Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

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We share our strategic framework for deciding when to cancel, downgrade, or keep credit cards to maximize value while maintaining a healthy credit score.

• Always keep cards open for at least one year to maintain good relationships with banks
• No-annual-fee cards should generally be kept open unless they're preventing you from getting other cards
• Evaluate whether annual fee cards provide benefits that exceed their cost (like hotel free night certificates)
• Consider downgrading cards to no-annual-fee versions rather than canceling to preserve your credit line
• Never cancel your oldest credit card as it establishes your length of credit history
• Closing cards impacts your credit utilization ratio which can affect your credit score
• Ask yourself five key questions before making any cancellation decision
• Recent credit card application updates including approvals for Hawaiian Airlines business cards
• Staycation experience at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale with an upgraded hospitality suite
• Unexpected fan encounter at hotel check-in from a podcast listener

Follow us on Instagram for more travel hacking tips and strategies, and check out our website for credit card consultation services if you need personalized guidance.

WAITLIST: Points Travel Strategy Session - LAUNCHING AUGUST 5TH! Join the waitlist for $50 off when you schedule!

In this episode we take you on a journey through our luxurious kid-free vacation at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico, ranked as the #22 best hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure. Our oceanfront suite booked with Hyatt points provided breathtaking views, exquisite service, and unforgettable dining experiences during our three-night getaway.

• Booked using 105,000 Hyatt points (35,000 points per night) with a suite upgrade for a room valued at over $3,000
• Property features stunning infinity pools, open-air lobby, and ocean views from every angle
• Hotel ranked #22 on Travel & Leisure's 100 Best Hotels in the World list and #3 among Mexico's top resorts
• Food highlights included amazing spicy tuna rolls poolside and exceptional dining at Manta, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant
• Both on-property and off-property restaurants served outstanding seafood, with Cocina Del Mar delivering the best tuna crudo we've ever had
• Beach at the hotel not suitable for swimming due to strong currents, but perfect for watching surfers
• Spa experience featured ocean views, sauna, steam room, hot/cold plunges, and an 80-minute couples massage
• Los Cabos town visit to Mango Deck provided beach time with calmer waters for swimming
• Private airport transfers were worth the cost ($143 round trip) for convenience and comfort
• Trip total came to $3,566 including flights ($1,080), food ($1,400), spa ($489), and miscellaneous expenses

If you're interested in booking a one-on-one points strategy session, they're going live August 5th - check the link in our show notes for details and join the waitlist for a $50 discount.

Doubling your accounts is the most underrated way to earn more points fast, especially for families who want to travel without doubling their spending. 

• Credit card points and miles hobbyists can double their rewards by using a "two-player mode" strategy with a spouse or partner
• Each person has their own credit score and ability to open cards, allowing couples to earn twice the signup bonuses
• When deciding which partner applies for which cards, consider credit scores, 5/24 status, and who can best maximize the benefits
• For beginners, alternating card applications every 45 days gives each person 90 days between applications
• Always refer your partner to cards when possible to earn additional referral bonuses
• Many loyalty programs allow families to pool points – including Air France, British Airways, United, Hilton, and Marriott
• Consider timing applications for cards with free night certificates so they expire around the same time
• Travel Freely is a helpful app for tracking all your credit cards across both players

If you have additional questions, message us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 We'd also love a review of our podcast wherever you listen!

We share our recent stay at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California, highlighting our incredible suite upgrade experience and why this beachfront property remains our family favorite. The Grand Ocean corner suite with panoramic views completely transformed our experience, offering ample space and unbeatable ocean vistas.

• Booking details: 87,000 Hyatt points for a 3-night stay (29,000 points per night) during July 4th weekend
• Successfully applying a suite upgrade award for the Grand Ocean Suite with two-sided balcony and panoramic views
• Globalist breakfast benefits covering both adults and children, with all charges ultimately waived at checkout
• Pool and beach amenities including complimentary chair and umbrella setup, boogie boards, and sand toys
• Family-friendly features like the kids' activity room with video games, ping pong, and board games
• Excellent nearby dining options including Wildland (Italian), The Taco Stand, and Stella Jean's Ice Cream
• Special beach bonfire experience with s'mores for $300 (plus tax/gratuity)
• Trip cost breakdown: approximately $2,400 total for our family of five, excluding accommodations
• Using the Travel Spend app to track vacation expenses and budget more effectively

Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 for more detailed content, including a full highlight reel of our Oceanside stay and the amazing suite.

