Lessons from Istanbul → Frankfurt → Chicago → Minneapolis Between staffing issues, policy changes, and unpredictable security delays, even the most seasoned travelers can get caught off guard. What matters isn’t just what goes wrong—it’s how prepared you are when it does. Here’s what happened on our journey home—and the hard-earned travel tips that could save you hours (or even days) of stress. 🚨 Issue #1: The SSSS Surprise (and Forced Bag Weigh-In) We couldn’t check in onli

8 Days: Nairobi, Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara ITINERARY SUMMARY Begin your incredible safari adventure as you explore the most captivating landscapes in Kenya! 🏙️ Start in Nairobi – Kenya’s vibrant capital and your gateway to the wild. 🐘 Venture through Amboseli – Marvel at herds of elephants with the stunning Mt. Kilimanjaro in the background. 🌅 Soak up views at Lake Naivasha – Admire the Great Rift Valley and watch hippos lounging by the lake. 🦁 Explore Maasa

4 Days: Amsterdam HOTEL (4 nights + 1 night) Kimpton DeWitt AMS  163,000 points total for 4 nights (4th night free). For the second room, we used a Free Night Certificate + 7000 points for one night. This is a gorgeous hotel, excellent location, free room upgrade to very large corner King with great views, and free daily happy hour. Avenue Hotel  $162 (incl tax/fees) for one night. This hotel was next door and great for the price. DAY 1: PARIS to AMSTERDAM The four of us arr

4 Days: Paris & Normandy DAY 1: ETRETAT to HONFLEUR to CAEN Sienna and I landed in Paris, picked up our Sixt rental car and drove to the hotel to pick up Toy and Lexi for our Normandy adventure. We drove just under 3 hours to the beautiful seaside town of Etretat . From there, we headed 45 minutes to the port city of Honfleur , stopping at a boulangerie (French bakery) in Saint-Arnoult on our way. We continued on for another hour until we reached Caen, our final stop for th

10 Days: Madrid, Salamanca, Sevilla, Granada & Valencia HOTEL (4 nights) Hotel Indigo Madrid - Princesa 19,500/night (took advantage of IHG's 4th night free). A boutique hotel set in downtown Madrid in the Moncloa Argüelles area, a 10 minute walk of Torre de Madrid and Plaza de Espana. The hotel is ideally situated within 2km of other top attractions that Madrid has to offer such as Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace. DAY 1: MADRID We started the day with breakfast at Billy Brunc

Planning a trip to Nashville? Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, here’s a short, high-impact guide split into what you have  to do… and what most tourists miss. The Obvious Things to Do in Nashville 1. Walk Broadway (Yes, It’s Worth It) You can’t skip Broadway. Neon lights, live music pouring out of every doorway, and packed honky-tonks like Tootsies Orchid Lounge . There’s no cover at most places — just walk in and follow the sound. Daytime is fun. Nighttime is ele

If you’re thinking about travel rewards credit cards, you might be tempted by co-branded Delta American Express cards. After all, they let you earn Delta SkyMiles directly. But if you truly want to maximize the value of your points — and gain flexibility — the Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP)  often comes out far ahead. Here’s why. 1. Unmatched Flexibility The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR)  points, which are incredibly flexible. You can transfer UR

If you have a Chase credit card that earns Ultimate Rewards (UR), it's easy to transfer points and book flights. If you are a "Delta Loyalist," you can book a reward flight on KLM, Air France or Virgin Atlantic and you may fly on a Delta flight. KLM, Air France and Virgin Atlantic are partners with Delta and part of the SkyTeam alliance , allowing members to book flights operated by Delta using their respective frequent flyer miles. KLM flies from many U.S. cities direct to

Delta Deals Delta SkyMiles are directly linked to cash prices, so if there's a deal on SkyMiles, there's also a deal for cash. Iberia Deals Southwest Low Fares Search, then click on Low Fare Calendar Sun Country Deals Using the link above, it's easy to search deals and use their calendar to select the cheapest days. Planning your own adventure? Click here to request a FREE custom trip quote!

Did you know some credit cards will actually pay for your Global Entry application? If you love to travel but hate waiting in line, find out which cards can save you both time and money.

For a complete and up-to-date list, check the Hyatt Inclusive Collection . 🇦🇼 Aruba Secrets Baby Beach Aruba  – Adults-only, tranquil resort offering a blend of luxury, relaxation and adventure a short 2-5 minute walk to Baby Beach 🇩🇴 Punta Cana Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa  – Adults-only, high-energy resort known for pool parties, nightlife, and beachfront luxury. Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa  – Upcoming family-friendly resort in the exclusive Cap Cana area, steps

Planning your next all-inclusive getaway? Whether you're dreaming of a family-friendly vacation, a romantic adults-only escape, or a wellness-focused retreat, Hyatt offers a collection of all-inclusive resorts designed to match every travel style. With stunning beachfront locations across Mexico, the Caribbean, and beyond, Hyatt’s Ziva, Zilara, Secrets, Dreams, and Zoëtry brands deliver luxury, convenience, and unforgettable experiences. To help you choose the perfect fit, we

7 Days: Guatemala City, Antigua & Lake Atitlán HOTEL (2 nights) Hyatt Centric Guatemala Zone 10 17,500 total points with two queen beds, a free airport shuttle, coffee shop, small rooftop swimming pool and modern decor. Excellent location in Zone 10, La Zona Viva, and a quick walk to shopping malls, bars and restaurants. DAY 1: GUA TEMALA CITY We headed to Cayala , a pedestrian shopping district, for the day to eat and browse. The newest neighborhood in Guatemala City, Cayal

Exploring Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries: A Journey of Compassion and Connection

A quick winter escape is the perfect way to recharge and enjoy quality time with loved ones. Whether you choose a Hyatt resort  or another luxury destination, these nonstop flights from MSP  make it easier than ever to enjoy a quick and luxurious getaway. ☀️ Warm-Weather Destinations MSP offers a variety of nonstop flights to warm-weather destinations, including: Mexico : Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán Caribbean : Aruba, Montego Bay, Nassau, Pun

Norwegian Jade (5 nights) HOTEL (1 night) Hyatt Place Miami Airport-East 9,500 points with two queen beds and a sofa bed, free breakfast...

How to Set Up University Visits Overseas

A travel agent can be your ultimate partner in planning the perfect getaway for several reasons: Expert Advice : Travel agents can...

Booking Hyatt properties is an excellent way to get the most value out of your Chase, Capital One or Amex points. RECENT INQUIRY : I have a Delta companion pass expiring on May 31 and would like to take a trip from MSP to the Caribbean or Latin America using Chase points to book accommodation. How can I get the most value out of my points? STRATEGY : Determine where Delta flies (for a reasonable price), then check if there's an all-inclusive (AI) Hyatt in that location, as AI

There are a lot of ways to start booking FREE travel using credit card points. This is my recommendation based on personal experience. BEST OVERALL CARD: Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred (CSP) and follow Steps 2 & 3 from Getting Started with Credit Card Points . Why is this the BEST card? LOW annual fee: only $95 Sign-Up Bonus (SUP) is 75,000 points which is worth a minimum of $750 Transferrable Currency Unlike a Delta Skymiles AMEX, this card allows you to utilize your po