Points and Miles Travel Chats

In today's episode, we're chatting about

Episode overview

• How I booked Qatar Qsuites for a family of three — and averaged just 72K points per person
• Using a 30% transfer bonus to British Airways to book Qatar Airways
• Why Singapore Airlines is my go to option when booking for families
• Booking Cathay Pacific business class from Hong Kong to Los Angeles
• Using Alaska Atmos miles to book short haul Cathay Pacific business class for a steal!
• Release dates, transfer bonuses, repositioning flights, and other strategies that helped make these bookings work

📋 SHOW NOTES

Airline Rankings - Best Business Class Airlines

Favorite Transferable Points - Top 5 fav card options

Underrated Airline Miles - The recent deals I've gotten

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about...

• How we planned a two-week family trip to Koh Samui, Thailand and Bali for three, and why I started planning it almost a year ahead
• Flying Singapore Airlines Business Class to/from Asia using points instead of paying the $28,000+ cash price
• How I booked Bangkok Airways via Qatar Airways with points
• Our three-night stay at Conrad Koh Samui, including the private pool villas, incredible breakfast using 120,000 Hilton points per night
• Using a Marriott 85K free night certificate + 184,000 Marriott points for three nights at Vana Belle Koh Samui
• Our one-night strategy at Alila Ubud
• The absolute showstopper: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, including our massive private pool villa and how we booked two nights for 280,000 Marriott points + $490 instead of $5500+
• Exploring Ubud, the Monkey Forest, rice fields, temples and Balinese villages
• Our two-night stay at Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, including the huge villa, private pool, ocean views and beach club using 120K Hilton points per night
• Using Fine Hotel + Resort credit at Jimbaran Puri, for our final night in Bali
• My biggest takeaways for families who want to use points for premium-cabin flights and luxury hotels in Asia

📋 SHOW NOTES

Full Trip Report - 2 weeks in Asia on points

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

Episode overview

• Why Hilton is becoming a larger part of our points travel strategy
• The reason Hilton’s free night certificates are incredible and how we used ours at a $2,000+ per night resort
• How, when and why buying Hilton points could be part of your travel strategy
• The Hilton fifth-night-free benefit makes Hilton points stays even more attractive
• How Hilton’s dynamic pricing can be addressed with free night certificates
• Some of our favorite Hilton stays so far, including Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, Conrad Koh Samui and LXR Bali — plus which ones I'd actually go back to.

📋 SHOW NOTES

All about Hilton Free Night Certificates

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• The 5 cards we’ve opened so far in 2026 and the 760,000 points those welcome offers earned us
• How transferable points + diversifying points give us more options
• The 3 cards on my radar to open next
• Why airline cards are becoming essential for getting the best deal
• The Qatar Qsuites + Maldives trip I absolutely did NOT need to book…but did anyway when a 30% transfer bonus came along 😂

📋 SHOW NOTES

New card in 2026 - Capital One Venture Business

Got this card again with EIN - 100K points

I got this with 200K points welcome offer - But you may be able to get up to 300K!

Great hotel option - love the free night certificates

I used the 30% transfer bonus to British Airways to book Qatar - current transfer bonuses

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Finding business class flights to Europe over Thanksgiving break for 115K points ROUND TRIP
• Piecing together flights, trains, and hotels - my best points saving tips
• The unexpected theme park day that was a major highlight
• Real talk: train strikes, airport chaos, and what to do when plans fall apart
• How we covered $15,000+ in travel with points
• The exact booking timeline (and why waiting will cost you)

📋 SHOW NOTES

BRAND NEW Card - Capital One Venture Business

Thrifty Traveler Alert - this link saves $20 on 1st year premium subscription

Family Photoshoot in Bruges - Who we recommend (FIVE stars)

New to points? Start with this card (3x dining & 3x online grocery) or this card (4x dining & 4x grocery)

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Why Alaska’s Atmos Rewards program is a total sleeper hit in award travel
• Alaska miles (Atmos Points) can be harder to earn - how we've changed our strategy to earn more
• Real examples of business class award flights to Tahiti and Europe booked via Alaska
• Don't sleep on the Global Companion Certificates
• The exact sweet spots (like 4,500-point flights 😳) you should be looking for
• The “phantom availability” issue—and how to avoid getting burned

