Special Bulletin: Marriott Devaluation Takes Effect March 29

Our first ever “Special Bulletin”. . .Marriott has announced that their latest devaluation will happen on March 29.  As expected, the change to “flexible point redemption”. . .Marriott-speak for dynamic pricing. . .will mean that the value of Bonvoy points will continue to plummet.  Anyone holding Bonvoy points and certificates will be impacted by these …

Special Bulletin: Marriott Devaluation Takes Effect March 29 Read More »

Here’s What You Can Do on Your Summer Vacation

Have you ever dreamed about taking the classic journey to look for America, winding through national parks, big cities and small towns.  If this is the summer to finally hit the road and escape from the craziness of the rest of the world, now is the time to start planning. Last summer, two of our …

Here’s What You Can Do on Your Summer Vacation Read More »

Which Card is Right for You? P&M 201

There are literally hundreds of credit cards that either earn points redeemable for travel or generate cash back up to more than 2.5%.  Deciding which card or cards to apply for can be difficult.  That is the subject of Points & Miles (P&M) 201. . .which card is right for you? The answer to this …

Which Card is Right for You? P&M 201 Read More »

Getting Started in the Points & Miles Game…P&M 101

We’ve been playing the Points & Miles (P&M) game for several years, averaging about $10,000 a year in travel savings over the last six years, including 2020, when we weren’t able to travel much at all.  In 2021, we saved $18,000.  Many of our followers want to know how to get started, so we’re sharing …

Getting Started in the Points & Miles Game…P&M 101 Read More »

What Did We Save in 2021 Using Points & Miles?

As frequent readers of this blog know, we are big proponents of using points and miles to drastically reduce our travel costs.  As we head into a new year, we thought it would be interesting to look back at 2021 and recap what we were able to save.  The point of this post is not …

What Did We Save in 2021 Using Points & Miles? Read More »

Searching for the Real Mexico: A Trip to Todos Santos

We’re turning over the reins today to Exceptional Traveler Karen.  She and her husband Ken just returned from a week in Mexico where they attended a wedding and stayed for a few extra days.  Here’s her report: Todos Santos in Mexico’s Baja California Sur is emerging as a destination of its own, rather than a …

Searching for the Real Mexico: A Trip to Todos Santos Read More »

A Very Disappointing Devaluation Coming from Marriott Bonvoy

While we’ve been busy telling the story of our recent trip to Italy, a lot has been happening in the world of Points & Miles.  Perhaps the biggest news dropped this week. . .Marriott announced some impactful changes to their Bonvoy loyalty program.  First, the good news: 2021 elite status will be extended through February …

A Very Disappointing Devaluation Coming from Marriott Bonvoy Read More »

A European Honeymoon Itinerary, courtesy of The Luxury Wanderer

Seems like there are a lot of weddings coming up in the next year or so. . .probably a result of so many marriages being postponed over the last 18 months.  We’ve talked to several travel experts about the ideal honeymoon in a post-Covid world.  Our friend and colleague, Andrew Taylor, and his team at …

A European Honeymoon Itinerary, courtesy of The Luxury Wanderer Read More »

My Big Italian Famiglia

One of the highlights of our recent trip to Italy was meeting up with the Ridolfi family in Corchiano, a small village in the Lazio region about 40 miles north of Rome.  The Ridolfis trace their ancestral roots back to Florence during the Renaissance, when they were allied with the Medici family in politics, business …

My Big Italian Famiglia Read More »

Five Days in Rome

The final leg of our trip led us to the Eternal City, Rome.  It’s a city of many contradictions:  it’s large and sprawling, but the many neighborhoods have a very local, small-town feel.  Beautiful art and architecture, right next to impassive and massive post-WWII structures.  New vs. Old vs. Ancient.  Loud public areas situated ten …

Five Days in Rome Read More »

Scroll to Top
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Travel Newsletter

Make The Exceptional Traveler your go to source for travel news, credit card strategies and planning. Subscribe now to get on our email list so you don’t miss a post.