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The tools I use every week to track our points, organize cards, and make sure we never miss a deal. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to keep it all straight, these are for you.
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I’m here to tell you a secret…
You don’t have to stay 60 nights in a hotel to earn Hyatt Globalist status. You can piece it together, even as a busy parent who only travels a few times a year.
I’m here to tell you a secret…
You don’t have to stay 60 nights in a hotel to earn Hyatt Globalist status. You can piece it together, even as a busy parent who only travels a few times a year.
I’ve come to love IHG properties for family travel, not because they’re flashy or influencer-trendy, but because they are often:
The only chain hotel in smaller destinations (like the Columbia River Gorge or near national parks)
Way more likely to offer suite-style rooms or sofa sleepers
Loaded with perks like free breakfast or kitchens, which is huge when feeding multiple kids
Cash back is great for simplicity, but transferable points from gateway cards are where the real leverage lives. Instead of being stuck at a flat 1¢ per point, you can move those points to airline and hotel partners and tap into award “sweet spots” that price flights and stays far below cash rates.
I felt bad the other day when I posted a ski week we took due to the Epic Pass that was limited to Utah moms because of the School Kids program they have. So, I got curious and wanted to give you a list of some of the best ski trips I could find that you could book on points. Yes, skiing itself can be a bit pricey, but when you know how to book the hotels for your winter wonderland vacation on points, it suddenly gets a whole lot easier to book.
Have you ever wondered if you should add your partner as an authorized user on your card, or apply for their own card and earn a welcome bonus? This guide breaks it down simply, helps you travel sooner, and teaches you to protect your credit at the same time.
I used to watch school-break fares jump overnight and think, “Maybe next year.” The turning point was learning how to aim American Express Membership Rewards® points at the right partners, and only transferring once seats and fees checked out. That’s when “someday” trips started turning into actual vacations.
If you aren’t new to the points and miles hobby, you will know that elevated offers really help boost your numbers. It’s thrilling to open a card, meet a minimum spend, and see your account fill with all those points. Sometimes you are in between cards and don’t know what to open. Sometimes there are rumors of a “big” bonus were swirling, but nothing has been announced yet. So, should you wait for an elevated welcome offer, or go ahead and apply?
Last winter I was numbing out by scrolling on my phone, and I decided to look through flight prices for our family of six. Everything was SO EXPENSIVE. Out of frustration I typed “Anywhere” into Google Flights, and discovered its hidden Explore tab. Suddenly, I could see flights to places I hadn’t even considered, with live prices on a map. Using Google Flights explore to save has changed the way we plan.
The truth is, you don’t need to master every points program to book free (or almost free) international flights. You just need the right credit cards. The right cards will earn you points you can actually use for long-haul travel.
I’ll never forget the moment I stretched out in a lie-flat seat on my flight to Rome. The ticket would have cost nearly $2,800, but instead I used 60,000 points I’d earned from my credit card. If I had chosen cash back, those same points would have given me about $600 off my statement. Both are valuable, but in that moment, the difference between cash back and flexible points had never felt clearer.
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Ready to turn your everyday spending into unforgettable family travel? This 4-part course is your step-by-step guide to earning free flights and hotel stays using credit card points. Whether you're just curious and want to start with one section, or you're all in and ready for the full bundle, there's an option that fits your pace. Enroll once and get lifetime updates, plus access to a private Facebook group where moms just like you share tips, wins, and support. This isn’t just a course—it’s a total mindset shift for how your family travels.
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I’ll never forget the moment I stretched out in a lie-flat seat on my flight to Rome. The ticket would have cost nearly $2,800, but instead I used 60,000 points I’d earned from my credit card. If I had chosen cash back, those same points would have given me about $600 off my statement. Both are valuable, but in that moment, the difference between cash back and flexible points had never felt clearer.