📋 SHOW NOTES

Just released (from Q2 in podcast)....
Massive offer #1
Massive offer #2

Rakuten - Earning Bilt Points via Rakuten

seats.aero - My #1 search tool

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Don’t want to open more credit cards? These 3 strategies still stack serious points
• Simple “2-card combo” that maximizes everyday spending without overthinking it
• Why shopping portals are the most overlooked (and easiest) way to earn extra points
• The mistake almost everyone makes with everyday spending—and how to fix it
• How “player 2 mode” and referrals can double your points (and free hotel nights)

📋 SHOW NOTES

3x dining & online grocery - my go-to card

4x dining & grocery - this one is a forever keeper

Rakuten - Earning Bilt Points via Rakuten

Rakuten - Earning more points via Rakuten

Shopping portals - Overview, shopping portals explained

Calculating your 5/24 - Everything you need to know

Hilton - These Free Night Certificates are the best out there

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Hyatt is moving from 3 pricing tiers → 5 tiers (and yes… it’s a big deal)
• Why luxury redemptions (Category 7–8) are getting hit the hardest
• The exact bookings I made before the changes hit (and why)
• A simple trick to lock in lower rates even if your plans aren’t set
• The underrated Globalist benefit most people aren’t using right now
• I’m officially diversifying into Marriott, Hilton, and IHG
• The truth: Hyatt isn’t dead… but your strategy needs to change

📋 SHOW NOTES

Marriott - Great options for diversifying point earning

Hilton - These Free Night Certificates are the best out there

Shop a lot at Costco or Sam's? - My go to card for Costco or Sam's

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• How to save money on theme park trips to Disney and Universal using points and credit card perks
• Strategies for finding the best award flights to Orlando
• When to check airline alliance partners for cheaper award pricing
• Why hotel points and free night certificates can make theme park stays much more affordable
• How to stay on Disney property using points or travel portal bookings
• The strategy for booking Universal hotels that include Express Passes
• Ways to reduce the cost of park tickets using credit card miles
• When a Universal annual pass might actually be cheaper than regular tickets

📋 SHOW NOTES

Step-by-step - Using Venture Miles for theme park tickets

Rakuten - Earn Bilt Points

Earn the best transferable points and airline points

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Current Best Offers - My top choices this month

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K poin

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• How we flew business class to Tahiti for 120,000 points per person roundtrip
• The “loophole” that sparked this trip — and how to book award flights now that it’s gone
• St. Regis Bora Bora vs. Westin Bora Bora — which one felt magical and why
• How we upgraded to an overwater bungalow
• Smart Marriott strategies (including transfer bonuses + buying points on sale)
• What Bora Bora actually costs once you’re there (real food & drink prices)
• Tips to save money on dining in Bora Bora

📋 SHOW NOTES

Step-by-step - How to book Bora Bora with points

Bora Bora trip breakdown plus reviews and overall tips - article

Rakuten - Earn Bilt Points

Earn the best transferable points and airline points

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• What the Southwest Companion Pass actually is
• Different ways to earn it
• Timing strategy to maximize nearly 2 full years of use
• The most common mistake people make
• How to earn two Companion Passes with the right player strategy
• The shortened “mini” Companion Pass offers and when they make sense
• How to add and switch companions (without accidentally removing someone from a flight)
• Easy ways to top off your account if you’re just short of 135,000 points
• Who this pass is best for (and when it’s NOT worth it)

📋 SHOW NOTES

FREE Southwest Companion Pass Guide - (you'll get this via email after signing up - check your spam folder if you don't see it)

