The Palmetum In Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Palmetum, a botanical garden in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, transforms a former landfill into a stunning space featuring over 400 palm species. Inaugurated in 2014, it boasts sections themed by geographical origin, lush plant life, and scenic ocean views. Visitors enjoy its diversity and tranquility, making it a worthwhile destination.
Points Check March 2026
March in the Midwest can be frustrating. The winter is long, and we all begin to hope that winter is officially over. A couple of warm days early in the month marked what we call “False Spring” which raised our hopes. This was, of course, followed by an ill-timed blizzard which affected our Spring Break…
Experiencing London on the Queen’s Walk
During a brief stopover in London, we explored the city on foot. We watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, walked through Westminster, along the Queen’s Walk, and sampled diverse street food at Borough Market.
How American Airlines Turned a Simple Request into a Giant Headache
The planned trip to Tenerife encountered significant challenges due to a snowstorm affecting flights from Moline. Despite initial booking hurdles with American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines, strategic adjustments and use of multiple loyalty programs ultimately allowed the family to secure new flights, avoiding delays and ensuring a successful vacation.
Points Check February 2026
February in Iowa is brutal. It’s been cold and dark. Midwestern winters are primarily about survival. You just go inside and stay. Most people binge-watch TV shows under a heated blanket. We’re not big television watchers, so we’ve been spending an unhealthy amount of time in breweries, where the Quad Cities excels in both quantity…
Points Check January 2026
Ah, the start of a new year. Last year was a busy travel year for us, and we’re hoping to take it a little easier this year, but we’ll see. We have a trip to London, Tenerife, and Madrid scheduled for spring break, but nothing else so far. We’re hoping to do a little camping…
Bilt Palladium Card – A Complicated Way to Simplify Travel Hacking
The Bilt Palladium card is the premium card for the new lineup of Bilt 2.0 credit cards. It has a simplified 2X anywhere earning structure, but many of the details are complicated. However, it is a great card to use for all of your spend, and that can simplify travel hacking.
The Bilt Obsidian Card Could be Perfect For Families
The new Bilt Obsidian Card is a new credit card that allows the cardholder to unlock points earned on rent or mortgage payments. While complicated, if the cardholder adopts a one-card-for-everything approach, this could be an excellent choice for everyday spending for families who wish to earn points for travel.
The Bilt Blue Card is Disappointing, But is Still a Good Option
The Bilt Blue card is the no-annual-fee replacement for the Bilt Card, which was issued by Wells Fargo. While it is clearly inferior to the old Bilt Card, it could still be the best option for people whose income goes largely to housing.
The Confusing and Rewarding World of Bilt Cash
When the new Bilt credit cards launched on January 14th, 2026, there was a lot of confusion about Bilt Cash. A week later, Bilt explained what it is used for. Most of the uses are not that interesting, but the point accelerator seems to be the clear best use of Bilt Cash.
A Busy Stayover in Dublin
During a brief stopover in Dublin, we explored the city, enjoying its rich pub culture and historic sites. We visited classic taverns, the Jameson Distillery, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, indulging in local brews and traditional dishes. Dublin is a great place to pack in a lot in a short time.
Jameson Irish Whiskey Tour
During a recent visit to Dublin, I toured the Jameson Distillery, opting for it over the Guinness Brewery. The experience included a historical overview, sensory demonstrations, and a guided whiskey tasting. I was pleasantly surprised by Jameson’s quality, finding it enjoyable and a great value for its price. Highly recommended for whiskey enthusiasts.
Points check December 2025
As 2025 came to a close, we looked back at what turned out to be a fairly hectic year of travel. In March, we went to Portugal and Spain, to hike six days on the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago. In July, Jenn went with Emma, her sister, and her niece to Munich…
Hotel Credit Cards that are Worth it For Free Night Certificates
Credit cards offering free night certificates can significantly reduce vacation costs. Various hotel chains provide cards with different benefits, including elite status and annual fees, yet the value often surpasses the fee. Noteworthy options include Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton cards, which enhance travel experiences through redeemable certificates and points.
Points Check November 2025
November is the beginning of the holiday season and apparently, the beginning of the winter season for those of us who live in the Midwest. On the weekend after Thanksgiving, we were handed a foot of snow, which will probably be covering the ground until March. The last few years, we’ve managed to avoid significant…
Yacht blocked in Monaco
Monaco is a beautiful, yet tiny country along the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by France. The wealth of its residents and visitors were apparent by the Monaco Yacht Show which blocked our view of Port Hercule.
Thanks to our Travel Companions
As long as I can remember, I was fascinated by geography. When I was a child, we had a driftwood-framed color map of Puerto Rico that my parents brought home from a trip before I was born. I stared at that map for hours, imagining what it would be like to live on a Caribbean…
Vacasa and Wyndham are Divorcing, Now What?
Starting November 30, 2025, Wyndham points will no longer be redeemable for Vacasa vacation rentals due to the termination of their partnership after Vacasa’s acquisition by Casago. This change leaves Wyndham point holders seeking alternatives, as the previous redemption option was highly valued.
Forget Destin – We’re Going to the Canary Islands for Spring Break
The Canary Islands are an unusual choice for a Spring Break destination, but with low prices and a lack of crowds. It might just be ideal. Getting to the Canary Islands can be difficult, but if you add in stops in European cities, it can be even more rewarding.
Points Check October 2025
There wasn’t much going on for us in October. We were recovering from our trip to Nice and Dublin. For me, it was literal recovery. I had finished my first ultramarathon in Nice, a 50K which was a part of the UTMB World Series. The combination of training and the actual race had left my…
Newby to Expert Traveler 