Sometimes the best trips don’t go exactly as planned. When we landed in Oakland, our original plan was to drive straight to Yosemite National Park — but a record-breaking snowstorm had other ideas. Roads were closed, the park had no electricity, and all we could do was pivot. So we pointed the car toward the […]

After a few action-packed days exploring San Francisco, we slowed things down for the most peaceful stretch of our California road trip — three nights in Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This was the midpoint between the big-city buzz up north and the theme-park energy waiting for us down south. It ended up being our favorite part […]

If you’re a mom who’s serious about making family travel smoother — and cheaper — Alaska Airlines might just become your new favorite airline. Known for friendly service, flexible award bookings, and strong partner connections through the oneworld® alliance, Alaska offers real ways for families to save money, earn rewards, and explore more places with […]

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 […]