Points Too Paradise

We just got back from Xcaret and I'm sharing everything. In this episode I break down how we booked our stay with points, what was included, how the parks work, what we ate, and my honest take on whether it was worth it. If you've been eyeing Xcaret for your own family trip, this will help you decide and plan it.

What we cover

Southwest isn't the only way to fly for fewer points. In this episode I break down Atmos Rewards, the Alaska and Hawaiian program, and why you can use it to book about 30 other partner airlines, not just Alaska and Hawaiian flights.

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United Airlines is one of my favorite airlines and with all the changes with Southwest last week, many people are looking at where to go next. In this episode we deep dive on award flights, status, ways to earn and use points for flights.

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Southwest just changed how the Companion Pass works, and the card bonus route most of us have used for years is going away. In this episode I walk you through what changed on October 15, what to do before December 2, how to check your own Companion Pass points, and what 2027 looks like if you miss the window.

In this episode:

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In this episode, I take you inside the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa. I cover exactly how many points my stay cost, what the rooms are like, the pools, where we ate, and how the location works for exploring Tucson.

What we cover:

Free Workshop: https://calendly.com/pointstooparadise/how-to-travel-more-without-spending-more-money-clone-1

Chase moved Sapphire Preferred transfers to Hyatt to 4:3 on October 1, and Bilt follows on January 1. I travel 6 to 8 times a year and save over $30,000 every year, and Hyatt used to be the default for a lot of those stays.

In this episode I walk through what changed, what to do before the Bilt deadline if you want those points, and how I'm spreading my points across different programs and what my strategy is going forward.

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I travel 6 to 8 times a year and save over $30,000 every year with points, but this episode isn't really about the trips. It's about what points make possible for my business. In April I went to Power Table Live, and if I hadn't gone, I wouldn't be speaking at an event in Alabama next week. In this episode I tell the full circle story of how saying yes to events has helped me grow my business, network, and get on stages.

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Got a travel purchase that can't normally be covered by points? In this episode, I'm breaking down how to use Capital One's Purchase Eraser feature to wipe out charges that code as travel, which covers way more than just flights and hotels.

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Capital One just bumped up the welcome offer on the Venture Rewards card, and it's worth stopping to talk about. In this episode I'm walking through exactly what the current offer looks like, why it's better than what's been out there most of the year, and the part people usually skip what you actually do with the miles and the travel credit once you have them.

What's Covered

Thirteen days out, no plan, and we still made it to Lake Tahoe using points. In this episode I walk through exactly how I pulled off a last-minute trip: finding hotel availability with MaxMyPoint, why I booked one-way flights on two different airlines instead of a round trip, and how I thought about timing to get the best redemptions when I didn't have months to plan ahead.

What's in this episode

Delta and Amex just dropped their biggest welcome offers ever and they're only around until November 4. In this episode, I'm breaking down every elevated offer across the Delta card lineup, which card actually fits your travel style (because the "best" card is not the same for everyone), and the benefit most cardholders don't even know they have: 15% off every award flight you book with miles. Plus, I'm sharing exactly how I catch Delta flash sales and how stacking a flash sale with your cardholder discount can turn a good deal into an unbelievable one. In this episode I'm breaking...

A student in the Lounge asked me a question this week "Do I need to open an account with every airline? Air France, JAL, Iberia... all of them?"

Short answer: yes. And in this episode I explain why.

Here's the thing about flight deals. They show up, and then they're gone. Sometimes in hours. And some of the best redemptions run through airline partners that won't let you transfer points in until your account has been open for a while. If you find the deal on Tuesday and open the account on Tuesday, you've already...

We just got back from the Smoky Mountains and I'm taking you along for the whole thing.

In this episode, I'm walking you through exactly how we booked our family trip to Dollywood and Gatlinburg, Tennessee: the resort, the flights, the rental car, and yes even how we handled park tickets. If you've ever wondered what a real points trip looks like from start to finish

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American Airlines quietly made some changes without warning that you might want to know about.

Tune in to hear how to earn points for AA, best ways to book flights, get upgrades, book on partner airlines and more.

If you want to diversify your points, live near an AA hub or just want more flight options this is a good one.

Resources:

Travel Points Lounge: Travel Points Lounge | Points Too Paradise

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Five plane tickets to Europe. $423 total out of pocket.

In this episode, I'm walking you through his entire trip, step by step and how we booked it.

In this episode:

Resources:

Webinar: https://event.webinarjam.com/g8oq9z/register/209ox6sl?webinar_id=2

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Travel Points Lounge: Travel Points Lounge | Points Too Paradise

We had a whole trip to San Francisco planned. And then... we cancelled it.

