Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points

Latest Episodes:

121. Top 3 Ways to Use Each Flexible Points Currency Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

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. Transfers to United Airlines can be great for international flights, and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) often has solid award deals to Europe.

✔️ Top 3 Uses:

Hyatt transfers – Best hotel value in points & miles
United Airlines – Easy redemptions for family travel
Flying Blue transfers – Discounted flights to Europe

Capital One Venture Miles: Airline Sweet Spots & Simple Redemptions

Capital One has grown into a top travel program. Air Canada Aeroplan and Turkish Airlines have some nice redemtpion sweet spots, and using Venture Miles to get a statement credit (often referred to as a "purchase eraser") for travel purchases gives you incredible flexibility.

✔️ Top 3 Uses:

Air Canada Aeroplan – Great for international flights
Turkish Airlines – Cheap flights to Hawaii & Europe
Purchase Eraser – Easiest way to redeem miles

American Express Membership Rewards®: Best for Bonuses & Luxury Travel

Amex regularly offers transfer bonuses, making points stretch further. British Airways is great for booking American Airlines flights, Flying Blue offers discounted business-class redemptions, and Hilton transfers shine for aspirational stays.

✔️ Top 3 Uses:

British Airways for AA/Iberia flights – Cheap awards to Europe
Flying Blue transfers – Business-class deals to Paris
Hilton transfers – High-end redemptions like Conrad Bora Bora

Citi ThankYou® Points: Hidden Gems & Future AA Transfers

Citi's best partners include Turkish Airlines, Choice Hotels, and Avianca LifeMiles. American Airlines transfers coming in 2026 make Citi even more exciting!

✔️ Top 3 Uses:

Turkish Airlines – Best deal for United flights to Hawaii
Choice Hotels – 1:2 transfers for premium stays
Avianca LifeMiles – Cheap business-class tickets

Final Thoughts: Which Points Currency Is Best?

Each program has its strengths! One dominates for Hyatt, American Express is best for transfer bonuses, Capital One shines with easy redemptions, and Citi has exciting future potential. Not sure where to start? Hit play now for all the details and our best strategies!

Links:

Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: Transfer Partner & Airline Alliance Master List - https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/transfer-partners

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Why flexible points are so valuable
02:00 – Our favorite points: Best ways to redeem for hotels & flights
06:45 – Capital One: Airline sweet spots & easy redemptions
12:30 – American Express: Transfer bonuses & luxury redemptions
20:00 – Citi: Hidden gems & the future of AA transfers
26:00 – Final thoughts & which program fits your travel goals

Ready to make the most of your points? Listen to the full episode now and start booking smarter! 🚀✈️

120. How Megan Used Points & Miles for the Ultimate Harry Potter Family Trip Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

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 journey with flights on KLM Flying Blue, taking advantage of the 25% discount for kids under 12. Because they were able to book five economy tickets for just 85,000 points plus taxes/fees, they were able to splurge some on an upgrade to premium economy at check-in. Add in Priority Pass lounge access during their layover (thanks, credit card benefits!) and the whole experience got even better.

Exploring Scotland: The Highlands & Harry Potter Locations

After landing in Edinburgh, Megan and her family hit the road to explore Scotland's most famous sights—including key Harry Potter filming locations at Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Shiel.

From Scotland to London: Train Travel & Harry Potter Studio Tour

After road-tripping through Scotland, the family took the train from Edinburgh to London, booking first-class seats for extra space and lounge access.

London's Harry Potter Activities! Megan's family visited:

King's Cross Station (Platform 9 ¾) – A must for any fan.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour – The ultimate experience, where her daughter got to open the doors to the Hogwarts Great Hall because it was her birthday! They spent over five hours exploring movie sets, props, and magical effects.

