Category: Podcast

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!

Family traditions don't have to cost a fortune when you know how to leverage travel rewards. On our latest adventure, we whisked our soon-to-be nine-year-old son to Dallas for his birthday weekend, fulfilling his dream of attending an NFL game while creating unforgettable memories.

The trip centered around three core experiences: mouthwatering brisket at Terry Black's BBQ, heart-pounding roller coasters at Six Flags Over Texas, and the electric atmosphere of a Cowboys-Giants overtime thriller at AT&T Stadium. We navigated the challenges of downtown Dallas's unexpected 3AM street racing scene (yes, really!) and conquered the post-game transportation chaos that had us abandoning our Uber and walking to the stadium.

With strategic planning, we transformed what could have been an expensive weekend into an affordable getaway. Our American Airlines flights were largely covered by a Chase Sapphire Reserve travel credit, while our luxurious Corner Suite at the Thompson Dallas was completely booked with Hyatt points. Even our airport experiences were elevated with lounge access at both Phoenix and DFW.

This Dallas getaway represents something deeper than just another vacation – it's part of our family tradition of celebrating each child's ninth birthday with a domestic destination of their choice, followed by an international adventure at eighteen. These milestone trips create lasting bonds and teach our children about the world beyond their everyday experiences.

Whether you're planning your own family traditions or simply looking to maximize value on your next trip, we hope our experiences provide both inspiration and practical tips. The joy on our son's face as he cheered alongside Cowboys fans (while proudly wearing his Dolphins jersey) made every point and mile we've ever earned completely worthwhile.

Traveling with neurodivergent children requires specific strategies, but it's entirely possible and rewarding when you understand how to support their unique needs.

• Mindset shift is crucial – see behaviors as brain differences, not deliberate disruptions
• Prepare thoroughly by discussing travel plans and showing destination videos beforehand
• Create personalized toolkits with noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, and familiar snacks
• Allow movement breaks in airports before long flights regardless of others' opinions
• Consider using the sunflower lanyard program which signals invisible disabilities to airport staff
• Implement calm-down techniques like tracing letters on your child's back during meltdowns
• Be cautious with melatonin use as it can increase tantrums in some children
• Travel builds confidence by bringing history to life and nurturing specific interests
• Give neurodivergent children input into activities to increase their engagement

Remember that you're never going to see these people again, so focus on your child's needs rather than worrying about strangers' judgments.

1:1 Points Travel Strategy Session – Book here!

This is the link from DOC that mentions the 85K in flight Alaska offer – at the time of publishing this the link would not load for me but I'm leaving it here in case it gets fixed. 

If it's still broken, here is the regular link for the 80K offer for the new Alaska Ascent card plus the other 2 Alaska cards mentioned in this episode. 

Follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5

The credit card market has 2 new exciting-ish options with Citi's premium Strata Elite and Alaska's revamped lineup including their first-ever premium card.

• Citi Strata Elite ($595 annual fee) offers 80,000 points, transferable to American Airlines, plus $300 hotel credit and $200 “splurge credit”
• Alaska's new Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa ($395 fee) gives 100,000 points and a 25,000-point companion discount
• Alaska's two lower-tier cards (Summit and Business) offer 80-85k points with $95 annual fees
• Bank of America's approval rules require under 3 or 7 new accounts in 12 months depending on banking relationship
• Alaska miles excel for “positioning flights” at just 4,500 points per person to reach major international airports
• Alaska's new program allows fee-free points transfers between family members
• West Coast families may find more value in Alaska cards while those near AA hubs might prefer the Citi option. My overall pick would be the new Alaska card and the Alaska rewards program in general!