Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad

• 125. TMS Heads South of the Border—Points-Powered Trips to Mexico & Honduras

  In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad is heading south! Jess shares her birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Pam and Alex walk us through their tropical getaway to Roatán, Honduras. From charming colonial cities to vibrant beachside resorts, both of these escapes were powered by points and miles—and they’re breaking down exactly how you can do it, too. Jess’s San Miguel de Allende Birthday Getaway For her birthday, Jess wanted a trip that was cute, walkable, and filled with culture—and San Miguel de Allende checked all the boxes. She used points to book her flights and free nights at a boutique hotel that had cash rates of $800/night—a steal!  Jess shared how San Miguel felt totally different from places like Cancun—more Spanish-speaking, with rooftop restaurants, cobblestone streets, and an artsy vibe. She loved practicing her Spanish and appreciated how kid-friendly the town was (though leave the stroller at home). Highlights included a rooftop pool, the hotel’s mascot dog Pancho (who even has his own Instagram), and a standout breakfast. Pro tip: order the San Miguel–style eggs! Roatán with Pam & Alex: Direct Flights & Island Vibes Pam and Alex flew to Roatán using United miles and IHG points. They started their stay in a bungalow—secluded, rustic, and quiet—then upgraded mid-trip to a Premium Ocean View room in the newer building.  Beach Time, Dining, and That Sweet Island Energy Roatán was a totally different vibe—bustling but beautiful. From colorful buildings to locals selling snacks on the beach, Pam and Alex loved the laid-back charm. Highlights included hotel spa visits, hospitality hours, and free snorkel gear and kayaks, plus great dining spots in town. Even when the resort was at maximum capacity, it still felt relaxing and fun. Alex and Pam both liked this resort even better than the Kimpton Grand Cayman, which is high praise! If you’re dreaming of warm weather and want a new destination to add to your points wish list, this episode is packed with inspiration, strategy, and a few laughs. Tune in and start planning your own tropical escape! ☀️🌴   Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Webinar: https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation/ Numu Hotel: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/mexico/numu/bjxub Kimpton Grand Roatán: https://www.grandroatanresortandspa.com/us/en   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Intro: Why we love heading south in the winter with points 01:00 – Jess’s birthday trip to San Miguel de Allende 04:00 – Booking with Aeroplan and staying at Numu Boutique Hotel 07:00 – Tips for families, babywearing, and rooftop culture 13:00 – Room service prices, local food, and practicing Spanish 15:00 – Pam & Alex’s flight and IHG hotel booking for Roatán 21:00 – Room types: bungalow vs. ocean view 27:00 – Resort highlights, spa, and food options 34:00 – Beach-chair drama and family-friendly vibes 42:00 – Comparing Kimptons 46:30 – Why we’d go back—and why you should go!

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• 124. All About the IHG Hotel Program

  In this episode, we’re diving deep into IHG One Rewards—a hotel program that often flies under the radar but has serious potential. From practical Holiday Inns to luxury Kimptons and InterContinentals, we’re sharing our experiences using IHG points and free-night awards, how we earn them, and why buying IHG points (yes, buying!) can actually be a smart move. What Even Is IHG? Before diving into points and miles, most of us didn’t even know IHG was the brand behind properties like Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, and InterContinental. Jess shares how she earned free IHG stays back in the day by mailing in 90 index cards, and Pam tells how she thought Crowne Plazas were the height of luxury before she knew the full IHG lineup. IHG Credit Cards: What to Know Alex breaks down the three different IHG credit card options and how their benefits stack up so you can decide which one might work best for you.  She also outlines two of the unique benefits that make two of these cards a great deal: getting a fourth night free on award stays and earning free-night certificates you can top up. Buying IHG Points Can Actually Make Sense Pam shares why she regularly buys IHG points—especially during 100% bonus sales—for heavily discounted stays at high-end IHG properties. She calls it a “no-brainer,” and Jess agrees—IHG is one of the only programs where buying points often makes sense. Where We’ve Used IHG Points and Awards From a Kimpton in Barcelona, to airport Holiday Inns, to a Crowne Plaza in Bruges, we share how we’ve stretched our points and free-night certificates. Jess highlights how easy it is to top off a 40k free-night certificate online, and Alex reminds everyone about the best ways to book longer stays for couples. We also discuss: IHG status levels Using certificates online (a breeze!) The IHG brands we love most Our dream stays: Six Senses, Kimpton in Sydney, and Hotel Indigo Galápagos Links: All About IHG Credit Cards: All About IHG Credit Cards - Travel Mom Squad - https://travelmomsquad.com/ihg-revamps-credit-cards Purchasing IHG Points: Does It Make Sense? Purchasing IHG Points: Does It Make Sense? - Travel Mom Squad - https://travelmomsquad.com/purchasing-ihg-points-does-it-make-sense/ Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Our intro to IHG 03:00 – What cards we’ve had and what we recommend 06:45 – The best perks and status levels with IHG cards 09:30 – Why we buy IHG points (and how it saves $$$) 13:30 – Free-night certificates and how to use them wisely 18:00 – Where we’ve stayed using IHG points and awards 21:00 – The brands we love: Kimpton, Indigo, InterContinental 26:00 – Favorite past stays + the IHG hotels we want to try next If you’ve been sleeping on IHG, take another look. Whether you’re after practical one-night stays or a luxury resort getaway, there’s more value here than you think. 🎧 Tune in now and start planning your next points-powered stay.

