As 2024 comes to a close, the Travel Mom Squad is reflecting on an incredible year of points and miles. In this special episode, we’re breaking down the credit cards we opened and closed, the strategies we used to rack up points, and the unforgettable trips we took along the way. If you’re curious how points and miles can transform your travel, this episode is a must-listen!

The Cards That Made 2024 Happen
Jess, Alex, and Pam each opened (and closed) a variety of cards to maximize their points strategies. From Chase Ink cards to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, the team shares how they targeted cards with elevated welcome offers and leveraged creative strategies to earn millions of points.

Lessons Learned From Closing and Downgrading Cards
A major part of managing a points portfolio is knowing when to say goodbye. The team discusses their approach to closing and downgrading cards, emphasizing the importance of timing to avoid red flags.

A Year of Incredible Travel
From Bora Bora to the Italian Dolomites, 2024 was packed with bucket-list trips. Jess’s travel highlights included following Taylor Swift across the globe, visiting Tokyo, Scotland, and Santorini. Alex took her family on a trip to Amsterdam and London, and Pam reflected on her most cherished moments, from flying Etihad Apartments to enjoying three-generational family getaways. The best part? Nearly all of these adventures were made possible by points and miles.

The Emotional Impact of Points and Miles
Pam ends the episode on a heartfelt note, sharing how compiling her 2024 recap brought her to tears of gratitude. “This is something I never would have been able to do without credit card points and miles,” she says. The team agrees: this hobby is about so much more than just saving money. It’s about creating memories and opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

Looking Ahead to 2025
The Travel Mom Squad is already planning for another year of unforgettable travel, and this episode is full of inspiration for how you can start planning your own points-powered adventures. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the lessons and stories shared here will motivate you to dream bigger and travel smarter.

Links:

• Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

• How I Got Approved for the Capital One Spark Cash Plus
• How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:30 – Reflecting on an amazing year of points and miles
• 01:15 – Cards opened in 2024 and how they shaped our strategies
• 15:00 – Closing and downgrading cards: Tips and lessons learned
• 25:00 – Highlights from Jess, Alex, and Pam’s 2024 trips
• 35:00 – The emotional impact of creating memories with points and miles
• 38:00 – What’s ahead for 2025 - what’s coming up next on the show!

Ever wonder what kind of points and miles traveler you are? In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into the different types of travelers and how your personal travel style can shape your points strategy. From planners to luxury travelers to earn-and-burn enthusiasts, we break down the styles that work best for different lifestyles and goals—and share what type of travelers we are, too!

Alex: The Planner and Strategist
Alex kicks things off by sharing how her style has evolved. As a planner, Alex focuses on specific trips she wants to take and chooses credit cards to make those trips happen. She balances planning with flexibility, chasing transferable points and limited-time offers that align with her travel goals. Her advice? Always keep the 5/24 rule in mind and prioritize cards that fit your long-term plans.

Pam: The Type-A Luxury Traveler
Pam describes herself as a “no-chill, Type-A overachiever” who loves the finer things in life. With over 5 million points and miles, Pam can book anything at a moment’s notice. Her strategy focuses on luxury—think first-class flights and five-star hotels. For those in a similar stage of life, Pam emphasizes making points work for you while enjoying the rewards of your hard-earned travel perks.

Jess: The Earn-and-Burn Expert
Jess takes a completely different approach: earning points quickly and redeeming them just as fast. “By the end of this year, I’ll have redeemed over a million Hyatt points,” she says. Jess avoids stockpiling points, knowing they devalue over time. Her philosophy? Use them while they’re at their peak value to create unforgettable family memories.

Other Traveler Types and Strategies

• The Domestic Traveler: Focused on U.S. destinations, this traveler maximizes Chase Ultimate Rewards and co-branded hotel cards for family road trips or visiting relatives.
• The Road Tripper: Ideal for families who avoid flying, this strategy uses hotel cards like Hyatt or Marriott to save on stays during sports tournaments or weekend getaways.
• The Disney Fanatic: For those who visit Disneyland or Disney World annually, Capital One cards help erase ticket purchases and make magical trips more affordable.

Your Travel Style, Your Strategy
There’s no “right” way to approach points and miles. The best strategy is the one that fits your lifestyle and goals. As Pam puts it, “You do you!”

Ready to Find Your Traveler Type?
Tune in to the full episode to hear more about each style and figure out which one resonates with you. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you refine your strategy and make the most of your points.

Links:

• Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:30 – Introduction: How your travel style shapes your points strategy
• 01:15 – Alex: The planner and how she prioritizes flexibility
• 10:08 – Pam: The luxury traveler with 5 million points
• 15:23 – Jess: The earn-and-burn approach to points
• 21:30 – Domestic travelers, road trippers, and other styles
• 27:55 – Takeaways: Why any strategy can work for your goals

You’ve heard us share our travel stories and tips, but today we’re introducing you to three incredible women who help make Travel Mom Squad possible. Megan, Traci, and Claire aren’t just our teammates—they’re passionate travelers and moms with their own inspiring journeys in the world of points and miles. In this episode, we dive into how they got started, their favorite travel wins, and what keeps them motivated to help families travel better. Hit play to hear their stories!

Megan: From Student to Digital Manager
Megan is the glue that holds our team together, managing everything from card consultations to staying on top of the best credit card offers. A longtime points and miles enthusiast, Megan took her first points-funded trip to China in 2014, booking round-trip flights and two weeks of hotels for free! Fast forward to today, and she’s orchestrating epic family adventures, including a two-week trip to Hawaii and Australia. Her advice? Don’t be afraid to expand your plans. As Megan says, “We were already halfway to Australia, so why not go all the way?”

Traci: The Fact-Checking Pro
Traci’s role is all about keeping our blog and content accurate and compliant, but her travel experience is just as impressive. She’s been in the points and miles game for over a decade and even introduced Jess to this world! Traci shared highlights from her family’s DIY around-the-world trip, pieced together with points and miles. From art tours in Milan to a luxury cruise in Ha Long Bay, Traci’s travel philosophy is all about maximizing memories while balancing practicality. And yes, she admits economy ankles are real—but so is the joy of exploring new destinations!

Claire: Building Memories with Birthday Trips
As our Facebook community manager, Claire is a familiar face to anyone in our group. But did you know she started her points journey by buying Travel Mom Squad’s course for herself? Since then, Claire has turned family birthdays into opportunities for travel. Her next adventure? Taking her oldest to London and Paris for senior photos—a dream trip made possible with points.

The Takeaway: Your Team, Your Inspiration
What makes Travel Mom Squad special isn’t just the places we’ve been—it’s the team behind the scenes, working to help you unlock the magic of points and miles.

Whether you’re new to points or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to dream big, plan smart, and keep making memories with your family. Tune in now to hear their stories and start thinking about your next adventure!

Links:

• Join Our FREE Webinar, Learn How To Travel Nearly Free! https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation

• Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 01:15 – Megan’s role at TMS and how she got started with points and miles
• 07:00 – Megan’s most memorable family trip and how points made it possible
• 15:30 – Traci’s background in points and miles and her favorite travel style
• 22:45 – Traci’s incredible DIY around-the-world trip with her family
• 33:00 – Claire’s introduction: How she discovered TMS and her role as the Facebook community manager
• 41:00 – Claire’s approach to birthday trips and favorite points-based travel moments