How We Planned London & Azores on Points

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]

How We Planned London & Azores on Points

This summer our family is heading to London and the Azores — and before we go, I'm walking you through exactly how we're paying for it with points and miles. From 32,500 AA miles per person to a $1 flight (yes, really), this episode breaks down every flight and every hotel booking and shows you what this trip would have cost in cash versus what we're actually paying out of pocket. If you've ever wondered whether the points and miles game is worth it for a family, this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE * Why we paired London and the Azores together — and why we couldn't squeeze in a second island * How booking nine months out locked us into an ideal one-stop itinerary at 32,500 AA miles per person * The one-dollar flight from London to São Miguel — and why departure taxes matter more than you think * How we'll get home from the Azores with United miles and a cardholder deal * Finding a four-person hotel room in London (harder than it sounds) * How we used Amex points — a currency we were flush with but not using enough — to cover our Azores hotel stay * The full cash value of this trip vs. what we're actually paying TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and Points Preview  01:32 Trip Setup and Constraints  03:22 Flights to London with AA Miles  06:36 Avios Deal and UK Departure Taxes  08:04 Flying Home from the Azores  10:36 London Hotel: The Standard with Hyatt Points  13:23 Azores Hotel: DoubleTree with Amex and Hilton Points  15:16 Total Costs and Takeaways  16:46 Wrapping Up Credit Cards * Chase Sapphire Preferred [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX] * Chase Sapphire Reserve [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX] * Capital One Venture X [https://i.capitalone.com/JjH6wknTx] * Amex Gold Card [https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/personal/gold-card?CORID=M%7EE%7EL%7EI%7ES%7EC%7EY%7Ev%7Eq%7Eg-1764041581263-928431&GENCODE=349993389335114&XLINK=MYCP&extlink=US-MGM-SPA_WEB_MYCA-copypaste-92-201329-K7I6%3A9948&ref=MELISCYvqg&v=2] * 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] Award Search Tools * PointsYeah [https://www.pointsyeah.com/?linkId=lp_919533&sourceId=thefamilyvoyage&tenantId=pointsyeah] * AwardTool [https://awardtool.com/r/eb120c] More Resources * Best Credit Cards for Family Travel [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-credit-cards-for-family-travel/] * How to Travel Free with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/how-to-travel-free-with-kids/] * Episode 30 – Portugal on Points [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2554082/episodes/18806233] * Episode 14 – Hacking Hotels [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2554082/episodes/18386107] * Episode 7 - Travel with kids for FREE? Yes please! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2554082/episodes/18141660] 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]

The Magic Combo: Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Points

Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt points = endless family travel possibilities. Here's how to make them work together. What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You get one of the most versatile family travel strategies out there — whether you're looking for an easy long weekend at a Texas resort, a ski trip in Colorado, an eco-adventure in Costa Rica, or an all-inclusive in Jamaica. In this episode I'm breaking down how these two programs work together, walking through some of my favorite properties across several trip types, and sharing honest real-world experience from stays I've actually done with my family. In this episode: * How the Southwest Companion Pass works — and why having two in one household is a game-changer * The best tip for saving even more on Southwest fares after you book * How Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt at 1:1 — and why that matters * Three ways to earn a Category 1-4 free night certificate from the Chase World of Hyatt card * What Hyatt's new five-tier award chart means for families (and the silver lining for cert holders) * Easy long weekend getaways: Florida, Texas, New Mexico, California * Family adventure trips: Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, skiing, Hawaii and why Anchorage is suddenly on the table * All-inclusives: the properties, AND the important caveats families need to know before booking Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome  01:42 — Earning the Southwest Companion Pass and Saving More After You Book 05:20 — Chase, Hyatt Points and Free Night Certificates  07:36 — Understanding Hyatt's New Award Chart  09:12 — Easy Long Weekend Getaways 18:31 — Family Adventure Trips 28:19 — All-Inclusive Resorts 32:27 — Wrap-Up Resources Southwest * Southwest credit cards [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226m/L8PCXRD3PU]  * How to earn the Southwest companion pass [http://thefamilyvoyage.com/companion] * Episode 17 — Southwest Companion Pass deep dive [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2554082/episodes/18459903] Chase / Hyatt * Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]  * World of Hyatt award chart [https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/en/rewards/free-nights-upgrades.html] Hotel Reviews on The Family Voyage * Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/andaz-papagayo-review/] * Hyatt Regency Lost Pines [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/hyatt-regency-lost-pines-review/] * Hyatt Regency Waikiki [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/hyatt-regency-waikiki-review/] * Hyatt Regency Coconut Point [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/hyatt-regency-coconut-point-review/] * Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/hyatt-regency-grand-cypress-review/] 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]