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• 123. Behind the Magic—Ways to Save at Disney World This Summer

  In this episode, Jess and Alex are sharing all the magic, insights, and travel tips they brought back from a recent media event at Walt Disney World. From exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to exciting new ticket and resort updates, they’re joined by Megan—Travel Mom Squad’s Disney expert—to talk about how to make a Disney trip more affordable, less stressful, and extra special using points and miles. What’s New at Disney World? Big Updates & Summer Deals During the media event, Jess and Alex sat in on a panel with Disney execs and Imagineers who revealed upcoming changes and summer promotions—like 50% off tickets for kids (ages 3–9) and free dining plans for guests booking resort packages. They also shared how Disney is working to simplify the experience, with improvements to the Lightning Lane system and new family-focused resort programming.  Why Staying On-Property Might Be the Best Deal One of the biggest takeaways? Staying at a Disney resort may cost less than you think—especially when you consider perks like free transportation, early park access, and even character visits right in the hotel. The team shares highlights from a private resort tour, including a peek at value resorts like Art of Animation (with family suites for six!), the moderate Coronado Springs, and the deluxe Boardwalk Inn. Megan also breaks down recent stays at the Swan and Dolphin, All-Star Music, and off-property Hyatts—and why she’s team Disney all the way. Making Disney More Affordable with Points & Miles Jess, Alex, and Megan walk through the credit cards they recommend for offsetting the cost of Disney, including the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card for erasing ticket purchases and American Express® Gold Card for dining. They also explain how to book hotels using points for on-site stays.  Park Tips, Lightning Lanes & Planning Strategies From early-entry tips to the best times to ride Peter Pan (hint: before 9am), this episode is packed with practical Disney advice. Megan also shares how she used the Southwest® Companion Pass to cut flight costs and why her family skipped Lightning Lanes altogether on some trips.  Planning a Disney trip this summer? This episode is packed with what you really need to know—straight from the Travel Mom Squad’s latest Disney adventure. Hit play or share it with a Disney-loving friend! 🎢🏰✨ Overwhelmed at the thought of planning your own Disney vacation? Travel Mom Squad has partnered with Mouse Counselors, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, to help community members maximize their Disney and travel experiences! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Disney Offers: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers Get Away Today affiliate link: Get Away Today - Discount Disney Vacations & Beyond Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: https://travelmomsquad.com/capital-one-venture-rewards-credit-card Cash-Back Card: https://travelmomsquad.com/cibpremier Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Behind-the-scenes insights from Disney’s media event 08:00 – Major summer deals: 50% off kids’ tickets & dining plan updates 14:00 – Disney resorts overview: value, moderate, and deluxe picks 30:00 – Megan shares on-property vs. off-property comparisons 40:00 – Tips for early entry, Lightning Lanes, and maximizing park time 45:00 – Using points and credit cards to make Disney more affordable 51:00 – Final thoughts and favorite takeaways

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• 122. Pam's Trip to New Zealand Using Points and Miles