The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort offers a family-friendly getaway with luxurious accommodations and impressive water features including a lazy river and water slides. We share our experience staying in a penthouse suite and how we maximized our travel points to make this vacation more affordable.

• Recently renovated property rebranded from Hyatt Regency to Grand Hyatt
• Located 30 minutes from downtown Palm Springs in a quieter resort area
• Upgraded to 875-square-foot penthouse suite with king bed, separate living area, and balcony
• Multiple pool areas including family pool, splash pad, water slides, and a popular lazy river
• Food options include casual Carmocha restaurant, upscale Tia Carmen, and a lobby Starbucks
• Budget tip: bring your own alcohol and mixers for poolside drinks
• Summer visits mean extreme heat (110°F+) but lower rates as it's considered off-peak season
• Now a Category 6 Hyatt property requiring 21,000-29,000 points per night (previously Category 5)
• Reserve pool chairs early in the morning and get a second set when the lazy river opens at 10am
• Restaurant recommendation: Mi Cultura, a delicious Peruvian restaurant nearby

If you ever get any value out of our podcast, please leave us a rating or review wherever you listen. Next week we'll be sharing our experience at the hotel in Oceanside where we had our first real "pinch me" moment in points and miles 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

Lake Tahoe is easily the most beautiful lake I've ever seen, and I grew up in the Finger Lakes of NY state so I feel like that's a bold statement. The snow capped mountains provided a stunning backdrop for our family adventure using Hyatt points for a completely free stay. In this episode we navigate hotel renovations, secure a suite upgrade, and discover the magic of North Lake Tahoe's beaches and activities.

• Using 92,000 Hyatt points for a four-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
• Enjoying complimentary shuttle service to nearby beaches despite hotel renovations
• Securing a spacious suite upgrade after addressing disappointing service
• Experiencing the hotel's impressive amenities including heated pool, hot tubs, and complimentary ice cream
• Renting e-bikes to explore the shoreline and discover Hidden Beach
• Dining at local favorites like Bowl Incline, Koi Sushi, and Big Water Grill
• Visiting Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar Beach with crystal-clear waters
• Learning about the geographical split with North Lake Tahoe in Nevada and South Lake Tahoe in California
• Battling unexpected sunburns due to the 6,000-foot elevation

If you ever get any value out of our podcast at all, please do us a favor and leave us a rating or review. That is super helpful and helps more people find the podcast.

Frequent Miler Article

Chase has refreshed the Sapphire Reserve and launched a brand-new Sapphire Reserve for Business card, both with a hefty $795 annual fee and elevated welcome offers. The changes reflect Chase's push into the ultra-premium card space with enhanced credits and benefits, though the value proposition varies depending on your spending habits and travel patterns.

• Both cards offer $300 annual travel credits that automatically apply to eligible purchases
• Personal card offers 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points plus $500 Chase Travel credit after $5,000 spend
• Business card offers 200,000 points after $30,000 spend in six months
• $500 in annual credits for "the edit" hotel collection, split between first and second half of year
• Personal card includes exclusive $300 dining credit and $300 StubHub credit
• Business card includes ZipRecruiter, Google Workspace, and giftcards.com credits
• Both provide Chase Sapphire Lounge access for cardholder plus two guests
• Chase appears to be implementing new application rules similar to Amex's lifetime language
• Current Sapphire Preferred holders may not be eligible for the Reserve card
• For existing Reserve cardholders, the annual fee increase timing affects the value proposition

Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 for updates on our application experiences and outcomes with these new Chase Sapphire offers.

