Travel Party of 5 | Points & Miles for Family Travel

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here! And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5  In this episode we take you through our recent stay at the Arizona Grand Hotel in Phoenix, exploring their impressive water park and sharing our experience as a family of five. • All-suite hotel with space for families of all sizes • Water park features three thrillin...

[WAITLIST] 1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session - get on the waitlist here! Travel Freely App - How we keep track of all our cards!  And make sure to follow us on Instagram! @travelpartyof5  Contrary to popular belief, opening multiple credit cards doesn't automatically tank your credit score. I'm living proof – with eight new cards in just six months and an "excellent" credit sc...

We dive into the complex world of changing and canceling award travel, sharing real experiences and practical strategies to help save your trip when plans change. • Domestic carriers like American, Alaska, and Southwest generally don't charge fees for award ticket changes • International airlines like Air France/Flying Blue, British Airways, and Singapore typically charge significant change f...

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!) Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5  Discover our first episode in the Summer in Phoenix staycation series where we visit the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs to determine if it's worth your points or dollars for a family getaway. • Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs is nestled in the mountains about 20 minutes north of Phoenix airpo...

RideSafer Vest CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!) Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5  Positioning flights are a strategic tool for families who want to access better award flight availability and save money when traveling. These flights take you from your home airport to another airport where you'll begin your main journey, opening up more travel opportunitie...

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!) We spent 24 hours in Chicago before flying to Paris using points and miles, staying at the Intercontinental Magnificent Mile and exploring the city with our three kids. This strategic positioning flight saved us points while giving us an exciting mini-vacation in Chicago with deep dish pizza, the Bean, and activities like the Ice Cre...

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!) Premium economy offers a valuable middle ground between business class and economy, giving families significantly more comfort without the high price tag of business class tickets. • Premium economy on Air France features better seat recline and footrests • Cabin arrangement is typically 2-4-2 with approximately 40-48 seats • Passeng...

CHASE SAPPHIRE PREFERRED 100K SIGNUP BONUS!!! (THANK YOU FOR USING OUR LINK!!!) $40 off Away Luggage (we have the "Bigger Carry On" in 4 different colors!) Duane's shoe bag Raya's Carryon backpack (affiliate link) Duane's Men's Crossbody (affiliate link) Raya's crossbody bag (affiliate link) Raya's toiletry bag (affiliate link) Raya's mini backpack (Nor...

The activities we did in Madrid (Food Tour and Flamenco show!): vi.me/1T9xd If you're planning a trip to Europe using points and miles or have questions about traveling as a family of five, follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyofFive where we share highlights and tips from our adventures. In this episode: We travel to Madrid as part of our two-week European adventure, staying at the Hyatt Centr...

The tour we did (churros and chocolate) and the tour we almost did (dragon tour!): vi.me/bWWul Barcelona captivated us with its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine while we strategically used Hyatt points and upgrade awards to minimize travel costs. We navigated rainy weather by pivoting our plans, discovering indoor treasures and developing a daily rhythm that balanced s...

Paris Macaron Class: vi.me/mTi2C Bespoke Family Tours of Paris with Zoe at The Petit Guide (we did the Montmartre tour) Photo shoot: Flytographer! If you've never used them before, use my link to get $25 off your first photo shoot!  In this episode, we're sharing how we took our family of 5 to Paris using travel points, showing how we explored Paris while staying at the Hyatt Regency Par...

We break down exactly how we booked our entire family of five for a two-week European adventure across Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid using points and miles. This trip demonstrates how strategic credit card usage, elite status benefits, and advance planning can transform an expensive dream vacation into an affordable reality. • Booked 5 economy seats on Air France for 85,000 Flying Blue miles with 2...

We explore strategies for handling credit card denials and share insights on navigating bank-specific rules to improve approval odds while discussing recent Hyatt award chart devaluations affecting popular properties worldwide. • Cancellation strategies for point bookings when plans change, including leveraging elite status for fee waivers • Comprehensive overview of Hyatt's 2024 award chart...

Link to my entire trip planning checklist for FREE!  Planning a family trip can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Our discussion revolves around creating a structured timeline to help you earn points and maximize your travel experience.  - Sharing a detailed planning timeline starting 18 months prior  - Discussing how to choose travel destinations based on flight availability  - Unders...

Airline alliances are essential to maximizing your points and facilitating family travel. By understanding and utilizing these partnerships, families can find better availability, save points, and streamline their travel experiences. • Explanation of airline alliances  • Importance of booking through the correct airline system  • Discussion of major airline alliances  • Real-world examples of leve...

This episode celebrates a memorable surprise anniversary staycation at the newly renovated Grand Hyatt Scottsdale, showcasing the couple's enriching experiences with their family. Insights into hotel amenities, dining options, and spa highlights deliver practical tips for families considering this luxury getaway. • Surprise staycation for anniversary  • Overview of the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale...

With spring break approaching, today’s episode focuses on last-minute travel destinations within the U.S. that can be booked using points. We share insights on family-friendly locations, tips for booking on points, and emphasize the importance of using travel rewards before they lose value.  • Discussing the growing trend of last-minute spring break travel  • Highlighting family-friendly destinati...

Family adventures often come with an unseen layer of stress and anxiety, especially for parents. Through candid discussions about personal experiences, Raya and Duane explore the realities of family travel, mental health, and managing anxiety, reinforcing the message that feeling overwhelmed is a normal part of the journey.  • Tackling the stress of family travel and managing expectations  • Shari...

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 Alternate title - Points for Poutine! :) In this episode Raya is sharing about a work trip to Montreal, highlighting the ch...

This episode shares our travel plans for 2025, including family trips to Europe, new puppy challenges, and credit card strategies for maximizing travel. We discuss life updates, budgeting tips, and our adventures in making travel a family affair.  • Life update: introducing our new puppy, Maui  • Upcoming trip to Christmas markets in Europe, exploring Paris, Strasbourg, and Cologne  • Planning spr...

2024 was filled with memorable travel experiences, from top hotels and flights to unforgettable vacations. The episode focuses on sharing the best moments, while highlighting family-friendly options and personal favorites that made the year special. • Best couple's hotel at the Kempton Seafire in Grand Cayman  • Top family hotel was the Park Hyatt Aviara  • Most memorable flight on Air France...

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

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 Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards we refer to in this episode. And if you've already got one of the Cha...

In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we earned Hyatt Globalist status without staying 60 nights in a hotel. Hyatt Globalist is the top-tier status that comes with incredible perks like free breakfast, room upgrades, late checkouts, and waived resort fees. We’ll walk you through the steps we took, including how we used credit card spend, milestone rewards, and strategic stays to make it...

In this episode, we’re diving into our recent stay at the Andaz San Diego . If you’ve been eyeing this Hyatt property or planning a trip to San Diego, we’ve got you covered. We’ll tell you everything about our experience at the Andaz San Diego , from the upgraded suite we got with our Globalist status to the rooftop pool and prime location in the Gaslamp Quarter. While this is a great spot for cou...