Points/Miles
CategoryCamp Mom 2017 Planning Part 2: Lodging- Sausage Houses, Private Funiculars and Geodesic Domes!
I’ve finally conquered decision fatigue and have most of Camp Mom 2017 booked. Today I want to share with you the Camp Mom 2017 lodging details and pricing and lessons learned. In
Amending The Bonnie Rule: Travel is Even More Not “Free” Than It Used To Be
My two cents.
I’m FINALLY starting to put together plans for this summer’s Camp Mom 2017 and have the first set of internal flights booked. I got 4 $533 tickets from Santiago to
Iberia Avios Sale: RT Economy to Europe 25.5K + Taxes
BlueBay Beach Club, Gran Canaria, where our two bedroom condo was $88/night. This is my example of hacking Spring Break last year.
Just got an email about an Iberia Avios sale
Quick Tip: How To Find Hotel Points Bonus Rates
A number of you have expressed interest in the Marriott Platinum Challenge and how I completed it for under $500 net. The specific question I’ve been asked multiple times is abou..
Marriott Platinum Challenge Completed! $467 = Four Status Bumps
A few weeks ago I shared my thoughts on the Marriott Platinum Challenge. I decided that even though I was tossing most status aside in the new year that the value
My 86 Day $2415 Gift Card Mall Nightmare
I’m not one for clickbait headlines. If I tell you that my experience with Gift Card Mall was an absolute nightmare I mean it. I’m not going to tell you
Barclaycard Travel Community: Earn 20,000 + Miles/Month With Your Status Updates
Every once in a while someone mentions the Barclaycard Travel Community and how you can earn points by posting your trip reports. What I’ve never seen anyone post is how
Are you Caught in The Status Trap?
The Centara Grand Hua Hin, my single favorite hotel stay- and one you’ll miss because of the status trap.Do you have one hotel that stays with you no matter where
Why I Decided to Go for the Marriott Platinum Challenge (Hint: It’s Got Nothing to do with Marriott)
We’re not even out of February and I’m reverting to a bad habit. However, I’ve done the math and I think it makes sense. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the
I’m Shuffling My Top Five Hotel Points Rankings. Are You?
One of the many hidden alcove pools at the Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, now bookable via both Starwood and Marriott points.The only constant in travel hacking is change. In the hotel p..
Visiting South America in July: How Far South Should We Go?
I’m taking a break from remodeling to think about our Camp Mom coming up this summer. We’re visiting South America in July and will fly into and out of Santiago. We
4 Travel Hacking Bad Habits I’m Ditching This Year (And What I’m Doing Instead)
It’s New Year’s: the traditional time to ditch bad habits and improve yourself. I’m sure you’ve seen all the FitBit and organization store ads. I’ve even told you about the
eBay Bucks 2017 “Enhanced” (read: gutted)
I knew the moment I saw the email subject line: “Announcing a better, more flexible eBay Bucks!” In an all too familiar pattern, eBay Bucks 2017 program features major “enhanceme..
Is Your Hyatt Status “It’s Complicated”? Maybe It’s Finally Time to Break Up
This will be the last post I write about whether or not I’m chasing Hyatt status. Maybe.
Because, well, it’s complicated.And that’s the problem. Status decisions should be pretty..
4 Travel Hacking Skills that Led to Camp Mom 2017
I began FT4RL with a quick “state of The Hobby” chat in order to drive home the fact that everything changes but nothing changes at the same time. The “nothing changes” refers
Do NOT Redeem Wyndham Rewards at Timeshares. Here’s Why.
Our 2 bedroom unit at Wyndham owned Kona Coast Resort, which cost $279/week.
I’m doing a session next week at FT4RL DFW about hotel alternatives. Between the Hyatt program chang..
PSA to Loyalty Programs: Hire a White Hat Travel Hacker
Boots optional.
The frequent travel community lost its mind when Wyndham announced, then abruptly pulled, a promotion that offered to quadruple SPG* points and match status if y..
Wyndham Rewards: The Ken Bone of Rewards Programs
Sometimes you just need a safe place to lay your head. Photo via CNN.
I’ve had Wyndham Rewards on the brain lately. Wyndham hotels often live in the background until one day when
Thinking Beyond Miles and Points for Summer 2017
BlueBay Beach Club, Gran Canaria, where our two bedroom condo was $88/night.
The Deal Kids start school this week which means it’s time to dream about next summer (what, you don’t
Cannes Hotel Showdown: Hyatt Grand Martinez Vs. Holiday Inn
After a recent stay in Cannes it felt like a good idea to review the two hotels I visited: the Grand Hyatt Martinez and the Holiday Inn. I understand that
The Most Important Points and Miles I spent This Summer Were Also the Least Glamorous
Breakfast.
Next week I’m headed to the French and Italian Riveras. I’ll enjoy happy hour with my $2500/Night suite in Cannes and sunbathe on the only private beach in Monte Carl..
Disney World Resort Reviews: The 12 Disney World Resorts I Don’t Recommend
After close to two months at Disney World in the last eighteen (and over twenty Disney World Resorts stays) I’ve come to appreciate staying on site. Benefits include extra magic..
Provence on Points: When a Category 6 Hotel is a Better Value Than a Category 1
I’ve been doing a fair amount of tinkering with my Provence on Points* trip this summer and wanted to share my lessons learned with you. 4,500 Thank You Points and dropping a de..