Here's the part that still amazes me: instead of feeling stuck or out the money, we got to sit down as a family and ask one simple question, where do we actually want to go?

The answer? The Ozarks in Missouri. Not because it was the cheapest option or the only thing we could afford. Because it's where we wanted to be.

That's what this episode is really about. Not points and miles as a math game, points as...

Chase just shook things up in a big way and in this episode, I'm breaking down everything you need to know. We're doing a full deep dive into the Chase cards you can get right now, the welcome offers currently on the table, and a major change coming to the Sapphire Preferred that has the whole points world talking. If Chase points are part of your travel strategy (or you've been thinking about getting started), you don't want to miss this one.

I'm also sharing what this change means for you, the deadline you need to know...

Today we are deep diving into the elevated offer on the World of Hyatt personal credit card. We rarely see elevated offers on this card, so it may be the right time for you to add it to your wallet!

Travel Freely App: https://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=piw

Top Credit Card Offers: Points Too Paradise Top Offers

Hyatt Credit Card: Chase World of Hyatt | Travel Freely

Ever since I shared that we booked Hotel Xcaret — a luxury all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya, my inbox has been full of one question: how?

So, in this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my full trip planning process for the rest of 2026. Not just the Xcaret booking itself, but the thinking that happens before I ever search for award space — because that's what really happens.

I'm walking you through:

Megan breaks down her top five-credit card benefits she values most outside of points and miles — the ones that quietly add thousands of dollars in annual value but get ignored because they're not as flashy as a free flight. If you're treating your credit cards as just a points engine, this episode reframes them as a full financial toolkit.

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Travel Points Lounge

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Ever wonder what actually happens inside the Travel Points Lounge? This week, I'm pulling back the curtain and giving you a real look at what membership looks like day to day.

I'm sharing actual posts and questions from our community this week — because the best way to show you the value of the Lounge isn't to tell you about it, it's to show you. This is where people are actively using their points as a financial strategy, getting their questions answered in real time, and booking trips they never thought possible.

In this episode, you'll ge...

Today's episode we dive into the new changes with the Chase Sapphire Preferred and all the elevated credit card offers that have come out with Chase bank.

Resources:

Top Credit Card Offers: https://travelfreely.com/points-too-paradise-top-offers-1/?bref=piw

Travel Points Lounge: https://pointstooparadise.com/travel-points-lounge

Five weeks. Multiple countries. First-class flights and luxury hotels. And my client paid almost nothing out of pocket. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how we made it happen — using points she already had sitting in Citi, Delta and Chase — and what YOU can take from this strategy to plan your own dream trip.

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Transfer bonuses can sound like a no-brainer — a 40%, 55%, even 70% bonus on your points just for moving them to an airline or hotel program. But here's the truth: a big bonus percentage is not the same thing as a good deal. In this episode, Megan breaks down exactly how transfer bonuses work, why banks and hotel programs offer them in the first place, and the simple math framework she uses to decide whether to jump on one or pass.

We're walking through how to calculate the real value of any transfer bonus, which programs are almost never worth tr...

Tune in to see the breakdown of all the AMEX platinum credits, the points system and the strategy behind this card. The Amex Platinum annual fee to $895 — and everyone has an opinion about it. In this episode, Megan does the full deep dive — every credit, every perk, the real math — plus how she's personally used the Fine Hotels + Resorts program to book Enchantment Resort in Sedona and The Cloister at Sea Island. If you've been wondering whether this card belongs in your wallet, this episode is your answer.

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AMEX Platinum

AMEX G...

If you've ever been asked "how do you keep up with all those credit cards?" — this episode is for you. Megan pulls back the curtain on the exact free app she uses to stay organized across her entire points portfolio. No spreadsheets, no sticky notes, no stress. Just one simple tool that tracks your cards, your points, your annual fees, and your bonus deadlines — all in one place. If you have travel credit cards and you're not using this, you're probably leaving points on the table without even knowing it.

What We Cover:

You've seen the Chase Sapphire Reserve everywhere — but is it actually worth the hype? In this episode, Megan breaks down everything you need to know about the CSR: the real value of its credits and why this card is still a cornerstone of a smart points portfolio. Spoiler: the $795 annual fee isn't as scary as it looks once you run the numbers — and Chase says there's over $2,700 in annual value packed in.

What We Cover:

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with my client Stacy, a member of the Travel Points Lounge, who has completely transformed the way her family experiences life — one trip at a time.

Stacy didn't just learn how to use points. She used them. Every. Single. Month. In 2025 alone, she saved over $18,000 in travel — and she's here to tell us exactly what that looks like in real life.

