Points Talk® with the Travel Mom Squad

When choosing where to spend your hard-earned hotel points, the options can feel overwhelming. Each major hotel chain promises value, but the reality often falls short when you discover that dream property costs triple what you expected in points. This week, the Travel Mom Squad takes a dive deep into why one hotel program stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Through specific strategies for earning points, maximizing elite b...

Planning a bucket-list trip to Iceland and Ireland might seem out of reach for a family of five, but what if you could score flights and hotels using mostly points and miles? Jess recently returned from this exact adventure, navigating the tricky world of Iceland flight bookings and European hotel room occupancy limits with strategic planning and some insider knowledge.

Jess takes us through her 10-day journey, breaking down exac...

In this episode, Jess and Alex are joined by Kelsi Sullivan, one half of PointSisters on Instagram, who has mastered the art of solo travel using points and miles. Kelsi brings a unique perspective shaped by her international upbringing and her discovery of the financial independence community. Her journey from casual miles collector to strategic points optimizer shows how solo travelers can thrive in the points and miles world.

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Getting a discounted stay at a luxury Maui resort sounds too good to be true, especially when the catch involves sitting through a timeshare presentation. After receiving a letter from Marriott Vacation Club offering a discounted five-night stay at a Westin property, Alex decided to see if the savings were worth the 90-minute sales pitch. 

In addition to hearing the pros and cons of attending a timeshare presentation, this episod...

Major shifts in lounge access, baggage fees, and loyalty programs are reshaping the landscape of travel rewards in 2025. With summer travel quickly approaching, the Travel Mom Squad is here to break down what these changes mean for solo and family travelers planning their vacations.

In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into the most significant changes announced so far this year. You will learn which credit cards are still...

Planning a trip to Spain on points and miles? It’s all about the strategy—especially when you're juggling travel for multiple people! In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into their recent Spanish adventure, navigating last-minute flight changes and uncovering the best of Madrid, Barcelona, and Mallorca—all while maximizing points and miles.

From wandering through historic neighborhoods to cooking authentic paella, the tri...

Taking your family with young kids to Greece and Croatia might seem daunting, but with strategic use of points and miles, it can become an unforgettable adventure.

Travel Mom Squad's Director of Operations, Megan, shares how she planned an ambitious spring break trip that included iconic destinations like Santorini's blue domes and Croatia's stunning national parks. From finding family-friendly Airbnbs in prime locations to navig...

If you love points and miles, you know there’s no shortage of opinions on how to get the most out of credit card rewards and travel programs. In this fun and honest chat, Alex, Jess, and Pam share their unique takes on some hot topics in the points world.

They dive into everything from which credit cards score you the best lounge access, to whether chasing certain welcome bonuses is really worth it, and how to smartly position fo...

In this episode, Jess and Megan walk us through their recent family getaways to two standout Hyatt properties in the American Southwest: the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale in Arizona and the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in New Mexico. From flights on Southwest® using Companion Passes to family-friendly resort and cultural activities, they break down exactly how they booked, what they loved, and what they'd do differently next time.

In this episode, Jess, Pam, and Alex break down their recent spring break trips to Costa Rica—highlighting three unforgettable resorts, two different travel styles, and one shared love for how easy (and affordable!) this country is to explore with points and miles. 

Flights on Points

Alex and Jess both flew Southwest—Jess from Houston and Alex from Salt Lake City—and Pam chose United. Be...

In this episode, Pam shares her full itinerary from her recent return to Thailand—a dream trip she’s been wanting to repeat since her very first adventure on points and miles years ago. From business-class flights on Singapore Airlines, to luxury stays at the Conrad, Ritz-Carlton, and Banyan Tree—and of course, daily massages for $12—Pam takes us through every high (and low!) of the trip.

How Pam Booked He...

This week’s episode is a little different—and a lot of fun. Jess, Pam, and Alex are joined by Traci for a special game of Would You Rather!? – Points Talk Edition. Traci challenges the squad with a lineup of delightfully diabolical travel questions designed to reveal where they really stand when it comes to their points and airline preferences, personal travel quirks, and loyalty trade-offs.

From Business...

In this episode, Jess takes us step-by-step through her family’s spring break trip to Japan—a points and miles masterpiece that cost just $200 total out of pocket for four round-trip flights and multiple hotel stays. From first class flights to washer/dryers in hotel rooms, this trip had it all. Whether you’re dreaming of cherry blossoms, bullet trains, or Hello Kitty cafés, this episode is packed with tips for making ...

In this sneak peek from Points Talk Premium, we’re giving you a taste of one of our monthly  “Ask Us Anything” episodes—where we answer real questions from our subscribers about using points and miles to travel smarter.

Subscribe to Points Talk Premium for full access to monthly deep-dive tips, behind-the-scenes content, and personalized Q&As.

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In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they’re breaking down exactly how you can do it, too.

Jess’s San Miguel de Allende Birthday ...