Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using credit card points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family.

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards we love for earning Hyatt points, and if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here.

In this episode, we're diving into some of the best places to visit in Arizona. Whether you're planning a road trip or just a weekend getaway, we’ve got you covered with four amazing destinations, all within a five-hour drive from Phoenix. From the iconic Grand Canyon to the hidden gems in Flagstaff and Sedona, we’ll show you how to explore the stunning scenery and enjoy family-friendly activities in these unforgettable locations.

First, we take you to the Grand Canyon, a true bucket-list destination and one of the most famous places to visit in Arizona. With breathtaking views and plenty of spots to explore, it's perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay. We'll share tips on where to stay, including options you can book with points, and some of the best experiences for families visiting this natural wonder.

Next, we head to Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. Discover how you can paddleboard through serene waters or take a guided tour through the stunning canyon formations. Antelope Canyon is one of the most unique places to visit in Arizona, and we’ll give you all the details on how to make the most of your time there, including must-see spots like Horseshoe Bend.

Our third stop is Flagstaff, an ideal destination for families who want to escape the desert heat. With cooler temperatures, outdoor activities, and plenty of family-friendly attractions, Flagstaff is one of the best places to visit in Arizona during summer or winter. From skiing in the winter months to hiking in the summer, it’s a year-round destination worth checking out.

Finally, we wrap up our tour in Sedona, known for its famous red rocks and vibrant energy. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Arizona for a reason! We’ll talk about exploring the area’s unique hiking trails, experiencing the Pink Jeep Tours, and soaking in the beauty of this high-desert oasis. Sedona is perfect for day trips or a longer stay, especially if you’re looking to relax and connect with nature.

Along the way, we’ll share tips on how to book your stays using points and miles, making family travel more affordable than ever. Whether you're planning to visit during the warm summer months or looking for cooler escapes in the high desert, this episode will guide you through some of the most incredible places to visit in Arizona.

If you’re ready to explore Arizona beyond Phoenix, tune in to this episode to discover the best spots to visit, how to make the most of your time, and where to stay using points to maximize your travel budget. Don’t miss our pro tips on lodging, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities in Arizona’s most beautiful locations. PLUS we share an ideal 7-10 day itinerary at the end of the episode!

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card welcome offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards  - we use these points to book all our Hyatt hotels. And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

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This episode is the first episode in a series all around visiting the great state of Arizona!!! First up - we explore everything you need to know when you visit Arizona, with a focus on where to stay in Scottsdale and where to stay in Phoenix and Tempe. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, we’ll help you find the perfect place to stay while sharing tips on how to make the most of your trip using points and miles.

We start by discussing why Arizona is a top travel destination, especially for those interested in experiencing the beauty of the desert landscape. From the best time of year to visit Arizona to how to handle the summer heat and cooler winter months, we break down the key points to consider before booking your trip. Whether you want to explore the outdoors or just relax by the pool, this episode will give you all the essential details for planning your visit to Arizona.

Next, we dive into where to stay in Scottsdale, covering a range of hotels and resorts that cater to different travel styles. If you’re using points, we highlight some excellent options for Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG members. For those wondering where to stay in Scottsdale, we recommend the Hyatt House and Hyatt Place in Old Town for convenient access to shopping, dining, and nightlife. For a more luxurious experience, we suggest the Andaz Scottsdale and the Royal Palms, which offer unique, upscale settings perfect for couples or special occasions. If you're traveling with family, we also explore the soon-to-be Grand Hyatt Scottsdale, a fantastic choice for family-friendly accommodations.

For Marriott points users, we discuss where to stay in Scottsdale, such as the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa and the Phoenician. Both properties offer luxury and comfort with beautiful views and top-notch service, making them ideal for romantic getaways or family vacations. If you're looking for where to stay in Scottsdale using IHG or Hilton points, we mention options like the Holiday Inn Express and the Hilton Garden Inn, both centrally located in Old Town Scottsdale. For a more extravagant stay, the Fairmont Princess is a top pick, especially during the holiday season when the property transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for families.

Beyond Scottsdale, we also guide you through where to stay in Phoenix if your trip includes events, concerts, or sports games. We suggest properties like the Hyatt Regency Downtown Phoenix and the Kimpton Palomar, both of which are great choices if you're looking for where to stay in Phoenix and want to be close to Chase Field or Talking Stick Resort Arena. These hotels offer convenience for those wanting to stay near the heart of the action while enjoying top-tier amenities.

