Quick TL;DR: These 10 cards are my top picks for families in October 2025 — from no-fee business earners to premium travel cards that fund big trips. Choose based on whether you want low-effort everyday earning, a path to a Companion Pass, or a massive welcome bonus for big family trips. TL;DR — Quick Picks […]

Before heading to Acadia National Park, spend a day or two soaking up the charm of Portland, Maine. This coastal city shines in fall with cobblestone streets, cozy coffee shops, and some of the best seafood in New England. From the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse to the food stalls and breweries downtown, Portland is the […]

Planning a Lake Tahoe family getaway? If you’re anything like me, you don’t have time to spend hours scrolling through Pinterest, TripAdvisor, and a dozen blogs just to figure out what’s actually worth doing with kids. That’s why I put together this Lake Tahoe itinerary for families—complete with scenic hikes, bike rides, local eats, and […]

We’re only partway through 2025, but my husband and I have already opened several new cards that are setting us up for some amazing travel this year and next. I thought I’d share what we’ve added to our wallets, how we’re using the points, and a few tips for why we open in this order. […]

Big news in the points world: Citi has officially launched its brand-new Strata Elite℠ Card, marking its return to the premium credit card space. But even bigger? Citi has permanently added American Airlines AAdvantage® back as a 1:1 transfer partner—and that opens up a whole new world of award travel options. Even better, Citi has […]

Delta SkyMiles are known for high prices and unpredictable award charts. The good news? You don’t have to use SkyMiles to fly Delta. Thanks to airline partnerships, you can book Delta-operated flights using either Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) miles—often for far fewer points. In this post, I’ll show you exactly […]

One of my favorite parts of this hobby? Helping my family travel like they deserve—without paying full price. My sister and her husband recently took a long weekend to Philadelphia, and thanks to smart points strategies, they paid just $22 total for flights and hotel. Here’s how they booked it—and what made it one of […]

If you’ve ever looked up a flight using your credit card points and thought, “That’s way too many points,” you’re not alone. The trick? Transfer partners. When you earn flexible points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express® Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, or Citi ThankYou® Points, you can move those points to over […]

Discover how to redeem points for Hyatt’s all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, including how to find award space, book for families, and the best resorts for couples and kids using Hyatt or Chase points. Why Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico Are a Great Deal Hyatt has a strong footprint of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico—many offering beachfront […]

If you’re just getting into the world of points and miles, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Is this going to mess up my credit score?” Great question—and I’m here to break it down in a way that’s easy to understand and stress-free to navigate. The truth is: using credit cards to earn travel rewards can actually […]