Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

We share how our family trip through Milan and Rome goes sideways and somehow still turns into one of our most memorable travel weeks. We break down what we do when plans fall apart, how we use points and miles to reduce the damage, and what we learn about city travel with three kids.
• extending Switzerland because Italy prices surge
• booking a multi train route to Milan with the SBB app
• why first class seating helps on long train days
• what to do after missing a train connection
• first impressions of Milan plus a very small...

We move our family of five from Wengen to Grindelwald and turn a simple transfer day into a Lauterbrunnen biking adventure. Along the way, we share what surprised us most about costs, crowds, and how points and miles actually play out when you’re traveling with kids. 
• choosing between Wengen and Grindelwald as a home base 
• storing luggage in Lauterbrunnen and timing the transition day 
• renting bikes for five and navigating busy streets with a young rider 
• seasonal trade-offs like chilly weather and low waterfalls 
• Switzerland sticker shock like paid condiments and restaurant water 
• walking to B...

We take our family of five to Wengen, a car-free village in Switzerland’s Jungfrau region, and share what worked, what cost the most, and what we would change next time. We also walk through our points flights to Zurich, the Swiss transit pass decision that saved us money, and our favorite kid-friendly mountain days. 
• pivoting from an Italy-first plan to more time in Switzerland 
• booking five business-class seats to Zurich with points and managing a tight Frankfurt connection 
• deciding between the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Half Fare Card using real trip math 
• using the SBB...

We turn a Boston positioning flight into a mini trip and share what worked for our family of five, from points bookings to kid-friendly sightseeing. We also give our unfiltered take on the Hyatt Regency Boston, the Boston Tea Party Museum hype, and the airport logistics we’d handle differently next time. 
• why positioning flights can feel stressful or feel like a bonus trip 
• booking a nonstop Phoenix to Boston flight with American Airlines points and Main Cabin Extra seats 
• the Chase lounge wait and the $90 backup meal lesson 
• using Amex Platinum Uber credits for rideshare 

American Airlines status can look pointless for family travel until you break down how loyalty points are earned and what perks actually reduce stress on travel days. We share our honest take on whether chasing AAdvantage elite status is a money move, a comfort buy, or a little of both. 

• AAdvantage status tiers and loyalty point thresholds 
• Miles vs loyalty points and why the difference matters 
• Four main ways we earn loyalty points: flights, card spend, hotels, shopping portal 
• Why basic economy pricing drives family decisions and what it costs you on status 
• What each statu...

BILT REFERRAL LINK: https://www.bilt.com/card?invite=X8EUBSY7

As always, thank you for using our links when possible  ❤️

In this episode I walk through what’s changing in our points and miles strategy right now, including the credit cards we’re opening, the programs we’re leaning on, and the mistakes we’d avoid if we could rewind. We also share real-time trip planning updates, from a last-minute Rome hotel problem to the challenge of finding five business class award seats for Europe and Asia. 
• tracking Duane's 5/24 status and why we pace personal...

We compare a brand-new Park Hyatt Los Cabos stay with a Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal stay, down to the rooms, pools, food, and spa experience. We also break down the exact points and certificates we used, what Cabo costs surprised us most, and which resort we would pick next time depending on whether we’re traveling with kids or not. 
• choosing Cabo for a short kid-free getaway and why low season changes the vibe 
• booking the Park Hyatt Cabo with Hyatt points and a suite upgrade award 
• what the Park Hyatt plunge pool suite is like and th...

We finish our Scotland trip with our Edinburgh stretch: the drive in, our Outlander stop at Midhope Castle, where we stayed on points, and the places that were actually worth the effort with kids. We also break down our Air France business class flights home booked with points, including the fees, lounges, and what we’d do differently next time. 
• motion sickness on Scotland roads and why Dramamine matters 
• Midhope Castle as Lallybroch for Outlander fans and what to expect on-site 
• using Hilton points at the DoubleTree Edinburgh and setting realistic hotel expectations 
• returning the rental car, cr...

Sheepdog Experience in Uig

The Wolfie Lodge in Carbost (Easily in the top 3 AirBnB's we've EVER stayed in!)

Airbnb in Onich (near Ft William)

The Isle of Skye completely wins us over with misty roads, unreal scenery, and a base in tiny Carbost that feels like a movie set. We share our exact itinerary, our biggest planning mistakes, and the specific stops that make a Scotland family road trip feel doable and memorable.

• flying London to Inverness early to save money 
• renting a car for left-side driving and u...

