Note: I’m currently exploring Alaska with limited internet access. My responses to comments and emails will be delayed. Europe 2024 Trip Report So Far: Back from 18-day Europe Trip, Review: Iberia Business Class DFW to MAD, Hits and Misses from my First MSC Cruise, DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station Review,...

Well, another family trip to Europe is in the books and what an adventure it has been! I’m still getting over a massive jet lag (getting older stinks), but wanted to write an introduction post while my memories are somewhat fresh. I’m certain I’ll miss something important anyway, but such...

Note: I’m currently exploring Alaska with limited internet access. My responses to comments and emails will be delayed. Over the last few months, I’ve been excitedly planning my family’s trip to Japan in 2025. I booked award flights to Tokyo on Japan Airlines using British Airways Avios for all 5...

Are you ready to start earning miles and points for your next trip? Check out Beginner’s Guide: 7 Steps to Free Travel with Miles and Points and see all of our credit card offers here. Calling all small business owners: One of my favorite business credit cards has a higher...

Europe 2024 Trip Report So Far: Back from 18-day Europe Trip, Review: Iberia Business Class DFW to MAD, Hits and Misses from my First MSC Cruise,  DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station Review Our two days in Amsterdam ended up being one of our favorite parts of our recent European...

On my recent European vacation, my daughter and I spent two nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station.  I booked our room last year for 60,000 Hilton Honors points a night (see this post). I picked this hotel because of its location next door to Amsterdam’s Centraal Station, as...

I’ve see the term “phantom award space” mentioned on blogs and message boards over the years, but I’ve never personally encountered it until recently. What is phantom award space? Phantom award space is when award availability shows up on an airline’s website, but it’s a mistake and the award space...

This week, two airline programs announced higher award prices (i.e. miles devaluations). This news is always unwelcome, but especially so when we have no advance notice. Virgin Guts Delta One Awards to Europe with Huge Fees, Higher Rates A few days ago, Thrifty Traveler discovered a big devaluation with Virgin...

Europe 2024 Trip Report So Far: Back from 18-day Europe Trip, Review: Iberia Business Class DFW to MAD During our recent trip to Europe, my 13-year-old daughter and I sailed on MSC Euribia to the Norwegian fjords. Port stops included Copenhagen, Nordfjordeid, Alesund, Flam and Kiel, Germany. This cruise was...

I’m not going to sugar coat this: Finding award availability to and from Asia in business class for a family is difficult. Frequently, airlines release only 1-2 saver awards per flight, and those are snatched up quickly. And, unfortunately, flying to/from Asia requires long flights. Nonstop flights from Dallas run...

It’s July! Some newsworthy updates and promotions for today: TSA PreCheck Adds 4 New Airlines: It’s a bummer when you have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck when the airline that you’re flying doesn’t participate in the program. Thankfully, there are very few airlines that still don’t participate. Check out the...

Back in March, when my daughter and I flew on TAP Air Portugal from Chicago to Lisbon, my husband and son flew on Iberia business class to Madrid. My son said the flight was just “ok” and not as good as our experience on business class on Air France. Geez,...

One of the best ways to maximize free travel with miles and points is to transfer flexible points when there is a transfer bonus. This month, there are a few transfer bonuses that continue into July, and hopefully more will be announced. Bilt Up to 100% Transfer Bonus to Alaska...

New to miles and points travel? Check out Beginner’s Guide: 7 Steps to Free Travel with Miles and Points. Most of the cards we feature are regular consumer credit cards that can help you earn free travel. But, business credit cards are also an important tool to help you reach...

My daughter and I returned from our 18-day Europe trip a few days ago. We both are a little under the weather right now or I would have started posting sooner. Re-entry is hard! Overall, we had a great time. I will be writing more detailed posts over the next...