The Traveling Tinsleys

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  • The Florida Keys

    Sun, salt air, fishing lines, and island time.

    The Florida Keys aren’t about flashy resorts or powdery Caribbean beaches. They’re about laid-back island vibes, world-class fishing, chill waterfront happy hours, fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and (in our opinion) the best damn Key Lime Colada you’ll ever taste.

    Our favorite Key? Islamorada — the perfect mix of relaxed and lively.

    How to Get There

    You’ll definitely want to rent a car. The Overseas Highway drive is half the experience — ocean views on both sides, charming roadside stops, and bridges that feel like you’re floating over turquoise water.

    Here’s a quick airport breakdown:

    ✈️ Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

    • About 1.5–2 hours to Islamorada (≈ 90 miles)
    • Often the best balance of flight prices and convenience
    • Easy rental car pickup

    ✈️ Miami International Airport (MIA)

    • About 1.5 hours to Islamorada (≈ 80 miles)
    • Great flight availability
    • Slightly busier airport experience

    ✈️ Key West International Airport (EYW)

    • About 1.5 hours south of Islamorada (≈ 80 miles)
    • Smaller, easy airport
    • Often higher airfare

    No matter which airport you choose, the scenic drive down the Overseas Highway sets the tone for your trip.

    What the Keys Are Known For

    •  🎣 World-class fishing (Islamorada is the “Sportfishing Capital of the World”)
    • 🦞 Incredible fresh seafood
    • 🍹  Waterfront happy hours
    • 🌅Unreal sunsets
    • 🏝 Island vibes — not manicured Caribbean beaches

    You won’t find long stretches of white sandy beach here. What you will find are tiki bars, boat days, live music, and a pace that forces you to slow down.

    Where to Stay

     Sunset Inn

    We’ve stayed here for the past six years, and it holds so many family memories.

    • Heated saltwater pool
    • Walkable to our favorite restaurants
    • Quiet, tropical courtyard feel

    What we don’t love? The price jump — from around $200 a night to nearly $800 a night. No thanks.

     La Jolla Resort

    Next year we’re planning to stay next door here. It has a similar Old Florida charm with a great waterfront location.

    Vacation Rental

    • A great option for families who want space + a kitchen

    Where to Eat & Drink

    We plan our Keys trips around food.

    My favorite drink

    🐟 The Fish House

    A must-stop in Key Largo on the drive down.
    Fresh fish, casual vibes, and the perfect way to kick off vacation mode.

      🍹 Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar

    Our #1 spot.

    • Amazing happy hour
    • Live music
    • Sunset views
    • Magician Michael Trixx (our kids LOVE him)
    • And the best Key Lime Colada in the Keys

    🌊  Lazy Days Restaurant

    Great views. Great vibes. Fresh seafood right on the water.

    🎣  Wahoo’s Bar & Grill

    Perfect place to watch charter boats come in with the day’s catch.

    🏝  Hideaway Cafe

    Our favorite date-night spot.
    It’s in Marathon — and absolutely worth the drive.

    A mother-and-son team runs this cozy little gem, and the food is truly incredible. It’s intimate, romantic, and feels like one of those “how did we find this place?” restaurants you never forget. If you’re looking for a special night out away from the tiki-bar scene, this is it.

    Breweries to Check Out

    • Florida Keys Brewing Co.
    • Islamorada Beer Company

    Local beer + island air = perfection.

    Things To Do

    🐬 Theater of the Sea

    A family favorite. You can:

    • Swim with dolphins
    • Meet sea lions
    • Snorkel in a lagoon
    • Watch marine animal shows

    🐚 The Shell Shack

    Souvenir heaven for shell lovers.

    🐟 Robbie’s of Islamorada

    Feed the tarpon right off the dock — a total must-do.

    ☀️ Islamorada Sandbar

    Boat day essential. Anchor up, float, relax.

