Chris's Latest Posts

While Disneyland Shanghai was the first Disney property to close due to the pandemic and the first to reopen, Walt Disney World in Orlando was the company’s first property to reopen in the U.S., back in July 2020. Prior to…

When the world came to a stop and kids were getting restless at home, parents dreamt of the days when field trips were still something to look forward to. That’s when virtual tours became a relatively attractive alternative. Now that…

Travel is back in full swing, but if you’re just hitting the road again, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options out there. There are 63 national parks in the United States– but just because you don’t…

Just like every other section of the travel industry, rental car companies were hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, we saw airport parking lots overflowing with rental cars and no travelers to rent…

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic upended life as we knew it around the world. The hospitality industry in particular was one of the most drastically affected. Hotels that had once been busy all year were either forced to close or scale…

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. It is no surprise that one of the biggest industries affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic was the airline industry. At the start of the pandemic, there were mandatory…

Depending on who is flying with you and your little one, how old your baby is, where you are flying to, and how much comfort you need (think extra seats), the process for booking your lap child on your next…

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has shaken the world, and especially the travel industry, to its core. Things you may take for granted, like hopping on a plane to see family or even going to the local park with your children,…

Before my wife and I had kids, our travel concerns were primarily based on where we wanted to go and how cheap we could get there. Things like car seats, in-room microwaves, airplane bassinets, and even extra travel insurance never…

Update: The GOL Premium Lounge in Terminal 2 at GIG has been closed until further notice. Flying domestically in Brazil can, at times, be frustrating. There are no real premium airline products, airports can be chaotic and unorganized, and short…

Airline: GOL Linhas Aereas (GOL) Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 Flight #: G3 1095 Route: Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (GIG) > São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) Date: January 21, 2020 Duration: 1hr 15mins Cabin and Layout: GOL Economy with 186…

We’ve said it before and we will say it again, traveling with family can be one of the most rewarding experiences children and parents can do together. Trying new foods, seeing new places, meeting new people, and dealing with the…

Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (GIG) has come a long way since the days before the Olympics and World Cup came bursting through the country. Along with a beautifully refreshed Terminal 2, passengers have their choice of dozens of…

It’s no secret that raising kids can be very expensive. With a constant list of expenses and responsibilities, managing the monthly bills can get overwhelming. But with the right credit card, you can save money on your family’s expenses and…

Airline: American Airlines (AA)Aircraft: Boeing 777-223Flight #: AA904Route: Rio de Janeiro Galeão International Airport (GIG) > Miami International Airport (MIA), connecting to Boston (BOS) on the same ticketDate: November 22, 2019Duration: 8hrs 40minsCabin and Layout: American Airlines Main Cabin Economy…

We have addressed this many times here before, but traveling with kids can be stressful. As prepared as you might be, there is always the chance of a delay, a tantrum, rude passengers, and more. Add in trying to transport…

Normally when we talk about Disney it is almost always in a positive nature. Generally about how magical it is and how we are always subconsciously planning our next family trip back. While the parks may seem like a fairy…

Just the thought of putting your little ones on a plane can bring anxiety. Making sure that all of your reservations have been made, seats have been assigned, and hotel rooms have been upgraded, all while attempting to keep the…

As a new parent, you are constantly bombarded with information, tips, tricks, and the need for new knowledge that you never thought you would need to know. If you aren’t mentally exhausted trying to keep up how many DCPD (Diaper…

If there is 1 thing that I enjoy writing about here at Upgraded Points, it is family vacations to Walt Disney World — a destination that is always changing thanks to new rides, airline routes, hotel openings, strategies, and so…

Packing for a family vacation can be stressful, and packing for a family vacation to Disney is no different. Even if you’ve been planning your trip for months, somehow there’s always some last-minute item that needs to get thrown into…