London on Points: Hyatt Regency Blackfriars & The Cursed Child Play

For accommodations, used Hyatt points and the Hyatt Family Plan Rate, getting four nights at the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars for: ✅ 77,000 points for one room ✅ $700 total for the second room

The hotel's location meant Megan's family got free wristbands allowing access to the prime areas for watching New Year's Eve fireworks over Big Ben and the London Eye!

To top off their trip, they saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—a six-hour theater experience that still had the kids completely engaged. Find out what blew Megan away and why going to the play in London is worth traveling for.

Links For This Episode:

Pam's Hotel Upgrade Template: Hotel Upgrade Form: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/hotel-upgrade

Links:

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

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Meet Megan and hear about how this trip came together
02:00 – Booking flights on KLM
06:15 – Harry Potter sites in Scotland
12:30 – Train to London
17:00 – Platform 9 ¾ & the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour
25:45 – Staying at Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars
33:00 – Seeing The Cursed Child play
40:00 – Final thoughts and Megan's tips

If you've ever wanted to take your family on a magical, unforgettable trip, this episode is for you!

119. Sexy vs. Unsexy Award Redemptions Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

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 a Pam redemption." For her, that means business-class flights on international routes and stays at luxury hotels. But she also reminds us that sexy is subjective—a Southwest flight to Hawaii can absolutely be a dream-worthy redemption for a family! Jess adds that she aspires to make every redemption as "Pam-level" as possible, but admits that her first year of points and miles was entirely unsexy.

Unsexy Redemptions: The Unsung Heroes of Travel Not every redemption is flashy, but that doesn't mean it's not valuable. Alex shares how some of her best redemptions have been for things like:

Flying last-minute for a wedding, funeral, or family emergency
Booking budget-friendly Hyatt Place stays for soccer tournaments
Using airport hotels for positioning flights to avoid travel disruptions
Staying in hotels during home renovations or natural disasters
While they may not be glamorous, these redemptions save real money and make everyday travel easier. As Pam puts it, "If you can cover an 'unsexy' expense with points and it costs you nothing, that's actually pretty sexy."

Our Favorite Sexy and Unsexy Redemptions Each of us shares a mix of redemptions that stand out:

Jess: Emirates first class with an onboard shower and champagne (sexy!) vs. Hyatt stays during a Houston freeze and power outage (unsexy but a lifesaver).
Alex: A Maldives overwater villa + Qatar Qsuite flights (sexy!) vs. a last-minute flight to care for her sister after surgery (not glamorous, but necessary).
Pam: Business class Singapore Airlines flights to Thailand + Ritz-Carlton stays (sexy!) vs. booking a flight to London during COVID for a hospitalized grandchild (priceless).

Why Every Redemption Has Value At the end of the day, points and miles are a tool for travel freedom—whether that means luxury vacations, practical family trips, or unexpected emergencies. As Jess reminds us, "No redemption is a bad redemption if it saves you money and makes your life easier."

Whether you're dreaming of first-class flights or just want to avoid paying cash for a last-minute family trip, this episode will help you make the most of your points—sexy or not!

Links:

Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Jess's Emirates first class reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtPGqi2gKvI/?igsh=dzZrOXp2NnA1djhw

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – What is a "sexy" vs. "unsexy" award redemption?
01:40 – Pam's philosophy: Why luxury redemptions are her go-to
07:00 – Alex's take: Why family travel means balancing both
15:30 – Unsexy redemptions: Why they're just as valuable
22:45 – Our best (and worst) redemption stories
30:00 – Why no redemption is a bad redemption

118. Going For the Gold or Picking Up Platinum: All About American Express Cards Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

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, favorite card benefits, and what we'd recommend for anyone looking to maximize their points-and-miles strategy.

First, the Personal Card Breakdown

The American Express® Gold Card: The Food Lover's Dream Card Pam kicks things off by sharing why the American Express® Gold Card has been a staple in her wallet for years and how the benefits this card offers are amazing for foodies.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Travel Perks Galore The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't just a credit card; it's a travel lifestyle. If you're a frequent traveler, this card's benefits can come in clutch.

