Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Whether you’re a beginner in the world of credit, looking to repair your credit score, or are new to the U.S., here’s a credit card just for you. The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is for those with average credit. …
Author: Million Mile Secrets
Establish credit history and boost your credit score with the no annual fee Capital One Platinum
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
It’s difficult to get approved for the best credit cards for travel without a credit score of 700+. That’s why readers sometimes ask if there’s a good card to help build a credit history. Besides making you eligib…
How to tell the difference between planes (Tips for aspiring aviation geeks!)
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
We fly so much that one day I decided to look around at the planes and check out the back of the in-flight magazine until I could tell the difference between them. The big planes were super easy — but I picked up some more tricks on telling the d…
Guide to using ANA miles and award chart
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
All Nippon Airways (ANA) miles can be such a powerful loyalty program. They’ve always had significantly lower award prices than U.S. competitors for many routes (40,000 miles round-trip to Japan, 65,000 miles round-trip to Africa, etc.) – but their cri…
Do Chase Sapphire Preferred authorized users get primary rental car insurance?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
One of the perks you get with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is primary car rental insurance. When you’re renting a car insurance costs add up quickly. While this is not comprehensive coverage, it will still save you a sub…
5 essential tips for traveling with a baby
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Family travel is a huge part of the miles & points world. Lots of MMS readers get into this hobby because they want to visit or to vacation with their family. To help and inspire those with younger children, we’ve put together a list of tips for t…
Airline face mask requirements for children
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Face masks have become a reality of traveling during the pandemic, and most U.S. airlines have required them since early May 2020. At first, this rule applied only to adults. But moving into the holiday, and with cases of COVID-19 growing exponentially…
Everything to know about Southwest’s pet policy
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
When you’re traveling and don’t want to leave your furry friend behind, Southwest is a great option for those who have small pets. The airline makes traveling with your pets a breeze by not requiring any additional documentation and won’t break the ban…
Is it worth downgrading to the Chase Sapphire no annual fee card?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Credit card annual fees are no fun. Especially when so many compelling cards are fee-free, deciding when it’s worth it to pay a card’s annual fee can be a daunting task. But instead of outright canceling a credit card when your annual fee is billed, yo…
8 things to know to safely fly Southwest
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
MMS is Southwest’s biggest fan. Because of the carrier’s status as a discount airline, it’s overlooked for its world-class features and categorized with some of the industry’s worst airlines, like Spirit and Ryanair. Southwest does not suffer fro…
What is a negative balance on your credit card?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Put simply, a negative balance means your credit card issuer owes you money. When you make a payment on your credit card, you’re paying towards a balance you owe the card issuer. But in some cases, you end up paying more than the total positive balance…
What is considered essential travel?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
While it might be tempting to take a quick trip to the beach or attend a friend’s birthday party, given the fact that COVID is still a real threat, you’re likely putting yourself and others at risk through non-essential travel. CDC data currently…
Everything you need to know about foreign transaction fees
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
While traveling abroad can offer a change of scenery and pace, it can also come with a few hassles and surprises. That’s especially true with regard to foreign transaction fees. Fortunately, several of the best travel credit cards have eliminated…
Does card inactivity hurt your credit score?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
As a miles and points hobbyist, I’ve come to care deeply about the state of my credit score and the health of my relationships with card-issuing banks. And like many of you, I try to optimize my spending to earn as many points and miles as possible. I …
Southwest’s low fares calendar helps you find the best deals
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been dreaming and scheming about future travel for a few months now. Especially as some restrictions have begun to loosen, it’s been exciting to start once again considering what travel plans I have for the future and…
American Express Platinum: Is it worth it?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
When it comes to The Platinum Card® from American Express, the question isn’t, “Is it worth it?” (because it definitely is the first year), but rather, “Is the American Express Platinum worth it long term?” Is the Amex Platinum worth the yearly fee? The Amex Platinum comes with tons of benefits, a nice welcome bonus …
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Read MoreGuide to a national parks road trip with a disability amid COVID-19
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
As travel restrictions around COVID-19 start to lift, people who have been on lockdown for months are itching to get out in the beautiful summer weather and travel. Travel is less expensive than usual these days. Compared to a year ago, average regular gas prices as of July 2020 were $0.54 less per gallon. Airlines …
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Read MoreWill you pay foreign transaction fees in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico?
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Digging into the rules surrounding rewards credit cards is what we do. We do the work so you don’t have to. We get lots of questions regarding which card to use for particular situations — one of the most common being about the best cards to use abroad to avoid transaction fees. So you might …
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Read MoreYour guide to using transferable points for award flights to Hawaii
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
Hawaii is an amazing travel destination, and the best part is that if you’re American, you don’t need a passport to go there. It’s almost like visiting another country, but with a lot less hassle. However, from the mainland U.S., flights can be long and expensive. Luckily, there are easy and affordable ways to redeem …
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Read More40 ways to meet a credit card’s minimum spending requirement
Written by Million Mile Secrets @ Million Mile Secrets
The best way to earn miles and points is by applying for credit cards and earning intro bonuses. At the tail end of coronavirus, we’ve seen some absolutely massive welcome offers (see our BonusTracker for currently available bonuses). The catch i…