On Points With Kids

Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids

August 25, 2023September 2, 2022 by

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 this National Park with its ancient volcanos, fumaroles, meadows, and crystal clear lakes. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the oldest National Parks in the U.S. and spreads through over 100,000 acres of land.

Grand Hyatt Istanbul, the Hotel Review

July 15, 2023August 22, 2022 by

This summer, we spent a few weeks in Turkey, visiting the Mediterranean coast, hiking to the ruins of ancient cities, and exploring Istanbul. Istanbul is a large city, but if you stay on points, you probably want to choose a hotel within your preferred chain. We, as Hyatt loyalists, decided to try out the best of the Hyatt brands the city has to offer.

For our first three days in Istanbul, we stayed at Park Hyatt Istanbul (you can read about our stay at Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas here), then we ventured off on our road trip, and on the way back, we decided to try out another Hyatt hotel brand available in the city – Grand Hyatt Istanbul. It’s located in the heart of Istanbul, within minutes of Taksim Square, Istiklal Street, restaurants, and shops.

Chase World of Hyatt credit card review

February 1, 2025August 14, 2022 by

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.

Visiting Pamukkale, Türkiye, with kids

May 16, 2024August 10, 2022 by

This summer we spent a few weeks in Turkey exploring Istanbul, relaxing on the Mediterranean coast, and even taking a road trip through the country. We have already posted about our three-day road trip through Turkey (read about our Road Trip from Antalya to Istanbul here) where we shared how we planned our itinerary to include unique places to visit along the way.

This time we decided to put together a little post about Pamukkale since it was one of the most memorable places we have been to and the most often asked about among our friends 😊.

Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas, the Hotel Review

July 15, 2023August 3, 2022 by

This summer we spent a few weeks in Turkey, and we absolutely fell in love with this country. We began our Turkish journey in Istanbul, one of the oldest and biggest cities in the world. We were happy to discover that Istanbul has several Hyatt properties, which not only meant that we could enjoy our stay in Istanbul for free (on points) but also would get exceptional service.

For our first 3 nights in Istanbul, we chose to stay at Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas. This hotel is located in the Nişantaşı district of the city, within the walking distance of Taksim Square, various restaurants and shops, and just a short ride to the historical part of Istanbul.

Things to see in Istanbul in 3 days

May 8, 2024July 24, 2022 by

We spent two weeks in beautiful Turkey this summer, or as you are supposed to say, Türkiye. We had a very busy schedule and tried to accomplish a lot during our stay. The very first part of our Turkish journey began in Istanbul, one of the largest and oldest cities in the world, where we spent a few days.

Greek settlers founded Istanbul in the 7th century B.C. The city served as an imperial capital for almost 1600 years: during the Roman, Latin, late Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. This city, rich in history and culture, attracts millions of tourists every year. If you are only visiting Istanbul for a short period – this itinerary is about must-see and must-try things in the city.

Türkiye Road Trip Itinerary: Antalya to Istanbul with Kids

August 23, 2024July 17, 2022 by

As you know, this summer, we went on our big Turkish trip that combined various activities—from exploring one of the oldest and biggest cities in the world (Istanbul) to relaxing on the Mediterranean coast at an all-inclusive resort. We also took a road trip back to Istanbul through the country to witness ancient city ruins, walk around small towns, eat good food, and fully experience Turkish culture as it is. Continue reading to find out how we took a road trip from Antalya to Istanbul with our kids.

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

April 27, 2024July 17, 2022 by

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.

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, the Hotel Review

January 23, 2023June 9, 2022 by

If you are looking for a family-oriented oceanfront resort in Southern California, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa is one of them. This Spanish-inspired hotel has a great location, just minutes away from the beach, with gorgeous Pacific Ocean views. Spanning across several acres, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach has various dining options, pools, and a spa, and offers resort activities for kids and adults (including surfing lessons!).

How to book a United Airlines flight using American Express Membership Rewards points

February 14, 2023June 4, 2022 by

American Express Membership Rewards points can be easier to earn than Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and American Express has plenty of airline transfer partners, but unfortunately, United Airlines is not one of them.

So, you might’ve been wondering if American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to United Airlines to book a flight somehow?

Even though you can’t transfer your Membership Rewards points to United Airlines directly, there’s still a way to book a United Airlines flight using your Membership Rewards points, and in this post, we are going to show you how. Let’s dive into it!