My family of four just took a 3-week European vacation. Flights, trains, rental cars, accommodations, and prearranged activities were under $2000. Rome was our first city in this summer adventure. Flights / Transportation: One-way tickets were booked from Kansas City (MCI) to JFK to position to Rome. This positioning flight saved me 100,000 American Airlines […]

Rental cars can be an expensive part of travel. Some sites like Autoslash and companies like Costco and AAA offer discounted rates. The NEA is a teacher union that provides up to 30% discounts on rental cars. Your company or industry may have something similar. Using your Capital One Venture X card, you can also use […]

Getting outside and enjoying America’s National Parks is one of the best ways to explore nature and connect with your family. In order to use points and miles, flexibility and variety are key when booking accommodations. Check out a few of my favorite options below. As well as a way to save on National Park […]

You have probably heard of Airbnb and VRBO, but have you heard of Vacasa? Vacasa vacation rentals offer a fantastic selection of homes and apartments for travelers to stay in. From cozy cabins in the mountains to beachside bungalows and even luxury villas, Vacasa has something for everyone. Thanks to transfer partners, there are three […]

What is a cobranded card? Cobranded cards are credit cards that earn points or miles for specific airlines or hotels. Examples are Hilton, American Airlines, Delta, and Marriott. Once you have a strategy for earning flexible points, introducing cobranded cards into your strategy can allow you to begin to take advantage of loyalty perks. The […]

If you want to take your travel rewards game to the next level, you need business credit cards. These are the secret weapon behind every successful points and miles strategy — and yes, even your small side hustle can qualify. Read on to learn why business cards are so valuable, what counts as a business, […]

The Chase Ink Business Cash card is one of our favorites for MANY reasons. Not only does this card have a great sign-up bonus, but it also has a $0 annual fee. Also, don’t let the word “business card” deter you from getting this card because chances are you have a small “business,” and you […]

Looking for the perfect winter getaway to escape the chilly Missouri temperatures? Santa Barbara, California, is the ideal destination for a romantic weekend, girls getaway, or trip with the fam. With its mild 60-70 degree weather and sunshine, it offers a refreshing change. My mom, kids, and I have made it a tradition to take […]

This Reader Redemption Story is from our friend and fellow teacher, Nicole. She and her husband visited Chicago during Christmastime to celebrate their wedding anniversary! I have always wanted to visit a big city during the holidays. This December, my wish came true when my husband and I traveled to Chicago to celebrate our 15th […]

This past May, my family of four went to Hawaii with my mom and aunt. We used points and miles to pay for our hotels, rental cars, and flights. It was an epic outdoor adventure! Flights / Transportation: I booked a set of one-way flights for this trip. We flew KC to Maui, Maui to Kona, […]