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Want to bring your favorite travel buddy along on Southwest flights without paying for a second airfare? What if I told you that with a little strategy, the right credit card bonuses, and some smart timing, you could potentially unlock this benefit for nearly TWO YEARS? It's one of my favorite ways to make family travel more affordable, and the best part? You don't necessarily need to spend a fortune or own a huge business to make it happen. Let's walk through how it works, w

Once upon a time, taking my family to Hawaii felt like a dream. Hawaii was for rich people, and we ain’t rich. But back in late 2019, during a major Southwest sale, I realized we had just enough points to fly our family to Oahu. We were a family of five at the time, but one of our kids was still a lap child, so we only needed four tickets. I thought I was BALLIN’. We redeemed basically every Southwest point we had, found a cheap Airbnb, packed our bags, and in early 2020, bef

Disney tickets are one of those travel expenses that can be surprisingly difficult to cover with points and miles. Flights? Easy. Hotels? Plenty of options. Disney park tickets? That’s where things get a little more creative. If you have Capital One miles, there’s a relatively simple way to use them toward Disney tickets: purchase your tickets from a seller that codes as travel, then use Capital One’s Cover Travel Purchases feature to offset the charge with miles. Why Capital

So, what’s the major change? Getting a business card has always been a key part of the strategy for earning a Southwest Companion Pass FAST. But that strategy just got a little trickier. Chase, the issuer of Southwest credit cards, appears to have tightened approval requirements for business-card applicants applying as sole proprietors. Previously, approvals generally followed what we affectionately call the 5/24 rule: if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards from

Ireland is one of those places where no amount of time ever feels like enough. It is simply lovely. But Northern Ireland, in particular, completely won us over with its rolling green hills, dramatic coastline, and pristine landscapes. For reference, we visited at the beginning of September, and several locals told us the weather was “about to change.” We were lucky enough to enjoy beautiful weather for most of our stay, but if you’re traveling around this time of year, defini

I pretty much always book Basic fares. It works for me because I’ve racked up a good amount of points (thank you, welcome bonuses 🙌) and I know Southwest pretty well at this point. But don’t worry—no gatekeeping here. If you’re booking Southwest’s cheapest fares, here’s something you should know about getting your points (or flight credit) back when prices drop after you book. And if you’re thinking, “yeah yeah, it’s probably in the fine print”… listen, I say this with love

A limited-time offer (ending 3/11/2026) is back on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase , and it’s one of the best bonuses we regularly see on this card. Right now, new applicants can earn 5 Free Night Awards after meeting the minimum spending requirement. If you use the certificates strategically, the bonus alone could easily cover a long weekend—or even a full vacation. Here’s everything you need to know. The Current Offer The current welcome bonus is: Ea

When a credit card application goes into review, it usually just means the bank wants a human to double-check something. Common reasons: Identity verification – something didn’t match exactly. Recent card activity – multiple new accounts or hard pulls. Too much credit with that bank – they may need to reallocate limits. Internal rules – like 5/24 with Chase or other issuer-specific policies. It doesn’t mean denial — just that the computer didn’t auto-approve it. Many pend

If you’ve been around this corner of the internet for any amount of time, you know we’re big Hyatt people. One of our favorite sweet spots has always been earning Chase points and transferring them to World of Hyatt for incredible hotel stays. But Hyatt just announced a major program update — and changes go into effect May 2026 . While I’m not quite as heartbroken as some in the points-and-miles world (more on that in a minute), it’s still definitely a bummer. Let’s break it

If you hold the right American Express card, the Resy dining credit can be one of the easiest ways to offset your annual fee — and enjoy great meals along the way. In this guide, I’ll walk through: ✅ Which Amex cards offer Resy credits ✅ How much each credit is worth ✅ Exactly how to trigger it ✅ Where to find eligible restaurants Let’s dig in. What Is the Amex Resy Credit? The Resy credit is a statement credit you earn after dining at eligible restaurants on the Resy platfo

