How to get the most out of your points for travel and vacations

I should be saying, "use your best travel credit card, rack up those points travel for almost free". And this time next year, I hope to be saying that. Many friends travel for work so their points add up quickly and from only a few sources. One close friend, her husband travels to China once a month. They get tons of points... And use those through out the year. Another close friend uses and researches points like others do coupons. Every hotel stay they have done they are either paying 1/2 due to points or racking up points for another trip.

Using points needs to be easy, simple and a natural part of everyday life. This was a website that I posted about a few years ago, I just went there and now he also has an app.

The Points Guy  : is a wonderful site that helps you Maximize your travel.. I have connected the link to the beginners page. It is much less overwhelming then his main page. But required reading if you want to maximize your travel rewards and points.

Before you start out for your Summer and Fall Adventures, Visit the point guy and incorporate some of the best options into your travel and daily shopping. By next year, Check in and lets see how many points you have. I will also be doing a running total every few months to see how I am doing as well.

Fair Dinkum!

Travel Sites for finding the best air routes and costs.

Getting ready for summer or early planning for Fall Vacations. Here are four great sites and apps. that will help you save money and get the best deals possible.


Hopper : When to Fly and Buy, is online and like many others also can download the app to changes on flights you want.

Which Budget : Searches airlines of all sizes for the best routes and costs. Most only cover top airlines.

Airfare WatchDog :Promo codes for airline sales and prices

Yapta:  Notifies you when prices drop and many times you  can get a refund if already purchased.

This is a great site.. the points guy

Today my husband set off for a three week adventure thru Turkey.. here is the link to the group that he is going with.. please note.. it sells out each year in less then a few days... Tangents Tour of Turkey

While looking at travel and flight info I came across this site.. and it is great... wanted to share.

The Points Guy.... shares how to get the most out of travel points...

I will be writing more over the next few weeks.. getting back into the swing of travel.. but for now..
enjoy.

SouthWest Airlines.. major glitch.. check emails and cc NOW

Southwest airlines has had a major snafoo on their reservation system.. I have a great CC company and bank so they stopped the reservations and charges asap.. but I had made one reservation last night.. and woke up this a.m. to 31.. all with attempted charges..
when I called they said there were others with more then 150..
to correct call them and then hit the need to pay number.. NOT the change reservation.. that has at least a 3 hour wait...
They had to go thru each reservation to cancel.. but got it done...
also go to your bank or call your cc company and find out how they will handle this over the next few days.

Holiday mishaps

So far this holiday season, I have had clients.. not be able to get their flights while in Fiji, Chinese clients rained out of L.A. and others surprised that some of the great deals have slipped away...
I have three short tips to remind you of.
1. Always get travel insurance.. this helps not only if you become ill or injured on your trip but also when there are disruptions in your travel plans due to weather, engine issues or other unforeseen ooopppssss. They will reimburse you the cost of the missed portion of your trip..
2. Stay calm.. travel isn't a perfect science.. let your travel agent know when there is a problem.. many times they can work on solutions or other routes that you may not have access to.
3. Try to have space in your travel plans.. when you have too much packed into a vacation.. one day of bad weather or missed flight or train and your whole vacation can go off course.. wiggle room makes for a much more relaxing trip and an even much more positive adventure...
Happy traveling!