Tools & Resources
The exact tools we use to find awards, book flights, and protect trips
Hand-picked, not a directory. We only list things we use or have vetted.
Hotels & lodging
Hotels: your card covers some stays via points. These cover the rest, best prices, free-cancellation rates, and unique stays.
Pay directBooking.com
Biggest hotel selection on the internet. Most rates cancel free. Genius members save 10-20%.
Pay directExpedia
Bundling flight + hotel here is usually cheaper than booking them apart. Free to join for member prices.
Pay directHotels.com
Stamp 10 nights, get 1 free. Useful for indie properties without a chain program.
From ~$60/nightYotel
The move for long layovers. Pod hotels inside JFK, Heathrow, Schiphol, SFO, sleep, shower, fly.
Per stayAirbnb
When you need a kitchen, a workspace, or just space. Stack with a card that earns bonus on travel.
Flight search
When you don't want to use points, or want to compare cash to points before booking.
Skyscanner
First search we open. Whole-month view shows the cheapest day; 'everywhere' mode shows the cheapest destination.
Kiwi.com
Mixes airlines that don't normally talk to each other to find cheaper routes. Often 30% less than Google Flights.
Activities & experiences
Tours, attractions, day trips. Same products, different platforms, use whichever covers your destination best.
Pelago by Singapore Airlines
Strongest in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, Tokyo). Up to 50% off sitewide right now.
Klook
Asia-Pacific specialist. Best for Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, usually the cheapest theme park option.
Tiqets
Europe + US museums and attractions. Skip-the-line passes for when the line genuinely matters.
G Adventures
Small-group adventure trips: Antarctica, Galápagos, Patagonia. Award flight + this booking is a lights-out combo.
From $79Tinggly
Gift-box experiences. The right gift for the points enthusiast in your life, they pick what they want.
Travel insurance
Your card covers some stuff. These cover the rest, medical, evacuation, big cancellations.
Per tripFaye
Travel insurance built like an app, not a PDF. Fast claims, real medical coverage, made for people under 35.
Annual plansBackpack Travel Insurance
Annual multi-trip insurance for people who travel 3+ times a year, cheaper than buying per-trip policies.
Per tripWorld Nomads
Adventure-focused. Trekking, diving, remote regions where mainstream policies have exclusions.
MonthlySafetyWing
Subscription coverage built for digital nomads. Cheaper than per-trip if you're abroad 8+ weeks a year.
Connectivity & logistics
Phone data, luggage storage, the unglamorous stuff that makes a trip work.
Airalo eSIM
Skip the airport SIM line. Activate before you land. Country and regional plans from $5.
From ~$6/bag/dayBounce
Hourly luggage storage in 4,000+ cities. The answer for early arrivals, late checkouts, and day trips.
Las Vegas
F1 weekend, Super Bowl, conference trips. Hotel deals beat direct booking on the Strip nearly every time.
Vegas.com
Hotels, shows, restaurants, packages. Rotating promos hit 20-40% off Strip stays.
See Vegas dealsAward search & monitoring
For when you've got a wallet full of points and a route in mind. Built on published award pricing and supported tools.
FreeAward Search
Compare published award pricing across supported programs. Free.
Buy points
Topping up to complete a redemption is often cheaper than paying cash, especially during a sale.
Live buy-points sales tracker
Every active buy-points and buy-miles sale, refreshed weekly. Direct links to all participating programs.
Long-stay & expat
If you're thinking 'a month somewhere' instead of 'a week somewhere'.
International Living
Where to live cheap abroad, ranked. Real cost-of-living numbers, not vibes.
Read the researchSponsor
Almost every external link on this page is an affiliate link. That means we earn a small commission if you book or sign up through us, at no extra cost to you. We only list things we actually use or have personally vetted. See our advertiser disclosure for the full policy.