Journal · 53 essays · updated weekly

The Journal.

Long reads from the desk: sweet spots that refuse to die, devaluations as they hit, and the fine print our pipeline pulls out of T&C PDFs at 3am.

Sweet spots · Devaluations · Fine print · Transfer plays · Playbooks · Freshness reports.

Latest

Recent essays.

Hotel Programs Deep-Dives

Best Western Rewards: How the Program Works and Where It Wins in 2026

Best Western Rewards is the sleeper hotel loyalty program U.S. travelers should be using. Free nights start at 5,000 points, status comes fast, and the internat…

by Willow Gordon
Travel Hacking & Strategy

Southwest Companion Pass: How to Earn It and Use It in 2026

The Southwest Companion Pass is the most valuable single benefit in U.S. domestic travel — a buddy flies free for a full calendar year plus the year you earn it…

by Willow Gordon
Redeeming Points & Miles

Avianca LifeMiles Sweet Spots: Booking Star Alliance Premium Cabins for a Fraction of the Miles

Avianca LifeMiles is the Star Alliance program with the lowest published award prices for premium cabins to Europe, Asia, and South America. Here are the seven …

by Willow Gordon
Elite Status & Lounge Access

Hertz Five Star Status Match: How to Get Mid-Tier Car-Rental Status in Days

Hertz Five Star status normally takes 20+ rentals to earn. With a status match from another rental, hotel, or airline program, you can have it in 24-72 hours. H…

by Willow Gordon
Airline Programs Deep-Dives

Alaska Mileage Plan: The Complete Guide to One of America's Most Powerful Loyalty Programs

Alaska Mileage Plan punches far above its weight for award travel. Here's how earning, status, partner awards, and the most valuable redemptions actually work i…

by Willow Gordon
Travel Credit Cards

Which Chase Card Fits Your Travel Style Best?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred delivers strong everyday rewards with flexible earning categories, while the Sapphire Reserve loads up on premium perks. Use this c…

by Sarah Pritchet
Travel Credit Cards

Capital One Venture X vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Which Premium Travel Card Delivers Better Value

Deciding on a premium card can be hard: the Capital One Venture X has miles rewards and strong travel credits, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve has rewards for …

by Jerry Mavin
Transfer Partners & Currencies

How to Book Hyatt Hotels with Chase Points

Unlock stays at Hyatt hotels and resorts using your Chase Ultimate Rewards points. This guide walks you through transferring points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 r…

by Willow Gordon
Travel Credit Cards

Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services

Most U.S. households spend $100–$200+ monthly on multiple streaming services. The right credit card can turn routine payments into cash back, points, or direct …

by Willow Gordon
Travel Hacking & Strategy

How to Prevent Your Points and Miles from Expiring?

Loyalty points and miles seem like free money until they expire. Most major US programs no longer have expiration dates, but many require occasional account act…

by Jerry Mavin
Redeeming Points & Miles

Best Travel Cards for Small Business Owners

Small business owners who travel for work know the drill: costs add up fast. The right travel reward card can offset those costs with points or miles that redee…

by Sarah Pritchet
page 1 of 5Older →