    • Rent a boat
    • Book a snorkeling tour
    • Pull up to floating boat food trucks (!)

    There’s nothing like standing in crystal-clear waist-deep water with music playing and boats all around you.

    🏝  Bahia Honda State Park

    If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Keys, this is it.
    Clear water, soft sand (by Keys standards!), and incredible views of the old railroad bridge.

    🌊 Sombrero Beach

    One of the best public beaches in the Middle Keys.
    Great for families, swimming, and sunset walks.

    🌴 Founders Park Beach

    A hidden gem in Islamorada.
    Calm water, picnic areas, and a great option if you want a laid-back beach day close to town.

    🤿 History of Diving Museum

    We finally visited this on our last trip — and it was so much cooler than we expected.

    This museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of diving equipment and artifacts, showcasing the evolution of underwater exploration from ancient times to modern scuba. You’ll see:

    • Vintage dive helmets (including those massive old-school hard hats)
    • Early underwater gear and air systems
    • Rare artifacts and global diving history
    • Interactive exhibits that explain how diving technology evolved

    It’s part museum, part educational experience, and surprisingly fascinating — even for kids. If you’ve ever snorkeled, scuba dived, or just love ocean history, this stop gives you a whole new appreciation for what it takes to explore beneath the surface.

    Definitely worth an hour or two, especially if you want a break from the sun.

    Final Thoughts

    The Florida Keys aren’t about luxury. They’re about memories.
    Salt in your hair. Kids jumping in the pool. Live music at sunset. Fresh fish tacos. And one more Key Lime Colada before calling it a night.

    If you love relaxed destinations with character, Islamorada will absolutely steal your heart.

    Want More Trips Like This?

    Follow me on Instagram @get_them_points to see more of our family adventures and learn how we travel for nearly free using points and miles.

  • Getting Started With Points & Miles

    Award travel looks complicated from the outside.
    But it really comes down to two simple steps:

    1. Use your credit card like a debit card and earn points from the spending you already do.


    2. Pick the right rewards card so one good signup bonus can cover a flight or hotel night.

    That’s it.

    That’s how I started — and it’s still how I book so much of my travel today.

    This simple strategy makes travel more affordable and a lot more fun.

    First — The Foundation Matters

    Before we go any further:

    You need good credit and you need to be able to pay your cards off in full every single month.

    If you’re carrying balances or working on your credit score right now — that’s okay. Start there. Build that foundation first. This hobby only works if you’re not paying interest. Points are never worth going into debt for.

    The Biggest Beginner Misconception

    A lot of people think:

    “I should just get the airline I fly most.”
    “I’ll get the hotel card for the hotel I like.”

    And while those cards can make sense later…

    If you only use one airline or one hotel card for everyday spending, it can take years to earn enough points for a free trip.

    You might earn:

    • 1–2 points per dollar
    • Slowly building toward a redemption

    Meanwhile…

    One strong signup bonus from a flexible travel card can earn you enough points for a free flight or hotel stay in just a few months.

    That’s the difference.

    Instead of slowly earning toward a trip over years, one strategic bonus can get you there much faster.

    Why I Love Flexible Points

    When you’re just getting started, I strongly recommend earning flexible points instead of locking yourself into one airline or hotel program.

    Flexible points give you options.

    You can:

    • Book travel through a bank portal
    • Transfer to airline partners
    • Transfer to hotel programs
    • Or redeem for simple travel purchases

    That flexibility is everything when you’re new — and it protects you from being stuck with points you can’t use.

    My Favorite Starter Card: Chase Sapphire

    If I were starting over today, I would begin with the Chase Sapphire.

    Why?

    • Strong welcome bonus
    • Flexible points that transfer to valuable travel partners
    • Easy-to-use travel portal
    • Beginner-friendly ecosystem

    One good signup bonus alone can easily cover:

    • A roundtrip domestic flight
    • Multiple short-haul flights
    • Or a couple of hotel nights

    That’s the power of one card done strategically.

