Redeeming Points Archives - Katie's Travel Tricks

Guide to Flying to Hawaii with Points

Sadie Teh2025-04-08T09:57:56-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Who wants to fly to Hawaii for (almost) free? Who doesn't?! Find out the four best options for flying to Hawaii with points.

Using Finnair Avios to Book American & Alaska Flights

Sadie Teh2025-03-28T13:40:37-05:00Book Flights With Points|

FinnAir Plus is one of the lesser known points programs [...]

Reader Success Story: New Zealand on Points for a Family

Editorial Team2025-03-21T13:43:14-05:00Trip Reports|

Hear how one reader used her points to save $4,700 on an epic roadtrip down the Pacific Coast Highway, including stops in SF, Carmel, and Disneyland!

Booking Flights with Points: Overview + Mistakes to Avoid

Katie Holden2025-01-30T06:54:13-06:00Book Flights With Points|

Booking flights with points can feel like navigating a maze. [...]

How to Visit Disney with Points

Katie Holden2025-01-06T17:00:19-06:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

For a lot of families, saving up for a [...]

Use Your Points for Hyatt: Guide

Katie Holden2025-02-18T09:44:38-06:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

When it comes to booking hotels with points -- especially [...]

Flying to India with Points in Economy {Guide}

Sadie Teh2025-04-01T10:29:40-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

With points and miles, far-reaching destinations like India [...]

Alaska/Hawaiian Merger: Strategy and Sweet Spots

Sadie Teh2024-11-14T12:23:46-06:00Book Flights With Points|

Last year, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines announced a [...]

Virgin Atlantic: New Sweet Spots to Europe and Africa (from 6,000 points!)

Katie Holden2025-02-04T14:49:20-06:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

On October 31, 2024, Virgin Atlantic officially switched its [...]

Booking Virgin Voyages on Points

Sadie Teh2024-10-09T13:27:56-05:00Redeeming Points|

Ready to set sail on a cruise vacation? With [...]

20+ Trip Ideas with Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Katie Holden2024-09-13T07:36:35-05:00Redeeming Points|

It's no secret that Chase Ultimate Rewards® are our favorite [...]

Flying to Australia and New Zealand with Points in Economy {Guide}

Sadie Teh2025-04-01T10:26:22-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Australia and New Zealand are [...]

Flying to Africa with Points in Economy {Guide}

Sadie Teh2025-04-01T10:10:41-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Africa is a big continent with many unique destinations [...]

Pay Yourself Back for any travel expense with the Aeroplan® Card

Katie Holden2025-01-23T08:25:32-06:00Credit Card Guides, Redeeming Points|

For travelers who want an easy way to redeem [...]

Flying to Southeast Asia with Points in Economy {Guide}

Katie Holden2024-12-13T15:00:25-06:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Once you get there, Southeast Asia offers a budget-friendly [...]

Booking Flights With Points (Overview)

Katie Holden2024-08-16T13:38:11-05:00Book Flights With Points|

Complete guide to the best options for booking flights to Europe with points -- including comparison of fees by airlines.

Preferred Hotels with Choice Points [Map]

Sadie Teh2024-11-27T10:56:01-06:00Maps|

Note: Choice has changed their pricing several times this year [...]

60+ Secret LifeMiles Sweet Spot Routes to Europe

Sadie Teh2024-08-20T12:18:07-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

UPDATE In August 2024 LifeMiles made a major devaluation so [...]

Booking Vacasa Vacation Rentals With Wyndham Rewards

Editorial Team2024-06-27T17:46:11-05:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Booking a Vacasa vacation rental with Wyndham Rewards offers a sweet spot in award travel. Learn how to find and book a rental here.

Grand Hyatt Playa Del Carmen: Review, Itinerary & Tips

Jennifer McCue2024-03-01T23:34:05-06:00Family Travel Guides, Trip Reports|

Playa del Carmen is a family-friendly destination that packs a [...]

Guide to Booking Vacation Rental Homes with Points

Katie Holden2024-10-29T07:08:38-05:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Full guide for families who want to book vacation rental homes and pay with points!

Best Marriott Family Hotels and Resorts to Book on Points [Map]

Katie Holden2025-03-12T09:23:52-05:00Maps, Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Best Marriott family hotels and Marriott family resorts you can book with Marriott points -- including villas that sleep 8 and waterparks

17 Nights In Japan {Family Itinerary and Tips}

Katie Holden2024-01-31T11:44:40-06:00Trip Reports|

Our family spent almost 3 weeks in Japan in November [...]

Map: Hyatts with Club Lounges

Katie Holden2025-02-18T06:34:31-06:00Maps|

Hyatt Club Lounges are one of our favorite hotel [...]

Southwest Companion Pass Trick: Complete Guide

Katie Holden2024-09-30T20:39:49-05:00Book Flights With Points, Southwest Airlines Tips|

Complete, step by step guide to the Southwest Companion Pass Trick. How to earn, how to book, how to use the Companion Pass from Southwest

Flying to Japan with Points {Guide}

Katie Holden2025-04-01T10:22:01-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Flying to Japan is one of the most common [...]

