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

Have you ever dreamed of jetting off to Italy or Switzerland on a luxury trip but thought it was out of your budget? Well, think again. We're the Travel Mom Squad, and we're here to let you in on our travel secrets! In this episode, we discuss our recent trips to Italy and Switzerland and share the smart tricks we used to travel in style while saving a fortune. First up, Jess spilled the beans about her trip to Italy. She shared a fantastic tip about Fifth Freedom flights, where airlines operate between two foreign countries. In her case, it was an Emirates flight from JFK to Milan. Bet you didn't know you could use your points like that, did you? But, the cherry on top was the opulent experience aboard Emirates first class. We're talking top-class service, comfy seats, and exceptional food and drink. She even mentioned an onboard lounge serving espresso martinis mid-flight—now that's flying in style! Switching gears, Alex and Pam shared their own adventure to Switzerland, which had its own unique itinerary. Opting for a direct flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam on KLM, they cleverly timed their journey to avoid the worst of jet lag. They managed to enjoy dinner, watch a movie, sleep, and wake up for breakfast on the plane before reaching Amsterdam. Talk about efficient planning! Sounds interesting? We've only scratched the surface here. There are more tips and juicy stories on the full show, so hit play to get the complete lowdown. Trust us, you'll be planning your own luxury trip on a budget in no time. Stay tuned for more insider tips and tricks, a deep dive into the power of points and miles, and plenty of travel inspiration! Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 How to make even your biggest travel goals happen 1:19 How we flew to Italy for nearly free! 12:55 Amsterdam to Switzerland - What you need to know before you go 14:48 The flight home on Emirates and the shower in the sky (Pam's favorite!) 26:54 All about The Grand Hotel Victoria, Lake Como - is it worth it? 30:24 Our honest review on The Hotel Aquarius in Venice 34:02 A look into our time in Florence and The Palazzo Vecchietti 37:10 Our best tips and where to stay in Switzerland

Today we let you in on some of the hidden benefits of credit cards that have saved our day more than once! The points and miles are great, but the added perks? They're the unsung heroes of some of our travel stories! We begin with primary car rental insurance, a godsend for any traveler. Jess explains why she prioritizes this feature over anything else, even meeting a minimum spend. You'll also hear Pam express how much simpler and stress-free her travels have become. Then there's delayed, lost, or damaged baggage coverage. Alex and Pam share their personal experiences. During a trip to Greece, Pam's luggage was delayed for three days. In another incident, Alex's stroller was damaged during a Southwest flight. Since she'd paid the taxes and fees with her Chase Sapphire Preferred, she was able to claim reimbursement for the damaged stroller. If you are still reading, you can probably tell that credit cards have some massive perks beyond just the points and miles. We can't imagine how these stories would have ended up without the hidden benefits of these cards. (Check out the links below to learn more!) Ready to unlock more travel tips like these? Hit play and discover how these credit card benefits can be your secret weapon for hassle-free travels. Your nearly-free vacations await! Links: Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Points and Miles Journey: Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy I https://travelmomsquad.teachable.com/p/thmata?coupon_code=THMWEB150 Our Website: https://travelmomsquad.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelmomsquad.com/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelmomsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@travelmomsquad Facebook group: Travel Mom Squad: Travel on Points | Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: Credit Cards with Cell Phone Protection Credit Cards with Travel Protection Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 There are so many more ways to earn and level up your travels! 1:14 Protection #1: Car Rental Insurance - this can save you so much hassle 5:40 Protection #2 Lost, Delayed or Damaged Baggage - How Pam got reimbursed for lost luggage 15:04 Protection #3 Cell Phone Insurance - The trick all entrepreneurs need to know 22:49 Protection #4 Delayed or Canceled Flights - How to get your money back and on a new flight fast!