Up Next: Two Great Business Cards

American Express® Business Gold Card: Small-Business Winner This card is perfect if you want flexible spending-category bonuses and great perks for small businesses (including office-supply stores).

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Even More Travel Perks A great go-to card for cell-phone insurance coverage & statement credits, plus travel benefits like lounge access a new Hilton credit.

Credits & Perks: Jess breaks down the key differences between all the perks and credits, and whether they might make sense for you. As Alex puts it, "Don't let the credits stress you out. If using them feels like work, the card might not be worth it for you."

Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Cards The Travel Mom Squad shares some expert tips to get the most value: elevated offers, reminders for monthly credits, and how to earn referral points.

Links:

Credit Card Benefits Cheat Sheet: https://travelmomsquad.kit.com/benefits-cheat-sheet
Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Cards mentioned in the episode
- The American Express® Gold Card: http://travelmomsquad.com/american-express-gold
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: https://travelmomsquad.com/refer/american-express-platinum-card/
- American Express® Business Gold Card: http://travelmomsquad.com/american-express-business-gold
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: http://travelmomsquad.com/american-express-business-platinum

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Why we love American Express Membership Rewards® for travel
01:00 – The personal cards
02:30 – Restaurant benefits, quirks, and ice-cream cakes galore
10:15 – Travel benefits: lounge access, travel perks
17:00 – The key differences explained
21:30 – The business-card breakdown
24:30 – All about business welcome offers
33:00 – How to inquire about retention offers
38:30 – Our final verdict: which cards we keep and why

If you want to earn more American Express Membership Rewards®, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in to hear all the details, plus some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about how we use our points for everyday treats and family travel.

117. How to Book Family Flights to Europe Using Points and Miles Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

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 challenges families face, like securing multiple award seats, navigating school calendars, and choosing flights that work with kids' needs. Traci's advice? Plan ahead, prioritize nonstop routes when possible, and always consider how the experience will feel with little ones in tow.

The Best Programs for Family Flights to Europe Traci breaks down her top picks for family-friendly travel to Europe:

Flying Blue (KLM/Air France): The ultimate program for family flights thanks to its 25% discount for kids aged 2-11.
Aeroplan (Air Canada): Great availability and useful for connecting flights.
Virgin Atlantic: Often overlooked, but perfect for flights to London—especially since they now allow household pooling of points.
British Airways: A solid option, especially with their recent improvements in saver availability.
Alaska Mileage Plan: Can be great for business-class flights to Ireland on Aer Lingus.

Timing Is Everything: When to Book for the Best Deals The key to scoring great flights? Timing. As Traci says, "Planning ahead is a superpower when you're traveling with kids." If you're eyeing flights for next year's spring break, start looking during this year's break! She also recommends tools like Seats.aero to set alerts for award availability.

Business Class with Kids: Is It Worth It? Many parents wonder if business class is worth the points for family travel. Traci breaks down the pros and cons, and drops a tip about how to try a smooth last-minute switch from economy to business class.

Europe with kids doesn't have to be a bucket-list dream. It's something you can do every year, and you can use these strategies to plan your next trip today!

Links:

Links For This Episode: https://pointstalk.supercast.com
Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Meet Traci and hear about her family's frequent trips to Europe
03:00 – The biggest differences when booking award flights for families
06:15 – Top airline programs for family-friendly travel
10:30 – The importance of timing and when to start searching
15:20 – How to fly business class with kids without breaking the points bank
22:45 – Common mistakes and how to avoid them
28:00 – Tips for booking from smaller airports
35:00 – Final takeaways and encouragement to start planning today

If you've ever dreamed of taking your family to Europe, this episode gives you the roadmap to make it happen with points and miles. Tune in now to get all the details, plus Traci's expert insights and funny family travel stories!

