Katie's Latest Posts

San Francisco is an awesome city to visit. From the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz to Fisherman’s Wharf and PIER 39, there’s so much to do in and around the city. I was visiting for the weekend to see my…

Grand Cayman is a great destination for a family vacation. It’s easy to get to, the beaches are beautiful, and there are lots of fun activities. However, it also tends to be one of the more expensive Caribbean islands, so…

My family and I flew to San Francisco for a long weekend to visit my brother recently. Since I have a Southwest Companion Pass, that’s our go-to airline for most domestic trips and this was no exception. We flew into…

I’ll be honest, I usually don’t pay much attention to best rate guarantees. They always seem like there’s so much fine print that they would never actually work. Well, I am happy to report I was wrong. I recently took…

The first JW Marriott is now open in Germany. JW Marriott Hotel Frankfurt is a new upscale hotel located in the heart of the city within walking distance of many popular attractions. With a focus on mindfulness, this hotel aims…

Hyatt has announced plans to open a brand new resort in Cancún, Mexico in 2024. Grand Hyatt Cancún Beach Resort will be located within Puerto Cancún, a master-planned residential resort community situated between downtown and the Cancún Hotel Zone. Here’s…

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available. Hyatt is a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and will be offering Pride-themed specials and offers this June. There’s even a special promo code to save 20% off…

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…