Points Talk® with the Travel Mom Squad

Today, we (Alex, Pam, and Jess) shared our experiences and compared two fantastic Hyatt properties in Hawaii - the Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Regency Maui. Let's dive into our adventure and see which resort came out on top! First, let's talk about the booking process. We booked our stays using Hyatt points, which we mostly earned through Chase Ultimate Rewards cards. We highlighted the incredible value of using points for these luxury resorts, as award stays at Hyatt properties don't incur any resort fees or taxes. Can you imagine staying at a luxurious hotel for $0? Yep, that's right - zero dollars! Now let's dive into our experiences at the resorts. Jess shared her thoughts on the Grand Hyatt Kauai, describing it as beautiful but enormous. You'll definitely get your steps in, as she mentioned clocking in over 15,000 steps just by staying on the property. The Grand Hyatt Kauai is spread out horizontally, while the Hyatt Regency Maui is built vertically. While we felt the rooms at the Grand Hyatt Kauai needed some updating, the hotel is in the process of renovating and upgrading all of their rooms. As for the Hyatt Regency Maui, Alex and Pam both had upgraded rooms with a king bed, a queen bed, and a sofa bed. We found the rooms spacious and perfect for a family. The layout of the resort is more compact compared to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, but still offers a beautiful experience. In terms of amenities, all three of us have Globalist status, which granted us access to club lounges, free valet parking, upgraded rooms, and complimentary breakfasts. We were amazed by the value we received during our stays. So, who won the battle of the Hawaiian Hyatts? The verdict is still out, as each resort offers unique experiences and layouts. Both the Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Regency Maui provide luxurious accommodations and amenities, making them excellent choices for your next Hawaiian vacation. If you're interested in learning more about earning Hyatt points and maximizing your travel experiences, don't forget to check out our show notes for our ultimate guide to Ultimate Rewards and our guide to Hyatt points.   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Links For This Episode:  Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Rewards: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/ultimateguide Guide to More Hyatt Points: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/ultimatehyatt   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Let's talk about our favorite Hawaiian stays!  1:27 Grand Hyatt Kauai vs Hyatt Regency Maui - how we booked them 4:27 The hotel itself - Grand Hyatt Kauai 10:39 The hotel itself - Hyatt Regency Maui 18:55 Location and beaches - Grand Hyatt Kauai  26:22 Location and beaches - Hyatt Regency Maui 30:35 Pools and grounds - Grand Hyatt Kauai 33:56 Pools and grounds - Hyatt Regency Maui 37:53 Clubs at the Grand Hyatt Kauai  44:19 Clubs at Hyatt Regency Maui  47:05 Flavored water and restaurants available 52:39 Which is truly better?  

Welcome to Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad podcast! Today Jess spills the beans on some incredible tips and tricks for saving money and making the most of points on Disney cruises. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's dive in!   Disney Cruise Tips & Tricks: Jess's Top Picks:   Book Early & Save Big Jess reminds us that early birds get the worm! By booking your Disney cruise 12-18 months in advance, you can snag some amazing deals and avoid last-minute price hikes. Plus, you'll get the best cabin selection and dining options. So, plan ahead and save big!   Rack Up Those Points: Using a travel rewards credit card is a fantastic way to earn points on your Disney cruise bookings. Jess suggests looking into cards that offer sign-up bonuses and rewards for everyday spending. Just be sure to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges!    Redeem Points Strategically: Once you've accumulated enough points, Jess advises redeeming them in the most cost-effective way. This might include using points for airfare, pre- or post-cruise hotel stays, or even Disney cruise excursions. Make your points go the distance! 🌐   Hit play to hear Jess's full list of money-saving tips for Disney cruises! We hope these insights help you plan your magical Disney cruise while keeping your wallet happy. Until next time, happy cruising!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Links For This Episode:   Ultimate Disney Cruise Credit Card Strategy   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Why Disney Cruises aren't as expensive as you think!  0:42 Why you may enjoy a Disney Cruise even if you don't love Disney 3:13 Jess's tips for saving money where you can  8:51 Logistics: How Jess booked everything  17:23 How Jess saved on the most expensive cruise at the most expensive time 23:07 How the Chase Ink Premier card can help you save big 29:46 If you ever stop at Atlantis… 36:56 Gift cards, gift cards, gift cards! Why this could be the best way to spend.  40:33 What's included in the Disney cruise 47:35 Real Talk: Is it worth it?  50:05 Real Talk: Which is better, cruise or the park?  

