Episodios

  • 142. Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Key Updates & Our Favorite Earning Cards

    142. Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Key Updates & Our Favorite Earning Cards
    Aug 19 2025
    Are Chase Ultimate Rewards® still the best points for travel? The Travel Mom Squad certainly thinks so. These points offer unmatched flexibility and value, making them a cornerstone of any serious travel rewards strategy. With recent changes to Chase’s offerings, this episode is your guide to the essential updates in 2025.

    In this episode, the Squad dives into why Chase Ultimate Rewards® remain their top choice and breaks down all the cards that earn them. From the revamped Chase Sapphire Reserve® to the no-annual-fee Freedom cards, they explain how each card fits into a comprehensive strategy to maximize points. Whether you’re planning a luxury hotel stay or flights for your whole family, they’ll share the strategies that turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/142

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    39 m
  • 141. Bora Bora on Points: Flights, Hotels, and Upgrades

    141. Bora Bora on Points: Flights, Hotels, and Upgrades
    Aug 12 2025
    Overwater bungalows in Bora Bora might seem like a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, but what if you could experience it more than once? The crystal-clear lagoons and breathtaking Polynesian sunsets are even sweeter when you know how to make this dream destination a reality without breaking the bank. Points and miles turn this exclusive getaway into a repeatable experience, without the steep price tag.

    This week, Alex, Pam, and Jess share their second trips to the Conrad Bora Bora. From positioning flights to the West Coast to navigating French Polynesia's inter-island connections, they’re diving deep into the strategies that made these trips possible. You'll hear about the airlines with the best award options, how to maximize your time on the island with red-eye flights, and the real costs to expect once you arrive. Plus, they share their thoughts on whether Bora Bora or the Maldives offers the best overwater villa experience.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/141

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    1 h y 7 m
  • 140. Maximize Hotel Free-Night Certificates: Comparing Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG

    140. Maximize Hotel Free-Night Certificates: Comparing Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG
    Aug 5 2025
    No one loves the annual fees of credit cards, but what if they could save you hundreds on travel? Free-night certificates are one of the most valuable perks you can earn from hotel credit cards, and with the right strategy, they can easily pay for themselves year after year. While many travelers cancel their cards after claiming the welcome bonus, the savvy few know that some cards deliver ongoing value, thanks to these certificates.

    In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad breaks down how hotel free-night certificates from Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG can transform your travel planning. We share specific redemption examples, reveal which cards we keep just for these certificates, and explore how to maximize their value—whether you're booking a luxury stay or using them for family trips. By understanding the unique ways each brand offers and limits these certificates, you can get far more than you paid in annual fees.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/140

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    48 m
  • 139. Travel Light: Carry-On Only Packing and Essential Tips

    139. Travel Light: Carry-On Only Packing and Essential Tips
    Jul 29 2025
    Dragging multiple suitcases through cobblestone streets in Europe while trying to catch a train is the moment many travelers realize they've packed too much. The struggle of navigating airports with excessive luggage, waiting at baggage claim, and worrying about lost bags can turn what should be an exciting journey into a stressful ordeal.

    The Squad has mastered the art of traveling with just a carry-on, even on trips lasting two weeks or more. In this episode, they share their tested strategies for making carry-on travel work, including their favorite luggage choices, packing techniques, and the mindset shift required to leave the overpacking habits behind. You'll discover how to handle everything from liquids and toiletries to choosing versatile clothing, plus tips for surviving jet lag and navigating new visa requirements like the UK's ETA system.

    TMS's favorirte eye mask (under "Travel Products"): https://www.amazon.com/shop/travelmomsquad

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/139

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    49 m
  • 138. The BEST Hotel Chain for Using & Earning Points

    138. The BEST Hotel Chain for Using & Earning Points
    Jul 22 2025

    When choosing where to spend your hard-earned hotel points, the options can feel overwhelming. Each major hotel chain promises value, but the reality often falls short when you discover that dream property costs triple what you expected in points. This week, the Travel Mom Squad takes a dive deep into why one hotel program stands head and shoulders above the rest.

    Through specific strategies for earning points, maximizing elite benefits, and leveraging unique program features, you'll discover how to unlock luxury hotel stays without breaking the bank. Whether you're booking a $1,000-per-night property in Maui or securing a hotel room during a big sports event, you'll learn exactly how this amazing hotel chain's program structure creates consistent value that other dynamic pricing models can't match.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/138

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    41 m
  • 137. Iceland & Ireland with Points: Jess's 10-Day Family Adventure

    137. Iceland & Ireland with Points: Jess's 10-Day Family Adventure
    Jul 15 2025

    Planning a bucket-list trip to Iceland and Ireland might seem out of reach for a family of five, but what if you could score flights and hotels using mostly points and miles? Jess recently returned from this exact adventure, navigating the tricky world of Iceland flight bookings and European hotel room occupancy limits with strategic planning and some insider knowledge.

    Jess takes us through her 10-day journey, breaking down exactly how she used points and miles for flights from Chicago to Reykjavik with a stopover, then onward to Dublin. She shares the specific redemption strategies for Hilton points at the Canopy Reykjavik and how she creatively solved the challenge of fitting five people into European hotels that typically accommodate only two per room. From working with local trip planners to maximize their limited time in each country to discovering hidden gems like private cliff tours in Ireland, this episode provides the roadmap for making it all happen without breaking the bank.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/137

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    49 m
  • 136. Solo Travel Tips & Points Strategies with Kelsi from PointSisters

    136. Solo Travel Tips & Points Strategies with Kelsi from PointSisters
    Jul 8 2025

    In this episode, Jess and Alex are joined by Kelsi Sullivan, one half of PointSisters on Instagram, who has mastered the art of solo travel using points and miles. Kelsi brings a unique perspective shaped by her international upbringing and her discovery of the financial independence community. Her journey from casual miles collector to strategic points optimizer shows how solo travelers can thrive in the points and miles world.

    Throughout the conversation, Jess, Alex, and Kelsi explore how solo travelers can approach earning and redeeming points while traveling alone, safety considerations for solo female travelers, and specific strategies for maximizing value without a traditional "player two." Kelsi shares concrete examples from her adventures in Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, and beyond, revealing how she stretches her points across multiple international trips each year.

    You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/136

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    43 m
  • 135. Where to Stay in Maui: Are Timeshare Presentations Worth It?

    135. Where to Stay in Maui: Are Timeshare Presentations Worth It?
    Jul 1 2025

    Getting a discounted stay at a luxury Maui resort sounds too good to be true, especially when the catch involves sitting through a timeshare presentation. After receiving a letter from Marriott Vacation Club offering a discounted five-night stay at a Westin property, Alex decided to see if the savings were worth the 90-minute sales pitch.

    In addition to hearing the pros and cons of attending a timeshare presentation, this episode gives you an inside look at popular Maui resorts such as Andaz Maui, the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, and Hyatt Regency Maui. Hear the Travel Mom Squad's differing recommendations for visiting Maui based on your travel needs, and whether or not they recommend sitting through a timeshare presentation for the discounted stay.

    You can find links to the hotels, tours, and other resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/135

    Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/

    The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad

    Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad
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    1 h