Hello fellow explorers! We're the Travel Mom Squad—Alex, Pam, and Jess, and we're excited to take you along on our recent Caribbean adventures! Starting with Aruba, Pam recounts how she masterfully use Marriott free night certificates. It was a trek from the US west coast, but United miles and a clever flight booking made it possible. She first stayed at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino—and, wow, what a place! Despite some reservations about the 'casino' aspect, she fell in love with the resort's atmosphere. Then she 'hotel hopped' over to the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba. The highlight? Flamingo Beach, with its unique blend of snorkeling and lounging alongside pink flamingos! Next stop, Grand Cayman. Alex's tale of her stay at the Kimpton Seafire is fascinating. Thanks to a sign-up bonus, she extended her stay from two nights to four—all by purchasing 35k points during a 100% bonus period. The breathtaking Seven Mile Beach and top-notch service added a cherry on top of her luxury stay. Finally, Jess recaps her stay at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. Caribbean luxury at its finest! We're not just sharing our experiences but also showing you how to travel your way using reward points, securing affordable flights, and nabbing the best deals. Remember, rewards and points can fluctuate, so keep an eye on that 30-day calendar! So, are you ready to travel on points all the way to the Caribbean like we did? Hit play now to hear our full adventure and start planning your own! For more travel tips like this, be sure to check out the links below. Happy travels! ✈️ Links: Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Points and Miles Journey: Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy I https://travelmomsquad.teachable.com/p/thmata?coupon_code=THMWEB150 Our Website: https://travelmomsquad.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelmomsquad.com/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelmomsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@travelmomsquad Facebook group: Travel Mom Squad: Travel on Points | Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:45 How to travel to the Caribbean for nearly free and getting to Aruba 5:29 Our top places to stay in Aruba 10:23 Alex's top tips for getting to Grand Cayman 13:50 A glimpse inside Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman 19:14 Jess's #1 pick for where to stay in the Caribbean 21:28 Why we have a glowing review of the Park Hyatt St. Kitts 25:28 Insights and wisdom from Pam we can all learn from 26:51 Our current roadmap for future Caribbean trips

In our latest podcast episode, your favorite trio of the Travel Mom Squad—Pam, Jess, and Alex— give you an exclusive peek into our jet-setting lives. As many of you know, we've spent years perfecting the art of award travel, and we're thrilled to share our insider secrets with our beloved community. For this episode, we did something a little different: we turned to our Instagram followers (@travelmomsquad) to guide the conversation. Yes, every single question we tackle in this episode came straight from you, our loyal listeners! One question that sparked a lively discussion was about our strategy with credit cards—do we keep them open even after hitting the minimum spend? Let's just say, if you've been closing your cards after hitting the minimum spend, you might want to reconsider. But that's just the tip of the iceberg! We answered a wide range of questions...tune in now to hear them all! If you're not already following us on Instagram, we encourage you to do so. We love to engage with our listeners and the IG platform provides a wonderful space for us to do just that. Join our IG family, submit your questions, and you might just hear them answered in our next episode. So, what are you waiting for? Hit play to hear the full episode now and join us on this exhilarating ride. We can't wait to share our adventures with you! Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Show introduction 1:09 Question one: Do you keep your cards open? 3:46 American Express "Pop Up Jail" 7:33 Question two: After Hyatt, Hilton or Marriott? 9:26 Question three: How often do you open new cards? 9:58 Question four: What are the most common mistakes beginners make? 13:42 Question five: How do you split business responsibilities? 22:10 Question six: What is a realistic time frame for taking your first nearly free vacation? 23:55 Question seven: Do you ever take trips that are strictly vacation? 30:01 Question eight: Best business credit card offer currently available? 30:50 Question nine: How do I get under 5/24 while still earning signup bonuses? Is getting business cards the only way? 33:00 Question ten: How long does it take a signup bonus to hit your account? 34:12 Question eleven: Do you get nervous that award travel will get over inflated in the future? 35:40 Question twelve: Which cards have you opened so far this year?

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