Category: Podcast

Book a 1:1 Personalized Points Strategy Session!

We share our strategic framework for deciding when to cancel, downgrade, or keep credit cards to maximize value while maintaining a healthy credit score.

• Always keep cards open for at least one year to maintain good relationships with banks
• No-annual-fee cards should generally be kept open unless they're preventing you from getting other cards
• Evaluate whether annual fee cards provide benefits that exceed their cost (like hotel free night certificates)
• Consider downgrading cards to no-annual-fee versions rather than canceling to preserve your credit line
• Never cancel your oldest credit card as it establishes your length of credit history
• Closing cards impacts your credit utilization ratio which can affect your credit score
• Ask yourself five key questions before making any cancellation decision
• Recent credit card application updates including approvals for Hawaiian Airlines business cards
• Staycation experience at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale with an upgraded hospitality suite
• Unexpected fan encounter at hotel check-in from a podcast listener

Follow us on Instagram for more travel hacking tips and strategies, and check out our website for credit card consultation services if you need personalized guidance.

WAITLIST: Points Travel Strategy Session – LAUNCHING AUGUST 5TH! Join the waitlist for $50 off when you schedule!

In this episode we take you on a journey through our luxurious kid-free vacation at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico, ranked as the #22 best hotel in the world by Travel & Leisure. Our oceanfront suite booked with Hyatt points provided breathtaking views, exquisite service, and unforgettable dining experiences during our three-night getaway.

• Booked using 105,000 Hyatt points (35,000 points per night) with a suite upgrade for a room valued at over $3,000
• Property features stunning infinity pools, open-air lobby, and ocean views from every angle
• Hotel ranked #22 on Travel & Leisure's 100 Best Hotels in the World list and #3 among Mexico's top resorts
• Food highlights included amazing spicy tuna rolls poolside and exceptional dining at Manta, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant
• Both on-property and off-property restaurants served outstanding seafood, with Cocina Del Mar delivering the best tuna crudo we've ever had
• Beach at the hotel not suitable for swimming due to strong currents, but perfect for watching surfers
• Spa experience featured ocean views, sauna, steam room, hot/cold plunges, and an 80-minute couples massage
• Los Cabos town visit to Mango Deck provided beach time with calmer waters for swimming
• Private airport transfers were worth the cost ($143 round trip) for convenience and comfort
• Trip total came to $3,566 including flights ($1,080), food ($1,400), spa ($489), and miscellaneous expenses

If you're interested in booking a one-on-one points strategy session, they're going live August 5th – check the link in our show notes for details and join the waitlist for a $50 discount.

Doubling your accounts is the most underrated way to earn more points fast, especially for families who want to travel without doubling their spending. 

• Credit card points and miles hobbyists can double their rewards by using a “two-player mode” strategy with a spouse or partner
• Each person has their own credit score and ability to open cards, allowing couples to earn twice the signup bonuses
• When deciding which partner applies for which cards, consider credit scores, 5/24 status, and who can best maximize the benefits
• For beginners, alternating card applications every 45 days gives each person 90 days between applications
• Always refer your partner to cards when possible to earn additional referral bonuses
• Many loyalty programs allow families to pool points – including Air France, British Airways, United, Hilton, and Marriott
• Consider timing applications for cards with free night certificates so they expire around the same time
• Travel Freely is a helpful app for tracking all your credit cards across both players

If you have additional questions, message us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 We'd also love a review of our podcast wherever you listen!

We share our recent stay at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California, highlighting our incredible suite upgrade experience and why this beachfront property remains our family favorite. The Grand Ocean corner suite with panoramic views completely transformed our experience, offering ample space and unbeatable ocean vistas.

• Booking details: 87,000 Hyatt points for a 3-night stay (29,000 points per night) during July 4th weekend
• Successfully applying a suite upgrade award for the Grand Ocean Suite with two-sided balcony and panoramic views
• Globalist breakfast benefits covering both adults and children, with all charges ultimately waived at checkout
• Pool and beach amenities including complimentary chair and umbrella setup, boogie boards, and sand toys
• Family-friendly features like the kids' activity room with video games, ping pong, and board games
• Excellent nearby dining options including Wildland (Italian), The Taco Stand, and Stella Jean's Ice Cream
• Special beach bonfire experience with s'mores for $300 (plus tax/gratuity)
• Trip cost breakdown: approximately $2,400 total for our family of five, excluding accommodations
• Using the Travel Spend app to track vacation expenses and budget more effectively

Follow us on Instagram @travelpartyof5 for more detailed content, including a full highlight reel of our Oceanside stay and the amazing suite.

The Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort offers a family-friendly getaway with luxurious accommodations and impressive water features including a lazy river and water slides. We share our experience staying in a penthouse suite and how we maximized our travel points to make this vacation more affordable.

• Recently renovated property rebranded from Hyatt Regency to Grand Hyatt
• Located 30 minutes from downtown Palm Springs in a quieter resort area
• Upgraded to 875-square-foot penthouse suite with king bed, separate living area, and balcony
• Multiple pool areas including family pool, splash pad, water slides, and a popular lazy river
• Food options include casual Carmocha restaurant, upscale Tia Carmen, and a lobby Starbucks
• Budget tip: bring your own alcohol and mixers for poolside drinks
• Summer visits mean extreme heat (110°F+) but lower rates as it's considered off-peak season
• Now a Category 6 Hyatt property requiring 21,000-29,000 points per night (previously Category 5)
• Reserve pool chairs early in the morning and get a second set when the lazy river opens at 10am
• Restaurant recommendation: Mi Cultura, a delicious Peruvian restaurant nearby

If you ever get any value out of our podcast, please leave us a rating or review wherever you listen. Next week we'll be sharing our experience at the hotel in Oceanside where we had our first real “pinch me” moment in points and miles travel.