In today's special episode, we'll be discussing the evolution of our credit card strategies over time. We will be sharing insights into our unique approaches and how we have adapted our points stratagies over the years! Jess began her journey of traveling on points back in 2015, initially focusing on cards with no annual fees. She was hesitant to open business cards, and her primary goal was to secure flights for her family. However, her strategy has since evolved, and business cards now play a key role in her overall plan. Pam's experience was quite different. She was unaware of the points world until her daughter, Alex, introduced her to the concept. Without a clear plan, Pam simply opened as many cards as possible, and surprisingly, this "no strategy" approach has proven to be quite successful over the years. Meanwhile, Alex's journey began with a specific goal: a trip to Hawaii. She and her husband targeted particular cards to reach their dream destination. Once accomplished, Alex shifted her focus to cards offering the best deals at the time, accumulating a cache of points to plan trips based on her existing rewards. One of our favorite parts of traveling on points is there is no RIGHT or WRONG way to do it! So, whether you're new to this or a seasoned pro, stick around and let's learn from each other's strategies and experiences! :)    Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode:  Travel Freely App: Travel Freely | Free Travel App   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Show Introduction 0:42 Afraid of annual fees? Listen to this 6:26 How Pam was a pseudo points master for years…and didn't know it! 11:00 The real reason why Alex started traveling on points 15:33 Why opening new cards is typically worth it in the long run 18:00 Why there are actually less downsides to earning points than you think  22:39 Tips for getting the most points when you can't do a lot of spending 25:00 Why Pam takes the "go big or go home" approach to earning 29:29 How we get around the Chase 5/24 rule 36:41 Cards that we will always keep  

Hey there, are you dreaming of visiting Paris without breaking the bank? Well, it's definitely possible! In this episode, we'll share our experiences visiting the magical city of lights using points and miles. If you are new around here, we are Pam, Jess, and Alex! We are the Travel Mom Squad and have visited Paris multiple times, and we're excited to share our tips with you. Paris is a destination that is on top of many bucket lists, and for good reason. The food, the Eiffel Tower, and the street musicians create an incredible atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else. Plus, it's even better when you are visiting Paris on points and miles. When it comes to flights, we've used different airlines, but United is a great option for getting to Paris. They usually offer round-trip flights for 60,000 points in economy, but the prices can double during peak seasons. If you find that flights out of your airport are too expensive, try flying out of a bigger airport. This trick, called "positioning," can save you a lot of money. You may be thinking, what about hotels? Pam has stayed at a few hotels in Paris, but her favorite is the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile. Hit play to learn all our best tips and tricks about the best places to stay in Paris! (If you pick the right place, you may even see a celebrity!) Whether you love to dance, explore, eat fantastic food, shop, or just people-watch, Paris has the best experiences for everyone in the family! Visiting Paris on points and miles is definitely possible. With a little bit of planning and points, you can enjoy the magical city of lights without breaking the bank. So start planning your trip to Paris today, and have a great time! If you want to earn points and miles that can lead to free travel, check out the links below to learn how we do it!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute:   0:02 Travel nearly free to Paris! 0:34 Why Paris is at the top of so many travel lists 3:04 Why Alex's first trip to Paris wasn't her favorite 7:54 The jetleg struggle when traveling to Paris 14:20 The best flights and tips to get to Paris  17:00 The best 4-star hotel deal we found in Paris 22:06 Why Pam loves hotel hopping on trips 29:07 A luxury stay Jess highly recommends  34:44 The easiest way to get your 'player 2' on board 37:20 A breathtaking garden the whole family will love 42:37 Why Jess loves to get a crepe and people watch in Paris 46:43 How to start collecting points to Paris today!  