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

The towering sequoias of Mariposa Grove, the refreshing mist from Bridal Veil Falls, and the unexpected joy of watching our typically reserved 11-year-old exclaim "This is amazing!" – our family adventure to Yosemite National Park delivered all this and more.

Our road trip strategy began with renting a hybrid minivan for the 2,000-mile journey, earning American Airlines miles while saving our personal vehicle from mountain roads and inevitable snack debris. After an overnight at the Holiday Inn Express in Oakhurst (booked with an IHG free night certificate), we kicked off our Yosemite exploration with the Valley Floor Tour – a perfect introduction that provided fascinating insights into the park's history and ecology, including how indigenous fire management practices were disrupted by European settlers.

For families considering Yosemite with young children, we discovered some perfect trails: Lower Yosemite Falls offers an easy walk with spectacular views, while Bridal Veil Falls rewards visitors with cooling mist after a short hike. The more ambitious Mariposa Grove trail showcased magnificent giant sequoias but required multiple breaks to manage the heat and terrain with our little ones. One unexpected highlight? Encountering a rattlesnake – though we had hoped for bears and deer during our visit!

Accommodation was a crucial part of our experience. Rush Creek Lodge, located just minutes from the west entrance (though still a 45-minute drive to the valley floor), proved worth every penny of its $538 nightly rate. The resort offered heated pools, zip lines, game rooms, nightly s'mores, and endless activities that kept our kids entertained from sunrise to sunset. Even without televisions in the rooms, we connected as a family through board games and outdoor adventures.

Our biggest tips? Map your route carefully to minimize backtracking on winding mountain roads, prepare for motion sickness with Dramamine (administered a full hour before departure), and check multiple weather sources before packing – we brought cold-weather gear for forecasted 60-degree days but encountered 90-degree heat instead!

Looking to create your own Yosemite memories? Follow us on Instagram @TravelParty5 for photos, videos, and more insights from our adventure. And tune in next week when we continue our journey with our Lake Tahoe experiences!

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

Link to my entire trip planning checklist for FREE! 

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

Despite recent devaluations from major programs like Hilton, Capital One, and others, points and miles are still a viable way to travel the world with your family if you're willing to adapt your strategy and mindset.

• Frustrating changes like Hilton's increased award costs and Capital One's lounge access restrictions are disappointing but not game-ending
• The points and miles game requires a mindset shift—banks make the rules, we adapt and find the optimal paths within them
• Social media can make points and miles seem easier than they actually are—proper planning takes time and effort
• Focus on flexible points currencies to protect yourself from devaluations
• Take advantage of transfer bonuses when they align with your travel needs
• Diversify your credit card portfolio across different banks
• Plan 12-18 months ahead for family travel to secure saver award availability
• Accept that you'll make mistakes along the way—it's part of the learning process
• Points and miles aren't dead, but lazy redemptions increasingly are

If you're feeling stuck or discouraged with points and miles, reach out on Instagram for support or consider joining the waitlist for one-on-one consultations to help plan your next trip.

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here!

Travel Freely App - How we keep track of all our cards! 

Card Pointers App 

And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5 

The intimidating numbers associated with credit card annual fees often mask the real value these cards provide through their benefits and credits when used strategically.

• Breaking down how we manage $5,500 in credit card annual fees annually
• Understanding the value proposition: first-year annual fees are always offset by welcome bonuses 
• Using Travel Freely app to track 5/24 status and upcoming annual fees
• Leveraging Card Pointers app to maximize monthly, quarterly, and annual credits
• Amex Business Platinum ($695 x 2) provides approximately $1,750 in usable credits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550) delivers $600 in credits we actually use
• Hilton Aspire ($550) offers $600 in credits plus a valuable free night certificate
• Most hotel-branded cards provide free night certificates worth more than their annual fees
• Total analysis shows we're receiving $5,153 in usable credits against $5,505 in fees
• Not every card provides positive value, and that's okay for strategic purposes

If you're interested in personalized advice about points, miles, and finding the best credit card strategy for your travel goals, I'm now offering one-on-one consultations. Visit the link in the show notes to join the waitlist.