Category: Podcast

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 renovations 
• Benefits of securing club access 
• Dining experiences and reviews of hotel restaurants 
• Highlights of the spa and wellness treatments 
• Tips for families planning a visit to the hotel

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 destinations like Panama City Beach and Clearwater 
• Exploring Washington, D.C. as a free and fun travel option 
• Recommendations for enjoyable stays in San Diego and Hawaii 
• Advising on how to effectively search and book last-minute trips 
• Emphasizing the value of utilizing points for travel experiences 
• Encouraging families to set out on spontaneous trips and make lasting memories

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 
• Sharing personal anecdotes about stressful travel experiences 
• Discussing the impact of mental health on travel dynamics 
• Encouraging positive reframing of travel experiences 
• Highlighting the importance of community support and shared stories

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 charm of the city and detailing how to effectively use travel points for hotel bookings. 

• Reflections on the Montreal experience in January 
• Insights into opening new credit cards for travel rewards 
• Experience at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth during a workers' strike 
• Exploring Old Montreal and its unique winter charm 
• Understanding the Accor loyalty program and point transfers 
• Tips for navigating customs and travel delays effectively

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 spring break travels in Paris and Spain 
• Summer plans for Oceanside and adjustments due to Hyatt renovations 
• Strategy for credit card usage to accumulate travel points 
• Exploring new travel apps for budgeting and trip planning 
• Goals for the podcast: reaching more families with travel inspiration