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This trip was a perfect example of why we love stacking points, card benefits, travel credits, military perks and discounts. For our family of 4, the trip had a cash value of about $6,479.74. We paid $3,269.29 out of pocket + 145,605 points. Here’s how we did it 👇 FLIGHTS HOTELS RENTAL CAR FOOD $100 […]
August 19, 2026
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The following blog contribution is from Alicia Bledsoe, founder of Crashpad Connections. One thing you learn very quickly as a military spouse is that your spouse will be asked to leave home and travel for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. While temporary duty assignments (TDYs or TADs, depending on your branch) can be difficult […]
May 13, 2026
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If you’ve ever thought a trip to Hawaii felt out of reach, I get it! We used to think the same thing. But this trip is the perfect example of how points, miles, and built in credit card perks can turn a “once in a lifetime” vacation into something that actually feels not only doable, […]
April 8, 2026
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This is a real breakdown of the monthly credits and perks we use across multiple cards. Because annual fees are waived for active duty and spouses, this is essentially money back in our pocket for spending we were already doing. Because annual fees are waived for active duty AND spouses, you can essentially DOUBLE all […]
April 6, 2026
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We just took a fun family spring training weekend to Phoenix and kept our out-of-pocket cost really low by mixing points, free night certificates, and a few cash expenses. Flights We rebooked our flights out of Colorado Springs instead of Denver, which ended up being a much easier option. For our outbound flight, we flew […]
March 31, 2026
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If you’ve started earning credit card points for travel, you’ve probably realized something quickly: Earning points is the easy part. Using them well is where things get interesting. One of the first (and most important) decisions you’ll make is how to actually redeem your points. And for most flexible rewards programs, it comes down to […]
March 26, 2026
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When we started dreaming about taking our boys on a World War II-focused trip through Europe, I knew it would be an incredible experience, but I also knew it could get expensive fast. Between flights, trains, hotels, rental cars, and museum visits, a trip like this for a family of four could easily cost a […]
March 25, 2026
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One of the most meaningful trips I have ever helped with did not start as a Hawaii trip at all. Kara is a virtual coworker of mine, and her son Sam was diagnosed at 18 with DIPG, a rare and aggressive brain tumor. As Sam was going through treatment, their family learned about a customized […]
March 25, 2026
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A Real-Life Story of Hawaii on Points, Hawaii Savings, and Smart Military Travel When most families picture Christmas in Hawaii, they imagine a dream trip that comes with a nightmare price tag. Flights alone can cost thousands. Hotels during peak holiday weeks routinely top $800–$1,200 per night. Add in rental cars, food, and activities, and Hawaii […]
February 28, 2026
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It’s officially 2026, and that means one very exciting thing for points and miles lovers: 👉 You can no longer accidentally mess up earning the Southwest Companion Pass by hitting the spending requirement too early. That’s right—you can open a Southwest card and spend immediately without worrying about the timing. This makes right now one […]
