Travel
-
2025 Travel Plans on Points: What’s Next?
2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year of travel, and once again, we’re leveraging points and miles to maximize savings. Here’s a look at what’s booked so far and how we’re making the most of travel rewards! Orlando, Florida – Guys Weekend Getaway In early February, I took a guys’ trip to Orlando, scoring a great deal on flights by using Amex Platinum Airline Incidental Credits: Flight Savings Breakdown: Hotel Savings: Naples, Italy – Spring 2025 Adventure For a detailed breakdown, check out our dedicated post:Exploring Italy in Spring 2025 We booked Premium Economy tickets on Air France for 35K points each (Seattle to Naples). Due to flight…
-
2024 Travel on Points: A Year in Review
2024 was an incredible year of travel, and we maximized our points and miles to visit amazing destinations! From last-minute championship trips to family adventures across Europe, here’s a recap of where we went and how we leveraged our travel hacking strategies. Houston: A Last-Minute Championship Trip We couldn’t miss watching the Huskies in the National Championship, so we booked a spontaneous trip to Houston: Madrid & Lisbon: First European Adventure with the Victoria 6 Our first Europe trip with all six of us was a logistical challenge but well worth it! Madrid Lisbon New York in April: The Gateway to Europe Andrea and I repositioned our flights to JFK…
-
2025 Travel Goals & Credit Card Strategy
The Dream: Japan Family Trip (Post-Christmas 2025 – Likely Dec 26th – Jan 4th) Current Chase Travel Points: 341,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Combined) Current Cards: The Plan: Estimated Travel Budget: This strategy should provide a solid foundation for our Japan trip. Remember to book flights and accommodations through the Chase Travel Portal to maximize your points value(1.5 cents per point value) Important Notes:
-
Considering the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card for Your Next Adventure?
Unbeatable Sign-Up Bonus The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is offering an incredible deal: 5 free nights (up to 60,000 points per night) after spending $4,000 in the first three months. With a $99 annual fee, this offer easily justifies having the card for at least one year. If you’re unsure about keeping it long-term, you can always consider downgrading or product-changing to a no-fee card within the IHG brand. Ideal for Upcoming Trips If you’re planning a trip next summer, this card is worth considering. The sign-up bonus alone provides substantial value, allowing you to save on accommodations and enhance your travel experience. Benefits and Earning Rates While…
-
How We Scored $8K Flights to Naples Italy for Just 110K travel points and $800: Our Spring Break 2025 Adventure Booked!
Last April of 2024, my wife Andrea and I took a memorable trip to Italy over Spring Break. Our adventure began with a luxurious business class flight from JFK to Florence, where we stayed for a couple of nights. From Florence, we took a scenic train ride down to Naples for a night and then moved on to Vico Equense, near Sorrento, for a two-night stay. Unexpected Changes and Highlights We had planned to spend another night in Naples before heading home, but our flight was canceled, forcing us to leave a night early. Despite this hiccup, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in this beautiful region of Italy and felt…
-
Our Business Class Experience on Air France: JFK to Florence
In April 2024, my wife and I embarked on an unforgettable journey, flying business class on Air France from JFK to Florence. Here’s a detailed look at our experience and the fantastic deal we scored for this trip. The Air France Lounge at JFK Flying out of JFK, we had the privilege of accessing the Air France lounge. If you have a Priority Pass, you can enjoy this lounge too. The lounge offered free alcoholic drinks and a solid selection of food. We tried not to overindulge, saving room for the in-flight dining experience. Boarding and Seating Upon boarding, we turned left to find our seats right there. We chose…
-
Summer 2024 Family California Road Trip: 10 Free Nights with Points
A Little Background As an AAU basketball coach, I have a tournament scheduled for the last weekend of July. Perfect timing for a California road trip! We’ll be making stops in Sacramento, Burbank, and Anaheim, visiting family along the way. Planning the Trip with Marriott Points Back in March 2024, Marriott ran a promotion for their Bonvoy Boundless credit card. After spending $4,000, you receive five free night certificates (each worth up to 50,000 points per night). With property taxes due, it was an opportune time to sign up for the card. Plus, the card comes with a free night certificate (up to 35,000 points) after your one-year anniversary. Not…
-
Road to 2 Million Travel Points
Reaching our first million travel points was an exciting milestone, which I detailed in a previous blog post. Now, let’s dive into how we achieved our second million points and how we utilized them to create unforgettable travel experiences. How We Earned 2 Million Travel Points To reach 2 million travel points, we continued leveraging our strategic use of credit cards: Venture X: Our primary catch-all card, earning 2x points per dollar spent, netted us around 150K points through regular spending. AMEX Cards: We accumulated about 127K points, with the AMEX Gold card being our main card for groceries and dining, earning 4x points per dollar. The AMEX Platinum card…
-
Earn Travel Points by Paying Your Rent with the Bilt Credit Card – No Annual Fee!
If you’re renting an apartment, helping out your college student, or simply looking for a great credit card to earn rewards, the Bilt Credit Card might be your secret to unlocking fantastic travel perks without breaking the bank. This zero annual fee card offers an array of benefits that make it an excellent choice for renters and savvy travelers alike. Earning Points on Rent Payments Renting an apartment can be a substantial monthly expense, but with the Bilt Credit Card, you can turn those payments into a rewarding experience. Every time you pay your rent with this card, you earn valuable points. It’s like getting a little something extra back…
-
Disclaimer: Responsible Credit Card Usage
In this travel points blog, while we aim to provide valuable insights into earning travel points, we must stress the importance of responsible credit card usage. Here are some essential reminders: Remember that responsible credit card usage can be a powerful tool for earning travel points and enjoying the perks of travel rewards. By adhering to good financial habits, you can make the most of your travel points journey while safeguarding your financial well-being.