So, if you're planning to visit Arizona, tune in to this episode for the full rundown on where to stay in Scottsdale, where to stay in Phoenix, and how to make your trip unforgettable. Whether you're traveling for relaxation, adventure, or a special event, we’ve got you covered with all the tips and tricks you need to make your Arizona trip a success!

GIVEAWAY WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AND NOTIFIED! Thank you all for the reviews, we appreciate it so so much. 

In today's episode we are sharing all the details of our Labor Day road trip to Huntington Beach, California!

Our family stayed at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach for the first time on this trip. It's a category six hotel beloved by the points and miles community. Discover how we scored a spacious suite for 44,000 points per night, with a surprise Guest of Honor award gifted from a friend! From free breakfast to complimentary valet parking, find out how these perks made our trip even more special. We share our hilarious first-time experience in a suite, complete with our oldest son's penthouse dreams dashed by YouTube videos.

We also share a few kid-friendly activities (most of which are FREE!) that we did in and around Huntington Beach, including Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and...the Huntington Beach Public Library??!!?! 

Flytographer referral link - you can use our link to save $25 off your first booking! Thank you in advance for supporting our free content <3

This is the tripod we have for our cell phones - comes with a bluetooth shutter.

Q&A Style episode today! We are answering questions like - What types of rooms do we book to make one hotel room work for a family of 5? 

Also, balancing family vacations with some adult time might seem challenging (because it is) but we're sharing our best tips for sneaking in couple-time during family trips, from booking suites and balcony rooms to utilizing hotel babysitting services and kids clubs. 

Also - how to take good family photos on vacation, creative ways to meet a minimum spend and more. 

Planning a trip that keeps everyone happy, especially in historically rich destinations, can be challenging. We offer insights on aligning travel plans with your kids’ interests and managing expectations when they seem indifferent. 

Plus, get creative tips for managing Christmas shopping and meeting credit card minimum spends—everything from FSA reimbursements to strategic big-ticket purchases. Tune in for what we hope are lots of tips and inspiration to make your family travel experiences both memorable and low stress. 

*Some links may be affiliate links - thank you for supporting our free content, we are so grateful for you!

Our Rakuten Referral Link - Use our link for an extra 10% cashback on top of current rates until 9/30/2024!

Curious how to earn more points without opening yet another credit card? In our opinion, this is the best way to earn a lot of points, besides opening yet another credit card. 

ENTER: Shopping Portals!  This is a full beginner's guide to shopping portals and maximizing your points and miles.  

We review different types of shopping portals, from credit card and airline miles portals to cashback options like Rakuten. We give specific examples of how we have used these various portals recently, AND how many points/cashback we've earned! 

We also share how we've transitioned from mere cashback to racking up American Express membership rewards points using...meal subscription services?!? Sort of.

Whether you're a points novice or a seasoned traveler, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to take your rewards game to the next level.

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

**GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED**
 
Details were: Giveaway ENDS 9/7/24! We raffled off ONE $50 gift card of your choosing (must be able to be sent via email). Ideas: Starbucks, Target, Southwest, Walmart, you name it. 

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: Leave us a review on itunes, screenshot your review and email it to us at [email protected]. That's it! I feel like your chances are fairly high. Winner will be contacted 9/8/24. Thank you in advance <3 

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using credit card points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family.

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards we refer to in this episode. And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

RideSafer Vest mentioned in this episode
BubbleBum inflatable booster

It seems like the cost of rental cars lately is INSANE. Ever wondered if you can use points to book a rental car and save big? In this episode we're sharing our best ways to maximize your points and credit card benefits, along with our top tips for reducing rental car costs. From selecting the right vehicle size for your family to avoiding unnecessary extras, we share our personal experiences and practical advice. Plus, we’re giving away a $50 gift card for listeners who leave a review on iTunes and send us a screenshot!

Learn about tools like AutoSlash that can help you secure lower rental rates and the perks of elite status with rental car companies, achieved through premium credit cards. We’ll also discuss the benefits of using travel portals and annual travel credits from cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you're a seasoned traveler, our tips will ensure you save money while enjoying a safe and convenient journey. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more real-time updates and behind-the-scenes fun!

**Some experience links may be affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you choose to book through those links. Thank you for supporting our free content by using these links <3**

For meals, the resort has several restaurants, including two fine dining options, Ave and Avecita. We enjoyed our breakfasts and dinners at Ave, with its fantastic food. The pool bar and beachfront bar, Coccoloba, offered delicious casual dining.