116. Everything You Need to Know About Flying Blue Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

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 love Flying Blue? Their incredible award pricing. Even after their recent devaluation, it's still one of the best options for booking flights to Europe. Megan highlights how Flying Blue offers discounted kids' fares, and Alex shares how she used these discounted fares to book amazing flights for her whole family of six to Amsterdam.

Promo Awards & Transfer Bonuses = Big Savings

Another reason we keep coming back to Flying Blue is their monthly Promo Rewards. These discounted routes—often between major U.S. and European cities—can significantly lower the miles needed for economy flights. And stacking Promo Awards with transfer bonuses from credit card programs is where the real magic happens.

Best Ways to Book Flights

Megan shares her top strategies for getting the best deals with Flying Blue and Alex also highlights one of Flying Blue's coolest perks: free stopovers in Amsterdam or Paris!

Flights We've Booked Using Flying Blue

The Travel Mom Squad has taken full advantage of this program. Here are just a few flights we've booked recently:

SLC to Amsterdam (nonstop!) for 105,000 miles total for a family of six
Boston to London on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class for 29,000 Flying Blue miles
JFK to Nairobi in Air France business class for 95,000 miles
LAX to Tahiti in Air France premium economy for 50,000 miles per ticket
Morocco trip: From the US to Morocco and back for 100,000 miles in business class

Final Thoughts: Is Flying Blue Right for You?

If you're not already using Flying Blue, this is your sign to start exploring its potential! Tune in now to learn all the details, and let us know—where would you use Flying Blue miles to go next?

Links:

Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Link to Transfer Bonus Post: Transfer Bonuses and Sales on Points & Miles February 2025 - Travel Mom Squad - https://travelmomsquad.com/transfer-bonuses-and-sales-on-points-miles-january-2025

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Intro: Why Flying Blue is one of our favorite loyalty programs
01:15 – What is Flying Blue? A quick breakdown of the program
03:00 – Transferable points: Why Flying Blue is easy to earn
06:15 – Why families love Flying Blue (discounted kids' fares & family pooling)
10:20 – Monthly Promo Awards & stacking with transfer bonuses
15:45 – Best ways to book: Finding deals on the Flying Blue calendar
20:30 – Free stopovers in Amsterdam & Paris
25:00 – Flights we've booked using Flying Blue miles
35:00 – Final thoughts: Why Flying Blue is still a great program despite devaluation

115. Our Honeymoons—Then vs. Now! Get Your Honeymoon for Nearly Free Using Points and Miles Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

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 miles were not a thing, and neither was luxury travel. If she could redo it today, Pam would plan a dreamy trip to Greece, flying Emirates business class, stopping in NYC on the way, and relaxing at stunning hotels in Santorini and Crete—all on points.

Alex's Two-Part Honeymoon: Park City & Mexico

Since Alex's husband played college football, their wedding date was dictated by the sports schedule, leaving them with a tight honeymoon window. Flights and accommodations came from family gifts. Today, she would book an easy, stress-free honeymoon at the Andaz Maui using points and a travel credit for a rental car—keeping the travel cost to just $22!

Jess's First Trip to Europe: Budget Paris & London

Jess technically did use miles for her honeymoon—but in the least efficient way possible. Jess's economy flights to Europe came from years of earning miles on a single airline card. Looking back, she would book Emirates first class to Italy, stay at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como, and enjoy luxury Hyatt stays in Florence—all for far less out of pocket than she originally spent!

Why We'd Do Things Differently Today

Weddings are expensive, but newlyweds can use their wedding expenses to earn credit card welcome offers. That means luxurious hotels, business-class flights, and less out of pocket than budget honeymoons! And the best part is taking "honeymoon-level" trips every single year—because why limit luxury travel to just one trip?

If you're planning a honeymoon or dreaming about a do-over, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in now and start planning your dream trip for less!