Flying Blue: Round trip to Europe for 37,500 points + $227

Katie Holden2025-02-14T16:50:24-06:00Book Flights With Points|

By using Flying Blue monthly promos, you can find round trip flights to Europe for as few as 20,000 points and $210.

Top 9 Ways to Use 80,000 Ultimate Rewards Points

Katie Holden2025-04-08T19:31:34-05:00Redeeming Points|

Make the most of your Chase Ultimate Rewards - nine of my favorite ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points, from cash back to an all-inclusive vacation.

Family Success Story: Monterey Bay/San Francisco

Editorial Team2024-07-01T19:22:24-05:00Trip Reports|

Deanna and her family saved over $4500 on this trip by paying with points.

10 Trips You Can Pay for With Points

Editorial Team2024-07-04T11:12:05-05:00Redeeming Points, Travel Points 101|

There are so many options for using your points! If you're looking for ideas, check out these 10 ways you can use your hard earned points.

Family Success Story: Rome, Florence, & Venice

Editorial Team2024-07-01T19:19:40-05:00Trip Reports|

Thanks to @hannwoods9 for sharing her redemption to Venice, [...]

Guide to Flying to Europe On Points

Katie Holden2025-04-15T09:46:02-05:00Book Flights With Points|

Complete guide to the best options for booking flights to Europe with points -- including comparison of fees by airlines.

Southwest Companion Pass Success: Two Passes, Multiple Trips

Editorial Team2024-07-07T14:40:49-05:00Trip Reports|

Rachel and her family use two companion passes for multiple trips around the United States.

Family of 5: Puerto Rico Spring Break on Points

Katie Holden2024-07-07T15:17:06-05:00Redeeming Points, Trip Reports|

Erin and her family’s spring break included a trip to Puerto Rico. They were able to cover 7 hotel nights and all of their flights with points!

Family Success Story: First ever points trip, visiting Panama City Beach!

Editorial Team2024-07-05T14:34:52-05:00Trip Reports|

Thanks to Jenn McCue from @pointingthewaytomemories for sharing her first ever miles and points redemption! Her family traveled to Panama City, Florida.

Family Success Story: Spring Break

Editorial Team2025-02-14T07:01:32-06:00Trip Reports|

Lauren and her family spring break in Las Vegas and Palm Springs including a trip to Joshua Tree National Park and were able to cover 6 hotel nights and all of their flights with points!

Sweet Spot Spotlight: R/T to Japan (now higher prices)

Katie Holden2024-10-23T10:19:12-05:00Book Flights With Points|

Learn easy ways to search for this sweet spot: for just 55,000 miles plus $53 and taxes and fees, you can fly round trip from Seattle to Tokyo. You'll book via Virgin Atlantic but fly on Delta.

Family of 5 Travel Success Story: Maui Vacation

Katie Holden2024-01-25T22:23:43-06:00Trip Reports|

Shenna and her family stayed for 7 nights in Maui in a two bedroom condo and were able to cover flights, the condo, and most of their rental car with points! Read on for all the details.

Best Holiday Inn Club Vacation Properties for Families to Book on Points [Map]

Katie Holden2024-06-26T22:56:44-05:00Maps, Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Holiday Inn Club Vacation is a collection of 30+ [...]

How to Fly EVA Air’s Hello Kitty Plane and Pay With Points

Katie Holden2024-10-23T10:32:49-05:00Book Flights With Points, Redeeming Points|

Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey aboard [...]

Reader Success Story: Oahu and Maui as a Family of 6

Editorial Team2023-10-29T19:26:00-05:00Trip Reports|

Find out how one reader used her miles and points to take her family of 6 to Oahu and Maui!

8 Reasons We Love to Book Hyatt on Points

Editorial Team2024-07-04T15:28:56-05:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Our favorite way to book hotels is Hyatt on points. Here's why we love to book Hyatt on points, along with tips for finding availability.

5 Reasons You Should Take Our Free Points Course

Editorial Team2024-01-24T17:22:19-06:00Credit Cards, Earning Points, Redeeming Points, Travel Points 101|

Unlocking the Power of Points is the ultimate FREE course for those interested in beginning or learning more about travel points.

What We Spent Visiting Universal Orlando: Trip Report

Katie Holden2024-07-08T15:29:18-05:00Redeeming Points, Trip Reports|

Detailed description of our family's expenses on a trip to Universal Orlando. Read which hotel points and airlines miles we used.

Best Universal Orlando Hotel Deals: 16 Hotels Families Can Book with Points

Katie Holden2025-03-17T07:29:56-05:00Redeeming Points, Where to Stay with Points|

Covering your hotel stay when you visit Universal Orlando is a great way to start saving on your vacation. These are my 16 favorite family hotels on points.