Planning to take your family on a vacation this summer with credit cards and points? I hope you are already working on a plan; if not, it’s time to get going! Do you want to spend the holidays next year somewhere warm, like Hawaii or Mexico? If so, it is important to begin earning on […]

You’ve filled out the credit card application and are holding your breath—will they approve you? It doesn’t matter how many cards I’ve applied for; I still love/hate the anticipation of finding out if I am instantly approved! Here are some things you can do to increase your odds of a credit card approval.   Credit […]

I don’t use card points and miles for cheap seats. Now that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t, but I have some reasons I’d like to share with you regarding why I’ve made that choice. Free is free, though. If you are buying 4 airline tickets domestically, I know it can add up to a lot […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

One of our frequent questions from beginner points/miles users is, “How do I stay organized?” This worry about organization actually keeps people from enjoying this hobby and the wonderful free travel it offers. Don’t let organizational worry paralyze you. It is actually super easy to be organized. Here are our five top tips for staying […]

American Express Centurion Lounges are my absolute favorite lounges as far as lounges that come with a credit card. The only thing better than them is the Business and First Class Lounges that come with an award redemption business or first-class seat. Currently, there are 14 Centurion Lounges with one opening in London soon. Here […]

Sometimes cards will come out with some really great signup bonuses but require a hefty minimum spend. For example, card_name and card_name have great bonuses of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards® (or $750) but require $7,500 in minimum spend. Meeting a $7500 minimum spend in 3 months can seem a little daunting. Recently, I signed up for […]

Some of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed at have been Marriott Hotels. My absolute favorite Marriott Hotel was the JW Marriott in Phu Quoc, Vietnam. I actually went there just to stay at the hotel after reading so many great reviews about it! Today we want to talk about getting a Marriott Hotel on the […]

Traveling is the most fun activity in the world for us! But just because we do it often and for nearly free doesn’t mean we haven’t made our share of blunders. Here are 10 of our travel mistakes, in the hope that we can save you from doing the same!   Overpacking I well remember […]

I have a confession to make. I am a major airport lounge geek! Imagine my joy when the Denver American Express Centurion Lounge finally opened up and I happened to have a trip planned. In fact, I visited on the 2nd day it had been opened and I am so excited to review it. I […]

Last week my husband and I took our three boys to Newport Beach, California. We attended a 90-minute timeshare presentation in exchange for 3 nights at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas for $299 plus a $50 Marriott gift card. In this post, I’ll be sharing with you how I got this offer, a review of […]

Have you ever thought about buying a timeshare? Are timeshares worth it and is it a good investment for you? I am not an expert on timeshares but I am the owner of four timeshares. One is in Utah and three are on the islands of Hawaii: Kauai, Maui, and in Kona, on the Big […]

If you’ve been following for a bit then you may have noticed that credit card signup bonuses tend to fluctuate. While my strategy is to get cards for specific trips, I also think it is a great idea to have a stockpile of airline miles. The best time to create or build up your stockpile […]