Links:

How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free: How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free -https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation

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

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Walking down memory lane: How we booked our honeymoons pre-points & miles
01:40 – Pam's honeymoon: A road trip, Disneyland on Christmas, and a car breakdown
07:00 – What Pam would do differently today: A dream Greece trip on points
13:00 – Alex's honeymoon: A football schedule, Park City, and a timeshare in Cabo
17:00 – How Alex would redo her honeymoon for $22 with points
22:00 – Jess's honeymoon: Economy flights to Europe and a budget hotel in Paris
26:30 – Jess's dream honeymoon today: Emirates first class and Italian luxury hotels
31:00 – The best honeymoon strategy: Use wedding expenses to earn free travel
33:00 – Why every year can feel like a honeymoon with points and miles

114. All About Transfer Bonuses: What They Are and How to Use Them To Get Even More Points Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

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 American Express bonus to Virgin Atlantic offered a 40% increase, turning 100,000 Membership Rewards into 140,000 Virgin Atlantic miles.

When to Use Them While transfer bonuses can be tempting, Alex emphasizes the importance of having a plan. Speculative transfers (moving points without a specific booking in mind) can leave you stuck with miles you don't need if your plans change. The takeaway? If you're new to points, only use transfer bonuses when you know you'll use the miles.

Stacking Bonuses for Maximum Value Jess shares how stacking transfer bonuses with existing airline or hotel promotions can unlock even more value. And Alex highlights Flying Blue's monthly promo awards and child discount, which allow you to save even more by pairing discounted flights with transfer bonuses.

Hotel Transfer Bonuses Jess dives into the hotel side of transfer bonuses, highlighting the best options and the ones that might not be a good deal.

Our Favorite Transfer Bonus Wins Each of us shares a recent win:

Pam: Transferred 100,000 Amex points to Virgin Atlantic with a 40% bonus, booking a round-trip business class flight to London for just 58,000 miles and $600 in fees.
Alex: Used a 20% transfer bonus to Flying Blue to book business class flights to Morocco with her mom and sisters for just 55,000 points each way.
Jess: Took advantage of a Capital One transfer bonus to Virgin Red, then Virgin Atlantic, to book a KLM flight for nearly 50% fewer points.

Transfer bonuses are an incredible way to maximize your points and miles, but timing and planning are everything. Whether you're saving for a luxury business-class flight or looking to reduce the cost of a family vacation, these promotions can make a big difference. Check out our blog for monthly updates on the latest transfer bonuses, and start planning your next big adventure!

Links:

Subscribe to Points Talk Premium: https://pointstalk.supercast.com/
Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Transfer Bonuses and Sales on Points & Miles January 2025 - Travel Mom Squad

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Introduction: What are transfer bonuses?
01:15 – Pam explains how transfer bonuses work
10:30 – When to use (and not use) transfer bonuses
15:00 – Stacking bonuses for flights and hotels
21:30 – Jess's Hilton strategy and hotel transfer tips
27:55 – Favorite transfer bonus wins from Pam, Alex, and Jess
35:00 – Final thoughts on maximizing transfer bonuses

113. Inside Our Hawaiian Holidays – How We Spent the Holidays in Hawaii on Points and Miles Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

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: six nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Planning a year ahead made all the difference, allowing her to lock in the best rates using 210,000 Hyatt points for two king rooms. Alex breaks down why booking early is crucial during peak season and how transferring points to Hyatt made this dream trip possible.

Pam's Anniversary Upgrade Quest Pam recounts her experience booking alongside Alex and attempting to score a suite upgrade using Hyatt's upgrade award. While she didn't get the full upgrade she hoped for, Pam shares the hilarious story of how a mix-up led to Alex receiving flowers meant for Pam's 50th wedding anniversary.

Kauai Adventures with Jess Over on Kauai, Jess's family enjoyed six nights at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, covering two rooms with a whopping 420,000 Hyatt points. Jess explains how she maximized her points strategy by leveraging Hyatt's Guest of Honor program and sharing tips for making family stays more enjoyable.

