Welcome to the Points and Miles Travel Chats podcast. I'm Michele from Fancy Travel Pointers, and I believe your everyday spend is the secret to extraordinary travel.
If you’ve ever worried that points are too complicated, or wondered if a busy family with public school schedules and competitive sports could really travel with points — I’m here to show you it’s absolutely possible.
Here’s what I know for sure: it’s not about spending more, and keeping my credit score sky-high is always front and center. I’ll give you actionable steps and teach real, repeatable strategies that transform the way you earn points and the value you get from them.
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How We Saved $40K on a Luxury Family Trip to Thailand & Bali Using Points
Season 2 · Episode 23
Thursday, September 3, 2026 • Duration 35:49
In today's episode, we're chatting about...
How we planned a two-week family trip to Koh Samui, Thailand and Bali for three, and why I started planning it almost a year ahead
Flying Singapore Airlines Business Class to/from Asia using points instead of paying the $28,000+ cash price
How I booked Bangkok Airways via Qatar Airways with points
Our three-night stay at Conrad Koh Samui, including the private pool villas, incredible breakfast using 120,000 Hilton points per night
Using a Marriott 85K free night certificate + 184,000 Marriott points for three nights at Vana Belle Koh Samui
Our one-night strategy at Alila Ubud
The absolute showstopper: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, including our massive private pool villa and how we booked two nights for 280,000 Marriott points + $490 instead of $5500+
Exploring Ubud, the Monkey Forest, rice fields, temples and Balinese villages
Our two-night stay at Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, including the huge villa, private pool, ocean views and beach club using 120K Hilton points per night
Using Fine Hotel + Resort credit at Jimbaran Puri, for our final night in Bali
My biggest takeaways for families who want to use points for premium-cabin flights and luxury hotels in Asia
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Information was correct to the best of my knowledge at time of recording. Always double check/verify information about cards and or bookings.
How to Get Luxury Hilton Hotels for a Fraction of the Cash Price
Season 2 · Episode 22
Thursday, August 27, 2026 • Duration 27:33
In today's episode, we're chatting about
Episode overview
Why Hilton is becoming a larger part of our points travel strategy
The reason Hilton’s free night certificates are incredible and how we used ours at a $2,000+ per night resort
How, when and why buying Hilton points could be part of your travel strategy
The Hilton fifth-night-free benefit makes Hilton points stays even more attractive
How Hilton’s dynamic pricing can be addressed with free night certificates
Some of our favorite Hilton stays so far, including Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, Conrad Koh Samui and LXR Bali — plus which ones I'd actually go back to.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
A points and miles expert, using points for family vacations to Japan, Hawaii, Thailand, Greece, Italy, Spain, theme parks and so much more.
I don't believe in spending more to earn more points. The key is knowing how to earn the best points and getting massive value from them.
With a teenager in competitive sports & public school, traveling during the busiest of times is our family's norm. I'll show you my best tips & strategies to use points for making incredible family travel happen.
Fancy Travel Pointers is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
