Category: Podcast

Flytographer referral link – you can use our link to save $25 off your first booking! Thank you in advance for supporting our free content <3

This is the tripod we have for our cell phones – comes with a bluetooth shutter.

Q&A Style episode today! We are answering questions like – What types of rooms do we book to make one hotel room work for a family of 5? 

Also, balancing family vacations with some adult time might seem challenging (because it is) but we're sharing our best tips for sneaking in couple-time during family trips, from booking suites and balcony rooms to utilizing hotel babysitting services and kids clubs. 

Also – how to take good family photos on vacation, creative ways to meet a minimum spend and more. 

Planning a trip that keeps everyone happy, especially in historically rich destinations, can be challenging. We offer insights on aligning travel plans with your kids’ interests and managing expectations when they seem indifferent. 

Plus, get creative tips for managing Christmas shopping and meeting credit card minimum spends—everything from FSA reimbursements to strategic big-ticket purchases. Tune in for what we hope are lots of tips and inspiration to make your family travel experiences both memorable and low stress. 

*Some links may be affiliate links – thank you for supporting our free content, we are so grateful for you!

Our Rakuten Referral Link – Use our link for an extra 10% cashback on top of current rates until 9/30/2024!

Curious how to earn more points without opening yet another credit card? In our opinion, this is the best way to earn a lot of points, besides opening yet another credit card. 

ENTER: Shopping Portals!  This is a full beginner's guide to shopping portals and maximizing your points and miles.  

We review different types of shopping portals, from credit card and airline miles portals to cashback options like Rakuten. We give specific examples of how we have used these various portals recently, AND how many points/cashback we've earned! 

We also share how we've transitioned from mere cashback to racking up American Express membership rewards points using…meal subscription services?!? Sort of.

Whether you're a points novice or a seasoned traveler, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to take your rewards game to the next level.

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

**GIVEAWAY: ENDS 9/7/24! Details: We are raffling off ONE $50 gift card of your choosing (must be able to be sent via email). Ideas: Starbucks, Target, Southwest, Walmart, you name it. 

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: Leave us a review on itunes, screenshot your review and email it to us at travelpartyof5@gmail.com. That's it! I feel like your chances are fairly high. Winner will be contacted 9/8/24. Thank you in advance <3 

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.

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards we refer to in this episode. And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

RideSafer Vest mentioned in this episode
BubbleBum inflatable booster

It seems like the cost of rental cars lately is INSANE. Ever wondered if you can use points to book a rental car and save big? In this episode we're sharing our best ways to maximize your points and credit card benefits, along with our top tips for reducing rental car costs. From selecting the right vehicle size for your family to avoiding unnecessary extras, we share our personal experiences and practical advice. Plus, we’re giving away a $50 gift card for listeners who leave a review on iTunes and send us a screenshot!

Learn about tools like AutoSlash that can help you secure lower rental rates and the perks of elite status with rental car companies, achieved through premium credit cards. We’ll also discuss the benefits of using travel portals and annual travel credits from cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you’re planning your first family trip or you're a seasoned traveler, our tips will ensure you save money while enjoying a safe and convenient journey. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more real-time updates and behind-the-scenes fun!

**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**

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using 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

Click here to apply for our favorite points – we used these points to book our flights to Paris next year for all 5 of us!  And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here.

For all the cards we recommend beyond Chase, those are linked here INCLUDING THE IHG CARD WE USED TO BOOK THE KIMPTON SEAFIRE! It's the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, but any IHG card would work. 

**Some 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**

In this episode, we're diving into the details of our kid-free trip to the Grand Cayman Islands, focusing on our stay at the Kimpton Seafire Resort. We'll share how we booked the trip using points and miles, how much we saved, and our plans to bring our kids back here (that's how much we loved it!)

Every year we try to do at least one kid-free getaway, which we always plan around my birthday. This year, we chose the Grand Cayman Islands, and it was one of the best trips we've ever had.

