Points & Miles

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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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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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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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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Hilton Honors Surpass Card Limited-Time Offer with a Free Night Reward

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One of my favorite Hilton offers is finally here and here is why you should apply for it. You can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after opening a Hilton Honors Surpass Card and spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. The Free Night Reward is valid for one year from the date of issuance and can be redeemed at almost any Hilton property in the world!

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World of Hyatt Award Chart Changes in 2026: Full Breakdown (April 24th update)

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Hyatt just announced a major update to the World of Hyatt award chart coming on May 20th, 2026, and this one is bigger than a regular annual category shuffle. And yes, you would wish that rumors about the Category 9 and 10 were true instead. Let’s see what we can expect in the world of Hyatt bookings in the next few months.

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World of Hyatt Loyalty Program: 8 Benefits Most Members Miss

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We’ve stayed at 50+ Hyatt hotels over the past few years, from family-friendly Hyatt Regency resorts to bucket-list Park Hyatt stays. After testing the program again and again with real bookings and award stays one thing is clear: World of Hyatt is our favorite hotel loyalty program.

And not just because of points, but because of the hidden perks most travelers don’t even realize they have.

If you’re collecting Hyatt points, chasing Hyatt elite status, or trying to earn free hotel nights, these are the benefits that make the biggest difference.

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Lufthansa Business Class Review: San Francisco to Munich

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For our Christmas break, we traveled to Germany to visit the Christmas markets, flying Lufthansa business class from San Francisco (SFO) to Munich (MUC).

This Lufthansa Business Class review covers how we booked the flight using points, the Airbus A380 business class layout, lounge access, and the onboard dining and service. I’m also sharing our overall impressions of flying Lufthansa business class on this long transatlantic route.

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How to use the Amex Platinum $600 Hotel Credit: A Smart Alternative to Points

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If you have the American Express Platinum Card or are thinking about getting one, the hotel credit is one of the easiest ways to get real value back every year.

Now, when used strategically, the Amex Platinum hotel credit can cover luxury hotel stays, free breakfast, upgrades and on‑property credits, all while helping offset the annual fee.

In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how the Amex Platinum $600 hotel credit works, how often you get it, which cards qualify, how to redeem it step by step and how to combine it with hotel loyalty programs like Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton.

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Alaska Airlines Companion Fare guide

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The Alaska Airlines Companion Fare, also called the Atmos Companion Fare, is one of the most valuable ways families can save on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flights. This benefit lets you book a second ticket for a fraction of the price, but the rules, pricing, and redemption terms can feel confusing.

This guide breaks down exactly how the Alaska Companion Fare works, how to earn it, how much you actually pay, and when it’s worth using.

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