We’re back from a break and sharing how our family of five tackles three sweaty days in London while using points and miles to make business class happen. We break down what worked, what flopped, and the small decisions that mattered most when traveling with kids in a heat wave. 

• taking a needed podcast hiatus and what it’s like recording at home with kids 
• the washer saga and why appliance research became a full-time hobby 
• booking six business class seats to London with points, plus the mistake that nearly derailed it 
• positioning flights to Dalla...

We share a quick life update and explain why we are taking a four to six week break so we can reset and come back stronger. Then we dig into the latest Chase and Hyatt changes, run our midyear points and cash back totals, and share how we finally locked in business class seats for our upcoming London and Scotland trip. 

• announcing a short podcast hiatus and the reasons behind it 
• plans to set up a guest scheduling system for future episodes 
• reacting to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Hyatt transfer cut to 4:3 
• what the change means...

We just pulled off a travel move that still makes us laugh: a luxury stay at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach that was booked on Hilton points, covered by stacked Hilton resort credits, and somehow ended with us up $38 thanks to a perfectly timed Amex offer. If you’ve ever wondered whether points and miles are actually worth the effort, we walk through the real math, the real cards, and the real checkout moment where Raya hands over a stack of credit cards and asks the front desk to split the bill across all of them. 

Along the way...

Rakuten Referral Link: www.rakuten.com/r/RAYAPI6?eeid=28187

Chase Sapphire Reserve 150K REFERRAL LINK!

Capital One Shopping Referral Link (turns out I do have one!!!!)

We share the exact tools we use to plan trips faster, keep packing under control, and squeeze more value out of everyday spending. We also break down a 10x Chase Ultimate Rewards play using Paze, including where it works, how to stack it, and what to troubleshoot if your accounts get messy. 
• noting the elevated Chase Sapphire Reserve offer and why we still use it heavily 
...

We share how we’re reshaping our points and miles strategy after Hyatt devaluations, including new card moves and the reality of planning family travel when award space disappears. We also walk through our Italy and Switzerland pivot, plus a credit score rebound that lets us apply for new cards with confidence. 
• choosing the Bilt Palladium for the signup bonus and transfer partners 
• why we skip mortgage payments through Bilt for now 
• using Bilt cash to activate the 3x accelerator on planned spend 
• targeting Japan Airlines miles and watching hard expiration rules 
• adding Capital One Savor for unc...

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise

Istanbul Full Day Guided Tour

Reliable Travel (booked everything in Cappadocia for them)

Balloon Turca (booked by/through Reliable Travel)

Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge (an SLH property!)

We trade our usual family travel format for a couple’s Turkey anniversary recap that is packed with points and miles tactics you can steal for your own peak season trips. Melissa walks us through how she booked business class flights, stacked hotel perks, and built a Cappadocia hot air balloon day that actually runs smoothly.

Chase Sapphire Reserve 150K Offer!!! (thank you for using our link!)

Marriott Homes & Villas Promotion- register and book by 5/14/26!

Spirit Airlines disappears, Hyatt pricing shifts again, and we map out how we keep our family travel plans steady when loyalty programs and flight options change. We also share updates on three international trips and the exact points and miles moves we’re making right now. 

• Mother’s Day recap and the economics of buffet pricing versus hotel status value 
• Orlando work trip at the Disney partner Swan and Dolphin and how Marriott f...

We break down a simple way to think about travel insurance so we stop guessing and start choosing coverage that matches the trip. We also share what happened on our Thailand trip and how our annual policy reimbursed a missing-bag wardrobe and an unexpected ER visit.
• thinking in four layers: health insurance, credit card coverage, standalone policy, evacuation membership
• deciding when travel insurance matters more for international trips than domestic
• credit card travel protections and the need to pay with the right card to activate coverage
• what Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Venture X and Bilt cov...

We share why points and miles meetups can unlock the next level of award travel learning when free online info stops being enough. Raya recaps her Phoenix Award Travel 201 meetup, the best nuggets she picked up from real conversations, and a few credit card strategy updates tied to American Airlines status goals. 

• quick family update after Flu B runs through the house 
• what the Award Travel 201 meetup format looks like in real life 
• CardPointers and SaveWise for auto-adding card offers and tracking value 
• American Airlines awards talk that sparks a push toward Executive Platinum 
• the mos...

Bangkok is our last stop in Thailand, and it turns into the most chaotic stretch of the whole trip. We break down how we booked a luxury Park Hyatt stay with points and Amex credits while juggling traffic, malls, heat, and two kids getting sick at the worst possible times.
• flying Bangkok Airways and dealing with delays plus airport traffic
• using the Bangkok taxi kiosk system and deciding when the train makes more sense
• booking Park Hyatt Bangkok with Hyatt points and Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts credits
• how the hotel created an “almost connecting” room setup w...

