How to book partner airline award tickets through ANA: one of the best Star Alliance sweet spots

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If you are booking a Star Alliance award flight, ANA Mileage Club is one of the programs you should check before transferring points anywhere else. It is not the most talked-about option, but it can be one of the best ways to book partner airline award tickets.

The reason ANA is such a valuable sweet spot is simple: the same partner flight can price very differently depending on where you book it. A flight that costs more miles through United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan may cost significantly fewer miles (and fees) through ANA.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to book partner airline award tickets through ANA, which airlines you can book, what credit card points transfer to ANA, and what to know before using this Star Alliance sweet spot.

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How to Visit Costa Rica on Points and Miles (Family Guide for 2026)

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If you’ve been wondering how to visit Costa Rica on points and miles, this is one of the easiest trips to put together using points, especially for families.

We recently visited Costa Rica (for the second time), flying into Liberia and splitting our stay between the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, both booked on points.

Overall, this trip would have easily cost thousands, but points and miles made it much more affordable.

This itinerary made it easy to combine beach time with rainforest, hot springs, and some of the best experiences Costa Rica has to offer, without breaking the bank.

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Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa Review: a family friendly resort in the rainforest of Costa Rica

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If you are planning a trip to the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa should be at the top of your list. Nestled by the Arenal Volcano, this property offers a unique blend of luxury and beautiful nature. We recently spent four nights here as part of our trip to Costa Rica with the kids and we absolutely loved this property.

In this Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa review, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about this iconic resort, from the logistics of getting there to the booking strategy for using your Hilton points.

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The Perfect 10-Day England & Scotland Road Trip with Kids: from London to the Isle of Skye

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If you’re planning a UK family trip and want a mix of iconic London sights, medieval towns, castles, and dramatic Scottish landscapes, this 10-day England and Scotland road trip is one of the most rewarding routes you can do with kids.

This itinerary balances walkable cities, playground breaks, history, and outdoor adventure, without exhausting travel days.

Here’s exactly how our England and Scotland family road trip looked, what we did in each stop, and where we stayed.

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Hyatt Milestone Rewards in 2026: plus Guest of Honor vs a Suite Upgrade Award

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Hyatt Milestone Rewards are the secret to turning standard hotel stays into high-end luxury vacations, especially when you are traveling with family.

Moving through the World of Hyatt program is about much more than just hitting Globalist status; it’s about the strategic choices you make starting at 20 nights. As someone who stays at Hyatt properties for 30+ days a year, I’ve learned that the “best” reward is the one that keeps your kids from sharing a double bed or gives you a quiet lounge for a morning coffee.

In this guide, we’ll dive into Hyatt Milestone rewards, compare Guest of Honor vs. Suite Upgrade Awards, and help you pick the right perks for your next family adventure.

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Hilton Hotel Tahiti review: great stop before island hopping in French Polynesia

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We spent one night at the Hilton Hotel Tahiti during our trip to French Polynesia with kids, and if you’re flying from the U.S., you’ll probably need to do the same.

Here’s the thing: you can’t fly straight to Bora Bora or Moorea from the U.S. You’ll land first in Tahiti, at Faaʻa International Airport in Papeete, and depending on your arrival time, you may need to spend the night before continuing to the islands.

And in this Hilton Tahiti review, I’ll share exactly how it worked for us as a family of four, from check-in to the room, dining, and family-friendly amenities.

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How to Earn and Redeem Marriott Free Night Awards (new changes in 2026)

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If you’re collecting points and miles for family travel, Marriott free night certificates can easily cover several hotel stays each year, sometimes without using any points.

Between credit card benefits, promotions, and loyalty perks, it’s possible to earn multiple free nights annually and redeem them at thousands of hotels worldwide.

Here’s exactly how to earn Marriott free night certificates and how to maximize them for the best value.

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Must see and do in York, UK: How to spend 2 days with kids

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When people plan a trip to the UK, they usually talk about London or Edinburgh. But one city from our UK road trip completely surprised us, York.

Founded by the Romans, later ruled by Vikings, and still wrapped in medieval walls, York feels like stepping straight into a history book. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with just enough quirky experiences to keep kids entertained the entire time.

We only spent two days here, but it quickly became one of our favorite stops in England. If you’re visiting York with kids, here’s exactly how I’d spend 48 hours.

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5 ways I get free hotel stays without using points

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Most people assume that free hotel stays always require a huge stash of points. But over the past few years of traveling with my family, I’ve realized that some of the easiest “free” hotel nights actually come from credit card perks, annual credits, and free night certificates.

These strategies have helped us stay at hotels around the world without redeeming points, including our recent stays in Scotland and Mexico. Here are the main ways we do it.

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Grand Hyatt Scottsdale: A Family-Friendly Hotel in Arizona with a sandy pool and a 3-story water slide

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Just like two years ago, we decided to spend a few days in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February. It’s close to San Francisco, and honestly, who doesn’t love giant cactuses? Last time we stayed at the Andaz Scottsdale, and this time we tried the newly renovated Grand Hyatt Scottsdale.

Did it live up to the hype? From the moment we arrived, with the desert sunset and sprawling pools, it was clear this property has big family-friendly energy.

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