Let's talk about credit card minimum spend! This is a GAME CHANGER for racking up those valuable points and miles fast. If you're new to traveling on points, this concept may seem a bit daunting, but don't worry, we've got some tips and tricks to help you out. First off, we define what we mean by minimum spend. It's the minimum amount you need to spend on a credit card within a specified timeframe to earn a welcome offer. For example, you may need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points or 75,000 Capital One Venture Miles. Now, you may be thinking, "How on earth am I going to spend $4,000 in three months?" But the truth is, it's easier than you think. You don't need to be spending frivolously or charging things you don't need. We're talking about charging your everyday expenses like groceries, gas, utilities, phone bills, eating out, and even medical expenses. You can even prepay some bills ahead of time to give yourself a boost! Trust us, meeting minimum spend requirements is easier than you think. Just charge your everyday expenses and pay them off in-full each month. Be sure to choose credit cards with minimum spend requirements that fit your budget, and don't go into debt just to earn points. With these tips and tricks, you'll be earning points and miles in no time! P.S.— Make sure to stick around until the end as we'll be sharing some of the craziest things we've done to hit minimum spend requirements. You won't want to miss it—it's sure to give you a good laugh!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad     Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 A quick challenge from Pam 0:49 Welcome and let's define what minimum spend actually is 8:31 How to open up a new cards strategically 12:00 How traveling on points can make the big purchase better! 22:00 What Pam saves up all her points for  20:57 How to meet the minimum spend on higher minimum spend cards such as business cards 28:43 A couple small disclaimers and working your way up along the way 31:02 Here's the craziest thing each of us done to reach a minimum spend!  

If you're a travel enthusiast or looking to go on a trip soon, then you're going to love hearing about Pam's recent trip to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand! Pam, along with her husband, managed to take this incredible trip for a fraction of the cost, all thanks to points. They used points and miles to book their flights and hotels, saving them tens of thousands of dollars. Pam gives us the inside scoop on how she booked her flights through ANA, and shares some tips and tricks for finding award redemptions.  All in all, Pam's trip was a huge success, and she and her husband had an amazing time exploring these three incredible destinations. If you're looking for a way to turn your dream trip into a reality, then you won't want to miss this episode. Tune in to hear all about Pam's adventure, and get some tips on how you can do it too. In this episode, not only will you hear about Pam's amazing trip to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand on points and miles, but you'll also get to learn about her rookie mistakes and how she overcame them. Plus, hear her favorite places and stays during her trip!  If you are ready to travel on points to Tokyo, Australia, or New Zealand, be sure to check out the Travel Mom Squad resources like their Transfer Partner Cheat and blog posts for each destination. Start planning your next dream trip now and make it more affordable with points and miles by following the links below!  *In this episode, Pam mentions a hotels.com 10th night free benefit. Since recording, hotels.com has overhauled their rewards program, and that benefit is no longer available.   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode:  Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/cheatsheet Kimpton Hotels Blog Post: Kimpton Hotels Are My Favorite IHG Brand Tokyo on Points and Miles: Points and Miles to Tokyo Australia on Points and Miles: Points and Miles to Sydney, Australia New Zealand on Points and Miles: Using Points and Miles for New Zealand Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Pam's recent trip to three countries 0:42 A good breakdown of how the flights to Japan work  3:45 How Pam and Jess booked their trip to Japan 9:02 What the Tokyo hotels were like and how Pam got them 13:19 The best and most unlikely entertainment  16:24 Our tour around Sydney 19:43 The full Four Seasons review  24:37 Pam's party continues in New Zealand 32:03 Pam talks about her rookie mistake in Queenstown and other hotels 38:44 Favorite Hotels at each location and the overall value of this trip on points