We get into all of it — the trips, the mindset shift, and the parts nobody talks about: how traveling more has strengthened her marriage, deepened her connection with her ki...

This one's different. I'm stepping away from the usual tips and strategies to share something more personal — what happened when I said yes to an opportunity, got on a plane, and came back with a vision so big it scared me a little.

Last week I attended a live event and it completely shifted the way I see Points Too Paradise, the women I want to serve, and the role I'm meant to play in this space. I came back with a clear message burning inside me: more women need to be traveling for free, and I ne...

Capital One just launched a brand new card and I had to break it down for you. Today we're covering the Venture Business — the signup bonus, the benefits, how to use your miles, and why this card is way more accessible than the name might make you think.

Up to 150,000 miles: 75,000 miles after spending $7,500 in the first three months, plus an additional 75,000 miles after spending $30,000 total in the first six months.

Card Benefits (Annual fee: $95)

Most people avoid credit card fees at all costs… but what if that mindset is actually costing you thousands in travel?

In this episode, I’m breaking down why I intentionally pay fees on things like taxes, business expenses, and large bills—and how those small fees can unlock massive travel rewards.

We’re talking real strategy here. Not just “put everything on a card,” but how to use your spending on purpose to hit signup bonuses, earn points faster, and turn everyday expenses into flights, hotels, and dream trips.

If you’ve ever questione...

United MileagePlus just made one of the biggest changes any U.S. airline loyalty program has made in years.

Starting April 2nd, United is cutting earning rates from 5 miles per dollar down to 3 miles per dollar for members who don't hold a United credit card. And if you're flying basic economy without a card? You're earning zero miles. Nothing.

In this episode, we break down exactly what changed, why United did it, and most importantly — what YOU should do about it based on how you actually travel.

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What if “first class” wasn’t just about your seat on a plane… but the standard you set for your entire life?

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a whole new level of travel, identity, and decision-making—and the women who are choosing to step into it.

Because this isn’t just about luxury flights or five-star hotels. It’s about no longer saying “maybe someday.” It’s about deciding you don’t have to wait for more time, more money, or the “perfect moment” to experience the life you actually want.

I’m sharing the...

If you’ve been collecting travel points for a while, you may have noticed something frustrating… the same trip that cost 50,000 points last year suddenly costs 70,000 this year.

That’s not your imagination. Points get devalued all the time, and it’s happening across airlines and hotels right now.

But here’s the good news: when you understand how the game works, you can stay ahead of it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why points lose value, why it happens almost every year, and the strategy I personally use to stay ahead of the...

If you’re looking for a destination that blends culture, incredible food, outdoor adventure, and a totally unique vibe, Santa Fe should absolutely be on your list.

In this Destination Day episode, we’re diving into Santa Fe, New Mexico — one of the most charming and distinctive cities in the Southwest. Known for its adobe architecture, world-class art scene, rich Native American and Spanish history, and amazing cuisine, Santa Fe is the kind of place that feels different from anywhere else in the U.S.

Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway, a relaxing spa trip...

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the real story behind how I went from barely affording one vacation a year to taking seven trips annually using credit card points.

If you’ve ever wondered how this is actually possible (without a huge income or overwhelm), this episode is for you.

I’m walking you through where I started, what finally clicked for me, and the exact mindset shift that changed everything about how our family travels. Because the truth is… I’m not special, and this didn’t happen overnight. But once I u...

There’s a limited-time elevated offer on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and if you’ve been waiting for the right time to jump in… this might be it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what the current bonus is, who it’s best for, how to maximize the miles, and the mistakes I see people make with this card.

Because yes, the headline sounds good — but we’re getting into the real strategy behind it.

If you want simple, flexible travel points that can unlock serious trips without overcomplicati...

You hear me talk a lot about how I use points to travel, but today I wanted to do something different. I’m sharing the stories of four real women inside the Travel Points Academy so you can see what this looks like in real life.

These aren’t influencers or professional travelers. They’re moms, business owners, and everyday women with families, busy lives, and normal schedules who decided to do travel differently.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

We made it to episode 100 🎉 and I wanted to do something fun and personal to celebrate. So, I opened up my Instagram and let you ask me anything about travel points, credit cards, and the way I actually travel.

In this episode, I’m answering some of the most common (and honest) questions I get, including:

This episode is a mix o...

In today’s Destination Day episode, I’m taking you to sunny Fort Myers, Florida and sharing all about the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point.

This is one of those properties that is small but has a lot to do. We’re talking lazy river, multiple pools, private island beach, boat shuttle, on-site water slides, golf, spa, and so many dining options. It’s the kind of place that normally costs hundreds of dollars per night, but can be booked for free!

In this episode, I’m breaking down: