Point Me to Vacay: Travel Tales & Tips

Tom & Katie: Everyday Travelers, Podcasters in Progress
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A travel podcast meets funny laid-back chat!  Tom and Katie aren’t travel experts or influencers, just real people sharing hacks, tips, and stories from trips big and small to help you turn points and miles into your next unforgettable vacay!

  1. Christmas Edition: My Top 5 Places I’d Spend Christmas

    2D AGO · BONUS

    Christmas Edition: My Top 5 Places I’d Spend Christmas

    Point Me to Vacay = Christmas Edition 🎄🎅 It’s almost Christmas — and if you’re a mom feeling the end-of-year chaos (like me), this episode is your permission to pause for a few minutes and dream. In this Christmas Edition episode, I’m counting down my top five places I’d spend Christmas, from bucket-list destinations to the place that will always win no matter what. We’re talking Christmas markets, iconic cities, theme-park magic, tropical escapes — and more... This episode is perfect for listening while wrapping those last minute gifts, driving to one more school event, or hiding in the bathroom for five quiet minutes. In this episode, I count down my TOP 5 places I'd spend Christmas! Whether you’re traveling for the holidays or staying close to home, this episode is a reminder that Christmas doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. 🎄 From our family to yours — Merry Christmas and thanks for listening! Send us a text Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    11 min

  2. DEC 16

    NFR Las Vegas Trip Recap: Rio Hotel Review, Points Travel & the Chaos We Didn't Expect

    NFR Las Vegas Trip Recap: Rio Hotel Review, Points Travel & the Chaos We Didn't Expect 🎰  Vegas always delivers… just not always how you expect. 😅  In this episode, we’re recapping our latest Las Vegas trip for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR)—from staying at the Rio on points, to navigating crowds, chaos, and a little unexpected drama along the way.  We’re sharing the real behind-the-scenes of traveling during one of Vegas’s busiest weeks, what worked, what we’d do differently, and why using points made this trip possible (and way less stressful on the budget).  If you’ve ever wondered:  What Vegas is really like during NFRWhether the Rio is worth it on pointsOr why “what happens in Vegas” isn’t always glamorous …this episode is for you.     What We Cover in This Episode:   ✨ Our experience traveling to Las Vegas during NFR 🏨 Staying at the Rio on points – the good, the bad, and the honest truth 🎟️ NFR vibes, crowds, and what surprised us most 🎭 The chaos we didn’t plan for 🤍 Full breakdown of our trip to Las Vegas - where we ate and what we did. Listener Takeaway: Vegas will always be loud, bright, and chaotic—but traveling on points gives you flexibility, freedom, and way less financial stress, even when things don’t go perfectly.   Send us a text Make every vacation memory count! Flytographer pairs you with local photographers so everyone is in the shot, smiling and stress-free.  Grab our affiliate link for a special deal and help support the show!     Flytographer: Stress-free vacay photos Book a local professional photographer with Flytographer—perfect vacay photos, zero awkwardness. Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    52 min

  3. DEC 9 · BONUS

    Vegas Without the Price Tag: Flights & Hotels on Points

    This week’s episode is a little different than usual — we just got back from Vegas and Tom had to head straight back to work on the railroad, so our full Vegas + NFR + Cowboy Christmas breakdown is coming next week. For today, we’re sharing a quick mini episode focused on exactly how to travel hack Vegas — because this is one of the easiest cities in the U.S. to book using points and miles. In this episode, we cover: ✈️ How to Hack Flights to Vegas with Southwest How easy it is to earn Southwest Rapid Rewards pointsWhy the Companion Pass is a total game-changerTransfer Chase Ultimate Rewards → Southwest (1:1)🏨 How We Booked the Rio on Points Option 1: Booking the Rio through Hyatt using Chase pointsOption 2: Booking the Caesar's properties by transferring from Wyndham using Citi pointsHow transfer partners unlock multiple hotel options🔮 Coming Next Week Our full Vegas spending vs. points breakdownWhere we saved, where we splurged, and what we’d do differently — including Cowboy Christmas damageIf you’ve ever thought, “I want to go to Vegas but the prices are insane,” this episode shows you how to do it smarter using points. 🔗 Ready to Start Travel Hacking? If you’re brand new, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of our favorite beginner cards for: Southwest transfersHyatt hotel staysEveryday flexible points👉 APPLY HERE Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Send us a text Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    8 min
  4. Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Our 2026 Travel Plans & Card Strategy

    DEC 2 · BONUS

    Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Our 2026 Travel Plans & Card Strategy

    Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Our 2026 Travel Plans & Card Strategy  In this mini episode, I’m spilling all the travel tea on what our 2026 calendar actually looks like—from a bucket-list Hawaii trip with our kids, to a big multigenerational Outer Banks vacation, a moms-only Disneyland week, and Tom’s 40th birthday trip at the end of the year.  But the real behind-the-scenes magic? Planning and strategizing... This episode is a real-life look:  Our 2026 Travel PlansThe 2026 card strategy that will help us achieve our 2027 travel goalsThe framework of our strategy so you can do it tooA 2026 timeline for nearly free travel in 2027 ✈️ Our 2026 Travel Plans Here’s what’s officially on the calendar: 🌴 Hawaii with our kids – March 2026🏖 Outer Banks multigenerational family trip – June 2026🎢 Moms-only Disneyland week with my best friends🎂 Tom’s 40th birthday trip – December 2026 (destination TBD - but probably Las Vegas)  🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to copy this framework in your own life—without copying our destinations  💳 Our Favorite Flexible Beginner Card   If you’re building your own 2026 → 2027 strategy and want a strong flexible foundation, this is one of our go-to cards for beginners:   👉 Chase Sapphire Preferred 🔗 Apply Now   Why we love it: Flexible airline & hotel transfer partnersExcellent beginner travel protectionsEasy redemptionsStrong long-term points value⚠️ FTC Disclosure   Some of the links in this episode may be referral links. This means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only share cards and tools we personally use and genuinely recommend.     🪜 How to Use This Strategy in Your Own Life   Pick your 2027 TripsOpen cards (Intentionally)Earn the SUBLet normal spending do the work You don’t need more money. You just need earlier timing.     🎁 Free Resources   ✨ Free Beginner Travel Hacking Guide Learn exactly how to earn your first points and book your first nearly-free trip. 🔗 Start Now   Send us a text Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    7 min

  5. NOV 25

    Viva Las Vegas: Rodeo Nights, Neon Lights... and a Haunted Surprise?

    ✨ Viva Las Vegas: Rodeo Nights, Neon Lights… and a Haunted Surprise? 🎰👻 We’re taking you behind the scenes of our adult-only Vegas trips — from the glitz of neon lights to rodeo thrills, and yes… a spooky hotel experience we won’t forget. 💥 Spoiler: Vegas isn’t just slots and shows — there’s a little haunted chaos in the mix. 🎯 What We Cover The best (and worst) restaurants we tried — where to eat and what to skipIconic Vegas sights you can’t missOur favorite things to do in Sin CityA haunted hotel story from The HorseshoeTips for planning your own adult-only Vegas tripTravel Hacking tips to get your Vegas trip for nearly free🗒️ Our Vegas Highlights Neon Lights Classic Vegas Strip experiencesHidden gems off the main stripHaunted Surprise A spooky encounter at The Horseshoe hotel💡 Key Takeaway Vegas is more than the glitz and glam — with a little planning, you can have the perfect mix of food, fun, and unexpected thrills. 🗣️ Homework Rate & review the show ⭐Share this episode with a friend who loves travel, rodeos, or spooky storiesFollow us on Instagram → [@pointmetovacay]Send us a text Make every vacation memory count! Flytographer pairs you with local photographers so everyone is in the shot, smiling and stress-free.  Grab our affiliate link for a special deal and help support the show!     Flytographer: Stress-free vacay photos Book a local professional photographer with Flytographer—perfect vacay photos, zero awkwardness. Flytographer: Stress-free vacay photosBook a local professional photographer with Flytographer—perfect vacay photos, zero awkwardness.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    39 min
  6. Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Real Trip Cost Breakdowns Points VS Cash

    NOV 18 · BONUS

    Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Real Trip Cost Breakdowns Points VS Cash

    ✨ Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Real Trip Cost Breakdowns — Points VS Cash 💳 Ever wonder how much our “free” family trips actually cost? In this mini episode, it just me, Katie, flying solo spilling the travel tea on two of our real vacations — the full cash price vs. what we paid using points — and how we saved thousands along the way. Spoiler: this is why we’ll never go back to paying full price for travel again. 🎯 What I Cover Two of real family trips: full cash vs. points cost breakdownsHow we earned those points from everyday spendingWhat transferable points actually are (and why they matter)Our favorite beginner-friendly cards for familiesHow you can start saving thousands on your next trip🧾 Real Trip Breakdown Trip #1: Disneyland Cash price: $ 3,800Points price: 122,000 points + $56 taxes + $1050 park ticketsSavings: $2,694 🎉Trip #2: Hawaii Cash price: $6,494.20Points price: 325,000 points + 1 Hyatt FNC + $56 taxesSavings: $6,438.20🙌TOTAL SAVINGS FOR BOTH TRIPS:  $9,132.20  🤯🥳🙌🎉 These are real numbers from our family trips — not theoretical math! 💡 Takeaway You don’t need to be rich or fly business class to make points work for your family.  You just need the right cards and a strategy that fits your everyday spending. 💳 Our Favorite Beginner Cards These are the exact cards we started with — and the ones we still use today 👇 👉 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Great all-around beginner card with flexible transferable points Apply here: Referral Link 👉 Amex Gold® Card Perfect for families — big bonuses on groceries & dining Apply here:  Referral Link 🗒️ FTC Disclosure Some links in these show notes are referral or affiliate links. We may earn a bonus, commission, or points when you use them — at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and love. 🗣️ Homework Rate & review the show ⭐  Share this episode with a friend who wants to travel more — and spend less.  Follow us on Instagram → [@pointmetovacay] Send us a text Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    15 min

