Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

We've been taking kids on airplanes for the last ten years and we've practically got it down to a science. Tune in to this episode for our best tips and tricks for flying with kids to make your family's next flight as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

These are the cards we have that earn us Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Hyatt points-

Chase Ink Business Cards - we have all 4 of these cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred / Chase Sapphire Reserve

World of Hyatt Chase Business Card

In this episode we share our experience visiting the Arizona Snowbowl. While it was only our second time ever skiing/snowboarding, we had a blast. Next time we're going to take a lesson though! 

We also enjoyed several great Flagstaff restaurants, including Fat Olives and a few others. 

The cards we open to get points to transfer to Hyatt hotels to stay for $0 a night:
 
Chase Ink Business Cards - we have all 4 of these cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred / Chase Sapphire Reserve 

World of Hyatt Chase Business Card

In this episode we share our experience in New York City during the most festive time of the year. Join us as we navigate the streets of Manhattan, from the towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center to the enchanting window displays along Fifth Avenue.

Discover the joy (or not?) of ice skating at Bryant Park's Winter Village, the  incredible magic of seeing 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' on Broadway, what we'd wished we'd done for Macy's SantaLand and more.

Whether you're planning your own family trip or just dreaming of the city lights, this episode is a perfect guide for families looking to make lifelong memories in the Big Apple during the holiday season.

NYC Winter Activities mentioned:

Bryant Park Ice Skating/Winter Village
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Macy's Santaland NYC
American Museum of Natural History

Here are links to the cards we use to earn points to book hotels like the Hyatt Regency San Francisco or the Hotel Kabuki, both mentioned in this episode:

Chase Ink Business Cards - we have all 4 of these cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred / Chase Sapphire Reserve (best place to start if you're new!)

World of Hyatt Chase Business Card

In this episode we share all about our kid-free getaway last year to San Francisco. In just one short weekend we were able to experience almost all of the touristy things San Fran has to offer, plus the delicious cuisine, and breathtaking sights, all without the kids in tow.

Whether you're a local looking for a mini-vacation or a visitor seeking an unconventional city tour, join us as we indulge in the city's finest offerings and discover why San Francisco remains an unforgettable destination. 

Instagram - @travel_partyof5

Everyone likes to share how amazing it is to travel but the reality, especially if traveling with kids, is often far from it. 

From backseat meltdowns to the serendipitous encounters that make it all worthwhile, we are sharing some stories that every parent can relate to but seldom hears in glossy travel brochures.  We also share a few really weird coincidences that have happened to us on past trips.  Get to know us a bit better and please send us an Instagram DM or email with your own crazy travel stories! 

In this episode we are sharing all of our favorite Hyatts we've visited in San Diego, Oceanside, and Newport Beach. We are such big fans of Hyatt because of their incredible point redemptions compared to other hotel chains. We book all of our Hyatt stays using Chase Ultimate Reward points transferred directly to Hyatt. Here are some of our favorite cards that earn Ultimate Rewards points:

Chase Ink Business Cards - we have all 4 of these cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred / Chase Sapphire Reserve

World of Hyatt Chase Business Card

From pool slides to breakfast buffets, and  fire pits to rooftop cinemas, each hotel offers unique experiences that promise to make your family vacation unforgettable. And we're not stopping there – we'll also share a peek into our wishlist of Hyatt hotels we're eager to explore next. So if you're dreaming of a trip to San Diego or Oceanside, or anywhere in between, tune in to discover why these Hyatt hotels should be at the top of your list!

In this episode we share our experiences at:

Hyatt Regency Newport Beach 

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina 

Hyatt Regency  La Jolla at Aventine

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

Hyatt House San Diego/Sorrento Mesa 

Hyatt House at Anaheim Convention Center 

The Seabird (and its neighbor the Mission Pacific too)

Travel Party of 5 Blog

In this episode we are sharing all the details of our trip to Maui in March of 2023.  Unfortunately in early August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out on the island of Maui. The wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, killing at least 100 people and leaving four persons missing in the town of Lahaina on Maui's northwest coast. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Maui as they rebuild.

Maui reopened for tourists on October 1st 2023, and because their economy relies so heavily on tourism, it seems to be recommended to visit. However, as we discuss in the episode, please give the people of Maui grace as they adjust to their new normal. Be respectful, and be kind. 

Flights to Maui: Southwest

Where we stayed: Hyatt Regency Maui (UPDATE SINCE RECORDING: the pool grotto we mentioned in this episode has since been closed due to structural issues with no plans to reopen at this time).

Activities we mentioned:
Jungle Zipline
Whale Watching Tour - Makai Adventures
Surfing Goat Dairy 

Restaurants we mentioned:

Currently open:
Kihei Caffe Lahaina
Leilanis on the Beach

Currently (at time of recording) listed as temp closed:
Down the Hatch
Ululani's Shaved Ice
Paia Fish Market
808 Grindz

Great resource for updates on whats open: https://kaanapaliresort.com/maui-travel/

Oahu Hikes:
Diamond Head
Koko Head
Pu’u Ma’eli’eli

Oahu Restaurants:
Haleiwa Joe's
Boots & Kimo's

In this episode, we dive into the questions we are most frequently asked about travel hacking.  Ever wondered why more people aren't doing this? Worried about your credit? We've got the answers.  

We cover questions like-
What to do if you get denied for a credit card? 
What if your credit score is too low?
Will this ruin my credit?
How far ahead do I need to plan trips to make this work?

Plus we explain our travel planning process and where we're at with upcoming trips (spoiler: we're already thinking about 2025, but it's ok if you're not!)

Join us as we share all about our recent kid-free getaway (and leveraged our Southwest Companion Pass) for a fun stay at the luxurious Beekman (A Thompson Hotel by Hyatt) in NYC.

Indulge your taste buds with us as we explore iconic NYC eateries, including Los Tacos No. 1, VanLeeuwen Ice Cream, Joe's Pizza, Maison Pickle, Butter, and Essa Bagels. From savory to sweet, we've got your culinary adventure covered.

Discover the city through our eyes as we recount our favorite activities – strolling the High Line, immersing ourselves in the Friends Experience, cycling through Central Park, catching the hilarious Book of Mormon on Broadway, and sailing the Staten Island Ferry for an up-close view of the Statue of Liberty.

Tune in for an episode filled with travel tips about NYC, a bit of chivalry and probably some bickering too.

In this episode we share the exact credit cards we use that offer the coveted benefit of airport lounge access for our entire family of 5. This podcast is perfect for beginners, as we aim to demystify the process, clarify the advantages, and provide actionable steps to leverage cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, American Express Platinum, and more.

Throughout the episode, we'll break down the different lounge brands - Priority Pass, Capital One, Centurion and the new and upcoming Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge. We hope to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions when selecting a credit card that aligns with your travel goals.

Our goal is to help you elevate your travel experiences, making airport lounges not just a distant dream but an accessible reality - AKA they aren't just for "fancy people."  Cheers!