by Cherry | Senior Travel Editor, The Miles Academy | Jan 21, 2026 | Maximizing Points and Miles
Most of us have a weird relationship with points. We want more of them, we swear we will optimize “later,” and then we discover a setting we should have turned on months ago. When that happens, we recommend one mindset shift: celebrate the new stream you just unlocked...
by Cherry | Senior Travel Editor, The Miles Academy | Jan 21, 2026 | Travel Guides
We love a good photo and a magnet as much as anyone, but your body has to come home with you. If you care about wellness, beauty, and feeling good on the road, the smartest “souvenir” is often a treatment you can schedule between flights, before a big trek, or during...
by Cherry | Senior Travel Editor, The Miles Academy | Jan 20, 2026 | Travel Guides
Beach resorts often cost more than the flights. If we can cover the room with points, the trip gets easier to afford and easier to extend by a night or two. Points work like tickets. You earn them from everyday spending on your card, then you trade them for hotel...
by Cherry | Senior Travel Editor, The Miles Academy | Jan 20, 2026 | Travel Guides
Travel costs add up fast, especially when you are booking for a whole family. If you or someone traveling with you has a disability, you may have access to price breaks that are not always advertised. We have seen everything from free entry to reduced tickets, plus...
by Cherry | Senior Travel Editor, The Miles Academy | Jan 20, 2026 | Airlines & Loyalty Programs
A new airport security fee hit on February 1, 2026, and it is aimed at a very specific mistake. If you reach the checkpoint without eligible identification, you may have to pay $45 before you can continue. The charge is non-refundable and applies to travelers 18 and...
