Transferable points or currencies are the best way to use your points. It gives you more flexibility and more value. You choose where your points go. Transferable currencies have the biggest value, especially when booking premium cabins.
Hyatt consistently delivers the best value in the points and miles world. From a simple award chart and no resort fees on award stays to elite perks that actually matter, Hyatt points often stretch twice as far as other hotel programs. This guide explains why Hyatt is so loved, where it falls short, and how everyday travelers can use Hyatt points for better stays without unnecessary complexity.
Travel points and miles can change your life, but I want you tread into this world with an understanding that it is a credit card game and it IS NOT free.
Booking trips has become my new normal. It seems the longer you are in this hobby, the easier it gets to book points and miles getaways or even longer vacations. It gives me such piece of mind knowing that I can ENJOY life and stress little about booking flights and hotels because I am able to book them at a fraction of the cost. Here is trip #5 booked for 2026. This hotel cost me $0 out of pocket.
These are all the things I wish I knew when I first got into the points and miles world. I hope this can help you navigate this world of points and miles.
Are points and miles still worth it in 2026?
After 4 years, 20+ trips, and a lot of trial and error… I finally wrote my honest thoughts.
No one tells you this about points and miles…
It’s not free. It’s not instant.
But it can be worth it.
Full breakdown on the blog.
If you’re just getting into points & miles and feel overwhelmed — I’ve been there.
I wrote about what I wish I knew when I started.
Casino status matching sounds amazing… until you do the math.
I shared my honest experience after 4 years in the points & miles world.. and why I’m stepping back from it.
I turned $11,000 in everyday spending into $36,000 worth of travel using credit card points and miles — without overspending or changing my lifestyle. In this post, I break down exactly how it worked, which credit card rewards I used, how long it took, and why points and miles aren’t about “free travel,” but about unlocking trips you’d never take otherwise. If you’ve ever wondered whether travel rewards are actually worth it, this real-life breakdown shows how strategic point earning can completely change how (and where) you travel.
Learn how to maximize Chase’s The Edit Hotel Collection benefit with our updated guide featuring 111 U.S. and 69 international hotels under $500 per night. Save money, stretch your points, and book smarter with your Sapphire Reserve card.
When evaluating premium credit cards, the headline annual fee can be intimidating. But what if that number isn’t the real cost at all? The value you get from a card depends on the benefits you actually use. That’s why understanding your effective annual fee, the real cost after subtracting the value of credits and perks you’ll actually use, matters more than the raw sticker price.
In this post, we’ll break down how that math works and use two premium cards: the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum, to show how effective annual fees can vary widely depending on your lifestyle.