  7. NOV 11

    Black Hills Bound: Buffaloes and Brothel Tours

    🎙️ Black Hills Bound:  Buffaloes to Brothel Tours Two trips. Same destination. Totally different vibes. In this episode, we’re heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota — but not just once! We’re comparing our two very different adventures: 🐃 A small, laid-back family getaway complete with a water park, some car trouble, and great family time around Rapid City. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 And a big, multigenerational trip where we stayed at a cabin with extended family and checked out the area around Deadwood and Lead. 🌄 What you’ll hear: Our favorite stops and can’t-miss sights in the Black HillsHow trips were both great but totally different The unexpected highlights that made both trips special💬 Whether you’re planning a quiet family adventure or wrangling a full caravan of relatives, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and lessons learned from the land of buffaloes, badlands, and brothel tours. 🎧 Tune in and see which trip style fits your travel crew best! Send us a text Make every vacation memory count! Flytographer pairs you with local photographers so everyone is in the shot, smiling and stress-free.  Grab our affiliate link for a special deal and help support the show!     Flytographer: Stress-free vacay photos Book a local professional photographer with Flytographer—perfect vacay photos, zero awkwardness. Flytographer: Stress-free vacay photosBook a local professional photographer with Flytographer—perfect vacay photos, zero awkwardness.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    33 min
  8. Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Breaking Down Business Cards

    NOV 4 · BONUS

    Katie Spills the Travel Tea: Breaking Down Business Cards

    ✨ Bonus Episode: Breaking Down Business Credit Cards 💳  Think business credit cards are only for corporations? Nope. In this mini episode, I'll break down who actually qualifies (hint: probably you), how to apply without an LLC, and which beginner business cards can unlock huge points and miles. 🎯 What I Cover   Do you really need an LLC?What qualifies as a “business”What to enter on the applicationRed flags that cause denialsBest beginner business cards   💼 Do You Qualify? If you’ve ever earned (or intended to earn) income outside a W-2, you may already qualify as a sole proprietor 👇   Examples:   Facebook Marketplace flipsEtsy/craftsTutoring/babysittingDoorDash, Uber, RoverPhotographyContent creationAirbnb/Turo Profit is not required — intent counts.     🧾 Application Tips   Business Type: Sole ProprietorLegal business name: Your NameUse SSN (EIN optional)Estimate revenue honestlyYears in business: 0–1 is fineDon’t overcomplicate it!   🧠 Why Business Cards Matter   Bigger welcome bonusesOften don’t report to personal credit (Key to staying under 5/24)Keeps utilization on personal cards lowNew bonus categories + ecosystems   🚫 Common Mistakes   Avoid: Inflating revenueApplying for too many cards   🔥 Our Favorite Beginner Business Cards   (These are referral links — thank you for supporting the show!)  🗒️ FTC Disclosure Some links in these show notes are referral or affiliate links. We may earn a bonus, commission, or points when you use them — at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and love. 👉 Chase Ink Business Cash® Huge welcome bonus + great everyday spend categories Apply here: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21w/IG4FULE41A 👉 Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Flat earning rate & big intro bonus Apply here: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21w/IG4FULE41A 👉 Amex Blue Business® Plus 2x on everyday purchases, no annual fee Apply here: Referral Link 🗣️ Homework   Rate/ Review the show!  We'd love to hear from you!   Send us a text Support the show Let’s Connect: 📲 Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @PointMetoVacay 💌 Share your wins, questions, or dream trips—we’d love to feature you on a future episode! DM our social links! 📸. Family trip? Couple getaway? Don’t settle for selfies or awkward shots. 😅 We’re now Flytographer Affiliates! Local photographers capture beautiful, stress-free vacation memories—so everyone’s in the photos, even the parents. - Book your session: https://flytog.co/POINTMETOVACAY ✈️ Thanks for listening to Point Me to Vacay! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more families can learn how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel.

    12 min
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About

A travel podcast meets funny laid-back chat!  Tom and Katie aren’t travel experts or influencers, just real people sharing hacks, tips, and stories from trips big and small to help you turn points and miles into your next unforgettable vacay!

Information

  • Creator
    Tom & Katie: Everyday Travelers, Podcasters in Progress
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Point Me to Vacay: Travel Tales & Tips
  • Show Website
    Point Me to Vacay: Travel Tales & Tips

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