What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip

6 Sneaky Ways We Rack Up Travel Points (No New Cards Required)

Six low-effort habits for earning more travel points and miles as a family - no new credit cards required. In this episode, you'll learn six specific strategies to earn extra points and miles without opening a single new credit card. From shopping portals and smarter everyday spending to a gift card trick that can fund hundreds of thousands of points a year, this episode covers it all, including a couple of strategies most people never think to try. In this episode: * How shopping portals and browser extensions stack bonus points on every online purchase * Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited beats the Sapphire cards for everyday spending — and how to combine points across cards * The office supply store gift card trick that can add tens of thousands of points a year * How the Paze digital wallet is currently offering a huge bonus on Chase cards * Why watching your email and mailbox for targeted offers can pay off in a big way * How Card Pointers Plus automatically finds and activates credit card offers * How to ask for retention offers when an annual fee comes due * Why referral links are a win-win for you and your friends Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 01:15 — Shopping portals 04:10 — Smarter daily spend cards & gift card strategy 09:17 — Targeted offers 11:08 — Card Pointers Plus 12:35 — Retention offers 15:01 — Referral bonuses 17:04 — Wrap-up Links & Resources Shopping Portals & Cash Back * Rakuten [http://www.rakuten.com/r/MSTRAU8?eeid=28187] (sign up and get a $50 bonus)  * TopCashback [https://www.topcashback.com/ref/melc] (sign up and get a $10 bonus) * Doctor of Credit (for gift card deals) - Staples [https://www.doctorofcredit.com/tag/staples/] and Office Depot [https://www.doctorofcredit.com/tag/office-depot-max/] * Paze merchant directory [https://www.paze.com/merchant-directory] Tools * Card Pointers Plus [https://cardpointers.com/thefamilyvoyage] Credit Cards Mentioned * Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX] * Chase Freedom Unlimited [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18a/15JZOOQYHO] * Chase Ink Business cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21f/GL7ZXXY212] * United credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/215r/U2RD6AE4J4] Related Reading * Chase Sapphire Preferred: What's Changing and What You Should Do About It [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-whats-changing-and-what-you-should-do-about-it/] * The Southwest Companion Pass Trick [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/southwest-companion-pass-trick/]  * Free ebook: The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/] Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Check out my favorite travel gear [https://amzn.to/4nKTZFp] and my Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamilyVoyage]! Chase Sapphire credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]

What to Pack for Alaska (BONUS EPISODE)

Packing for Alaska? There are a few items that most people overlook — and after three trips, Melissa knows exactly what they are. In this bonus episode, she shares the five things she never travels to Alaska without, including one she loves so much she packed a spare pair for a friend. In this episode: * Why rain pants belong on every Alaska packing list (even if it doesn't rain) * The collapsible lunch containers that save Alaska days * The bug protection hack that doesn't touch your liquid allowance * What to actually look for in waterproof hiking shoes for families * Why binoculars are non-negotiable in Alaska What to pack: * Rain pants: women's in multiple lengths [https://amzn.to/4vw7ugR] | kids [https://amzn.to/3SqL81E] * Insect repellant shirt [https://on.ltk.com/+TOhOy0G1SvJgq6SNkCrvwQ] * Silicone collapsible lunch containers [https://amzn.to/4gmYpSX] * Waterproof hiking shoes: Columbia men's [https://amzn.to/3mfxU44] | Columbia women's [https://amzn.to/4gD14Yr] | Adidas teen [https://amzn.to/44q6Zc7] | kids [https://amzn.to/3imUAxX] * Binoculars [https://amzn.to/43Ya2YW] Alaska travel planning resources: * Full Alaska packing list [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/packing-list-for-alaska-in-summer/] * Alaska itinerary eBook [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/alaska-itinerary-ebook/] * All Alaska resources [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/alaska-travel-blog/] Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/] Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Check out my favorite travel gear [https://amzn.to/4nKTZFp] and my Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamilyVoyage]! Chase Sapphire credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]

Alaska With Kids: Anchorage Edition with My Teen (Part 3)

Thinking about visiting Alaska with teens? My 14-year-old son joins me for a mother-son Alaska recap — and spoiler: he caught a king salmon just 12 hours after landing and hasn't stopped talking about it since. We cover four days of adventures based entirely out of Anchorage, and I break down how we pulled off the whole trip on points without paying for flights or hotels out of pocket and highlight our favorite things to do in Anchorage and on day trips. In this episode: • King salmon fishing on the Knik River (yes, we both caught one) • Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail — 25 miles, multiple moose, and a very dramatic race back to the bike shop • The Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier, including calving glaciers and a whole lot of sea otters • Driving the Turnagain Arm: eagles at Bird Point and wildlife at Beluga Point • A scenic float into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge • The Alaska Native Heritage Center — surprisingly not just educational • Where to eat in Anchorage (the halibut and chips at 49th State Brewing deserve their own billing) • How we booked this entire trip in five weeks on Alaska miles, Southwest points, and Hyatt points Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro 01:44 — King salmon fishing near Anchorage 06:07 — Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail 10:39 — Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier 17:29 — Alaska Native Heritage Center + Eagle River Nature Center 20:16 — Kenai River float into the National Wildlife Refuge 23:00 — Where to eat in Anchorage 25:47 — Alaska with a teen wrap up 28:50 — Flights, hotel, and rental car logistics 36:21 — Wrapping up Resources: Alaska travel planning hub [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/alaska-travel-blog/] Anchorage guide [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/anchorage-travel-guide/] Day trips from Anchorage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-day-trips-from-anchorage-alaska/] Renting a car in Alaska [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/renting-a-car-in-alaska-tips/]Alaska packing list [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/packing-list-for-alaska-in-summer/]Rental car savings [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/how-to-get-discounts-on-car-rentals/] Alaska itinerary eBook [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/alaska-itinerary-ebook/] Award travel: How to travel free with kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/how-to-travel-free-with-kids/] Best credit cards for family travel [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-credit-cards-for-family-travel/] Southwest Companion Pass guide [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/southwest-companion-pass-trick/] Related episodes: • Ep. 17 — Southwest Companion Pass basics • Ep. 32 — Alaska by land • Ep. 41 — Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Activities mentioned: Knik River fishing charter [https://fishingbooker.com/charters/view/38670#a_aid=fxc73jf3juxu4&a_cid=81193698]Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise [https://tidd.ly/4afOf2s] Alaska Native Heritage Center [https://tidd.ly/4oLkBbh] Kenai Rever float trip, Cooper Landing [https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/drifterslodge/items/417474/?asn=fhdn&asn-ref=thefamilyvoyage&ref=thefamilyvoyage&bookable-only=yes&full-items=yes&marketplace=yes&flow=no&branding=no] Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/] Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Check out my favorite travel gear [https://amzn.to/4nKTZFp] and my Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamilyVoyage]! Chase Sapphire credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]

Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Recap & Mini Review

Get the quick highs and lows in this Grand Hyatt Scottsdale review + recap episode, all in less time that it takes to drink your morning coffee! Find out if this could be the right resort for your trip to Scottsdale with kids - and what might be the biggest drawback for many families. Check prices at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale [https://expedia.stay22.com/thefamilyvoyage/kSAqtKa14h] Amex Platinum Card [https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/personal/platinum-card?CORID=M%7EE%7EL%7EI%7ES%7EC%7EN%7E9%7Eh%7Ew-1775757146025-61129&GENCODE=349993389335114&XLINK=MYCP&extlink=US-MGM-SPA_WEB_MYCA-copypaste-92-201329-K7I6%3A9948&ref=MELISCN9hw&v=2] for The Hotel Collection bookings: $300 statement credit, $100 property credit, breakfast for 2, guarantee 4pm late checkout, room upgrade Arizona with kids resources: * Things to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale with kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/phoenix-scottsdale-kids-activities/] * Best Scottsdale Resorts For Families [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-scottsdale-resorts-for-families/] * Best Scottsdale Family-Friendly Rentals For An Amazing Stay [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-scottsdale-family-friendly-rentals/] * Royal Palms Resort & Spa Review: Is It the Best Romantic Getaway In Phoenix? [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/royal-palms-resort-spa-review/] * How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Scottsdale (Without the Kids!) [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/weekend-in-scottsdale-itinerary/] * 8 Great Things to do in Arizona with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/things-to-do-in-arizona-with-kids/] * Your essential Arizona packing list [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/arizona-packing-list/] * Saguaro National Park visitors guide [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/saguaro-national-park-visit/] * 7 Fun Things To Do In Tucson With Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/fun-things-to-do-in-tucson-with-kids/] * 3 Exciting Ways to Do a Day Trip to Sedona from Phoenix [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/day-trip-to-sedona/] * Fun things to do in Flagstaff with kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/fun-things-to-do-in-flagstaff-with-kids/] * Where to stay in Flagstaff with kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/where-to-stay-in-flagstaff/] Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/] Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Check out my favorite travel gear [https://amzn.to/4nKTZFp] and my Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamilyVoyage]! Chase Sapphire credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]

What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip

My carry-on has evolved over years of family travel - and at this point, it's pretty dialed in. This episode breaks down exactly what's in my bag, from the backpack I choose to the credit cards I pack and why. A few of these might surprise you! In this episode: * How I choose the right backpack for every trip * The power adapter I use every single day — at home and abroad * Why I think carefully about which credit cards to pack (and make a list) * What I bring to actually get some sleep on overnight flights * The carry-on essential I'm still experimenting with Timestamps: * 00:00 Welcome and summer travel updates * 01:25 Choosing the right carry-on backpack * 03:00 Power adapter and plane outlet hack * 04:13 Cables and battery packs * 05:23 Laptop and camera gear * 06:32 Sunglasses and the beach rule * 07:19 Snack strategy * 08:06 Picking the right travel credit cards * 10:38 Water bottle and hydration * 11:30 Plane comfort essentials * 12:41 Sleep tips and wrap-up Resources: Backpacks: * Travelon anti-theft backpack [https://amzn.to/4xbyraZ] * REI Flash 22 [https://on.ltk.com/+ssbQ26x5-JM-7XUQ59VrAg] * REI Trail 25 [https://on.ltk.com/+h0PZeNSObZRNT_lwgNx4yg] Tech & Power: * TESSAN 100W multi-country USB/plug adapter [https://amzn.to/4et3jfA] * Clip on portable phone/watch charger [https://amzn.to/4v54WWU] * iWalk portable battery [https://amzn.to/4ohFt9W] Camera set: * Olympus OM-D E-M10 body [https://amzn.to/3Q8lGwU] * Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150 mm F4-5.6 II Lens [https://amzn.to/4unx6ew] * Olympus spare battery [https://amzn.to/4g55S8L] Sunglasses: * Knockaround sunglasses [https://amzn.to/4xf3Edh] * Goodr sunglasses [https://amzn.to/4oz5xh7] Earbuds: * Anker SoundCore X20 noise-canceling earbuds [https://amzn.to/4fyfcBU] Water: * Half-liter insulated water bottle [https://tidd.ly/4dWRsGz] * CamelBak hydration bladder [https://amzn.to/43T2kiD] Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/] Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel [https://thefamilyvoyage.myflodesk.com/tv1hthnbg6] Check out my favorite travel gear [https://amzn.to/4nKTZFp] and my Etsy shop [https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFamilyVoyage]! Chase Sapphire credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]