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What apps and websites make planning a family trip with points and miles easier? In this episode, I walk through the exact tools I use for every trip, from finding award seats and nonstop routes to organizing the itinerary and getting through travel day with kids. It started with a mistake. This morning I discovered I'd booked a return flight a full month too late, and a tool I've had for almost 20 years would have caught it. So here's my whole toolkit, in the order I use it, including the ones I should be using more. In this episode: Why Thrifty Traveler Premium's deal alerts and credit card benefit tracker are worth the subscriptionMy backwards search trick on FlightsFrom to find nonstop gateways from any destinationHow I use PointsYeah, PointsPath Pro, and seats.aero to find award seats, plus the programs PointsYeah is missingWhy you should always confirm award space with the airline before transferring pointsThe Google Sheets layout I use to build every itinerary, plus the shared doc that stores all our loyalty numbersHow TripIt keeps confirmations in one place (and how it would have caught my mistake)Where AI fits in my planning, and where it doesn'tThe United, Hilton, and Avis app features that make travel days easierThe Allyz app from our annual Allianz policy, and when to compare policies on SquaremouthEarning extra on tours, rental cars, and cash hotel stays with shopping portals and CardPointersDeal Alerts & Card Benefits Thrifty Traveler Premium (save $20 with code THEFAMILYVOYAGE)Route Finding FlightsFromFlightConnectionsAward Search PointsYeahPointsPath seats.aero Trip Organizing TripIt Travel Insurance Squaremouth (compare travel insurance policies)Shopping Portals & Card Offers RakutenTopCashbackCapital One ShoppingCardPointers (lifetime plan discount)From The Family Voyage Fall Break Destinations for FamiliesBest credit cards for family travelDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

How many days do you actually need in the Azores with kids, and is São Miguel worth the trip? This is the full São Miguel guide — flights and points, renting a car, where to stay, the best hot springs and waterfalls, whale watching, and the honest story of how our four days actually went, weather included. We paired this trip with a stop in London (full recap in Season 2, Episode 2), and if you want the complete points and miles breakdown for the whole ten-day trip, that's back in Season 1, Episode 42. This episode is just about São Miguel: what it's like, what to do, where to stay, and what we'd change next time. In this episode: Why the Azores feel nothing like mainland Portugal, even though they're technically part of itHow long you actually need on São Miguel (we had four days — here's why that wasn't quite enough)Best time of year to visit and how the island's microclimates can wreck a tight itineraryThe points and miles breakdown for getting to and from São Miguel, plus why renting a car is non-negotiableWhere to stay: the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lagoa on points, plus Pedras do Mar and Senhora da Rosa for cash bookingsScenic lookouts, waterfalls, hot springs (including the one that's nearly impossible to book), whale and dolphin watching, and a pineapple farmOur actual day-by-day itinerary, weather setbacks and allA split family verdict: how Jacob, Shoshana, Ronnie, and Melissa each felt about the island differentlyTimestamps 00:00 — Intro & Recap of the Trip00:52 — Why the Azores Aren't Mainland Portugal04:03 — How Long You Actually Need06:07 — Best Time of Year to Visit07:16 — Flights, Points & Renting a Car10:50 — Where to Stay on São Miguel13:18 — Best Things to Do20:04 — Our Actual Day-by-Day Itinerary22:39 — Family Verdict & What We'd ChangeLinks The Full Guide São Miguel, Azores Travel Guide — full write-up with the map, packing list, and activity details mentioned in this episodeRelated Episodes S1 Ep. 42 — How We Planned London & Azores on PointsS1 Ep. 49 — London vs. Azores Recap: A Kid's TakeS2 Ep. 2 — London with Kids: What We Loved, What Surprised Us, and What We'll Do Differently Next TimeWhere We Stayed DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa — booked on points, full Hilton transfer math in the guidePedras do Mar Resort & Spa — splurgier north coast pickSenhora da Rosa — cash booking, pool table and a pineapple-greenhouse hot tubThings to Do Poça da Dona Beija hot springsCaldeira Velha tickets — book the moment your dates are set, slots go fastWhale & dolphin watching tourSpotAzores live weather cams (São Miguel)Car Rental Discover Cars — São Miguel local rental optionsFlight Deals SAVE $20 