Family Travel on Points, Solo Trip Ideas, and Booking Tools Compared: Your Travel Questions Answered

Learn how to maximize Chase points for family Hawaii trips, travel with infants, and pick the right rewards card.

Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French dig into a mailbag of listener questions covering points strategy, family travel, and the trade-offs of different hotel booking platforms. But first, Meghan is joined by Smart Money host Elizabeth Ayoola, filling in for Sally, to break down the latest travel headlines, including the Spirit Airlines shutdown, a new Wells Fargo transfer partner, a big new sign-up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, anniversary updates to the Amex Gold Card, and two new direct routes from the U.S. to Rome.

Then, Meghan and Sally answer listener questions, with tips and tricks on saving Chase points for future family travel, navigating travel insurance claims on award flights, using points and price trackers to score a family Hawaii trip, picking the right next credit card when you live outside a big city, choosing your next solo female travel destination, and comparing Gondola and Roame for hotel bookings.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve Review: A High-End, High-Maintenance Card

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards 

• Chase Freedom Unlimited Card Review

• American Express Gold Card Review: Dining Rewards Royalty

• American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits 

• World of Hyatt Card Review: Lavish Benefits, Reasonable Cost

• Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary

• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Review: Highly Rewarding for Travelers

• Citi AAdvantage Platinum Credit Card Review

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Spirit Airlines Has Shut Down: Here's What to Do

• Guide to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• Chase Sapphire Reserve's Welcome Offer Reaches Highest Level Yet

• 11 Things to Do with 150K Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

• American Express Gold Card Unveils New and Updated Benefits

• Star Alliance: The Complete Guide

• Hyatt's New Award Chart Raises Points Prices for Most Nights

• Points Path Review: A Free Tool To Compare Costs

• Gondola Hotel Search Review: It's My Favorite Tool

• Roame Award Search Tool Review

Want even more tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel dollars? Subscribe to TravelNerd, our free newsletter designed to help you crack the code on spending less on your travel.

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