In this episode, Jess takes us step-by-step through her family's spring break trip to Japan—a points and miles masterpiece that cost just $200 total out of pocket for four round-trip flights and multiple hotel stays. From first class flights to washer/dryers in hotel rooms, this trip had it all. Whether you're dreaming of cherry blossoms, bullet trains, or Hello Kitty cafés, this episode is packed with tips for making Japan happen—without breaking the bank. Flying to Japan in Style with AA Miles...
Apr 29, 2025•48 min
In this sneak peek from Points Talk Premium , we're giving you a taste of one of our monthly "Ask Us Anything" episodes—where we answer real questions from our subscribers about using points and miles to travel smarter. Subscribe to Points Talk Premium for full access to monthly deep-dive tips, behind-the-scenes content, and personalized Q&As. Subscribe Now: https://pointstalk.supercast.com
Apr 28, 2025•7 min
In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they're breaking down exactly how you can do it, too. Jess's San Miguel de Allende Birthday Getaway For her birthday, Jess wanted a trip that was cute, walkable, and filled with cultur...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min
In this episode, we're diving deep into IHG One Rewards—a hotel program that often flies under the radar but has serious potential. From practical Holiday Inns to luxury Kimptons and InterContinentals, we're sharing our experiences using IHG points and free-night awards, how we earn them, and why buying IHG points (yes, buying!) can actually be a smart move. What Even Is IHG? Before diving into points and miles, most of us didn't even know IHG was the brand behind properties like Holiday Inn, Ca...
Apr 15, 2025•31 min
In this episode, Jess and Alex are sharing all the magic, insights, and travel tips they brought back from a recent media event at Walt Disney World. From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to exciting new ticket and resort updates, they're joined by Megan—Travel Mom Squad's Disney expert—to talk about how to make a Disney trip more affordable, less stressful, and extra special using points and miles. What's New at Disney World? Big Updates & Summer Deals During the media event, Jess and Alex...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min
New Zealand has been high on so many of your travel wish lists—and for good reason! In this episode, Pam shares details from her recent two-week adventure on the North Island of New Zealand, including how she booked business-class flights, multiple free hotel nights, and even covered rental cars and excursions—all using points and miles (and one fortuitous mistake fare). From kayaking Cathedral Cove to digging out hot tubs at Hot Water Beach, it's a trip full of unforgettable experiences and maj...
Apr 01, 2025•42 min
Not sure how to maximize your points? In this episode, we break down the top three ways to use each of the four major flexible points currencies—our favorite points currency (IYKYK), American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points—so you can book travel smarter. Our favorite points: Best for Hyatt & Flights It's easy to see why our favorite kind of points are just that! They're a gold mine for Hyatt stays, which offer the best value per point. Trans...
Mar 25, 2025•41 min
What's better than throwing a Harry Potter-themed birthday party? How about taking your child on a real Harry Potter adventure across Scotland and London! That's exactly what Megan did for her daughter's 10th birthday—making the magic come alive with points and miles. In this episode, Megan explains how she made this trip happen for her family of five—and how using points made it more affordable than a trip to Universal Studios! Flying to Scotland on Points Megan and her family started their jou...
Mar 18, 2025•43 min
We all love talking about luxurious, over-the-top award redemptions—think first-class flights, overwater villas, and five-star resorts. But let's be real—some of the best uses of points and miles are not Instagram-worthy. In this episode, we break down the difference between sexy and unsexy redemptions, why both are important, and how they each play a role in maximizing your points strategy. What Makes a Redemption "Sexy"? Pam kicks things off with her signature philosophy: "A sexy redemption is...
Mar 11, 2025•22 min
If you've been eyeing an American Express card but aren't sure which one to get, you're in the right place! In this episode, we break down two great personal cards—the American Express® Gold Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express—and two great business cards—the American Express® Business Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. These powerhouse cards are key for earning American Express Membership Rewards®. We share our personal experiences with these cards, f...