on Thrifty Traveler Premium 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still worth its $795 annual fee after the 2025 overhaul — and what does the Chase Sapphire Preferred's new 4:3 Hyatt transfer ratio mean for your points? This episode breaks down every change to both Sapphire cards this year, why Melissa upgraded back to the Reserve with no welcome bonus, and exactly how she used Chase's "The Edit" hotel program to book two rooms for four nights in Amsterdam for 100,000 points and fifty dollars. In this episode: What the Chase Sapphire Reserve looked like in 2016 vs. what it costs and covers nowWhy Melissa and her husband downgraded to Freedom Unlimited in 2023 — and why that trick doesn't work anymoreThe Chase Sapphire Preferred's June 2026 overhaul: the Hyatt transfer ratio drop, the doubled hotel credit, and what's grandfathered until OctoberThree reasons Melissa upgraded to the $795 Reserve without a welcome bonusA full breakdown of The Edit: split reservations, price-matching, and stacking Points Boost to book Amsterdam's Kimpton De Witt for next to nothingWhy Melissa isn't sure she'll keep chasing Hyatt Globalist status, and what that means for her hotel strategy going forwardTimestamps: 00:00 Welcome 03:15 Chase Sapphire Reserve Refresh 04:51 Chase Sapphire Preferred Refresh 09:08 Why I Upgraded Again 13:16 Chase Travel's The Edit (My Booking Hacks) 18:13 More Resources and Wrap Up Resources: Chase Sapphire Preferred: What's Changing and What You Should Do About It3 Reasons I Upgraded to the Chase Sapphire Reserve (Even Without a Bonus)Case Study: The Edit Shines in AmsterdamCards mentioned Chase Sapphire Reserve / PreferredChase Ink Business Preferred / Sapphire Reserve for BusinessChase Freedom UnlimitedGeneral resources Best Credit Cards for Family TravelFree Travel resource pageDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Nine years ago this month, Melissa's family packed up the car and set off on what was supposed to be a one-year adventure — and turned into almost two. In this reflective episode, she looks back at what actually stuck: the deep family bond that full-time travel built, why "owning your happiness" became a lasting family value, and how those lessons still shape the way they travel. In this episode: The 2017 family trip that turned into two years on the roadThe two biggest takeaways from full-time travel — and why neither one is really about travel at allHow those lessons still show up in how the family plans trips today, even short onesWhy this isn't a "quit your job" pitch, and small, realistic ways to build in a pause without upending your lifeDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Family travel to London with kids: what we loved, what surprised us, and what we'd do differently on our next trip We just spent five days in London with the kids, and rather than walk you through a stop-by-stop itinerary (that's what the blog article is for), this episode is the honest debrief: each of our four favorite things from the trip, where we ate, what caught us off guard about the city, and what's already on the list for next time. IN THIS EPISODE Where we stayed near King's Cross and why the location mattered more than the room sizeEach of our four top picks: Harrods, the Tower of London and Changing of the Guard, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and two West End/Globe showsWhere we ate - afternoon tea at the Ampersand, Hobson's Fish & Chips, a 100% gluten-free splurge at Niche, and Mango IndianWhat surprised us about London, good and badWhat we'd do differently on our next visitTimestamps 00:00 — Introduction02:11 — Getting There & Getting Around04:34 — Where We Stayed07:00 — The Highlights: Our Four Favorite Things15:32 — Food Highlights12:36 — What Surprised Me16:02 — What We'd Do Differently Next TimeResources Our 5 Day London With Kid ItineraryWhere to Stay in London with Kids on Points (by Program)Changing of the Guard guided tourTower of London ticketsEpisode 42 — How We Planned London & Azores on Points Episode 49 — London + Azores: A Kid's TakeBest Credit Cards for Family Travel  Join the newsletterComing Soon on the Blog Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Tips & TricksDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Episode Description My most popular article of the year — now an episode. A region-by-region fall break guide for families, plus four spots that didn't make the original article. East Coast Fall Break Escapes: New York City · Finger Lakes · Washington DC · Colonial Williamsburg · Philadelphia · Boston · Sarasota · Orlando · Iceland Midwest Fall Break Favorites: Chicago · Cleveland · Louisville · St. Louis · Aruba & Curaçao Mountain/West Fall Break Options: Arizona · San Diego · Yosemite · Hawaii  · La Paz, Mexico Plus: why fall beats spring break and summer for weather, crowds, and price — and how we use points and miles to book most of it without a strict budget. Season 2 of Family Travel Unpacked starts here. Hit follow so you don't miss what's next. Timestamps 00:00 — Season Two Kickoff01:48 — Why Fall Break Works04:21 — East Coast Fall Break Escapes15:49 — Midwest Fall Break Favorites20:41 — Mountain/West Fall Break Options26:23 — Wrapping UpResources Awesome Fall Break Destinations for Families  East Coast NYC attractions for kids: Finger Lakes with kidsWatkins Glen hiking tips Best things to do in DC with kidsWilliamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown itinerary Colonial Williamsburg tipsFun things to do in Sarasota with kidsOrlando with tweensTips for Universal Studios Orlando Best Iceland toursVisiting Iceland on a budget Midwest Louisville weekend itineraryLexington, KY weekend itinerary (Louisville day trip)Day trips from Cleveland St. Louis with kidsMountain/West Scottsdale & Phoenix with kids8 great things to do in Arizona with kidsSan Diego with kids Where to stay in San Diego with kidsThings to do on Oahu with kidsThings to do on Maui with kidsThings to do on Kauai with kidsBig Island 5 Day ItineraryDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Our Trip Fell Apart (But Our Points Didn't) — Plus How to Travel for Free with Kids A Southwest delay killed our Charleston beach trip — but because it was booked on points, we walked away without losing a dime. Here's exactly how we unwound three different award bookings, plus a full breakdown of how to earn and use points to travel with kids for free. Melissa was supposed to be recapping a family beach getaway to Wild Dunes, a Hyatt resort near Charleston. Instead, a cascading Southwest delay forced a last-minute cancellation — and this episode walks through how to cancel an award flight, an award hotel stay, and a rental car booking without eating the cost. Then it's a deep dive into the credit card and points strategy that makes free family travel possible in the first place. In This Episode How to cancel an award flight and get every point backWhat really happens when you cancel a hotel award stay inside the cancellation windowTwo ways to avoid a last-minute hotel cancellation feeWhy rental car bookings through travel portals (Capital One, Chase, Priceline) can get complicatedWhy earning points is harder for families than solo travelersThe fastest way to earn points: credit card sign-up bonusesBest starter cards for family travel (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business)How to search and book award flights (Google Flights, PointsYeah, AwardTool, airline alliances)What a repositioning flight or drive is, and when it's worth itThe Southwest Companion Pass strategy for familiesHotel points strategy for families (Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Choice)Practical tips for booking flights and hotel rooms with kids Chapters 00:00 Intro & catching up  01:00 The Wild Dunes trip and the cancellation cascade  03:00 Unwinding the points: flight, hotel, and rental car  08:30 Why points are harder to use for families  09:30 Earning points: sign-up bonuses and transferable points  13:00 Booking award flights (tools, alliances, repositioning)  18:30 The Southwest Companion Pass  20:30 Hotel strategies: Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Choice  25:00 Practical tips and wrap-up Chase Sapphire credit cards Best Travel Credit Cards for Families Southwest Companion Pass Four Reasons I LOVE Award Travel How to get discounted rental cars Chase Freedom credit cards Chase Ink Business credit cards Capital One Venture X credit card 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Planning a weekend trip to Philadelphia? We spent 24 hours in the city using points for flights and a free hotel night, hitting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and some of the best Israeli food in the country. We flew nonstop on American using Alaska Atmos points, stayed at the Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square on a free night certificate, and packed in a museum, three restaurants, and a same-day Independence Hall reservation — all in one night. In this episode: Booking nonstop American flights with Alaska Atmos points (9,000 for first class out, 4,500 for economy home)A free night at the Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square using a Hyatt credit card certificateThe Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History's exhibit on the