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Category: Podcast
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
These are all the experiences we booked in Japan using Viator:
We close out Tokyo with five days in Shibuya, sharing the hotel that worked for a family of five, the food tour that converted our kids into sashimi fans, and a sumo dinner that was fun and very touristy. Duane takes us back to the bases where he grew up, and we end with our honest take on TeamLab Planets and Singapore Airlines long-haul economy.
• Hyatt House Shibuya location, room types, and Globalist perks
• Kitchenette value, laundry realities, and breakfast quality
• Train choices between Shinagawa and Tokyo Station
• Shinjuku food tour highlights and kid-friendly bites
• TeamLab Planets vs Borderless, ticket timing tips
• Sumo dinner format, audience matches, and tourist factor
• Harajuku wins with latte art, misses with mini pig cafe
• Yoyogi Park reset and unplanned wandering
• Returning to Sagamihara and Zama, memory-lane moments
• Singapore Airlines economy vs JAL economy, points costs
Please leave us a rating or review wherever you listen
Any questions, send me a message on Instagram @travelpartyof5!
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
These are all the experiences we booked in Japan using Viator:
In this episode we are sharing our five days spent in Kyoto with kids. From bullet train tactics and early-bird sightseeing to Osaka, Hiroshima reflection, and the messy truth of Nara’s deer, we map what worked and what we’d change.
• Buying Shinkansen tickets on Klook and SmartEX options
• Luggage, seating, ekiben and Mount Fuji side tips
• Hyatt Place Kyoto value, connecting rooms, breakfast strategy
• Nishiki Market
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Ninja class highlights
• Osaka day trip, Dotonbori food, karaoke
• Hiroshima day trip, Miyajima torii, Peace Museum
• Orizuru Tower
• Nara – the deer town
Some experience links may be affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you choose to book through those links. Thank you for supporting our free content by using these links <3
Things we referenced in this episode:
Adventuring With Annie – How to Skip the Lines at Tokyo Disney in 2025
In this episode we share how we tackled two Tokyo Disney parks as a family of five using points, paid and free fast passes, and strategic timing. From cheap-ish tickets and popcorn hunts to a Frozen ride breakdown with a fast refund, we lay out what worked and what we’d change.
• using a Hyatt cert and points to stay near the parks
• shuttle loop logistics and why early entry matters
• buying discounted tickets on Klook and linking the app
• mixing paid and free priority passes to skip lines
• Disneyland ride highlights and Japanese audio notes
• food costs, popcorn flavors, and quick bites
• DisneySea scale, Fantasy Springs, and two‑day advice
• locker strategy for luggage on checkout day
• Ariel’s underground playground for kids and heat relief
• Uber costs, speed, and car seat choices
• the Frozen ride breakdown, refunds, and staff efficiency
• tools we used and what we’d do differently next time
Give us a follow @travelpartyof5 for more behind the scenes videos/content!
Our podcast episode we referenced: Booking a Trip to Japan on Points as a Family of 5
The Photographer we used: https://fleurandhoney.com/
You can absolutely book her direct using the link above. We booked through Flytographer, so if you want to do that instead (or look at other options), this is our Flytographer referral link: https://flytog.co/RAYASAN-AGUSTIN
As always, we appreciate you using our links to help support the podcast!
The ramen restaurant, Ginza Ramen Soryu: https://share.google/aUSl6tXJnb1XeZzSb
In this episode we cover:
• Alaska miles for positioning flight to SFO
• Grand Hyatt SFO convenience and club access
• JAL economy booked with AA miles, kids’ meal tip
• Haneda immigration QR flow and family line
• Private transfer vs public transit on arrival
• Hyatt Centric Ginza suite upgrade saga resolved
• 7‑Eleven, Lawson, Family Mart meal strategies
• Shinjuku family photos, fast edits, direct booking
• Conveyor belt sushi trade‑offs for kids’ fun
• TeamLab Borderless highlights and tea add‑on caution
• Ramen near Ginza worth a return trip
• Language tools: Google Translate and key phrases
• Metro basics with Google Maps and Suica cards
• Stairs, timing, and accessibility notes
• Disney parks preview and where to find links
Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 to see the hotel tours and Tokyo highlights; DM us your questions for quick replies
Ready for an unfiltered look at family travel? Join Raya and Duane as they pull back the curtain on their travel strategies, answering your burning questions about navigating the world with three kids in tow.
Ever wondered how to prepare toddlers for their first flight? Our hosts share their trial-by-fire experiences, from eight-month-old lap infants to red-eye flights with layovers. Their practical advice on entertainment, snacks, and managing expectations comes from years of real-world testing with their own children. The unanimous verdict? Pack more snacks than you think you'll need and don't be afraid to bend your screen time rules when 30,000 feet in the air.
Accommodating a family of five presents unique challenges in a hotel industry designed for parties of four. Raya explains how their pursuit of Hyatt Globalist status was driven by the need for space through suite upgrades, while also exploring alternatives like family plan rates and home exchanges. The conversation takes an honest turn when discussing points valuation – sometimes getting accommodations “free” matters more than optimal redemption value when you're managing the substantial costs of feeding and entertaining multiple children abroad.
The episode dives deep into credit card strategy, with Raya sharing details about their impressive points portfolio (including 600,000 Amex points!) and recent approval experiences. Their candid admission that they “never feel like they have enough points” will resonate with anyone who's caught the travel hacking bug.
Whether you're planning your first family trip or looking to optimize your travel strategy, this ask-me-anything episode delivers practical insights from parents who've learned to navigate the complexities of family travel without sacrificing adventure. Tune in before their next journey – they're off to Japan tomorrow and promise to return with a wealth of new experiences to share!