Let me start with something that happened recently. Someone in the conference asked me: “Maria, I’m trying to figure out if I should chase Hyatt Globalist status this year. My friend says it’s the only way to get upgrades and free…
Award travel
How to Use Alaska Atmos Miles for Family Travel (More Routes and Seats Than Most Families Realize)
Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines Let me tell you about my friend Mia. Mia is Thai-American. She lives in Europe with her family. Every time her family wants to go back to Thailand to see her parents, to let her children…
How to Shop Smart This Mother’s Day: 6 Gifts That Reward You Too [ 2026]
Mother’s Day is just two weeks away. While the brunch reservations and flowers are lovely, I’ve always believed the best gifts are the ones that feel both personal and smart. This year, Rakuten is making it easier than ever to…
Two Reasons AA Miles Not Good for Families To Asia and How To Fix It
American Airlines (AA) miles are still one of the most popular airline currencies in the U.S. Honestly, it makes sense why. AA is a major U.S. airline. Its mileage program is familiar. Its partner list (aka friends list) looks exciting….
My New Year Resolutions Make Family Travel Stress-Free In 2026
While everyone else is resolving to wake up at 5 a.m. or quit sugar (again), I’m setting 2026 resolutions that actually make family life better especially when traveling as a family. They’re practical decisions that make travel smoother, calmer, and…
No Business Class Award Seats To Asia? Why Lufthansa Miles & More Still Matters.
When you see a long boarding line, you assume you’re lining up for economy. That’s what we thought too on a recent Lufthansa flight from San Francisco to Munich. We were booked in business class using points. Everything felt routine….
Why Your Family Needs a Hotel Credit Card Now
If you’ve ever tried to book hotels for a family trip during spring break or Christmas, you already know the feeling: You’ve planned the flights. You’ve lined up the dates. And then suddenly the hotel search hits you with…$600, $800,…
Bilt × Rakuten: Your New Pathway for Asia-Pacific Travel With Families
Let’s face it. Online shopping is part of everyday life. From replacing household essentials to finding that perfect gift, it’s fast, convenient, and surprisingly rewarding. But here’s the real question: are you getting paid to shop? If not, meet Rakuten….
Do These 3 Things for ANA Award Tickets Now
ANA = The Taylor Swift of Award Travel?! Let’s be honest. Booking ANA award seats feels like trying to score Taylor Swift tickets at midnight. You refresh, you pray, you blink, and poof, those dream Business Class seats are gone….
How To Brainwash Yourself To Be “Family Award Tickets” Rich
I love a good award search tool — PointsYeah, Point.me, AwardTool, Roame, Seats.Aero — they’re like having a whole flight crew in my browser. But lately I’ve been hearing from families who’ve gone from hopeful to helpless because they think…
Do These 3 Things Now! Your Family Will fly Business & First Class To Asia
“I’m staying under 5/24 just in case Chase drops a new offer.” It sounds smart. Disciplined. Strategic. But what if the strategy that feels safest is actually the one quietly keeping your family from ever flying (Business and First Class)…
How To Best Turn Transfer Bonuses Into A Family Trip
Every few weeks, banks roll out promotions that can completely change the way your points stretch. This September, Citi ThankYou Rewards unlocked three big bonuses: At first glance, these may feel like just numbers on a screen. But here’s the…
