Category: Podcast

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!

Cardpointers
MaxRewards
Travel Freely
Rocket Money

Max My Point
Point.me
PointsYeah.com

Ever felt overwhelmed by the world of credit card points and miles? Me too! It can be A LOT. Fortunately we've found some apps to help us manage this hobby and they've really made it super easy. This episode is all about getting yourself organized in the world of credit card points and miles. We are sharing our favorite tools, like Rocket Money, that streamline your budgeting by importing and categorizing all your transactions. We’ll also touch on other apps like EveryDollar and YNAB but explain why Rocket Money is our go-to for its user-friendly interface and precise transaction tracking. 

We talk about an app that makes sure you're getting the full value out of all of your monthly/yearly credit card benefits/credits/perks, and another that advises you on which credit card to use to get the most points for your purchases. 

We also dive into the Travel Freely app, a comprehensive tool that keeps track of your credit card details, sign-up bonuses, and annual fees, making sure you never miss an opportunity to maximize your benefits.

We also shed light on some of our favorite travel planning resources, and some of the best points tracker websites like Max My Point, Point.me, and PointsYeah, which help you monitor point availability for hotels and flights. 

Tune in and transform how you manage your credit card rewards and travel points, making every trip a rewarding experience!

All of our favorite cards and links are here: https://beacons.ai/travelpartyof5

We think road trips are the EASIEST way to get started using points and miles!!! It's so low risk and can have big rewards. 

If you've ever wondered how to make family road trips less stressful and more fun, this is for you. We're giving you all of our best tips for road trips with kids. We even reveal what it was like to take our son on his first road trip to Las Vegas at just six weeks old, offering insights that both seasoned road trippers and newcomers will find invaluable.

From managing food and entertainment expenses to ensuring a smooth ride, we cover all the essentials for a successful family road trip. Learn how substantial breakfasts and portable snacks can keep both your budget and your kids happy, and discover the magic of iPads with pre-downloaded shows for keeping little ones entertained. We also share tech must-haves like Bluetooth headphones and portable chargers, and recommend carrying a twin air mattress for that pesky extra kid (ha). 

Join us for a road trip down memory lane and take away practical advice to make your next family adventure the best one yet.

Click here to apply for the Chase Sapphire Cards we refer to in this episode – we used these points to book all our Hyatt hotels.

And if you've already got one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you'll want to apply for these business cards, linked here. 

All other best cards (including the Capital One Venture and Venture X cards which you can use to erase travel expenses) are linked here!

In this episode – Not all trips go as planned. In fact, some of them never even make it off the drawing room floor (so to speak).

In this episode we're sharing our thought process as we attempted to plan a family trip to Yellowstone, but (spoiler alert) realized halfway through we had to pivot and save Yellowstone for another time. 

We get a lot of questions about how we plan our trips, and today, we're sharing our planning process for our upcoming family trip to Yellowstone. 

First, we discuss the decision between driving and flying to Yellowstone. From Phoenix, driving takes about 15 hours, which can be broken up with an overnight stay in Zion National Park. Flying, on the other hand, offers the convenience of using points, but with no direct flights from Phoenix to Bozeman or Jackson, connections are necessary. We explore options like Southwest, United, and Delta, and share our experience applying for a United business card to cover the flight costs.

Next, we dive into lodging options within Yellowstone. Staying inside the park can save you the hassle of daily long drives, but accommodations like Mammoth Springs and the Old Faithful Inn fill up fast. We explain how to secure your reservations, including booking a year in advance and monitoring for cancellations.

Our Yellowstone travel itinerary also covers the challenges of using points for accommodations. We talk about balancing the use of points and cash, considering properties in West Yellowstone and Jackson. While finding points-eligible hotels like the Holiday Inn in West Yellowstone and various Hilton and Marriott options in Jackson, we also emphasize the importance of having the right credit cards to earn those valuable points.

As we finalize our plans, we realize the need for flexibility. With two major international trips already planned for next year, we decide to shift our Yellowstone trip to 2026. This allows us ample time to open new credit cards, meet minimum spends, and earn the points needed for a more cost-effective vacation. Plus, we'll have the Southwest Companion Pass again by then, making flights even more affordable.

In the meantime, we pivot to an alternative plan: a road trip to Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. This trip provides a mix of stunning natural beauty and relaxation by the lake, breaking up the summer heat with a memorable adventure.

Throughout this episode, we highlight the importance of early planning, being flexible with travel dates, and using points strategically. Whether you're looking to escape to Yellowstone or considering other family-friendly destinations, our insights and detailed Yellowstone travel itinerary will help you plan a trip that's both fun and budget-friendly.

Tune in to learn how to navigate the challenges of planning a family trip to Yellowstone, from securing flights and accommodations to maximizing your points and miles. Don't miss our insider tips on making the most of your travel rewards and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for your family.

**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**