Jewish merchants who supplied the American RevolutionDinner at Zahav, brunch at Dizengoff, and lunch at Goldie — three spots from chef Michael Solomonov's CookNSolo groupBooking a same-day Independence Hall tour through recreation.govWhere past Philly trips with the kids fit in — the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Museum of the American RevolutionTimestamps (estimated — confirm against final recording before publishing) 00:00 — Intro  01:15 — How we booked it: Alaska Atmos points  03:00 — Past Philly trips & who it's for  04:30 — Weitzman Museum exhibit  06:00 — Zahav, Dizengoff, and Goldie  08:00 — Independence Hall in 25 minutes  09:30 — Liberty Bell and Rittenhouse Square  11:00 — Hyatt Centric review + outro 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Boston with kids doesn't have to mean one long trip — after two separate weekend visits in the same year, here's what's worth doing, where to stay on points, and the one expense that caught us off guard. In this episode 50 recap, I compare two Hyatt Regency stays booked on free night certificates, share the Alaska Atmos points trick that got us into first class for less than economy, and break down where to eat, tour, and skip the rideshare surprise that cost us the most. In this episode: Why we're recapping two different Boston trips — one with our daughter last summer, one solo-parent-turned-family-reunion this year — in a single episodeBooking first class on American Airlines for just 9,000 Alaska Atmos points each, because airfare spiked and economy award seats disappearedHyatt Regency Boston vs. Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor: same category 4 free night certificate, two completely different tripsBoston Tea Party Museum and a guided Freedom Trail walking tour — why paying for a guide beat doing it ourselves in our 20sThe surprise expenseGetting around Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor without a car: the shuttle, the $2.40 ferry, and why weekends are trickier than weekdaysWho Boston is best for, from toddlers to a no-kids weekend awayBoston travel resources Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Freedom Trail guided tour  Duck boat tour Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Wondering whether London or the Azores is the better pick for your next family trip? In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, my 12 year old takes over as our tween travel expert and gives her honest, unfiltered review of both destinations, from Harrods and the West End in London to hiking, hot tubs, and Europe's only tea plantation in São Miguel, the Azores. We just got back from London and the Azores, and this trip felt like two completely different vacations back to back — a huge European capital followed by a small, nature-focused island. Shoshana breaks down what surprised her, her favorite hotel, how gluten-free eating (she has Celiac disease) compared between the two, and which destination won her over in the end. We also booked this entire trip on points, covering flights and hotels for basically nothing out of pocket until we landed. The full breakdown of the 600,000-plus points we used is back in Episode 42, and full-length, in-depth episodes on London and the Azores individually are coming later this summer and into fall. In this episode: What it's really like traveling with a tween through London vs. São Miguel, AzoresHotel reviews: The Standard London vs. DoubleTree by Hilton São MiguelMust-do family activities in London, including the Jellycat store at Harrods and the West End show HadestownWhy São Miguel felt like "the Hawaii of the Atlantic" — hiking, the rooftop and indoor pools, and Europe's only tea plantationNavigating gluten-free and Celiac-friendly eating in London and the Azores, including a splurge-worthy dinner at Niche Gluten FreeShoshana's honest verdict: London or São Miguel, and what she'd do differently next timeA reminder that this trip was booked almost entirely on points — full breakdown in Episode 42Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro & the Episode 42 points recap  01:23 — Bringing in our tween travel expert  02:16 — London highs and lows 04:00 — Azores highs and lows 06:09 — Gluten-free travel: London vs. the Azores  08:04 — Wrapping up 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