    We have stayed at a few all inclusive resorts by transferring flexible points

    Apply here.

    What About Capital One Venture X?

    I also love the Capital One Venture X — and I actually think it’s a great early card to consider.

    Yes, it has a higher annual fee.

    But here’s what comes with it:

    • Large welcome bonus
    • Annual $300 travel credit
    • Anniversary bonus miles each year
    • Airport lounge access
    • Simple 2x earning on everything
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

    When you factor in the travel credit and anniversary miles, the annual fee can effectively offset itself if you travel even a little.

    Another reason I often suggest getting it earlier rather than later:
    Capital One can be tougher with approvals. If it’s on your radar, it may make sense not to wait too long.

    Apply here.

    One Card = One Trip

    This is the part people don’t realize:

    You don’t need 10+ cards.
    You don’t need complicated strategies.

    One solid signup bonus can equal:

    • A family flight
    • A long weekend getaway
    • A beach trip
    • A few nights at an all inclusive resort

    That’s how most people should start.

    Simple. Focused. Strategic.

    Over the Next Few Weeks…

    I’ll be breaking down:

    • How to choose your first card
    • How to redeem points without getting overwhelmed
    • Beginner-friendly airline and hotel partners
    • Mistakes to avoid early on

    If you need help planning a trip, figuring out how to use your points, or building a strategy to earn them — message me.

    I genuinely love this stuff, and I’m always happy to help.

    Let’s make travel doable.

    Get Them Points ✈️

  • Why the Venture X Is Always in My Wallet ✨

    I don’t leave the house without my Venture X. This card has helped us score some seriously amazing redemptions, and it’s been a total keeper in our house — my husband has it too. When I say flexible miles are EVERYTHING in this hobby, I mean it.

    For our family, this card has paid for flights, hotels, rental cars, and even luxury business class seats. It’s one of my go-to cards (along with the Chase Sapphire Preferred) when I’m helping someone get started with points and miles.

    Today, let’s break down why the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is such a powerhouse — and why it might (or might not!) be right for you.

    💳 The $300 Annual Travel Credit is Super Easy to Use

    Every year you get $300 in travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel — and let me tell you, we use it every single year without even trying.

    Here are a few ways we’ve used ours:

    ✈️ Flight from Seville to Mallorca
    🚗 Rental car in Florida
    🏨 Hotel in Detroit visiting family

    That’s the beauty of this credit — it’s not complicated. You just book travel via the portal, and it applies automatically. Flights, hotels, rental cars… there are truly endless ways to use it.

    Arriving in Mallorca
    Rental cars are one of the best ways to redeem the travel credit

    🍽️ The Restaurant Reservation Hack

    One of the most underrated perks? Venture X cardholders get access to special restaurant reservations in major cities through Capital One Dining.

    That means those hard-to-get reservations suddenly become possible. If you love food or travel to big cities, this is SUCH a fun perk to use.

    🛋️ Lounge Access

    You get access to:

    • Capital One Lounges
    • Priority Pass lounges

    While guest access has changed (it’s no longer as family-friendly as it once was), it’s still amazing when traveling solo — and yes, you can absolutely grab snacks or drinks to bring back to your crew.

    Airport lounge access makes travel days feel so much smoother.

    🌍 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

    You’ll also get a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. If you don’t already have it — this alone is worth it. Faster security, easier international arrivals… total game changer.

    💰 2X on Every Purchase

    This is huge.

    You earn 2x miles on every single purchase, no bonus categories to track. Just swipe and earn. It makes this card incredibly simple to use daily.

    For travel booked through Capital One Travel, you can earn even more on flights and hotels.

    🎁 The Welcome Bonus (Yes, I Used Mine for Business Class!)

    The current sign-up bonus is strong — and I just used ours to book some very special business class flights 🙌

    Flexible miles are powerful because you can:

    • Transfer to airline partners
    • Book through the portal
    • Cover travel purchases with miles

    Options = freedom.