Flights and Rental Cars: Navigating the Holidays Booking flights to Hawaii during peak season can be daunting, but we share how Pam's experience was flying United and how Jess and Alex got creative with Southwest companion passes, gift cards, and points to keep costs down. Jess also shares her game-changing experience renting a car with Pineapple Express on Kauai—a rental-car service that lets you skip the lines and even includes beach gear!

Hawaiian Holiday Takeaways The best part of these trips? Spending time with family and meeting some of you, our listeners, who were also in Hawaii thanks to points and miles. Whether it's taking the grandparents along, planning a holiday surprise for your kids, or just soaking up the aloha spirit, this episode is packed with inspiration for your next adventure.

Links:

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

Links For This Episode:

How to Take Your Family to Hawaii for Nearly Free: Family Guide to Hawaii on Points & Miles -https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/products/hawaii-family-guide
Shaka Guide: Kauai Tours | Audio Tour Guide - https://www.shakaguide.com/tours/kauai
Reservations for Kalalau trail: Reservations - Go Hāʻena - https://gohaena.com/
Pineapple Express car rental: https://pineappleexpresskauaicarrentals.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:00 – Intro: How we each spent the holidays in Hawaii
01:30 – Alex's Maui trip: Booking the Hyatt Regency and family surprises
07:00 – Pam's story: Anniversary upgrades and club lounge tips
15:20 – Jess's Kauai trip: Guest of Honor perks and family fun
23:30 – Flights: Southwest companion passes and creative savings
31:45 – Rental cars: Tips for Maui and Kauai
41:00 – Reflections: Meeting listeners and making memories

112. You're NOT As Bad At Points As You Think You Are! Conversation with Devon Gimbel Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

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 household, travel was often limited to road trips and camping. And Devon didn't dive in immediately—she was skeptical of credit cards and their potential for debt. Slowly but surely, she learned how to responsibly leverage points and miles, and her first intentional redemption? Flying Lufthansa First Class to Paris!

The Four Phases of Learning Points and Miles Devon introduces the "four phases of learning" and how they apply to mastering points and miles:

Ignorance is Bliss: At the start, you don't know what you don't know, and every little win feels huge.
The Valley of Despair: Confidence takes a hit as you realize how much more there is to learn, but this phase is key to growth.
Conscious Competence: Skills and knowledge improve, though it still requires effort to apply them.
Unconscious Competence: With time and practice, navigating points and miles becomes second nature.

The takeaway? Feeling frustrated doesn't mean you're failing—it's a natural part of the learning curve!

Mistakes Are Part of the Process Devon, Alex, and Jess share their own cringe-worthy redemption stories to remind listeners that no one starts as an expert. From redeeming points for DVDs on Amazon to cashing in for economy flights when premium options were available, everyone has made choices they'd change now. But as Devon points out, mistakes are how you learn—and each one gets you closer to becoming a points pro.

Practical Tips for Staying Motivated Devon also offers practical advice for listeners feeling stuck. Her key tips:

Focus on progress, not perfection.
Use tools like Travel Freely and Seats.Aero to streamline the process.
Set realistic goals based on your travel priorities.

And most importantly, don't compare your journey to someone else's. Whether you're road-tripping with kids or planning a dream solo trip, success looks different for everyone.

Keep Going—You're Doing Better Than You Think If you're feeling overwhelmed, tune in for a dose of encouragement and actionable steps to move forward. Devon's insights will leave you inspired to keep learning, keep trying, and keep traveling.

Links:

Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Where You Can Find Devon:
- Website: https://pointmetofirstclass.com
- Podcast: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/podcast
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pointmeto_firstclass

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:30 – Meet Devon and learn about her inspiring travel journey
07:00 – Breaking down the four phases of learning points and miles
16:00 – Personal stories: Mistakes, lessons, and growth
30:00 – Tools and strategies to simplify the learning process
42:00 – Final thoughts: Why you're better at points than you think

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