Mar 04, 2025•42 min
Dreaming of taking your family to Europe without draining your wallet? In this episode, we sit down with our team member and resident Europe travel expert, Traci Siegel, to share her tried-and-true tips for flying a family overseas using points and miles. These strategies will help make your dream a reality! Family Travel 101: The Big Differences Flying solo or as a couple is one thing—booking flights for a family of four, five, or more is a whole different game. Traci shares the biggest challen...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min
If you've been looking for a go-to points and miles program for international travel, let us introduce you to Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM. In this episode, we're diving into why this program has become one of our absolute favorites. Why We Love Flying Blue Pam kicks things off by breaking down the basics, including which airlines use Flying Blue and how you can easily transfer points to that program. Sweet Spots & Family Perks One of the biggest reasons we lo...
Feb 18, 2025•43 min
For Valentine's Day, we're taking a trip down memory lane! In this episode, we're sharing all the details about our honeymoons—how we booked them before we knew about points and miles, what we spent back then, and what we'd do today now that we're points-savvy. Spoiler alert: our original honeymoons were not nearly as luxurious (or strategic!) as what we could plan today. Pam's "Not-So-Luxurious" Road Trip Honeymoon Pam kicks things off by sharing her 1974 honeymoon—let's just say, points and mi...
Feb 11, 2025•33 min
Transfer bonuses are one of the best ways to stretch your points further, and in this episode we're breaking down everything you need to know about them. From understanding how they work to sharing the bonuses we've taken advantage of, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you maximize your rewards and travel more for less. What Are Transfer Bonuses? Pam explains that what transfer bonuses are and how big a difference they can make in your redemptions. For example, a recent America...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min
The holidays are magical no matter where you celebrate, but spending them in Hawaii? That's next-level. In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad shares how we used points and miles to pull off unforgettable trips to Maui and Kauai over the Christmas and New Year holidays. We're giving you all the behind-the-scenes details so you can start planning your own Hawaiian holiday adventure. Maui with Alex's Crew Alex starts by sharing how she surprised her family with a Christmas gift they'll never forget...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Feeling overwhelmed by points and miles? You're not alone! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Devon Gimbel of Point Me to First Class to discuss the psychology of learning points and miles—and why you're probably doing better than you think. Whether you're new to the game or feeling stuck, Devon shares her expertise and encouragement to keep going. Devon's Journey: From Skeptic to Expert Devon begins by sharing her personal journey into points and miles. Growing up in a single-parent ho...
Jan 21, 2025•48 min
It's never too early to plan for your next adventure! In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad team looks ahead to 2025, sharing the trips we've already booked, the credit cards we're eyeing, and our goals for the year. From Bora Bora to Spain, and everything in between, we're setting the stage for another year of nearly free travel—powered by points and miles! The Cards We're Excited About for 2025 Jess kicks things off with a breakdown of the credit cards she's targeting, starting with the Capita...
Jan 14, 2025•34 min
2024 was a year to remember! In this episode, we're sharing our best of 2024 awards, from unforgettable hotel stays and flights to top credit card offers that helped us turn big dreams into reality. If you've ever wondered what points and miles can do, this episode will inspire you to dive in and start planning your own adventures. Pam's Picks: Bougie Moments at the Grand Hotel Victoria and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Pam shares her top hotel stays of the year, starting with a stay in Lake Como. This "...
Jan 07, 2025•41 min
As 2024 comes to a close, the Travel Mom Squad is reflecting on an incredible year of points and miles. In this special episode, we're breaking down the credit cards we opened and closed, the strategies we used to rack up points, and the unforgettable trips we took along the way. If you're curious how points and miles can transform your travel, this episode is a must-listen! The Cards That Made 2024 Happen Jess, Alex, and Pam each opened (and closed) a variety of cards to maximize their points s...
Dec 31, 2024•40 min
Ever wonder what kind of points and miles traveler you are? In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into the different types of travelers and how your personal travel style can shape your points strategy. From planners to luxury travelers to earn-and-burn enthusiasts, we break down the styles that work best for different lifestyles and goals—and share what type of travelers we are, too! Alex: The Planner and Strategist Alex kicks things off by sharing how her style has evolved. As a planner,...
Dec 24, 2024•29 min
You've heard us share our travel stories and tips, but today we're introducing you to three incredible women who help make Travel Mom Squad possible. Megan, Traci, and Claire aren't just our teammates—they're passionate travelers and moms with their own inspiring journeys in the world of points and miles. In this episode, we dive into how they got started, their favorite travel wins, and what keeps them motivated to help families travel better. Hit play to hear their stories! Megan: From Student...