    Is This Card for Everyone?

    Let’s be real — this card does have a $395 annual fee.

    But between:

    • The $300 annual travel credit
    • 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary
    • Lounge access
    • Global Entry credit
    • Strong earning rates

    …I personally see the value every year.

    That said, Capital One can be very finicky with approvals. You typically want an excellent credit score (generally 740+ recommended) before applying.

    If you’re brand new to points and miles, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is often the easiest starter card. But if you can swing the annual fee and qualify, the Venture X is an incredible long-term card.

    Why I Love Flexible Miles

    Airline-specific cards can be great… but flexible miles? That’s where the magic happens.

    Being able to transfer points where you need them — instead of being locked into one airline — is what allows for those amazing redemptions.

    This is why Venture X and Sapphire are my go-to foundation cards.

    Ready to Get Started?

    If you’ve been thinking about diving into points and miles, this card could be a great fit — or maybe start with Sapphire first.

    Either way, I’m always happy to help you figure out how to use your points strategically.

    👉 Message me if you need help using your miles!

    🔗 Apply here for the Venture X
    🔗 Apply here for the Sapphire card

    Let’s go Get Them Points 💛

  • 🚨 This Is the Best Rakuten Offer We’ve Seen — And It’s Basically Free Points

    Screenshot

    Rakuten rolled out what looks like its best referral offer ever — $50 after you make qualifying purchases.
    A straight-up $50 bonus.

    And if you play this the right way? That $50 can easily turn into 5,000+ Hyatt points.🤑

    Let’s break it down the Get Them Points way.

    💻 First — How Shopping Portals Work (AKA Free Money 101)

    If you’re not using shopping portals yet, you’re leaving points on the table.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Start your shopping trip at Rakuten.
    2. Click through to the store you were already going to use (Nike, Apple, Sephora, Walmart, Expedia, etc.).
    3. Shop like normal.
    4. Rakuten tracks it.
    5. You earn cash back.

    That’s it.

    Stores pay Rakuten a commission for sending you their way. Rakuten shares that commission with you.

    Example of what it looks like when you shop through the portal and how you can earn sooooooo many points

    It’s literally earning rewards for everyday online shopping you’re already doing.

    And the real magic?
    You stack it with your rewards credit card.

    Portal rewards + credit card points = double dip every time.

    That’s how we get them points.

    💰 The $50 Bonus (Here’s Where It Gets Good)

    Right now, new users can:

    • Sign up with a referral
    • Make qualifying purchases
    • Earn $50 bonus

    👉 Use my referral link to sign up and lock in the $50 bonus.

    🔥 The Real Play: Turn That $50 Into Travel

    Most people think Rakuten is just cash back.

    But here’s where it gets powerful.

    Instead of taking cash, you can earn points — specifically through Bilt Rewards.

    And Bilt points transfer 1:1 to some incredible travel partners — including:

    • World of Hyatt
    • American Airlines AAdvantage
    • Air Canada Aeroplan
    • Air France–KLM Flying Blue

    Here’s the math:

    $50 bonus = 5,000 points
    5,000 Hyatt points = potentially a free night at a Category 1 Hyatt

    Now we’re talking.

    📝 How To Set This Up (Don’t Skip This Part)

    Here’s exactly what to do:

    Step 1: Open a Free Bilt Account

    Bilt Rewards is the first loyalty program and co-brand credit card for renters, enabling the country’s 109 million renters to finally earn points on their largest monthly expense with no fees.

    Sign up for a free Bilt Rewards account.
    It costs nothing to join.

    👉 Important: Use the same email address you use for Rakuten.

    Step 2: Sign Up for Rakuten

    Use my referral link to create your Rakuten account and qualify for the $50 bonus.