The staff at the Kimpton Seafire were exceptional, making us feel like VIPs. They greeted us by name, acknowledged my birthday

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family.

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

Click here to apply for our favorite points - we used these points to book our flights to Paris next year for all 5 of us!  And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

For all the cards we recommend beyond Chase, those are linked here. 

**Some links may be affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you choose to book through those links. Thank you for supporting our free content by using these links <3**

In today's episode I am sharing my first-time business class journey on an Air France flight from Paris to Phoenix, including the process of how I upgraded from economy to business class. ensuring you never miss out on the comfort and luxury of premium travel. 

In this episode of the Travel Party of Five podcast, join us as we dive into the world of Air France Business Class, sharing our experiences to help families make the most of their travel adventures using points and miles.

I am sharing my first-time business class journey on an Air France flight from Paris to Phoenix, including the process of how I upgraded from an economy ticket using a combination of points and a last-minute cash payment. 

We're also sharing all the family-friendly benefits Air France offers families, especially when booking on points, such as a 25% discount on award bookings for kids and guaranteed seating together without extra fees. Learn how we booked an economy flight from Chicago to Paris for just 85,000 points! If you're planning a family trip to Europe, this episode is for you. 

We also discuss the availability of award seats on Air France Business Class. Unlike many airlines that limit the number of award seats, Air France often has multiple seats available, making it easier for larger families to secure business class tickets using points. 

Another standout feature of Air France is their commitment to seating families together. Unlike some airlines that charge extra for seat selection, Air France guarantees that parents and children will be seated together without any additional fees. 

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ease of accumulating Air France Flying Blue points. As a transfer partner of all four major banks (Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi), Air France offers numerous opportunities to earn and combine points. Transfer bonuses often sweeten the deal, allowing families to accumulate the necessary points for Air France Business Class flights more quickly and efficiently.

Whether you’re dreaming of flying Air France Business Class or simply looking for a reliable and family-friendly airline for your next European vacation, this episode is packed with tips, personal experiences, and expert advice. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your points and miles, and start planning your unforgettable family journey with Air France.

As always, if you have questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to Raya and Duane on Instagram at @TravelParty5. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on iTunes. Thank you for listening, and happy travels!

Cardpointers
MaxRewards
Travel Freely
Rocket Money

Max My Point
Point.me
PointsYeah.com

Ever felt overwhelmed by the world of credit card points and miles? Me too! It can be A LOT. Fortunately we've found some apps to help us manage this hobby and they've really made it super easy. This episode is all about getting yourself organized in the world of credit card points and miles. We are sharing our favorite tools, like Rocket Money, that streamline your budgeting by importing and categorizing all your transactions. We’ll also touch on other apps like EveryDollar and YNAB but explain why Rocket Money is our go-to for its user-friendly interface and precise transaction tracking. 

We talk about an app that makes sure you're getting the full value out of all of your monthly/yearly credit card benefits/credits/perks, and another that advises you on which credit card to use to get the most points for your purchases. 

We also dive into the Travel Freely app, a comprehensive tool that keeps track of your credit card details, sign-up bonuses, and annual fees, making sure you never miss an opportunity to maximize your benefits.

We also shed light on some of our favorite travel planning resources, and some of the best points tracker websites like Max My Point, Point.me, and PointsYeah, which help you monitor point availability for hotels and flights. 

Tune in and transform how you manage your credit card rewards and travel points, making every trip a rewarding experience!

All of our favorite cards and links are here: https://beacons.ai/travelpartyof5

We think road trips are the EASIEST way to get started using points and miles!!! It's so low risk and can have big rewards. 

If you've ever wondered how to make family road trips less stressful and more fun, this is for you. We're giving you all of our best tips for road trips with kids. We even reveal what it was like to take our son on his first road trip to Las Vegas at just six weeks old, offering insights that both seasoned road trippers and newcomers will find invaluable.

From managing food and entertainment expenses to ensuring a smooth ride, we cover all the essentials for a successful family road trip. Learn how substantial breakfasts and portable snacks can keep both your budget and your kids happy, and discover the magic of iPads with pre-downloaded shows for keeping little ones entertained. We also share tech must-haves like Bluetooth headphones and portable chargers, and recommend carrying a twin air mattress for that pesky extra kid (ha). 

Join us for a road trip down memory lane and take away practical advice to make your next family adventure the best one yet.