Capital One is my second favorite bank after Chase, and it helped me save just under $3,000 for Umrah travel last year.  Yes, I said it – I love my Chase Ultimate Rewards.  But diversifying your wallet with cards that earn different types of points and miles is key in award travel.  I used Capital […]

You can earn up to 200,000 points from the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offer!  Here’s how you can use IHG points when planning Umrah travel, for a stay in Makkah or Madinah. The Offers Let’s take a look at all the IHG card offers.  *Note that the first 2 card offers are […]

There are currently three co-branded Marriott cards from American Express with elevated welcome offers! Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card: Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months.  Offer ends May 13, 2026. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card: Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in […]

Umrah can definitely be an expensive trip and journey.  But in come points and miles for the win

American Airlines miles have always been very valuable, and generally speaking, harder to earn for reward flights.  American Airlines is part of the Oneworld airline alliance, which allows you to book flights on partner airlines making for some great international redemptions. 

Umrah travel is expensive, simply put.  If you’re traveling with a family, it can easily add up to $7k – $10K, and this is booking travel yourself and not through a group.  (I’ve booked Umrah travel for my family without using points and miles so I know how quickly it adds up.)  Last fall, we […]

“Chasing” hotel status is not for everyone.  I get it.  For us, award travel is about saving money, being able to travel more (and smarter), and minimizing other travel-related costs as much as we can.  Part of that strategy includes hotel loyalty because it saves our family on costs such as breakfast, taxes/fees, parking, and […]

I’ve been fortunate to do Umrah travel for the last 3 years (2022, 2023, & 2024).  Each of those years, I booked Umrah travel differently – cash (mostly), group travel, and then points and miles, respectively.  I don’t take those opportunities lightly, and while I’m sad I don’t have plans to go this year, I’m […]

[11/11/2025:  Some card offers have since expired, and/or are no longer available.]   There’s A LOT of elevated offers right now!  And while it’s never a bad time to plan a trip, it’s a great time to plan Umrah travel on points and miles.  You have options, which is just what you need when planning […]

Last fall, in November of 2024, my husband and I, and our two older kids, went for Umrah.  I booked our Umrah travel for just $500 out-of-pocket, for four of us (we left our little one with family) thanks to points and miles.  This included the cost of airfare, hotel stays, and one-way transport from […]