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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Planning a trip to Spain on points and miles? It’s all about the strategy—especially when you’re juggling travel for multiple people! In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into their recent Spanish adventure, navigating last-minute flight changes and uncovering the best of Madrid, Barcelona, and Mallorca—all while maximizing points and miles. What started as […]

Taking your family with young kids to Greece and Croatia may seem daunting, but with strategic use of points and miles, it can become an unforgettable adventure. In this week’s episode, Travel Mom Squad’s Director of Operations, Megan, shares how she planned an ambitious spring break trip that included iconic destinations like Santorini’s blue domes […]

If you love points and miles, you know there’s no shortage of opinions on how to get the most out of credit card rewards and travel programs. In this fun and honest chat, Alex, Jess, and Pam share their unique takes on some hot topics in the points world. They dive into everything from which […]

In this episode, Jess and Megan walk us through their recent family getaways to two standout Hyatt properties in the American Southwest: the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale in Arizona and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in New Mexico. From flights on Southwest® using Companion Passes to family-friendly resort and cultural activities, they break down exactly how they […]

In this episode, Jess, Pam, and Alex break down their recent spring break trips to Costa Rica—highlighting three unforgettable resorts, two different travel styles, and one shared love for how easy (and affordable!) this country is to explore with points and miles.  Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Watch on YouTube   Flights on […]

Natalie sent in this reader success story to Singapore and Australia. Here is her story: Flights For our big trip in August 2024, my boyfriend and I had long set our sights on visiting Singapore. We are big horse racing fans, and Singapore had announced that their famous Turf Club would cease operations in October […]

In this episode, Pam shares her full itinerary from her recent return to Thailand—a dream trip she’s been wanting to repeat since her very first adventure on points and miles years ago. From business-class flights on Singapore Airlines, to luxury stays at the Conrad, Ritz-Carlton, and Banyan Tree—and of course, daily massages for $12—Pam takes […]

This week’s episode is a little different—and a lot of fun. Jess, Pam, and Alex are joined by Traci for a special game of Would You Rather!? – Points Talk Edition. Traci challenges the squad with a lineup of delightfully diabolical travel questions designed to reveal where they really stand when it comes to their […]

In this episode, Jess takes us step-by-step through her family’s spring break trip to Japan—a points and miles masterpiece that cost just $200 total out of pocket for four round-trip flights and multiple hotel stays. From first class flights to washer/dryers in hotel rooms, this trip had it all. Whether you’re dreaming of cherry blossoms, […]

In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they’re breaking down […]

In this episode, we’re diving deep into IHG One Rewards—a hotel program that often flies under the radar but has serious potential. From practical Holiday Inns to luxury Kimptons and InterContinentals, we’re sharing our experiences using IHG points and free-night awards, how we earn them, and why buying IHG points (yes, buying!) can actually be […]

In this episode, Jess and Alex are sharing all the magic, insights, and travel tips they brought back from a recent media event at Walt Disney World. From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to exciting new ticket and resort updates, they’re joined by Megan—Travel Mom Squad’s Disney expert—to talk about how to make a Disney trip more […]

New Zealand has been high on so many of your travel wish lists—and for good reason! In this episode, Pam shares details from her recent two-week adventure on the North Island of New Zealand, including how she booked business-class flights and multiple free hotel nights —all using points and miles (and one fortuitous mistake fare). […]

Not sure how to maximize your points? In this episode, we break down the top three ways to use each of the four major flexible points currencies—our favorite points currency (IYKYK), American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points—so you can book travel smarter.   Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on […]

What’s better than throwing a Harry Potter-themed birthday party? How about taking your child on a real Harry Potter adventure across Scotland and London! That’s exactly what Megan did for her daughter’s 10th birthday—making the magic come alive with points and miles. In this episode, Megan explains how she made this trip happen for her […]