Hey there! It's your favorite Travel Mom Squad, Pam, Jess, and Alex, coming to you with another episode! Today, we're going to talk about one of our favorite topics...can you guess what it is? Points and Miles of course!   One of our biggest FAQs is - what's the difference between points and miles? We will give you the run down and explain why we prefer flexible points and how to find your fastest path to Traveling On Points to your way dream vacations.    To kick things off let's start with the basics. What's the difference between points and miles? Honestly, it doesn't really matter. They're basically the same thing. Points are usually used by banks and hotels, while airlines use miles. But we often use them interchangeably because they both mean free travel!   Flexible points: These are our absolute favorite because they're so, well, flexible! With flexible points, you can transfer them to various airline and hotel partners, which means you have so many more options when it comes to booking your travel. Our favorite flexible points come from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. You can transfer those points to partners like Hyatt, United, and Southwest, which gives you so much more selection when it comes to booking your flights and hotels.   On the other hand, fixed point cards, like co-branded cards, are more limiting. If you have a Southwest card, you can only redeem those points for Southwest flights. If you have a Hyatt card, you can only use your points to book Hyatt hotel stays. This can be frustrating if you don't have a lot of options when it comes to redeeming your points. That's why we prefer flexible points because they give us so much more freedom.   We also recommend that you focus on collecting flexible points and miles, especially if you don't know what your travel plans are. They give you so much more flexibility and you can transfer them to different partners depending on your needs. However, there are times when fixed-value point cards can come in handy. If you know you're going to book a flight on United, for example, it might make sense to open a United card so you can save your flexible points for something else.   Overall, we hope this episode helps you understand the difference between points and miles, as well as shows how to find the best deals for your goals. Remember, the key to traveling on points is being flexible and taking advantage of the best deals and offers that come your way…and of course, have fun! Happy Traveling!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Links For This Episode:  Master Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/cheatsheet Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's episode  0:39 Why points and miles are not created equally  2:25 The difference between fixed and flexible cards  6:40 Why it's easier to get Hyatt points with Chase 11:30 The reason why flex points may take you further  14:45 How Jess finds the best deals online  20:43 Alex's Delta tips and tricks  24:00 How to get the most out of Hilton points 27:49 The card Pam never plans on signing up for   

Dust off your mouse ears and get ready for a Family Trip to Disney! Hey, it's Alex and Jess here, your favorite part of the Travel Mom Squad! (Just kidding, Pam! We miss you! Pam is our traveling the world, so it's just us two today.) In this show we're going to share some tips on how you can turn your dream trip to Disneyland into reality without breaking the bank. We'll be covering how to save on flights, hotels, and park tickets, all with the help of points and miles. Plus, our own tips and tricks we have picked up after a few Disney trips! So, let's dive right in! First things first, let's talk about flights. We both prefer to fly Southwest, and our favorite airport to fly into is John Wayne, which is around 20-30 minutes away from Disneyland. It's smaller and easier to navigate than LAX. (Which is a nightmare we try to avoid at all costs) Another good option if you can't find direct flights to John Wayne is Long Beach, another smaller airport that's easy to navigate. One of the biggest differences between Disney World and Disneyland is that Disneyland has a ton of hotel options within walking distance, making it much easier to redeem points and miles. It's also a great place to use your free night certificates from co-branded hotel credit cards like Hyatt, Marriott, or IHG. We both had great experiences using our free night certificates at the Hyatt Place, which is perfect for families, as it can accommodate more than four people. It also offers a complimentary breakfast and is just a short walk from Disneyland. Other hotel options we've tried and loved include the Courtyard by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn, both of which are also within walking distance of the park. As for park tickets, it's not always easy to find discounts, but it's definitely possible. In this show we share our #1 website which often has discounted park tickets! Additionally, keep an eye out for promotions from Disneyland and credit card rewards programs, as they may offer discounted or even free tickets from time to time. Disneyland is a fantastic destination for a family vacation, and with the help of points and miles, it doesn't have to cost a fortune. We hope our tips help you save money on your next trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.  Don't forget to share your own tips and experiences in the comments below. Until next time, happy travels! If you wanna learn more about how to travel nearly free with your family, register for our free masterclass via the link below!    Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links for This Episode: TMS Get Away Today Affiliate Link   Episode Minute By Minute: 1:17 Unpopular Opinion: We like Disneyland over Disney World 4:12 Our tips for options for flying to Disneyland 7:12 The best hotel options for Dinseyland 8:45 Alex's favorite part about staying Hyatt Dinsey 14:38 Deals that still blow our minds  24:17 The best ways to go about getting your park tickets 26:14 Tips on how to earn Disney points quick  30:00 Budgeting tips for your next Disney trip  