Dec 17, 2024•57 min
Tired of long lines at immigration or security when traveling? We've got you covered! In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad revisits a favorite topic—Global Entry and TSA PreCheck®—but with a twist. While we've covered these programs before, there are important updates you need to know to make family travel even smoother. Whether you're flying internationally or just looking to breeze through airport security, these tips are a game-changer. New Updates You Can't Miss Since our last discussion on...
Dec 10, 2024•32 min
Thinking about diving into points and miles but feeling overwhelmed by annual fees? You're not alone! In this episode, we're breaking down our favorite no-annual-fee credit cards and those with annual fees waived for the first year. These cards are not only budget-friendly but also offer incredible rewards to help you travel more for less. Chase Freedom Flex: A Keeper in Every Wallet Alex kicks off the episode with her top pick, the Chase Freedom Flex. This no-annual-fee card earns Chase Ultimat...
Dec 03, 2024•32 min
Traveling internationally with kids might sound daunting, but Alex proves it's absolutely doable—and affordable—using points and miles! In this episode, Alex shares how she made an unforgettable trip to Amsterdam and London with her husband and four boys, all while keeping costs incredibly low. From flights to accommodations and even transportation, she breaks down every detail of her family adventure. Flying to Europe on a Budget The trip began with a flight deal Alex couldn't pass up: just 105...
Nov 26, 2024•43 min
If you've ever wondered whether Hilton Honors deserves a spot in your points and miles strategy, this episode is for you! We're diving into everything you need to know about Hilton's award program, from earning points and using free night certificates to snagging unforgettable stays like Bora Bora and Santorini—all without breaking the bank. Why Hilton Honors is Worth a Look We kick off the episode with Jess sharing her journey from being a Hyatt loyalist to appreciating the value Hilton brings ...
Nov 19, 2024•39 min
In this episode, Pam takes us on a journey through Italy, sharing how she and her sister made the most of credit card points to explore some of the country's most iconic spots. From the excitement of snagging business class seats on Turkish Airlines to their adventures in Rome, Lake Como, and Cinque Terre, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and a few surprises. Flying in Style with Turkish Airlines Pam kicks things off by describing how she and her sister flew business class round-trip fo...
Nov 12, 2024•41 min
Feeling overwhelmed by the world of points and miles? We get it! In our 101st episode of Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad, we're sharing our must-have tools, apps, and strategies to make it all so much simpler. This one is packed with practical tips for tracking credit card points, finding award flights, and booking those dream hotels—without the headache. The Ultimate Points Tracker We kick things off by discussing our top app pick, Travel Freely. This app has been our go-to for keeping tr...
Nov 05, 2024•45 min
We can't believe it—Travel Mom Squad has hit 100 episodes! For this milestone, we wanted to do something extra special, so we put a question box on Instagram and let you take the lead on what we'd cover. From travel pet peeves to our all-time favorite destinations, we're answering it all with our first-ever video podcast. Yes, you read that right! Now, you can join us on YouTube and see all our expressions as we talk about the good, the bad, and the hilarious moments of family travel. In this ep...
Oct 29, 2024•57 min
Welcome back, traveler! In this episode, Jess takes us through her incredible multi-country trip using points and miles. She shares how she managed to explore the stunning landscapes of Santorini, the historic beauty of Vienna, and the charm of Prague—all while making the most of her points! Whether you're looking to plan your own European adventure or just curious about how to make travel more affordable, this episode is packed with real-life insights and tips. From Santorini to Vienna to Pragu...
Oct 22, 2024•48 min
Welcome back, travelers! Today, we're tackling a common question we get—choosing between the Capital One Venture and Venture X cards. Both are powerhouses when it comes to earning travel rewards, but if you could only have one, which would it be? Alex, Pam, and Jess dive deep into the pros and cons of each card, sharing their personal takes on which one they'd pick and why. The Basics: What Do These Cards Offer? Before we make any decisions, let's look at what these two cards bring to the table....
Oct 15, 2024•28 min
