Katie's Latest Posts

A Galápagos cruise has been on the top of my bucket list for years. I knew when I was able to finally make it happen that I wanted to book it with Lindblad/National Geographic Expeditions (those beautiful, glossy catalogs that…

UPDATE: The partnership between World of Hyatt and Lindblad Expeditions ended on December 31, 2023. It’s no longer possible to earn or use Hyatt points on Lindblad cruises. We love earning and using points here at Upgraded Points, and we…

I recently went on my ultimate bucket list trip — the Galápagos Islands! These islands are about an hour and a half flight from mainland Ecuador, so I found myself in the Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)…

Do you need a hotel room with a kitchen? Sometimes, whether you’re traveling with kids or trying to save money on meals, having a kitchen in your hotel room just makes sense. But it can be hard to find out…

A European vacation is a trip many of us dream about. Art, history, culture, architecture, food — there’s something for everyone in Europe. As you can imagine, that all comes with a hefty price tag. While a trip to Europe…

A Cancún vacation may be just what the doctor ordered. This hotspot on the Yucatán Peninsula is so popular because it’s easy to get to from most of the U.S. and there are plenty of hotel options, from budget-friendly to…

Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is a luxury boutique resort at the world-famous Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman island in the Caribbean. While this resort isn’t large, it’s bursting at the seams with fantastic amenities, top-notch service, contemporary design,…

What’s better than a family vacation? Getting a great deal on that family vacation, of course! One of the best ways to save money is to purchase a vacation package. These can consist of any combination of hotel, flights, rental…

Mexico is a fantastic vacation destination offering gorgeous beaches, sprawling resorts, fantastic water activities, and so much more. Plus, it’s close to the U.S., so it’s easy to get to from most of the country. It’s also a destination that’s…

I recently spent 2 nights at the Hyatt Regency Deerfield hotel, located outside of Chicago. I was meeting a couple of fellow miles and points bloggers for a working weekend and this seemed like a perfect location. We chose the…

Hawaii is a dream vacation destination for many (if not most) people. Swaying palm trees, volcanoes, gorgeous beaches — Hawaii has it all. But, as you might have guessed, that comes with a price. Yes, Hawaii can be expensive, but…

An all-inclusive vacation is a dream for many travelers. Paying for everything upfront means you don’t have to think about how much things cost when you arrive at your destination. Your hotel, flight, food, drinks, and even things like airport…

When you think of wellness spas, health resorts, or luxury spa resorts, chances are the name Miraval will come to mind. Miraval Spas & Resorts are some of the best in the business, and we especially love them because they…

My husband and I recently took a last-minute trip to Key West to escape the cold Ohio winter. We planned to stay 4 nights to explore the island. And that’s exactly what we did. We spent 4 nights at Hyatt…

My husband and I found ourselves with a free week, so we planned a (very) last-minute trip to Key West, Florida. We had planned to visit Key West a few years ago, but that trip was canceled last minute due…

If you Google “best hotel hacks,” you’ll find a bunch of clickbait articles that are all the same, offering “hacks” that are mediocre at best. That’s not what we’re about here at Upgraded Points. We want to help you save…

Love it or hate it, flying on an airplane is a common part of travel. So, if you have to fly, you might as well make the experience as enjoyable as possible. We’ve compiled this list of 46 of our…

Spending time at an all-inclusive resort is a favorite type of vacation for many travelers. Not having to worry about who’s paying for dinner or how much drinks cost brings a new level of relaxation to any tropical getaway. However,…

All-inclusive resorts have a special appeal, especially for families who are looking for a simple vacation experience. At all-inclusive properties, you can show up to relax by the pool or enjoy the beach without worrying about extra costs — once…

One of the best things about points and miles is the ability to travel without having to put too much thought into how much it will cost. Recently, I helped organize a meet-up of travel-hacking women. We all knew of…

GHA DISCOVERY Overview The GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program is a hotel loyalty program from the Global Hotel Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. Joining GHA DISCOVERY Register online for a free GHA DISCOVERY account. How To Sign…