+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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
+ Read More
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 […]
January 6, 2026
+ Read More
Who doesn’t love free stuff? What about over $18,000 worth of free stuff every year? That’s the amount of annual travel benefits my husband and I receive at zero cost. And why is it free? Because as the spouse of an active-duty military member, the annual fees on all of our Chase and American Express® cards are waived, […]
December 9, 2025
+ Read More
Did you know that you can link your Rakuten rewards to your American Express Platinum Ultimate Rewards?! So instead of cash back, you get POINTS! This could be extremely lucrative because then you can transfer Amex points to hotel or airline points!! You can also use Rakuten IN stores and restaurants!! You must add the […]