Clash of the (Sort of) Ninety-Five Dollar Travel Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X — which travel credit card is right for your family? Melissa breaks down annual fees, earning rates, transfer partners, lounge access, and real-world redemptions to help you decide. Spoiler: you'll probably want both. In this episode: * Why the Venture X's $395 annual fee is effectively comparable to the Sapphire Preferred's $95 — and how the math works * The Capital One travel portal price match trick that actually works * Current welcome bonuses * How the Chase Freedom Unlimited pairs with the Sapphire Preferred to maximize everyday earning * Transfer partners: why Chase and Capital One complement each other rather than compete * What's changing with World of Hyatt's award chart and what it means for your redemptions * Capital One Offers: the underrated feature that scored Melissa's family 10k bonus points on an Expedia booking and 5k on StubHub — plus a jaw-dropping theme park ticket offer * Lounge access: what the recent guest policy changes mean for families * The Chase 5/24 rule, Capital One's inquiry sensitivity, and the right order to open these cards * How to freeze a credit bureau before applying to improve your Capital One approval odds * How Ronnie and Melissa divide the cards in their household — and how she uses his Venture X at Target, the grocery store and all around town Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 02:18 Why Compare the Capital One Venture X vs Chase Sapphire Preferred? 03:37 Annual Fee Math Explained 07:01 Bonuses and Real Examples 08:22 Earning Rates and Strategy 11:45 Portals vs Transfer Partners 16:41 CapitalOne Offers Hack 18:34 Premium Perks 21:44 Application Tips 24:11 Final Recommendations Credit Cards Chase Sapphire Preferred [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19w/WC4862W6YX]  Chase Freedom Unlimited [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18a/15JZOOQYHO] Chase Ink Business Preferred [https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21e/GIHJ73GGLU] Capital One Venture X (Personal) [https://i.capitalone.com/JjH6wknTx]  Capital One Venture X Business [https://i.capitalone.com/JBKWu6BQs] Award Search Tools PointsYeah [https://www.pointsyeah.com/?linkId=lp_919533&sourceId=thefamilyvoyage&tenantId=pointsyeah] AwardTool [https://awardtool.com/r/eb120c] Articles Free travel resources [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/freetravel/]Best Credit Cards for Family Travel [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-credit-cards-for-family-travel/] Get your free ebook [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]

Europe with Kids: A Beginners Guide

Planning a family trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode Melissa breaks down everything you need to know to plan your first family trip to Europe — from choosing the right destination for your family to getting around once you're there without losing your mind. With nine trips to Europe across more than a decade of family travel, Melissa has done it every way imaginable: road trips, trains, ferries, budget flights, and everything in between. She shares which countries work best for first-timers and why, what to expect logistically, and how to use points and miles to bring the cost of a family trip to Europe within reach. In this episode: * The single most important mindset shift for a first Europe trip with kids * What you need to know about passports and travel authorizations before you book * A destination-by-destination breakdown of the best countries for first-time Europe families - including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, and Iceland * How to get around Europe with kids * How to use points and miles to significantly reduce your costs * Practical on-the-ground tips: adapters, eSIMs, travel insurance, and more 00:00 Welcome  02:11 Big picture planning 05:35 Best destinations for a first family trip to Europe  17:57 Getting around Europe with kids  22:30 Europe on a budget  24:27 Logistical tips for your family trip to Europe  26:08 Do you need travel insurance? 27:11 Final thoughts and where to go from here Articles Europe with Kids — Complete Destination Hub [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/europe-with-kids-where-to-go/] Should you bring your car seat to Europe? [https://travelcarseatexpert.com/should-you-bring-your-car-seat-to-europe/] Ireland with Kids Travel Guide [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/trip-report-ireland-with-kids/] Where to Go in Italy with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/family-trip-to-italy-with-kids/] Spring Portugal with Kids Itinerary, Recap and (Slight) Regrets [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/portugal-with-kids-itinerary-recap/] Greece with Kids: Where Should You Go? [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/greece-with-kids/] Athens with Kids in One Day (or Two) [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/athens-with-kids-one-day/] Naxos with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/greece-naxos-with-kids/] Visiting Crete with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/visiting-crete-with-kids/] Paris with Kids [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/paris-with-kids/] Best Iceland Tours [https://www.thefamilyvoyage.com/best-iceland-tours-activies/] Travel Insurance & Gear Squaremouth (compare insurance plans) [https://www.squaremouth.com/?aid=22519] Universal travel power adapter [https://amzn.to/42fWxD8] Airalo eSIM (use code MELISS0517) [https://airalo.pxf.io/Qymr1o] 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]