American Express Hilton Honors Aspire credit card review

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The American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card is a credit card that offers a lot of benefits to frequent travelers who stay at Hilton properties often.

American Express has four flavors of the Hilton Honors credit card:

  • Hilton Honors (No annual fee)
  • Hilton Honors Surpass
  • Hilton Honors Aspire
  • Hilton Honors Business

If you are looking for a hotel rewards card, the American Express Hilton Honors Hilton Aspire card is one of the best available. With it, you can earn 14x points on Hilton purchases, 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, 7x points for dining out and car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and 3x points on other eligible purchases. You’ll also get the highest Diamond status with Hilton, which comes with perks such as free breakfast (or a breakfast credit), late checkout, and complimentary room upgrades.

There’s a $550 annual fee, which is offset by a $400 annual ($200 semi-annually) Hilton resort statement credit and a $200 yearly airline fee credit. Moreover, you get a Free Night Reward annually that can be redeemed at one of the numerous Hilton hotels and resorts.

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A family stay in the mountains by Lake Tahoe: Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Review

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Lake Tahoe, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is one of the most stunning freshwater lakes in the U.S., known for its crystal-clear blue waters, scenic beaches, and year-round outdoor adventures. In this Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe review, we’ll show you why this lakeside resort is the perfect base for your Tahoe getaway.

Located right on the shores with a private beach, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino offers luxury, comfort, and endless summer activities for families, couples, and nature lovers alike.

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Lassen Volcanic National Park with Kids: Family Guide to Trails, Lakes, and Volcano Views

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Lassen Volcanic National Park

This summer, we visited Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. We had to postpone our visit several times due to unforeseen circumstances such as the closure for reconstruction of the most popular area and trail (Bumpass Hell), Covid restrictions, and, of course, the Dixie Fire in the park in 2021.

Finally, the stars aligned, and we could explore ancient volcanoes, fumaroles, meadows, and crystal clear lakes at Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids.

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Grand Hyatt Istanbul, the Hotel Review

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This summer, we spent a few unforgettable weeks in Turkey, exploring the Mediterranean coast, hiking to ancient ruins, and diving into the vibrant culture of Istanbul. In this Grand Hyatt Istanbul review, we’ll cover what it’s like to stay at one of the best-located Hyatt properties in the city, perfect for families and World of Hyatt members looking to redeem points.

Istanbul is a massive, vibrant city, and if you’re staying on points, choosing a centrally located hotel from your preferred chain is key. The Grand Hyatt Istanbul sits in the heart of the city, just minutes from Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, popular restaurants, and local shops, making it an ideal base for both sightseeing and relaxing between adventures.

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Chase World of Hyatt credit card review

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Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card is great for people who stay at Hyatt hotels often. We consider it to be a keeper card as it offers a decent earning rate in general categories such as dining, and airfare (and a great rate at Hyatt hotels), coupled with a modest annual fee that can be easily outweighed by an annual Free Night Award Certificate that can be redeemed at Category 1-4 Hyatt hotels worldwide (read our post to learn more about Hyatt hotel categories), and other benefits.

This card is a must-have for everyone who wants to earn or keep the Explorist status (requires 30 qualifying nights) or the Globalist status (requires 60 qualifying nights) with Hyatt since it offers a kickstart of 5 nights annually. You can earn two more nights with every $5,000 spent towards the status.

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Visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye, with kids

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This summer, we spent a few unforgettable weeks exploring Türkiye with our kids, from wandering the streets of Istanbul to relaxing on the Mediterranean coast. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye, with kids, a surreal landscape of white travertine terraces and warm thermal pools that felt like something out of a dream.

We’ve already shared all the details of our three-day road trip from Antalya to Istanbul (read it here), including how we chose fun and unique stops along the way. But Pamukkale stood out as a clear favorite — not only for us but also as the place our friends ask about the most.

If you’re planning a family trip to Türkiye, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Pamukkale with kids, why it’s worth a stop, what to expect, and how to make the most of it.

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Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas, the Hotel Review

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This summer, we spent a few unforgettable weeks exploring Turkey with our family. Our journey began in Istanbul, a vibrant, historic city that blends ancient architecture with modern energy. In this Park Hyatt Istanbul review, we’ll share what it was like staying at one of the city’s most luxurious Hyatt properties, booked entirely on points.

Istanbul has several Hyatt hotels, and as loyal World of Hyatt members, we were excited to enjoy both a free stay and exceptional service in one of the city’s most stylish neighborhoods. Park Hyatt Istanbul is located in the upscale Nişantaşı district, within walking distance of Taksim Square, close to excellent restaurants and shops, and just a short ride from Istanbul’s famous historical sites. Let’s take a look!

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A perfect 3-day itinerary in Istanbul, Türkiye

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We spent two unforgettable weeks exploring beautiful Türkiye this summer, and our journey began in one of the world’s most iconic cities: Istanbul. This 3-day Istanbul itinerary captures the vibrant culture, rich history, and nonstop energy that made it the perfect place to kick off our adventure.

Founded by Greek settlers in the 7th century B.C., Istanbul served as the imperial capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires for nearly 1,600 years. Today, it’s a dynamic blend of ancient and modern, drawing millions of visitors every year. If you’re planning a short visit, this guide highlights the must-see sights, best bites, and unforgettable experiences you won’t want to miss.

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Türkiye with kids: Antalya to Istanbul road trip

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A rooftop terrace at the Fulya Pansiyon Hotel, Eğirdir/Isparta, Türkiye

This summer, we embarked on an unforgettable Antalya to Istanbul road trip with our kids, a family adventure across Türkiye filled with ancient ruins, coastal views, charming towns, and incredible food.

From relaxing at an all-inclusive resort on the Mediterranean to exploring Istanbul, one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant cities, we designed this journey to balance fun, culture, and history. Keep reading for our detailed Türkiye road trip itinerary, family travel tips, and the best stops along the way.

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Everything you need to know about the Centurion Lounge, by American Express

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Airports are often associated with the stress of going through the TSA / Airport Security, and when you think of an airport, you don’t usually imagine a luxurious experience. American Express Centurion Lounge is a luxury travel perk that gives you a space in the airport to relax and enjoy high-quality food and drinks absolutely for free! How can you actually get that benefit?

Keep on reading, and we will demystify some of the aspects of getting into an American Express Centurion Lounge.

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