Kids Flying Alone? Everything Parents Need to Know About Unaccompanied Minor Travel Can kids fly alone — and how does it actually work? This episode covers everything parents need to know about domestic unaccompanied minor travel, from airline policies and fees to what really happens at the airport. Melissa shares firsthand experience from multiple solo flights her own kids have taken, breaks down the rules for every major US carrier, and explains how to use points to book UNMR tickets. Jacob and Shoshana also join to share advice directly for kids about to take their first solo flight. In this episode: What unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service is and which ages it applies toAge-based nonstop vs. connecting rules — and why United is the strict outlierFee structures and policies for American, Delta, United, Southwest, and AlaskaHow to book UNMR flights with points — and when partner bookings get complicatedCredit cards that can offset the $150 UNMR fee (Amex Platinum, Hilton Aspire, Citi Strata Elite, and more)The airport process step by step: two-hour arrival, gate passes, regular security (no PreCheck/CLEAR), waiting until the plane is airborneWhat to have ready before you get to the check-in counterWhat to tell your child if the pickup adult isn't there when they landBaggage strategy: backpacks only, ship the big bags for camp tripsKeeping in touch: Apple Watch, Apple Cash, Airalo eSIM, FlightAwareJacob and Shoshana's advice for kids taking their first solo flightTimestamps: 01:30 — What UNMR service is03:45 — Airline policies and fees09:00 — Accompanying adult age rules09:45 — Booking with points12:30 — Credit cards that offset the fee13:30 — The airport process21:00 — Preparing your child25:15 — Jacob and Shoshana's adviceDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

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 purchaseWhy the Chase Freedom Unlimited beats the Sapphire cards for everyday spending — and how to combine points across cardsThe office supply store gift card trick that can add tens of thousands of points a yearHow the Paze digital wallet is currently offering a huge bonus on Chase cardsWhy watching your email and mailbox for targeted offers can pay off in a big wayHow Card Pointers Plus automatically finds and activates credit card offersHow to ask for retention offers when an annual fee comes dueWhy referral links are a win-win for you and your friendsTimestamps 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 (sign up and get a $50 bonus) TopCashback (sign up and get a $10 bonus)Doctor of Credit (for gift card deals) - Staples and Office DepotPaze merchant directoryTools Card Pointers PlusCredit Cards Mentioned Chase Sapphire Preferred / ReserveChase Freedom UnlimitedChase Ink Business cardsUnited credit cardsRelated Reading Chase Sapphire Preferred: What's Changing and What You Should Do About ItThe Southwest Companion Pass Trick Free ebook: The Busy Mom's Guide to Free TravelDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

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 daysThe bug protection hack that doesn't touch your liquid allowanceWhat to actually look for in waterproof hiking shoes for familiesWhy binoculars are non-negotiable in AlaskaWhat to pack: Rain pants: women's in multiple lengths | kidsInsect repellant shirtSilicone collapsible lunch containersWaterproof hiking shoes: Columbia men's | Columbia women's | Adidas teen | kidsBinocularsAlaska travel planning resources: Full Alaska packing listAlaska itinerary eBookAll Alaska resources 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

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 Anchorage guide Day trips from Anchorage Renting a car in Alaska Alaska packing list Rental car savings Alaska itinerary eBook Award travel: How to travel free with kids Best credit cards for family travel Southwest Companion Pass guide 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 Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise Alaska Native Heritage Center Kenai Rever float trip, Cooper Landing 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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards

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 Amex Platinum Card 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 kidsBest Scottsdale Resorts For FamiliesBest Scottsdale Family-Friendly Rentals For An Amazing StayRoyal Palms Resort & Spa Review: Is It the Best Romantic Getaway In Phoenix?How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Scottsdale (Without the Kids!)8 Great Things to do in Arizona with KidsYour essential Arizona packing listSaguaro National Park visitors guide7 Fun Things To Do In Tucson With Kids3 Exciting Ways to Do a Day Trip to Sedona from PhoenixFun things to do in Flagstaff with kidsWhere to stay in Flagstaff with kidsDon'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 Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop! Chase Sapphire credit cards