    Step 3: Link Bilt Inside Rakuten

    Once your Rakuten account is active:

    • Go into your account settings
    • Select payout preferences
    • Choose Bilt Rewards points instead of cash

    Because you used the same email for both accounts, Rakuten can connect the two.

    Now your earnings will post as Bilt points.

    🧠 Why This Is Such an Easy Win

    You’re already shopping online.

    You might already have a purchase planned.

    This stacks with:
    • Holiday sales
    • Travel bookings
    • Big purchases
    • Credit card rewards

    Low effort. High return. Exactly what we like.

    🎯Let’s Get Them Points

    If you’re serious about maximizing everyday spend, this is step one.

    👉 Use my referral link to sign up for Rakuten.

  • How We’ve Flown Our Kids for (Almost) Free for Years with the Southwest Companion Pass

    If you’ve ever looked at flight prices for a family and thought, “How is this even possible?”—you’re not alone. Flights add up fast when you’re booking for kids, especially if you like to travel more than once a year.

    That’s exactly why the Southwest Companion Pass has been an absolute game-changer for our family.

    Flying over Turks and Caicos on one of our many Southwest flights

    What Is the Southwest Companion Pass?

    For the past two years, we’ve had two Companion Passes in our household—and it’s allowed us to fly our kids over and over again while paying only about $5 in taxes per flight. Yes, really. It’s allowed us to take our kids to Mexico and Florida multiple times as well the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos and so many more places.

    In simple terms:
    When you earn a Southwest Companion Pass, you can choose one person to fly with you for free (plus taxes and fees) every time you fly Southwest—whether you pay with cash or points.

    That means:

    • We book our flights using Southwest points
    • Our kids are added as companions
    • Their tickets cost around $5–$6 each way

    No blackout dates. No complicated rules. It just works.

    How We Actually Use the Companion Pass

    This isn’t one of those “sounds good on paper” travel hacks—we use these passes constantly.

    On average, we use our Companion Passes close to 10 times a year. Some of our favorite trips include:

    • ✈️ Our annual family trip to the Florida Keys
    • 🌴 Cancún, Mexico
    • 🌊 Dominican Republic
    • 🏝 Turks and Caicos

    Because Southwest flies to so many popular vacation destinations, we’re able to plan trips around school breaks, long weekends, and random “let’s go somewhere warm” moments—without stressing about airfare costs for the kids.

    Why This Works So Well for Families

    The real magic happens when you combine:

    • Southwest points for your ticket
    • Companion Pass for your child (or spouse, parent, friend—your choice)

    Instead of paying hundreds (or thousands) for flights, we’re paying:

    • Points we earned from credit card bonuses and everyday spending
    • About $5 in taxes per companion flight

    That’s it.

    If you live near a Southwest hub, this strategy is even more powerful. More nonstop routes, better schedules, and more flexibility when plans change (Southwest’s no change fees is a huge bonus for families).

    The Current Southwest Personal Card Offer

    Current offer

    Right now, Southwest has a strong personal credit card offer that can help you work toward earning the Companion Pass.

    This is exactly how we got started—and how we were able to earn two passes in our household.

    Here is the link to apply.

    (I always recommend applying when the bonus is high, especially if your goal is the Companion Pass.)

    Is the Southwest Companion Pass Worth It?

    For us? 1000% yes.

    If you:

    • Travel with kids
    • Live near a Southwest hub
    • Want to take multiple trips per year without paying full airfare

    …this is one of the most valuable travel perks out there.

    We’ve made memories in the Florida Keys, explored beautiful beaches in Mexico and the Caribbean, and said “yes” to trips we probably would’ve skipped if we had to pay full price for everyone.

    Final Thoughts

    I’m all about travel that feels doable, not stressful—and the Southwest Companion Pass has made that possible for our family in a huge way.

    If you’re even thinking about traveling more with your kids, I highly recommend looking into this offer while it’s available.

    It would mean so much if you use my link when applying.