Travel Tips
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Building Your Travel Card Strategy – From Starter to Advanced
Which Travel Credit Card Strategy Is Right for You? Ready to turn your everyday spending into unforgettable getaways? Whether you’re just starting to explore points-based travel or you’re deep into business class lounges and transfer partners, this guide lays out the best credit card setups—from $95 entry points to all-out luxury strategies. Starter Setups – $95/year (No Lounge Access, Strong Transfer Options) Perfect for travelers just getting into the points game who want flexible redemptions and high long-term value. 🔹 Option 1: Chase Trifecta Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95) + Freedom Flex + Freedom Unlimited ($0)Key Benefits: Best For: Hyatt lovers, domestic/international flights, everyday spendEstimated Value: High flexibility with strong long-term…
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Planes, Points & Passports: The Story Behind 3 Million Miles
Milestone Reached: Over 3 Million Travel Points USED! We officially crossed the 3 MILLION travel points redeemed milestone! This isn’t just about free flights and hotel nights—it’s about using every tool in our travel hacking toolbox to unlock unforgettable experiences with family and friends. Here’s how some of our recent redemptions helped push us over the line: Staycations Spring Break 2025 – Naples, Ischia & Amalfi Coast Bella’s Spring Break 2025 Senior Trip 25-Year Anniversary Celebration booked for Sedona, Arizona Victoria 6 + 3 Significant Others: Tokyo Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 This is our biggest international family trip yet—with 9(3 of the significant others joining in on the fun)…
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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…
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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…
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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:
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
