Ever wonder how we manage to open so many credit cards and score loads of points? Well, today, we're going to spill the beans! Get ready for a deep dive into our credit card strategies. We'll also share how many points we've racked up in 2023. Can you believe one of us has already hit a whopping 1.8 million points this year? Can you guess who? Here's a pro-tip: most business cards don't count towards the 5/24 rule, which is why we've been going hard on business cards this year. They're essential...
Aug 15, 2023•30 min
Hey there, it's the Travel Mom Squad is back in action! Today is all about getting your partner in crime, your "player two," hooked on award travel with you. It's like getting them on board the thrill ride of free travel using credit cards and points! Okay, so what exactly is a player two? Well, it's not just your better half—it could be your best friend, your sister, or anyone who's up for some adventures. Now, let's talk about the sneaky challenge of convincing your partner to jump on the poin...
Aug 08, 2023•35 min
Welcome back to the Travel Mom Squad, your go-to for exhilarating travel exploits using points and miles! This episode sees Jess delve into her recent Hawaiian escapade, comparing the Hyatt Regency Maui and the Andaz Maui in part two of our Hawaiian Hyatt Showdown. If you missed Episode 23, catch up to learn about Alex and Pam's adventures! Jess embarked on a hotel-hopping adventure in Maui with her daughter, dissecting both Hyatt resorts to share the good, the bad, and her secret favorite. The ...
Aug 01, 2023•38 min
Ever wonder which credit cards you should carry and how to effectively use them to cash in on max rewards? Well today we want to share with you what's in our wallets and how we decide which cards to use and which ones to keep tucked away. We are super excited for today's episode, not only to give you a behind-the-scenes look into what's in our wallets, but also to find out what each other's daily rhythms are when it comes to using them. So let's get to it. We also discuss cards that we plan to "...
Jul 25, 2023•37 min
Join us today as we share our favorite tips for using points and miles to plan a trip to New York City. New York City holds a special place in our hearts, and through traveling on points we've discovered incredible ways to explore this vibrant city. Getting to New York City is a breeze, thanks to the multitude of airlines that fly there. When it comes to airport hotels, the options at JFK and LaGuardia are worth considering. When it comes to accommodations in New York City, we have a range of re...
Jul 18, 2023•41 min
Hey there! We're Alex, Pam, and Jess, the Travel Mom Squad. Today, we're diving into the world of business cards and why they're essential for maximizing points and miles. Business cards are a game-changer in traveling on points. They don't count towards the Chase 5/24 rule, except for a few exceptions like Discover and Capital One. This means you can keep opening new business cards, earning more points and miles. Qualifying for a business card is easier than you think. While you can still take ...
Jul 11, 2023•29 min
Hello, fellow travelers! We're the Travel Mom Squad—Pam, Jess, and Alex. In this episode, we're taking you on a virtual journey to sunny Southern California, and the best part? We're showing you how to do it all on points and miles! We all love visiting Southern California. It's a quick flight for Pam from Denver and Alex from Salt Lake City, and even for Jess from Houston, it's not too bad. The weather is always perfect, and it's a hit with our families. In this episode, we're covering all our ...
Jul 04, 2023•37 min
If you're a regular listener of the Travel Mom Squad podcast, you know that we're all about sharing tips and tricks to make the most out of our global adventures. This week, we're giving you a deep dive into one of our all-time favorite hotel chains—Hyatt! On this episode, we - Pam, Alex, and Jess - opened up about our journey to becoming Hyatt superfans, despite having previously dabbled with a variety of hotel rewards programs. We let you in on why Hyatt has us singing its praises, revealing t...
Jun 27, 2023•41 min•Ep. 30
Welcome back to the show! Today, Pam and Jess are excited to share their incredible adventures in Scotland. Scotland holds a special place in our hearts, and we can't wait to share the scoop with you! Let's start with Pam's journey. It was a nail-biter as she narrowly caught her flight to Edinburgh after dealing with a delayed positioning flight from Denver to Newark. But the icing on the cake? She scored Air France business class seats for just 58K Amex points, thanks to a fantastic transfer bo...
Jun 20, 2023•40 min•Ep. 29
Maybe you've played the points game, your points and miles are at the ready, and now the daunting task of booking and planning your trip is up next. Overwhelmed? Don't be. Today, we're sharing a quick guide on how we make the most of points and miles when planning our trips! Alex shares that she always puts her accommodation first when planning a Hawaiian escape. With a multitude of flights available, securing a hotel takes precedence. However, when she plans for a European journey, it's all abo...
Jun 13, 2023•39 min
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...
Jun 06, 2023•44 min
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,...
May 30, 2023•28 min
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 t...
May 23, 2023•34 min
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 stra...
May 16, 2023•42 min
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 ...
May 09, 2023•59 min
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...
May 02, 2023•49 min
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 ...
Apr 25, 2023•44 min•Ep. 21
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 stre...
Apr 18, 2023•49 min
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 ear...
Apr 11, 2023•38 min
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...
Apr 04, 2023•43 min
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 basi...
Mar 28, 2023•32 min
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 t...
Mar 21, 2023•30 min
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...
Mar 14, 2023•41 min
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 ...
Mar 07, 2023•34 min
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 America...
Feb 28, 2023•33 min
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 ...
Feb 21, 2023•43 min
We know that travel days can be super stressful, but it doesn't have to be! We've found some awesome credit card perks that make the experience so much better. From lounges where you can rest and grab a bite to eat, to pre-check that allows you to skip the long lines, these tricks will help you breeze through the airport like a pro. In this episode, each of us will share our favorite travel day tips that will take the overwhelm out of your next trip. The best part? You probably have already had ...
Feb 14, 2023•38 min
Do you dream of a tropical getaway filled with sunshine, sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and delicious food? Then you're in luck because we're sharing our favorite three resorts in Mexico where you can use your points to make your dreams a reality. Mexico is often thought of as a popular destination for adults, but it is also a great place for family vacations. Despite what you may have heard, Mexico is a safe and friendly country with plenty of family-friendly activities and attractions. Fro...
Feb 07, 2023•32 min
If you want to enjoy the life of nearly free travel, but are overwhelmed by the idea of keeping track of credit cards, then this episode is for you! And hey, even if you already have a spreadsheet and a card routine, this conversation can still take your points/miles earning to the next level! Welcome back to Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad! In this episode, we're talking to a professional credit card organization and points and miles extraordinaire, Zac Hood, the founder of Travel Freely....
Jan 31, 2023•24 min
Greece is a destination that should be on everyone's bucket list. With its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, it's a country that has something for everyone. All three of us have had the privilege of visiting Greece and we're here to tell you that if it's not on your list yet, it's time to add it. But maybe you're thinking, "can you still experience the best of Greece without breaking the bank?" The answer is yes, and in today's episode, we're sharing Jess's incredible story of ...
Jan 24, 2023•27 min
