Intermediate Points & Miles Strategy

Award Travel Beyond the Basics

Real-world trip reports, points and miles strategies, and practical advice for travelers ready to maximize every redemption.

That “just booked” feeling

Ever score a great points redemption and feel your heart racing, thinking about the awesome experience ahead — and how it only cost a tiny fraction of the sticker price? Yeah, we know the feeling too. It’s High On Points.

Trip Reports

See how the trips come together

Flights, hotels, taxes, fees, positioning flights, destination choices, and the details that make or break a redemption.

Points Strategy

Go beyond the basics

Intermediate points and miles topics for travelers ready to level up their award travel planning.

Planning Tips

Travel farther for less

Practical ways to turn hard-earned points into better flights, better hotels, and better travel experiences.

Featured article

Washington, D.C. Trip Report

How Premium Credit Card Benefits Saved Us Thousands on a Washington, D.C. Family Vacation

See how I combined airline credits, Alaska Atmos Rewards miles, Chase Edit hotel benefits, a StubHub credit, Capital One miles, complimentary breakfast, and property credits to reduce the cost of a spring break family trip.

Advanced Points Strategy

Beyond Welcome Bonuses: The Upgrade Strategy That Earned Our Family Over 1 Million American Express Membership Rewards Points

How our family used American Express Membership Rewards upgrade offers, retention offers, and strategic downgrades to continue earning points long after the easy welcome bonuses were gone.

Featured episode

Trip Report

Ep.38 - Amsterdam on Points: Lori's Multigenerational Trip

Lori shares the details of her spring break multigenerational trip to Amsterdam, including how she used points for hotels and flights.