Category: Trip Reports
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Courtyard Carolina Beach: Value and Family-Friendly Amenities
I thought I’d never open a Marriott card…but never say never. When Capital One announced changes to their Venture X lounge access in mid-2025, I knew we had to initiate the year-long process to obtain a Ritz-Carlton card to secure lounge access for our family. My P2 dutifully opened the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card,…
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Wild Dunes Resort: Your Ultimate Guide to a Charleston Family Vacation on Points
My cousin’s family has been going to Wild Dunes for years. Every summer, I’d see their sun-kissed photos on my Facebook feed, a vision of sandy beaches and sparkling pools. But with rooms priced at $500 per night or more, a trip like that seemed out of reach for my family. Thanks to credit card…
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Turning Airport Layovers Into City Adventures: Amsterdam
In June of 2025, I embarked on my most ambitious and complex points-and-miles trip yet: an adults-only European getaway for me and my partner which involved nine flights in a period of just 11 days. You can read about how I booked this trip here, but in this three-part series, I’m reporting out on our…
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Grand Hyatt Barcelona Review: Hidden Gem for Travelers
In June of 2025, I embarked on my most ambitious and complex points-and-miles trip yet: an adults-only European getaway for me and my partner which involved nine flights in a period of just 11 days. You can read about how I booked this trip here, but in this three-part series, I’m reporting out on our…
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Points and Miles Luxury in Lisbon: A Two-Day Itinerary
In June of 2025, I embarked on my most ambitious and complex points-and-miles trip yet: an adults-only European getaway for me and my partner which involved nine flights in a period of just 11 days. You can read about how I booked this trip here, but in this three-part series, I’ll report out on our…
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Iberia Business Class Review: A321XLR Experience
I flew Iberia business class on the new A321XLR from Boston to Madrid for 34,000 Avios in June of 2025. (You can read about how I booked this trip here.) Overall, I found this to be a really good value and a positive experience. My ticket granted me access to the British Airways lounge, which…
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Trip Report: A Long Weekend in Washington
My family recently spent a three-day weekend in Washington, DC, using points and miles. I think DC is one of the best destinations for families because it’s such an easy trip and there’s so much to do that’s free! You can read about how I booked this trip here, but in this post, I’m recapping…
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Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile: Value, Convenience, and Comfort
I recently completed a five-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, located in Paris’s 17th arrondissement, and I absolutely love this hotel. I found this to be a convenient and pleasant place to stay with my seven-year-old. This property is ideal for visitors looking to conserve both cash and points, and although not the…
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Hotel Review: Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
We spent one night at the Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale for a kid-free anniversary getaway. You can read about how I booked that trip here. We had a great experience at the property and I believe it would be an excellent destination for a family trip, too. The hotel is only a 15…
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Family Trip to Boston: A Cash and Points Trip
I just returned from taking my two kids to the Boston area to visit our cousins. I booked this trip right after I started collecting points and miles, so I wasn’t able to do the whole thing on points, but I was able to leverage some of the techniques I’ve learned from award travel to…
Kate's on a Plane 