Links & Recommendations

Thrifty Traveler

Best For:

  • Flight deal alerts
  • Award availability
  • Mistake fares

Works with: Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Alaska, and more

If you’re serious about using points for flights, Thrifty Traveler Premium+ is hands down the best subscription I’ve tried. They send email alerts for business and first-class award space—plus cash deals and hotel sweet spots—all tailored to the points you have.

Sign Up for Thrifty Traveler
A view of an airplane wing on one of our trips thanks to travel hacking in 2025
Some of the scenery you'll see spending one day at Pinnacles National Park

Shaka Guide

Best For:

  • Self-guided driving tours in the U.S.

Why I love it: Offline access, GPS-enabled, local storytelling

If you’re planning a U.S. road trip (especially to national parks), Shaka Guide is a game-changer. You download the app, choose your route, and it plays GPS-triggered stories and tips while you drive.

We’ve used it in:

  • Kauai
  • Maui (hello, Road to Hana!)
  • Rocky Mountain National Park
Sign Up for Shaka Guide

Tripadvisor

Best For:

  • Honest reviews of hotels, restaurants, and things to do

Use it for: Planning, researching, last-minute ideas

Tripadvisor has been around forever for a reason. It’s my first stop when I want the truth—especially for hotel reviews and restaurant rankings.

Sign Up for Tripadvisor
A cozy workspace setup featuring a laptop, a notepad with handwritten travel notes, and a steaming cup of coffee—perfect for planning your next trip and maximizing travel rewards when you link programs for points and miles.

Rakuten

Best For:

  • Earning Amex points or cash back on everyday purchases

Pairs with: Online shopping + American Express Membership Rewards

If you’re not using Rakuten yet, you’re leaving easy points on the table. This browser extension gives you cash back—or even better, Amex Membership Rewards points—just for shopping online at places like Sephora, Walmart, Ulta, Nike, PetSmart, and hundreds more.

Sign up for Rakuten

Card Pointers

Best For:

  • Maximizing credit card perks and offers

Works with: Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and more

If you have multiple credit cards, Card Pointers is a lifesaver. It tracks your monthly credits—like Uber, DoorDash, Instacart—and allows you to add Amex Offers or Chase Offers in one click. It also tells you which card to use for each purchase so you never miss out on extra points or miles earnings. Set it up once and let it do the work.

Sign Up for Card Pointers

Amazon Storefront

Best For:

  • Travel gear recommendations, family travel products, packing essentials, road trip accessories, and everyday items that make travel easier.

Works with: Any credit card, Chase 5x categories, Amex offers

My Amazon Storefront is where I keep all of our favorite travel gear, packing essentials, baby travel products, and everyday items that make life on the road easier. These are products we’ve used ourselves and would buy again. If you’ve ever wondered what we pack for a trip or what gear makes family travel easier, you’ll find it here.

check out our storefront