Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, the Hotel Review

The view of the Grand Hyatt Kauai in the background of the saltwater lagoon on the property
The view of the Grand Hyatt Kauai in the background of the saltwater lagoon on the property

The island of Kauai, one of the Hawaiian islands, is often called a “Garden Island” and is famous for its lush green forests and mountains, stunning beaches with crystal clear waters, and attractions. We realized it is becoming our annual tradition to visit Hawaii, and we certainly can not complain about it.

What could be better than staying in Hawaii using points and saving thousands of dollars on your stay? Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is one of Hyatt’s oceanfront properties that could be booked on points and is perfect for a family getaway!

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5 family-friendly Hyatt hotels in California to book on points

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort private beach
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort’s private beach

California is a popular destination for travelers, with its beautiful beaches, world-class attractions, and diverse landscapes. If you’re planning a trip to the Golden State and are looking for a family-friendly hotel to stay on points, Hyatt has one of the best loyalty programs. There are over 104 Hyatt properties in California to choose from! These properties come in 16 different brands, offering a range of amenities and options to suit your family’s needs and preferences.

We put together a list of some kid-friendly Hyatt hotels in California we stayed at on points and enjoyed with the whole family.

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Maximizing credit card rewards: cashback vs transferring to travel partners

Redeeming credit card points for cashback or transferring them to travel partners are both popular options for using your credit card rewards. Which is the better choice for you?

In this blog post, we’ll compare the pros and cons of each option to help you decide which method is right for your spending habits and travel goals. Redeeming points for cashback is a simple and flexible way to use your rewards, but transferring them to travel partners can often offer higher value.

We’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option in detail to help you make an informed decision.

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Top kid-friendly things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is known for its beautiful beaches, lush forests, and stunning natural beauty, making it a popular destination for travelers.

When you look at the map of Hawaii, the island of Kauai is the northernmost, which actually means that Kauai is the oldest island in the chain of the Hawaiian islands (making the Big Island the youngest of all). Its volcanic activity ended 3.8 million years ago!

Kauai’s remote location and age make it a special place with unique flora and fauna. There is a lot to see and explore on the island, and it’s perfect for a family vacation! Our eight and two year olds had a great time on the island. Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do on a trip to Kauai when visiting with kids!

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How to get an American Airlines status without flying?

An American Airlines plane flying over San Juan, Puerto Rico.

American Airlines is one of the biggest airlines in the world, and it flies to more than 235 destinations on six continents, including Europe, Asia, and South America. This airline is also top-rated in North America to get to the Caribbean or the Pacific destinations.

Like all airlines, American Airlines has a frequent flyer program. The American Airlines Frequent Flyer Program is called “AAdvantage,” and it is the most popular frequent flyer program in the US! It is important to mention that It is linked to the Oneworld Alliance loyalty program.

In 2022, American Airlines completely revamped the method of qualifying for an AAdvantage status. Before the update, you were required to keep track of three status metrics: EQM (Elite Qualifying Miles), EQS (Elite Qualifying Segments), and EQD (Elite Qualifying Dollars).

In the update, the carrier has changed how its status is calculated. And now, instead of the three status metrics, it uses one: Loyalty Points.

This update made earning an AAdvantage status much easier for people who aren’t frequent fliers. So, let’s dive into a few methods that can help you fast-track your status with American Airlines and get an American Airlines status without flying.

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5 things to do in Paso Robles, California

The little town of Paso Robles on the Central Coast is a well-kept Californian secret with its fabulous vineyards, outdoor installation with thousands of glowing spheres, fine dining, and so much more. 

It is a perfect place for a short family weekend getaway and is only 2.5 hours from San Jose, CA, or 2 hours from Monterey, CA. Let’s take a look at some kid-friendly activities that the whole family would appreciate.

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Visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks with kids

What comes to your mind when you think about visiting Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks? It should be mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and of course, a forest with magnificent ancient giants, the largest living things on Earth, sequoias.

Representing two of the nine National Parks in California, these parks spread across thousands of acres of land (including 808,000 acres of designated wilderness). Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are very popular tourist destinations and are visited by people from all over the world.

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The Cape, a Thompson Hotel Review

There is nothing like a quick trip to the tropical seaside with gorgeous views to soak up the sun, swim in the warm ocean waters, enjoy some good food, recharge your energy, and simply have a good time.

Cabo San Lucas is the closest Mexican resort destination to the San Francisco International Airport, but somehow we had never been there before. We did not want to spend hours on a plane, and the direct SFO-SJD flight was only 2.5 hours to the beautiful Sea of Cortez, so The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, seemed like a perfect choice for a short vacation.

The Cape from the Thompson brand, owned by Hyatt, is a Category 6 five-star luxury beachfront retreat situated at the junction of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This hotel is relatively new and was built in 2015, with a rather compact layout consisting of 161 rooms, suites, and villas. The hotel features an on-site spa, a beautiful infinity pool with a swim-up bar, and oceanfront accommodations.

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American Express Hilton Honors Aspire credit card review

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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Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino, the Hotel Review

Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a unique, large and second deepest (1,645 ft / 500 m) freshwater lake in the U.S. With its blue crystal clear waters and famous beaches, surrounded by the National Forest, this area is home to summer water activities and winter sports.

There is no better way to explore Lake Tahoe than to stay on the lakeshore. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino is located right on the lake, has a private beach, and offers so much more to have a great time on Lake Tahoe. There are plenty of things to do in the summertime at this resort!

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