If you’ve been in the points and miles world for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard people say: “Just transfer your points to travel partners.” But what does that actually mean? Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible. 💱 Think of It Like Currency Exchange Imagine you’re traveling to Japan. You wouldn’t walk around Tokyo trying to pay for everything with U.S. dollars — you’d exchange your dollars for Japanese yen first because yen goes further there. Tran

We recently stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa completely on points… and I genuinely fear I may never love another hotel as much as this one. It was pure magic. From the moment you walk into the open-air lobby—with ocean views and tropical breezes—you feel like you’ve arrived somewhere special. The resort has a stunning multi-level pool complex (complete with a lazy river and saltwater lagoon), direct access to Poipu Beach, incredible on-site dining, and beautifull

Note- offer below ends 2/26/2026 Let’s talk Hyatt hotels ✨ Hyatt is one of the easiest—and most valuable—hotel programs to use with points. We personally stay at Hyatt almost every time we book a hotel because the points go far and the booking process is simple and predictable. Most people earn Hyatt points by transferring Chase points, but Hyatt also has its own credit cards that earn Hyatt points directly. No transferring required. The Current Offer (and the Important Cla

Please note this offer has expired. Offers change all the time so check out the blog for most recent promotions. This exclusive offer allows you to earn a Southwest companion pass with just ONE credit card for a limited time. There are three personal cards available, each with slightly different offers. All cards will grant a companion pass valid through 2/28/2027 once you meet the minimum spending requirements. Each card has unique spending and bonus criteria. Ready to get s

I know how frustrating it can be to get a credit card denial. It happens to all of us from time to time—even when you have good credit and pay your bills on time. So first things first: don’t panic . A denial doesn’t mean you did something wrong, and it definitely doesn’t mean you’re locked out of points and miles forever. Use this guide to figure out what your next move should be and how to turn a “no” into a smarter strategy. ✅ STEP 1: Stop. Do Not Immediately Apply for A

Here’s why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is the best beginner travel credit card in 2026 — and how its perks easily offset the $95 annual fee. ✈️ Why It’s a Must-Have for Travel Rewards It’s beginner-friendly, packed with value, and helps you earn flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points which are some of the flexible points you can earn in the reward travel world. 💰 Sign-Up Bonus + Earning Potential Right now you'll earn 75,000 points after meeting the minimum spend — worth

💳 The Hidden Goldmine of Travel Points (That No One Told Me About!) When I first started dabbling in the world of credit card points, I thought I was doing pretty well. I had my fancy new personal card, a few thousand points rolling in, and I was feeling very jet-set. But then I discovered the real jackpot: business credit cards. We’re talking huge bonuses, insane perks, and the best part? Opening or closing them barely makes a dent on your personal credit. Game. Changer.

Ready to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass? Here’s Exactly How to Do It You might be wondering: Which cards should I open? How much will it cost? How do I earn enough points—and when? Let’s break it all down step-by-step so you can time everything perfectly and maximize your rewards. First, the basics: You’ll need 135,000 qualifying points within a single calendar year to earn the Companion Pass. Once you have it, your designated companion flies with you for nearly free (just

One of the most common things I hear when I talk about earning travel rewards is: “I’d love to get into points, but I don’t spend enough to meet the minimum spend.” And honestly? That’s a valid concern. So before we go any further, let’s make one thing VERY clear: 🚫 You should never spend extra money just to earn points. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it. No flight, no hotel, no bonus is worth debt or financial stress. Full stop. But… here’s the part most people don’t real

If you’ve been in the points-and-miles world for even five minutes, you already know: Chase Ultimate Rewards® are some of the most valuable points you can earn. They’re flexible, easy to redeem, and insanely powerful when used for travel. That’s why you’ll constantly see travel creators and award-booking pros talking about the Chase Ink Business® lineup. The Chase Ink Family at a Glance There are 4 cards in the Ink Business family: Card Annual Fee Earns Ultimate Rewards? Ca