Episode Details

Ever since I shared that we booked Hotel Xcaret — a luxury all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya, my inbox has been full of one question: how?

So, in this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my full trip planning process for the rest of 2026. Not just the Xcaret booking itself, but the thinking that happens before I ever search for award space — because that's what really happens.

I'm walking you through:

• The thought process behind the Hotel Xcaret redemption, from spotting the opportunity to confirming the booking at zero out of pocket
• How I map out a full year of travel around the points and business spend we already have — instead of chasing whatever's trendy
• Why I decide on the experience first and work backward to the currency (Capital One, Chase, Amex, hotel programs) that gets me there
• What's actually on our 2026 travel calendar and how each trip is getting funded

Ready to plan trips like this with me looking over your shoulder?

Inside the Travel Points Lounge, you get direct access to me for exactly this kind of booking strategy.