Southwest Companion Pass FAQs with current offer info

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about

• How multiple flight cancellations months before departure turned into better flights
• Virgin Atlantic vs. Air France/KLM: flexibility differences you must know before booking
• How we flew round-trip business class to Europe over Christmas for under 90,000 points per person
• Tips for surviving tight international connections (Amsterdam’s short-connection line)
• The magic of Italy in winter: fewer crowds, better weather, and unforgettable experiences
• Excursions worth splurging on (and one expensive food tour I wouldn’t repeat)
• How a mix of points + cash covered nearly $20,000 in flights and hotels
• Why flexibility—not perfection—is the real secret to booking peak-season award travel

SHOW NOTES

Tours we booked & recommend from this trip:

Tours of the Real Hidden Venice
Venice pasta & tiramisu making class
Tuscany Bike Tours
Hunt for truffles in the Tuscan woods

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Why Hyatt is the best hotel program for points (yes, even if you’re a Marriott loyalist)
• The magic of Hyatt’s award chart — and why it saves you thousands of points per stay
• Hyatt elite status explained (Discoverist → Explorist → Globalist) and what perks actually matter
• A deep dive into Hyatt Milestone Rewards (Guest of Honor, Suite Upgrades, Free Nights)
• How Hyatt free night certificates work (and the expiration gotchas to watch for)
• My favorite Hyatt stays booked on points — from Maui to Kyoto to Hong Kong
• The smartest way to earn Hyatt points without putting everyday spend on hotel cards
•

📋 SHOW NOTES

The secret to more free Hyatt stays - exactly how I earn all those points

One of the best helpers for earning status

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• How our family pulled off London & Paris in peak summer using mostly points
• The exact business class flights we booked (102K points roundtrip per person!) & hotel award nights
• Real talk about Europe hotel occupancy rules for families
• Niche but gold tips: Eurostar mistakes to avoid, laundry hacks in Europe, plus tour wins (and fails)
• A full look at what we used cash for vs what we used points for

📋 SHOW NOTES

Booking JetBlue Mint via Qatar - including step by step how to move Avios from British Airways to Qatar

Points we use for Hyatt award stays - earning transferable points (not hotel specific points) is key

Thrifty Travel Premium Newsletter - use "fancy" at checkout for $20 off 1st year

MaxMyPoint - Set up hotel alerts for award availability

New to points & Miles? Start with my favorite card!

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• Why 2025 was an “amazing but too much” travel year—and the hard family conversations that forced a reset for 2026
• The mindset shift from chasing every deal to deciding what “enough” travel actually looks like
• A full breakdown of what’s booked for 2026—including Bora Bora, Asia, Mexico, Disney, and luxury US stays
• How points, free night certificates, companion passes, and credits are being stacked to save tens of thousands
• Why opening fewer cards can still unlock incredible travel—and how comparison culture gets this wrong
• Why diversifying hotel points and leaning into credits matters more than ever going forward
• Proof that you don’t need nonstop luxury travel to “do points right”—you just need a strategy that fits your life

📋 SHOW NOTES

Elevated Marriott Offer - And how to get the most from it

Ritz Carlton card - How to access via product change

Love luxury travel perks & credits? This card is my fav for lux travel

How to earn Bilt points via Rakuten

Rakuten Sign Up Bonus - New sign ups get $50 off after making $50 purchase in 1st 90 days

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

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Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• How I booked three business-class seats to Africa in peak summer — and why I locked in the return flights before even knowing how we’d get there
• The exact search tools I use (and how I search broadly to uncover rare availability)
• Why I chose to book through a partner airlines instead of direct, and where I want my points to land if plans change
• Reviews of Emirates A380, Singapore Airlines, JetBlue Mint, Turkish Airlines, and Condor — including which lived up to the hype and which didn’t
• How transfer bonuses quietly shaved tens of thousands of points off multiple flights
• The role paid flight alerts played in saving the day — twice
• Why I always book long-haul trips as one-way awards (and why it gives you way more flexibility)
• The mindset shift that made this year possible: finding the deal first, then building the trip around it

📋 SHOW NOTES

Thrifty Traveler Premium Newsletter: $20 off 1st year with my link at checkout

Seats.aero - This is the only search tool I pay for

How I booked JetBlue Mint via Qatar, using a British Airways transfer bonus

How to earn Bilt points via Rakuten

Rakuten Sign Up Bonus - New sign ups get $50 off after making $50 purchase in 1st 90 days

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In this episode, I unpack the exact mix of free night certificates, points, and card perks that helped us stretch our hotel budget farther than ever. You’ll hear the wins, the surprises, the splurges — and the one stay that just didn’t hit the mark.

