Sally French

Generally speaking, we recommend giving yourself at least six months before the trip if you're going to apply for a new card and you intend to use some of the rewards from the sign-up bonus to book.

Generally speaking, we recommend giving yourself at least six months before the trip if you're going to apply for a new card and you intend to use some of the rewards from the sign-up bonus to book.

Yes, I want to talk about those. So, for example, I have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. That card comes with a free night reward in your first year of card membership and every year upon card renewal. Often, I plan my trips purely just around that one particular benefit.

Yes, I want to talk about those. So, for example, I have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. That card comes with a free night reward in your first year of card membership and every year upon card renewal. Often, I plan my trips purely just around that one particular benefit.

Yes, I want to talk about those. So, for example, I have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. That card comes with a free night reward in your first year of card membership and every year upon card renewal. Often, I plan my trips purely just around that one particular benefit.

Yeah, you know, it really depends. If I have to go to my two weddings in Italy, I might just spend it on one of those nights in Italy. But, you know, for me... I actually did this trip to Mexico last year. It was my first time actually going to Mexico, believe it or not.

Yeah, you know, it really depends. If I have to go to my two weddings in Italy, I might just spend it on one of those nights in Italy. But, you know, for me... I actually did this trip to Mexico last year. It was my first time actually going to Mexico, believe it or not.

Yeah, you know, it really depends. If I have to go to my two weddings in Italy, I might just spend it on one of those nights in Italy. But, you know, for me... I actually did this trip to Mexico last year. It was my first time actually going to Mexico, believe it or not.

And to go there, I basically just looked at which hotel in the Hilton portfolio was the most expensive because I want to maximize the value of my certificate. That also converged with just what was a cheap flight from San Francisco. I ended up at the Conrad Punto de Mita, which is just outside Puerto Vallarta.

And to go there, I basically just looked at which hotel in the Hilton portfolio was the most expensive because I want to maximize the value of my certificate. That also converged with just what was a cheap flight from San Francisco. I ended up at the Conrad Punto de Mita, which is just outside Puerto Vallarta.

And to go there, I basically just looked at which hotel in the Hilton portfolio was the most expensive because I want to maximize the value of my certificate. That also converged with just what was a cheap flight from San Francisco. I ended up at the Conrad Punto de Mita, which is just outside Puerto Vallarta.

You know, I'm really not a fancy hotel person. And obviously, this was a super fancy hotel. In fact, cash rates that night were close to a thousand bucks. I would definitely not pay that kind of money in cash for any hotel anywhere. But if the credit card benefit is covering it, then I'm not going to complain.

You know, I'm really not a fancy hotel person. And obviously, this was a super fancy hotel. In fact, cash rates that night were close to a thousand bucks. I would definitely not pay that kind of money in cash for any hotel anywhere. But if the credit card benefit is covering it, then I'm not going to complain.

You know, I'm really not a fancy hotel person. And obviously, this was a super fancy hotel. In fact, cash rates that night were close to a thousand bucks. I would definitely not pay that kind of money in cash for any hotel anywhere. But if the credit card benefit is covering it, then I'm not going to complain.

Yes. You know I love the Southwest Companion Pass. So we did a segment on this on the Smart Money Podcast. We won't go into it too much here. You can just listen to that episode. Another shameless plug.

Yes. You know I love the Southwest Companion Pass. So we did a segment on this on the Smart Money Podcast. We won't go into it too much here. You can just listen to that episode. Another shameless plug.

Yes. You know I love the Southwest Companion Pass. So we did a segment on this on the Smart Money Podcast. We won't go into it too much here. You can just listen to that episode. Another shameless plug.

Just to give everyone a quick recap, if you earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points through taking flights or earning points on Southwest credit cards or spending with partners, then you get this pass that lets you take a which is typically $5.60 if you're flying domestically.

Just to give everyone a quick recap, if you earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points through taking flights or earning points on Southwest credit cards or spending with partners, then you get this pass that lets you take a which is typically $5.60 if you're flying domestically.

Just to give everyone a quick recap, if you earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points through taking flights or earning points on Southwest credit cards or spending with partners, then you get this pass that lets you take a which is typically $5.60 if you're flying domestically.