Points and Postcards

06/14/2026

Do you stay at Marriott hotels? If so, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card might be one of the easiest ways to earn free hotel nights and accelerate your travel rewards strategy.

We've held this card for years, and between the annual Free Night Award, bonus points on Marriott stays, and elite night credits, it's become a permanent part of our travel hacking setup. In fact, we've used Free Night Awards from this card at properties that would have otherwise cost hundreds of dollars per night.

In my latest review, I break down:

• Current Marriott Bonvoy Boundless benefits
• The annual Free Night Award and why it easily offsets the annual fee
• How we use the card in our two-player travel hacking strategy
• Marriott elite status perks and elite night credits
• Who should (and shouldn't) get this card
• How it fits into an overall points and miles strategy

If you're collecting Marriott Bonvoy points or trying to decide which hotel credit card deserves a spot in your wallet, this review will help you decide.

Read the full review here:
https://pointsandpostcards.com/marriott-bonvoy-boundless/

Do you currently hold the Boundless card, or are you loyal to another hotel program like Hyatt or Hilton? Let me know in the comments.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card review: how we use this hotel card to earn up to 21x points on Marriott stays and get a free night every year.

06/07/2026

Santa Barbara is the perfect long weekend destination.
After revisiting Santa Barbara a few months ago, I just updated my complete guide with new recommendations, restaurants, and a realistic 3-day itinerary.

Read it here:

https://pointsandpostcards.com/3-days-in-santa-barbara/

Have you been to Santa Barbara? What's your favorite spot that I should check out next time?

Looking for what to do in Santa Barbara? With beautiful weather year-round and an abundance of history, there is plenty to add to your list!

06/02/2026

Prime Day is coming up June 23-26.

If you have a Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex, you could earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on Amazon purchases this quarter after activating your bonus categories. That makes Prime Day an easy opportunity to stock up on things you already planned to buy while earning points toward future travel.

In this post, I break down the Q2 2026 Chase Freedom categories, how the 5x bonus works, and the strategy we're using to maximize the quarter.

Read it here:

Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex Q2 2026 categories include Amazon, Chase Travel, and Feeding America. Earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on up to $1,500 in spending.

05/31/2026

Wondering where your points can take you?

We spent five nights at the JW Marriott Desert Springs, hotel with flamingos, boat rides, golf courses, multiple pools, and a massive resort footprint.

Was it worth the points? Would I stay again?

Read my full review here

https://pointsandpostcards.com/jw-marriott-desert-springs-review/

JW Marriott Desert Springs review: Our 5-night Thanksgiving stay with pools, dining, golf, spa, and Marriott Bonvoy points tips in Palm Desert.

05/24/2026

Considering adding the American Express Gold to your wallet?

It CAN be a great asset depending on your travel preferences. And our controversial opinion? It’s a better card than the Platinum for most people.

Check out the link in our bio for the detailed blog post.

05/24/2026

My first foray into the American Express ecosystem was the AmEx Gold card.

Despite an increase in the annual fee since I opened it, I've held onto this card for a few years (and even gotten a retention bonus in that time).

Is this card worth adding to your wallet?

Check out my latest post:

American Express Gold review focused on groceries, credits, and real-world value. See how the Gold Card earns points and fits into a practical card strategy.

05/17/2026

Yes, we’ve done timeshare presentations.

And while it’s definitely not traditional travel hacking, timeshare presentations can be a way to travel more while spending less… if you know what you’re getting into.

I’m sharing our experience, what the process was actually like, whether the savings were worth it, and what you should be prepared for going in.

If you’ve ever wondered whether those “free vacation” offers are legit, this post is for you.

Timeshare presentations can be a great way to get a significantly discounted stay at a great hotel. But be prepared to say no!

05/10/2026

If you’ve ever heard people in the points and miles world talk about “two-player mode” and wondered what they actually mean, this post is for you.

This is one of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to earn more points, travel more often, and make family travel actually affordable.

And no, it doesn’t mean opening every credit card under the sun. It’s really just about using two people strategically instead of one.

I’m sharing:
- What two-player mode actually is
- How it can significantly increase your points earning
- How we use it for flights, hotels, lounge access, and status perks

Two-player mode travel hacking explained: how couples earn, combine, and transfer points using Chase and Amex to travel faster together.

05/03/2026

Before you cancel your Amex… check this first.

I've gotten a few retention offers from American Express, and it’s basically free points for doing a quick chat online.

If you’re paying an annual fee, this is something you should always try before cancelling.

I break down exactly how to ask, the offers I got, and how to decide if it’s worth keeping your card

Thinking about canceling an AmEx card? Learn how American Express retention offers work, when to ask, and real Gold & Platinum examples.

04/26/2026

If you’re like me and juggling a lot of credit cards, remembering which one to use for every purchase is basically impossible.
Dining, groceries, travel, rotating categories, card cash back offers are a lot to track. And if you’re not using the right card, you’re leaving points (and real money) on the table.

I’ve actually been using CardPointers for the past few months, and it’s become one of those tools that helps me travel hack better without even thinking about it.

It tells you exactly which credit card to use for every purchase, helps track credit card offers, and makes it way easier to maximize points, miles, and cash back.
But is it actually worth paying for?

CardPointers review from a points and miles enthusiast. Learn how I keep track of credit cards, earn more points, and never miss offers or credits.