Hey there, it's the Travel Mom Squad—Alex, Jess, and Pam! Everyone has different preferences when it comes to travel. Some prefer the efficiency and speed of flights, while others enjoy the adventure and unpredictability of a road trip. Today is all about leveraging the art of award travel for road trips!

Jess's recent journey is a perfect example. She and her family decided to drive from Houston to Chicago.

More impressive is how Jess made the most of her points. She used them to stay at unique places like the Caption Hotel in Memphis, and didn't stop there. In Chicago, she managed to stay at the upscale Thompson, right in the heart of the city, again using her points.

Chicago itself is a delight. Apart from its many attractions, what stands out is how easy it is to get around. The city's efficient public transportation means that even those who drive into the city (like Jess) can park their cars and move around without them.

However, traveling, especially by road, comes with its set of challenges. For those with kids, keeping them entertained and comfortable is crucial. Alex offers some practical tips in this area.

Hit play to learn about how your next roadtrip can be affordable and memorable! Whether you're up in the air or on the road, the adventure awaits. Happy traveling! :)

Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

Links For This Episode:

How I Earned Two Free Nights by Paying My Taxes: https://travelmomsquad.com/how-i-earned-2-free-hyatt-nights-by-paying-my-taxes/

Caption Memphis

Thompson Chicago

Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile

Hyatt Place Chicago Downtown

Spot The State

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:02 What's inside today's episode!

• 02:38 Jess shares about her latest trip to Chicago!

• 05:22 Jess dishes on the Caption Hotel in Memphis

• 07:49 Jess stayed in downtown Chicago for the first four nights

• 09:08 Jess shares how to consolidate earned free night stays into one reservation

• 11:15 Jess breaks down how her and her husband earned free nights with Hyatt

• 14:15 Hyatt Place downtown is another great option for larger families

• 17:41 Jess and Alex breakdown all the great options for Hyatts in Chicago

• 22:22 Jess shares some family friendly things to do while in Chicago

• 28:12 Public parking is expensive downtown so utilize public transportation

• 30:59 Alex shares some road trip tips for large families with kids

• 32:36 Jess shares an app called Spot The State

• 34:47 Using points and miles on a family road trip can save you hundreds of dollars!