The Grand Cayman Islands are stunning. It's a must-visit destination if you haven't been there yet. This time, our experience was even better because we stayed at the Kimpton Seafire Resort, which was maybe the nicest hotel we've ever stayed at. It is truly a 5 star / 5 diamond hotel. 

Booking our stay at the Kimpton Seafire was made possible using points. About a year ago, I signed up for the IHG Premier Rewards card during an elevated offer period and earned 180,000 points. With the IHG card, you get the fourth night free when booking with points. So, our four-night stay required 210,000 points. We had 185,000 points already, so we bought the remaining points needed, taking advantage of an 80% bonus promotion. This cost us $161.

It's important to note that IHG resorts, like the Kimpton Seafire, charge a resort fee even on points bookings. At $80 a day, our total resort fee was $320, bringing our out-of-pocket expense to $480 for a stay that would have cost over $5,000 in cash.

The resort fee at the Kimpton Seafire covers a lot, including non-motorized beach activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. The amenities were fantastic, from the beautiful beach to the daily happy hour with free wine. We also enjoyed frozen treats like sugared grapes and popsicles while lounging on the beach.

Our room was an ocean view king, which was breathtaking. The view was amazing from the moment we walked in. Although we hoped for an upgrade, we were still very pleased with our room.

For meals, the resort has several restaurants, including two fine dining options, Ave and Ave Sita. We enjoyed our breakfasts and dinners at Ave, with its fantastic food. The pool bar and beachfront bar, Coccoloba, offered delicious casual dining.

One day, we took a boat trip to Starfish Point and then to a bioluminescence bay, where the water glows when agitated. It was an incredible experience, despite a few jellyfish stings.

The staff at the Kimpton Seafire were exceptional, making us feel like VIPs. They greeted us by name, acknowledged my birthday with special treats, and provided impeccable service throughout our stay.

Despite a minor hiccup with the fire alarm going off twice during our stay, the hotel handled it wel

Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using 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

Click here to apply for our favorite points – we used these points to book our flights to Paris next year for all 5 of us!  And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

For all the cards we recommend beyond Chase, those are linked here. 

**Some 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**

In today's episode I am sharing my first-time business class journey on an Air France flight from Paris to Phoenix, including the process of how I upgraded from economy to business class. ensuring you never miss out on the comfort and luxury of premium travel. 

In this episode of the Travel Party of Five podcast, join us as we dive into the world of Air France Business Class, sharing our experiences to help families make the most of their travel adventures using points and miles.

I am sharing my first-time business class journey on an Air France flight from Paris to Phoenix, including the process of how I upgraded from an economy ticket using a combination of points and a last-minute cash payment. 

We're also sharing all the family-friendly benefits Air France offers families, especially when booking on points, such as a 25% discount on award bookings for kids and guaranteed seating together without extra fees. Learn how we booked an economy flight from Chicago to Paris for just 85,000 points! If you're planning a family trip to Europe, this episode is for you. 

We also discuss the availability of award seats on Air France Business Class. Unlike many airlines that limit the number of award seats, Air France often has multiple seats available, making it easier for larger families to secure business class tickets using points. 

Another standout feature of Air France is their commitment to seating families together. Unlike some airlines that charge extra for seat selection, Air France guarantees that parents and children will be seated together without any additional fees. 

The episode wraps up with a discussion on the ease of accumulating Air France Flying Blue points. As a transfer partner of all four major banks (Chase, American Express, Capital One, and Citi), Air France offers numerous opportunities to earn and combine points. Transfer bonuses often sweeten the deal, allowing families to accumulate the necessary points for Air France Business Class flights more quickly and efficiently.

Whether you’re dreaming of flying Air France Business Class or simply looking for a reliable and family-friendly airline for your next European vacation, this episode is packed with tips, personal experiences, and expert advice. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your points and miles, and start planning your unforgettable family journey with Air France.

As always, if you have questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to Raya and Duane on Instagram at @TravelParty5. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating on Spotify or a review on iTunes. Thank you for listening, and happy travels!