Ang Thong National Marine Park Boat Tour

Koh Samui ends up as our favorite stop in Thailand thanks to an incredible Hyatt Regency stay booked on Hyatt points, a surprise suite upgrade, and family-friendly perks that actually make travel easier. We also share the stuff no one puts on the brochure, including a brutal sunburn mystery and what a 13-hour Ang Thong National Marine Park tour really feels like with kids. 

• quick life updates after jet lag and a missed episode upload 
• a TripTales podcast shoutout for destination research and travel inspiration 
• Bangkok Airways i...

Elephant Sanctuary - Half Day Program

If you're interested in the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which is the card that gave us the Edit credits we reference in this episode, here is our referral link: Chase Sapphire Reserve! 

As always, thank you for using our links!

In this episode, we recap the start of our Thailand trip and the messy travel day that kicks it all off, from a forgotten CPAP to a carry-on mix-up that leaves Duane without his clothes. We also break down what we paid for flights and Phuket, how we s...

Combo 1: Capital One Venture (or Venture X) + Capital One Savor cards

Combo 2: Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Reserve) + Chase Freedom Flex cards

Combo 3: Citi Strata Premier + Citi Double Cash cards

Combo 4: Amex Gold + Amex Blue Cash Preferred cards (our Blue Cash Preferred link is not as high as the regular offer so just google for that one!)

*Thank you for using our referral links so we can earn a few extra points!*

In this episode I discuss:

• Why pairing a points unlock card with a ca...

Show Notes Links:

- Savewise: getsavewise.com (referral link!)

- AwardTool: awardtool.com (referral link!)

- Six Suitcase Travel

Claude is claude.ai 

In this episode I'm sharing 4 new things I've been using and really liking lately. SaveWise for portal and card offer stacking, a clean system for tracking credits, a pragmatic way to find rooms for five or more, and the award search method that finally surfaced f...

CARD REFERRAL LINKS! 

The Hilton offers are all elevated until April 15, 2026. If you're seeing these links after that date, they should still work but will not be elevated offers. 

Hilton Honors Amex (No Annual Fee!) - 70K Hilton points + FNC

Hilton Surpass card (Amex) - 130K Hilton points + FNC

Hilton Aspire Card - 175K Hilton points (no extra FNC but this card does come with one every year automatically!)

Hilton Honors Business Card (the one we just got!) - 175K Hilton points + FNC

***** The below are not el...

We pull back the curtain on the unseen work of family travel and share how we’re prepping for two weeks in Thailand with three kids, seven flights, and one last-minute work trip. Points, packing, meds, and mindset—all simplified into four clear buckets you can reuse.

• why Thailand matters to us and how points make it possible
• building one master spreadsheet for flights, hotels and transfers
• mapping seven flights and overnight layovers with backups
• hotel lessons on connecting rooms and nonrefundable rates
• Thailand medication rules, doctor letters and refills
• digital arrival form timing and...

Travel with Kids Podcast rec!

What happens when your kids fly business class before they can spell it? We tackle the uneasy question head-on: are we raising entitled travelers—or can points-powered perks actually teach humility, gratitude, and grit? Drawing from our own path—from rural road trips and solo backpacking to parenting three kids with a points strategy—we share the mindset shifts that turned “is this too much?” into “how do we frame this well?”

We start by defining entitlement in practical terms: not nice experiences, but the expectation of them. Then we open the curta...

Our 2026 travel plan blends status goals, certificate plays, and a careful move toward cash back so we can travel better now and fund freedom later. Along the way we test gold reselling, protect 5/24, and hold out for premium flights that fit a family of five.

• shifting from constant new cards to maximizing existing spend
• step-by-step approach to buying and reselling gold with guardrails
• Hilton Aspire to Surpass downgrade path for four free nights
• prioritizing Hyatt Globalist for suites and breakfast value
• trip plans for Thailand, London and Scotland, Switzerland plus Italy
• strategy for holding...

We play a family travel Would You Rather built around real points-and-miles tradeoffs, from Hyatt love to premium economy sanity. Along the way we compare Chase, Amex, and Citi, weigh taxes and fees, and debate lounges, breakfast, and splitting flights with kids.

