Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points

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

Dreaming of a tropical getaway filled with white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious overwater bungalows? Look no further than French Polynesia's Bora Bora. And the best part? You can make this dream a reality with the power of points and miles. Pam had Bora Bora at the top of her travel bucket list, her dream was to stay at the Conrad Bora Bora, a luxurious hotel known for its exceptional reputation. To make this dream a reality, Pam started collecting Hilton points by getting American Express Hilton cards. Alex shared Pam's dream of staying at the Conrad Bora Bora or the Conrad Maldives. Both the Conrad Bora Bora and the Conrad Maldives are highly sought-after properties, considered bucket list destinations for luxury travelers. At the Travel Mom Squad, we're always on the lookout for ways to make our travel dreams a reality without breaking the bank. That's why we're thrilled to share our recent trip to Bora Bora, where we used our hard-earned points and miles to experience this idyllic destination in style. From the moment we arrived at the airport, we were transported to a world of beauty. The crystal-clear waters and lush greenery were enough to take our breath away, but the adventures and spa experiences we had is really what made the trip so incredible. Whether we were sipping on pina coladas or enjoying a meal, we felt like we were truly living the dream. It's no secret that these top hotels are not cheap, either in cash or in points. However, with a little bit of traveling points know-how, Alex and Pam were able to make their dream trip a reality using their hard-earned points and miles! So if you're dreaming of a trip to Bora Bora or any other luxury destination, don't let the cost hold you back! With the help of points and miles, you too can experience this idyllic destination on a budget. Bon voyage! More Of What's Inside: Why Bora Bora is a bucket list location for many When you see a deal BOOK IT! Our tips for buying points Activities that can come with your Hilton stay What airlines fly into Tahiti Additional charges and what to look out for Why the Airport is so easy to navigate in Bora Bora How many people could fit in an average room The weather in Bora Bora we experienced Why you will never get bored in Bora Bora And much more! Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: Bookable Hotels with Points Near Bora Bora Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's content 0:53 Why Pam wanted to go to Bora Bora 7:00 Easy tips for finding additional promo codes 9:18 When Alex and Pam went to Bora Bora together 11:40 A look into our flights to Bora Bora 16:09 Our official review on the hotel breakfast 18:08 Pam's favorite pastries and restaurants from the trip 20:51 The best activities in Bora Bora (Spa, Yoga, Biking and more) 25:22 Tips on flights and our advice on finding the best deal 31:55 How to find even more great places to stay in Bora Bora

Are you one of those people who think that traveing on points is only for individuals or couples, and not for big families? Think again! While it may seem challenging at first, there are plenty of ways to rack up points for families of all sizes! Between all the Travel Mom Sqaud, there are a lot of kids and grandkids that we travel with. Over the years we have picked up some of the best tips in the travel industry and know how to take amazing getaways even on a budget. One important strategy is to take advantage of family rates and deals. Many airlines and hotels offer discounts for families, such as reduced rates for children or free stays for kids under a certain age. Make sure to research these options and compare them to regular rates to see if you can save some extra money. Hit play to hear even more tips and tricks! Another helpful tip is to be flexible with your travel plans. As a big family, you may not be able to stick to a rigid schedule or plan, but this can actually work to your advantage. Being open to different travel dates and destinations can help you find better deals and more opportunities to use your points and miles. And of course, doing your research is still key. Look for loyalty programs and credit card reward programs that cater to families and offer family-friendly perks. Keep track of your points and miles, and don't be afraid to get creative with your travel plans. If you don't know where to start, check out the links below! We have made researching a breeze. So, don't let the misconception that traveling on points is impossible for big families discourage you. With a little bit of effort and strategy, you can make award travel work for your family and create amazing memories without breaking the bank. More Of What's Inside: Tips for booking flights for large groups A look into trips we have taken with our family How and why Pam takes each of her 21 grandkids on a trip What you need to know about timeshares Why traveling abroad could be cheaper than you think The #1 travel tip that Alex recommends for all families How to make your points go even further A common misconception about Traveling On Points And much more! Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:57 Cutting the cost versus totally free 2:50 There is no "right way" to do this 6:11 Why welcome offers are KEY for big families 8:28 Travel tips for six people to Europe 12:54 Why Alex will always have a Companion flights 16:03 How to get 25% off your kid's Air France tickets 18:16 When Pam bought a timeshare in Hawaii 22:44 How to get 50% off Hyatt rooms with the Family Rate 26:53 Our favorite hotels for families and why 32:38 Tips for finding AirBnB's you can use points for 37:57 Our tips for a timeshare presentation and how to navigate them