  New Zealand has been high on so many of your travel wish lists—and for good reason! In this episode, Pam shares details from her recent two-week adventure on the North Island of New Zealand, including how she booked business-class flights, multiple free hotel nights, and even covered rental cars and excursions—all using points and miles (and one fortuitous mistake fare). From kayaking Cathedral Cove to digging out hot tubs at Hot Water Beach, it’s a trip full of unforgettable experiences and major travel inspiration. Finding Flights to New Zealand: A Challenge (and a Win!) Getting to New Zealand in business class is no easy feat, but Pam pulled it off. After struggling to find availability, she scored two one-way business-class award tickets from Dallas to Auckland. The return flight was a mistake fare in United Polaris for just $1,000 cash (normally $3,800+).  Points-Powered Luxury: Park Hyatt Auckland & More Pam raved about the Park Hyatt Auckland, calling it one of her favorite Park Hyatts ever. For just 25,000 Hyatt points per night, she enjoyed stunning views of the harbor, incredible Globalist breakfast, and unbeatable service. She also used Capital One Venture X credits to cover stays at boutique resorts. The Itinerary: Coastal Drives, Kayaks, and Tiny Houses Bay of Islands: Booked via Capital One credits, with a scenic boat tour to Hole in the Rock Cathedral Cove: Kayaking through crystal-clear waters to one of New Zealand’s most famous spots Hot Water Beach: Digging hot tubs in naturally heated sand Rotorua & Lake Taupo: Rafting a 21-foot waterfall, visiting Maori villages, and relaxing in Hilton luxury Bonus Stay: A tiny house Airbnb—Pam’s dream come true! The Total Cost Breakdown Using a mix of points, miles, Capital One credits, and cash, Pam calculated her total out-of-pocket costs at around $3,000—a fraction of the $28,000+ retail value for flights and hotels. With ten nights of free hotel stays, complimentary breakfasts, and first-class flight experiences, it was an unforgettable journey made possible by smart planning and strategic redemptions.   Links: How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free - https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Why Pam did New Zealand: Take 2 03:00 – Booking flights with AA miles and a United mistake fare 08:30 – Pam’s advice for finding flights to New Zealand 13:00 – Park Hyatt Auckland + Waiheke Island day trip 18:00 – Bay of Islands and boutique hotel stay 21:00 – Tiny house stay and Cathedral Cove 26:00 – Rafting a waterfall and Maori village experience 31:00 – Hilton Lake Taupo and relaxing 35:00 – Flying United Polaris home + final night at Grand Hyatt DFW 38:00 – Cost recap and final thoughts on why Pam can’t wait to return Thinking about a trip to New Zealand? This episode will show you it’s totally possible with points and miles—and that even Grandma can conquer a 21-foot waterfall! 🛶🌿✈️  

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• 121. Top 3 Ways to Use Each Flexible Points Currency

  Not sure how to maximize your points? In this episode, we break down the top three ways to use each of the four major flexible points currencies—our favorite points currency (IYKYK), American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points—so you can book travel smarter. Our favorite points: Best for Hyatt & Flights It's easy to see why our favorite kind of points are just that! They're a gold mine for Hyatt stays, which offer the best value per point. Transfers to United Airlines can be great for international flights, and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) often has solid award deals to Europe. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Hyatt transfers – Best hotel value in points & miles United Airlines – Easy redemptions for family travel Flying Blue transfers – Discounted flights to Europe Capital One Venture Miles: Airline Sweet Spots & Simple Redemptions Capital One has grown into a top travel program. Air Canada Aeroplan and Turkish Airlines have some nice redemtpion sweet spots, and using Venture Miles to get a statement credit (often referred to as a "purchase eraser") for travel purchases gives you incredible flexibility. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Air Canada Aeroplan – Great for international flights Turkish Airlines – Cheap flights to Hawaii & Europe Purchase Eraser – Easiest way to redeem miles American Express Membership Rewards®: Best for Bonuses & Luxury Travel Amex regularly offers transfer bonuses, making points stretch further. British Airways is great for booking American Airlines flights, Flying Blue offers discounted business-class redemptions, and Hilton transfers shine for aspirational stays. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: British Airways for AA/Iberia flights – Cheap awards to Europe Flying Blue transfers – Business-class deals to Paris Hilton transfers – High-end redemptions like Conrad Bora Bora Citi ThankYou® Points: Hidden Gems & Future AA Transfers Citi’s best partners include Turkish Airlines, Choice Hotels, and Avianca LifeMiles. American Airlines transfers coming in 2026 make Citi even more exciting! ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Turkish Airlines – Best deal for United flights to Hawaii Choice Hotels – 1:2 transfers for premium stays Avianca LifeMiles – Cheap business-class tickets Final Thoughts: Which Points Currency Is Best? Each program has its strengths! One dominates for Hyatt, American Express is best for transfer bonuses, Capital One shines with easy redemptions, and Citi has exciting future potential. Not sure where to start? Hit play now for all the details and our best strategies! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: Transfer Partner & Airline Alliance Master List - https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/transfer-partners Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Why flexible points are so valuable 02:00 – Our favorite points: Best ways to redeem for hotels & flights 06:45 – Capital One: Airline sweet spots & easy redemptions 12:30 – American Express: Transfer bonuses & luxury redemptions 20:00 – Citi: Hidden gems & the future of AA transfers 26:00 – Final thoughts & which program fits your travel goals Ready to make the most of your points? Listen to the full episode now and start booking smarter! 🚀✈️  

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