Every summer, hundreds of thousands of Midwestern families pile into the minivan or truck and make the drive south to Gulf Shores, Alabama. And honestly? We get it. The white sand, the warm Gulf water, the seafood — it’s one of the best beach destinations in the country, and it’s a whole lot closer than […]

Before we dive in, if you want to see the current offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, my best offers page is always up to date: See current best offers The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $795 annual fee. That is a real number and I am not going to pretend it is not. But […]

If you are ready to look at the current offer, my best offers page is always up to date: See current best offers I want to tell you about the card that has taken our family to some of the most beautiful hotels we have ever stayed in — and the five ways we actually […]

Before we dive in, a quick note: some of the cards mentioned in this post are ones I earn a commission on if you apply and are approved. It does not cost you anything extra, and it helps me keep creating free content like this. If you are ready to apply or just want to […]

“Looking for some advice here. I’ve been hemming and hawing for a few weeks trying to decide which card to get next as we have plans to spend close to $10,000 in the next month or so.” This is one of the most common situations I see in the points and miles world. A big […]

Many people assume the only way to book a Delta flight with points is through Delta’s own loyalty program. But one of the most useful strategies in the points and miles world is booking flights through partner airline programs. Delta partners with several airlines, and one of the most valuable partners for certain routes is […]

Many credit cards now offer perks that go beyond travel rewards. Some include benefits designed for everyday spending, including grocery delivery services like Instacart. Depending on the card, these perks may include: For households that regularly use grocery delivery, these benefits can reduce delivery fees and add value to purchases you are already making. If […]

Living outside Kansas City means I do most of my grocery shopping the old-fashioned way: lots of planning and big trips to the store every other week. But I’ve figured out a trick to stretch my grocery dollars even further using Instacart credits that come with certain Chase credit cards — especially on the weeks […]

When I book flights with points, I almost always still owe a small amount in taxes and fees. And on the rare occasion I pay cash for a flight, I’m intentional about which card I use to pay for it. I put those charges on my Chase Sapphire Preferred — not because of the points, […]

Where you stay near Universal can completely change your trip — especially when you’re traveling with tweens and teens. Hotel choice affects:• how early you can get into the parks• how much walking you do• whether you need Express Pass• how exhausted everyone feels at the end of the day For families with older kids […]