• quick update on Bilt changes and current cards
• luxury hotel without breakfast vs budget stay with big breakfast
• free family trip in economy vs solo business class splurge
• Chase vs Amex value with Hyatt and earnability
• first class on separate flights vs economy together
• premium economy both ways vs mixed cabins
•...

https://5calls.org/

https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

Chase Ink Premier Referral Link (Also 100K Ink Preferred!!!)

Never used Rakuten? Join now and earn $50 cash back! www.rakuten.com/r/RAYAPI6?eeid=28187 

Free flights don’t feed your kids on vacation. That’s the real truth because even with points and miles, we still need to fund the real costs of travel - meals, trains, tips, tours, and all the little line items that don't fit inside award charts. 

We break the plan into four parts. First, bank accoun...

Chase Sapphire Referral Link - Earn 125,000 points with Sapphire Reserve® or 75,000  bonus points with Sapphire Preferred® 

Chase Ink/Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business Referral Link (if you've never had one!) - Earn 200,000 bonus points with the new Sapphire Reserve for Business credit card and access over $6,500 in value your first year . You can also earn bonuses with the Ink Business Premier® card,  Ink Business Preferred® card, Ink Business Unlimited® card or Ink Business Cash® card.

*if the links above do not work, please DM me on instagram @travelpartyof5 and I will send you a fresh one! Than...

InKind Referral link (Save $25 off your first bill!):  https://app.inkind.com/refer/RUL9NCCP

Three spreadsheets I mentioned for tracking credits: 

Thrifty Traveler Credit Tracker (you have to make a copy)

Points Talk Squad Credit Tracker (you have to make a copy)

I have combined the above two, in different tabs, on the same Google Sheet doc. 

Frequent Miler Tracker (not using this one)

In this episode we map out a smarter 2026 points strategy: triple dips where they make sense, a unified tracking sheet to measure rea...

We revisit a year of family travel to rank the hotels, flights, and upgrades that delivered real value, and we tell two travel stories that never made it to air: a runaway carry-on on an escalator and a seatmate who ate our snacks. We also reassess elite status and share where we’ll spend points next year.

• best hotels across Barcelona, Cabo, Lake Tahoe, Cologne
• worst stay experience at Thompson Dallas and why
• top suite upgrade at the Seabird with ocean views
• business class joy on the return from Europe
• economy comparisons between JAL and Sing...

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

In this episode we travel from Strasbourg France to Cologne Germany for more Christmas Markets! 

• setting souvenir budgets per kid to teach value and limit clutter
• carry-on packing for cold with layers, wool socks and two shoe options
• laundromat lessons...

Strasbourg AirBnB (not sponsored, paid with our own money!)

Magical Christmas Markets of Europe (please note: we are not affiliated with this group in any way, and potentially it is run by a travel agency? Either way, lots of good info in there!)

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.

And make...

Next year we've got three big trips on the docket - Thailand, Scotland/ London, and Switzerland/Italy. By mixing cash fares, smart point redemptions, and repositioning, we share the exact math behind paying cash to Asia, and two goals to keep travel calmer and on budget.

• booking strategy for a family of five using points, cash, and portals
• why one‑cent redemptions lost to Amex travel offers and 5x earning
• routing choices to access lounges and smoother layovers
• Thailand plan with Phuket, Koh Samui, and Bangkok as bases
• London and Edinburgh logistics for seven travel...

Links to Activate Instacart credits:

United Cards: https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-united?unauth-refresh=1

Chase Ink Cards: https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-ink?unauth-refresh=1

Chase co-branded cards (Marriott, Hyatt, etc): https://www.instacart.com/p/chase-cobrands?unauth-refresh=1

What if the credits you ignore every month could stock a food bank, surprise a caregiver with lunch, or stretch a teacher gift from thoughtful to unforgettable? We walk through the exact playbook we use to turn small, forgotten perks into big, tangible help—no coupon spreadsheets, no all‑day errands.

We star...

1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - Book here!

What if your weekly groceries, Friday night dinners, and holiday shopping could fuel your next big family trip? We break down a four-bucket system that took us past two million points this year without gimmicks: strategic sign-up bonuses, smart category spending, thoughtful referrals, and powerful stacking tools that turn ordinary purchases into extraordinary travel.

We walk through the exact card moves we made, including timing the AA business “double dip,” choosing public offers over weaker referral paths when the math wins, and sequencing business cards to p...

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

These are all the experiences we booked in Japan using Viator:

Our Fave Japan Experiences

This episode wraps up our Japan series with a practical Q&A:  From eSIM setup and Suica hacks to Shinkansen tradeoffs and Japanese toilets, w...