Hey there, it's Alex and Pam, the Travel Mom Squad! Today, we're going to share a little secret with you - how to score free hotel stays. Yes, you heard us right, FREE! We're talking about hotel free night certificates, and boy, do we have some stories to tell. First off, let's talk about what they are and how you can get them. These are certificates that can be redeemed for a free night's stay at a hotel. You can earn them in a few different ways, like signing up for a hotel-branded credit card or staying a certain number of nights with a hotel. But how do you actually make it happen? Hit play to hear our secrets! We're going to spill the beans on two of our favorite hotel chains that offer free night certificates - IHG and Hyatt. With IHG, you can snag a free night certificate every year by having either their personal or business credit card. The best part? There's no limit on the amount of points you can use to top off your certificate. So, you can stay in some pretty swanky places without breaking the bank. Just ask Pam, who recently used hers to stay at a super cool 50s-inspired hotel in Sydney, Australia! As for Hyatt, they offer a category one to four free night every year on your card anniversary. But that's not all, you can earn additional certificates by playing "Hyatt Bingo" and staying at different brands or by spending $15,000 on the personal card in a year. Plus, once you hit 30 nights or accumulate 30 qualifying elite nights in a year, you'll get another free night certificate. Talk about stacking up those free stays! We've used our free night certificates in all sorts of ways, from watching fireworks on New Year's Eve in Amsterdam to snagging a quick overnight at an airport hotel. The possibilities are endless. So, if you're a savvy traveler looking to stretch your budget, hotel free night certificates are definitely worth exploring. Trust us, your wallet will thank you!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Links For This Episode:  Guide to Marriott Credit Cards: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/marriott   Episode Minute By Minute: 1:02 What free night certificates are and how to use them! 3:25 Pam shares why IHG cards will always remain in her wallet 6:49 Why Jess doesn't have the IHG card anymore  8:42 Hyatt free certificates, you can even play Bingo 12:06 Some of the fun ways the girls have used their certificates  21:35 Marriott free certificates and all the B words 23:23 There is also a Ritz Carlton card 33:52 Last but not least we do have 1 Hilton card 36:30 An amazing stay Alex is really looking forward to  

Hey there, fellow travelers! Alex, Pam, and Jess here, also known as the Travel Mom Squad! :) Today, we want to talk to you about our favorite points and the many cards we have that help us earn even more of these points. If you follow us on Instagram @travelmomsquad or read our blog, then you already know that our go-to points are Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Not only do they offer fantastic travel partners to transfer your points to, but there are two best-ever offers on two of our favorite Chase cards that are ending soon. So this is an urgent episode! If you are on the fence about points and miles, this is your chance! It's never been easier to earn points.  Let's dive a little bit deeper into these offers on the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Cash. Not only have the welcome offers increased, but the minimum spend has decreased, which is a rare occurrence. So, if you're looking to maximize your travel rewards, now is the time to take advantage of these offers. The eleveated offers on these cards is ending March 21, 2023 at 9 am ET.  Again, we love Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Firstly, they are easy to earn. There are so many cards that earn these points, which makes it easy to accumulate them quickly. Secondly, you can combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points with anyone else who lives in your household and has a card that earns these points. This makes it convenient for families to pool their points together and book trips. Plus, Chase is the only bank that transfers to Hyatt, which is a hotel brand that we are obsessed with!  Being able to transfer points from Chase to Hyatt makes them extremely valuable for us. If you have listened to our recent episodes, you know that we have stayed in some once-in-a-lifetime hotels and resorts thanks to Hyatt!  Hit play to learn more!  We hope this has been helpful and has inspired you to take advantage of these fantastic rewards. Happy travels!   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:48 Card offer that are ending soon 1:28 Did you catch this inside joke? 3:01 Why earning Chase points are so easy to earn 6:44 How to open a business a card even if you don't have a business 8:30 The downside of cashback cards  11:33 Easy ways to get 5% cashback  16:11 A quick recap of these great cards! 18:17 How to easily combine points  23:38 Alex's #1 tip for everyone listening 26:29 Why you can earn points quickly with Hyatt 27:49 Our favorite ways to earn Chase points  35:12 How to get more of our tips to unlocking Ultimate Points