Chris's Latest Posts

As part of a recent family vacation to Orlando, I decided to book a couple of nights at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. After a couple of days at the theme parks in the infamous Florida summer heat, my wife…

Las Vegas might not be the first city that comes to mind when traveling with kids — it might even be the last — but you may be surprised by how many family-friendly activities can be found in and around…

The largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Washington is a fun city full of stunning skyscrapers, great museums, an impressive art scene… and some great coffee. The Emerald City is nestled in the banks of Puget Sound and is…

One of the most visited cities in the U.S. and one of the most important political capitals in the world is Washington, D.C. As the capital of the U.S., Washington, D.C. is home to countless political, historical, and educational sites…

When you think of good weather, Southern California comes to mind for many of us. And when you think of somewhere to visit in Southern California, you should be thinking of San Diego. San Diego is the second-largest city in…

One of the most popular travel credit cards is The Platinum Card^® from American Express. With great perks like airline credits, Uber credits, and access to the famous Amex Centurion Lounges, many travelers swear by having an Amex Platinum card…

With about 10 million residents, Chicago is the third-largest city in the U.S., only behind New York City and Los Angeles. However, this Midwest city doesn’t necessarily feel as big and overwhelming as the other 2 sometimes do. Located on…

Boston is a charming oceanfront city in Massachusetts and the largest city in the New England region. With a unique blend of old and new architecture, history, and innovation, Boston is a melting pot of ideas and cultures. The city…

One of the most famous and most visited cities in the world is New York City. New York, also known affectionately as “The Big Apple,” is the most populous city in the U.S., a major business and financial hub, and…

Traveling to Orlando often means lots of planning and trying to find the right balance of theme parks, downtime by the pool with family, location, and price. While the amount of time you decide to spend by the pool is…

Just getting out of the house with an infant can be stressful, but bringing them on a plane can add a new level of complexity that can fluster even the most seasoned parents out there. Then you add in the…

Toy Story Land is one of the newest “lands” at Walt Disney World — it opened its gates at Hollywood Studios in June of 2018 and has been a destination for kids and adults alike ever since. Formerly known as…

Airline: American Airlines Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER Flight #: AA904 Route: RIOgaleão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG) > Miami International Airport (MIA) Date: March 15, 2021 Duration: 8hrs 45mins Cabin and Layout: American Flagship Business, 37-seat capacity across 10 rows…

After a quick trip to Orlando, I found myself stuck at Orlando International Airport (MCO) for about 5 hours thanks to some rolling delays by American Airlines. When I travel with my kids, even a 1-hour delay can throw all…

Last month I flew from Rio de Janeiro to Miami, and after rechecking my bags and making my way through security at 5:00 a.m., I was in dire need of some fresh coffee and a place to freshen up. Although…

If you have done any hotel research for an upcoming trip to Orlando recently, you have probably stumbled upon the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek is now the second JW in…

With summer in full swing here in Brazil, I had been doing my best to find some family-friendly outdoor activities to keep the kids from going crazy in our apartment. Fortunately, we live about an hour from Rio de Janeiro,…

Airport security can be one of the more confusing and stressful parts of getting on a plane for many travelers. Whether you are unsure what is allowed in your carry-on (or even checked bag), if you have to take your…

When it comes to traveling with kids, or if you are just a big kid yourself, you will inevitably find yourself looking at theme parks for a future vacation. Here at Upgraded Points, we are big fans of theme parks…

In January I was looking for a quick, local getaway with my family. Since we live in an apartment and school was still remote, things have gotten quite cozy around here with 2 kids running around. We live about an…

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that family is more important than ever, and spending time together is something to cherish. We also know that family looks different for many people and that pets are often considered an important…