In today's episode, we're chatting about

• The big-picture recap:
How we managed 60 total hotel nights this year — with 45 booked using points or free night certificates.

• Hyatt strategy deep dive:
Our five Hyatt free night certificates, how we earned them, and why the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program is one of my favorites.

• Marriott wins:
How we ended up with nine Marriott free night certificates, including multiple 50K, 35K, and 85K nights — and the strategy that lets us repeat that welcome offer cycle.

• Hilton points strategy:
Why we bought 960,000 Hilton points this year and how buying points can be a smart move with the right redemption.

• Using premium card credits strategically:
How using travel credits that come with our premium credit cards covered part of our stays at Universal, Epic Universe, and more.

• Our favorite luxury redemptions, stays that didn't work, and hidden gems

• Final reflections:
2025 felt like a “pinch me” year — and what this year taught me about smart earning, strategic booking, and maximizing every certificate.

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the real-life systems we use as a family to earn and stretch our points. It’s full of practical answers, honest numbers, and lessons learned the hard way—so you can shortcut your own strategy.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about

• How many personal and business credit cards I actively keep open
• Why my credit score stays above 800—even with frequent applications
• What I do with cards after the first year (your 4 options)
• The real (and shocking) number I pay in annual fees each year
• The always “annual spend” question debunked
• How I think about using points vs cash for flights and hotels
• The #1 item I will not travel without
• The biggest mistake I made when I started—and how it held us back for years

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about

• Comparing personal Venture cards – which one is actually worth it
• The new Capital One welcome offer eligibility rules — and the order they want you to apply in
• Venture X Business: huge welcome bonus, no 5/24 impact, and how it compares to the personal card
• Lounge access changes coming Feb 1, 2026 — how to pivot
• Why my husband and I both keep the Venture X
• Capital One’s strongest transfer partners and my favorite ways to use the miles
• How to combine miles with anyone who also has miles
• Cash-back cards (Spark, Quicksilver, Savor) that secretly earn miles if you know the trick
• The obscure referral rule that burned me — so you don’t repeat my mistake
• Capital One Shopping Portal's underrated multipliers (and why it can beat Rakuten)
• Using Capital One miles to cover Disney/Universal tickets — and the coding mistake to avoid

FROM THIS EPISODE

Comparing Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

Free points & miles guide – PDF downloaded over 17K times

Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram – keep up to date on all the latest points news

Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook – great place to share wins, ask questions

Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter – sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

Current Best Offers - Curated by spend, annual fees and travel style

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.

In this episode, we're chatting about...

• How we planned a Christmas/New Year’s Asia itinerary despite zero date flexibility
• The exact routes we booked—including our long-haul KLM business class flights and how we secured three seats at once
• How we avoided $35k+ cash prices by using transferable points
• What to do when award space disappears
• Why searching manually—smartly—matters, and the tools that helped us narrow down valid routes
• How early-morning arrivals, club lounges, and Hyatt status shaped the trip
• Reviews of each hotel we stayed at, including Hong Kong, Phuket, Bangkok, and Taipei
• The mindset shift for planning high-demand award trips, and how to build multiple backup plans
• Whether luxury or quantity is right for your points strategy, and how I make that choice for our family

📋 READY TO LEVEL UP YOUR POINTS TRAVEL?

🫶🏼 Free points & miles guide - PDF downloaded over 17K times

🫶🏼 Best card offers- tailored by category for your needs

🫶🏼 Fancy Travel Pointers Instagram - keep up to date on all the latest points news

🫶🏼 Fancy Travel Pointers Facebook - great place to share wins, ask questions

🫶🏼 Fancy Travel Pointers Newsletter - sent weekly to over 24K points lovers!

👋 Hi! I'm Michele!

A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.

I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.

With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.