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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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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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European Adventures: A Journey Fueled by Travel Points
Greetings, fellow travelers! Today, I want to share with you the incredible European adventure I embarked on with my family, made possible through the art of travel points. Our journey took us through the picturesque landscapes and charming cities of the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland. As a bonus, we got to explore Amsterdam, the city of canals, before concluding our unforgettable trip in the vibrant city of Paris. The Power of Travel Points: Turning Dreams into Reality The idea of traveling with miles and points always intrigued me, and I decided to dive deep into this world of rewards. With a bit of financial discipline and responsible credit card use,…
