. The reality, however, is far more encouraging for those traveling […]

I just want to assure everyone of one thing: the sky is NOT falling in the world of points and miles. We know there have been changes. There will ALWAYS be changes and we have seen many in the last decade that we have enjoyed this hobby. We keep hearing about people being “devastated” or […]

Nothing tastes sweeter than a luxury beach vacation in the Caribbean for (almost) free. Let’s be honest, booking luxury hotels on points feels like beating the system in the most delicious way. Whether you’ve been hoarding points like a squirrel or you’re just dipping your toe into the points-and-miles hobby, the Caribbean is a dream […]

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables is a new credit card benefit for the card_name and card_name that makes their high annual fees easier to bear. Just when I thought Chase couldn’t impress me any more, they’ve rolled out something that’s a total game-changer for food lovers: Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables.  With my card_name now proudly […]

I just completed staying at three well-known Maui hotels this year: the Hyatt Regency Maui, Andaz Maui, and the Marriott Wailea Beach Resort. Jess, Alex, and I have surprisingly different takes on each one. And you all know we love the Grand Hyatt Kauai, but maybe not exactly why we love it, so we added […]

Chase recently introduced a new feature called Points Boost for its Ultimate Rewards® program. It’s a change to how points are redeemed when booking through Chase Travel℠, which may affect the value travelers receive from their points. While Chase is promoting this as an upgrade, the feature comes with some trade-offs worth understanding. We don’t […]

There is one resort that keeps me coming back to use my Marriott 85K free-night certificates: Marriott Wailea Beach Resort. Even though Marriotts don’t get us the oversized value that Hyatts do, this resort beckons me again and again. Marriott Wailea Beach Resort is a must-stay resort for me! 85,000-point Marriott annual free-night certificates are […]

Spending ten days in Maui on points and miles is the ultimate travel dream come true—especially for a multigenerational trip! From a luxury beachfront resort on Ka’anapali Beach to the luxury of the Wailea area, our family, spanning grandparents, parents, and four rambunctious boys, experienced paradise together without draining our bank accounts. Using a mix […]

Getting a discounted stay at a luxury Maui resort sounds too good to be true, especially when the catch involves sitting through a timeshare presentation. After receiving a letter from Marriott Vacation Club offering five nights at a Westin property for $1,999 instead of the usual $5,000, Alex decided to see if the savings were […]

Choice Hotels® are a more niche brand for points and miles travelers, but Choice Privileges® points can be very valuable, especially outside the U.S. If you’re willing to do some math to find a good deal, these points can be a great addition to your points wallet. So we’ll get you started learning all about […]

Abby takes us along on her reader success story to Deer Valley, Utah, where her family had an unbelievable ski trip.  We love hearing how our readers use their points and miles!   Points and Miles to Deer Valley, Utah  After reading all of the blogs and listening to the podcasts, I jumped feet first […]

Trying to pick your favorite hotel stays is kind of like picking your favorite child. Each has their uniqueness and you love them for different reasons. And with hotel stays, getting to stay at them for pennies on the dollar anywhere you want makes you love more of them! Here are some of my favorite […]

Chase clearly likes me again—how else do you explain the instant approval on the card_name? After a stretch of feeling iced out with rejections and reconsiderations, this smooth approval feels like a warm welcome back into their good graces. It’s like they saw the application, remembered me, and said, “Yeah, we want this one.” Whatever […]

From museums to the Eiffel Tower, the City of Lights has so much to offer families. You can visit this popular destination in luxury or on a budget. Grab your beret and a baguette, and let’s go to Paris! In this series of blog posts, we show you ways to get to a specific destination, whether […]

Major shifts in lounge access, baggage fees, and loyalty programs are reshaping the landscape of travel rewards in 2025. From Capital One’s controversial lounge restrictions to the Southwest® switch to assigned seating, these updates impact millions of cardholders and frequent flyers. With summer travel quickly approaching, the Travel Mom Squad is here to break down […]

Today will likely go down in history in the points-and-miles world! Three new offers + one brand new card just dropped. 🤯 In this post, we’ll break down all of the offers, compare them, give our takes, then share each of our strategies for these offers! By the end, you’ll have a better idea of […]

Lindsay and her family used points and miles for a recent trip. Here’s her reader success story to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.     Flights to Wyoming   Our family of four traveled to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, from Tampa for spring break in 2025.  I have been in the points and miles hobby since July 2024, […]

I usually love every Kimpton Hotel I meet, but I finally met one that was underwhelming. Welcome to my Kimpton Vividora Barcelona review, a.k.a. staying in a dorm room. Quirky, cute, but still a dorm room. It is located on a small, pedestrian side street near La Rambla, and the lobby seemed promising and charming. […]