SisterFriend Getaways: Cancun!

Friends.  How many of us have them?  Ones we can depend on? And best yet, friends you can travel with.  Sidebar: A trip can take its toll on a friendship -- so, just a few words of caution: choose your travel buddies wisely.  Consider interests, personalities and budget when arranging a group trip.   Travel is not one size fits all and while conflict can be managed, it surely can ruin a trip.

My besties and I get together at least once a year for a sisterfriend getaway.  We are scattered across the U.S. and converge on some tropical destination to reconnect the way only "the girls" can.  Our last trip was to fun-filled, sunny Cancun.

Cancun, Mexico has something for everybody -- sun, great beaches, culture, adventure, parties, great food and more. We stayed at the J.W. Marriott and the accommodations and service were fantastic!  It's conveniently located in the hotel zone close to the airport and not far from where all the action is!  Because it's adjacent to the Casa Magna Marriott Hotel, you have access to both properties as a Marriott Guest.  

My friends and I are legit foodies.  So it was nice to have beach/poolside food service and several restaurants to choose from ranging from Thai to Italian, and one of my favorites, brick oven pizza for lunch. Yum!

 Aside from lazy, sun-filled days at this gorgeous beach, we explored our adventurous side with a few excursions.  We visited Mayan ruins in Tulum, hiked underground caves, swam in cenotes and zip lined at night (through fire! -- Fuegoooo!!)

Back to School Bonus

Time flies when you're having fun. Summer is nearing its end, and just like that, the kiddies are soon heading back to school.

Getting ready for the new school year is all the buzz. New outfits and school supplies are in high demand this time of year. But parents gearing up for the school year and big kids alike can benefit from the AAdvantage® "Back to School" bonus offer starting today through 08/21/16 at 11:59:59 pm ET.  

If you shop for qualifying purchases during the back-to-school bonus period, you can earn up to 1,500 bonus miles in addition to the standard miles earned from shopping online at stores like Apple, ebags, Staples and Kohl's via the AAdvantage® eShopping mall. 

Here's how to earn: 

• Spend $350, Earn 700 bonus miles 
• Spend $700, Earn 1,500 bonus miles

Get more info on the AAdvantage® back to school bonus.

Shop for back-to-school now through 8/21 and earn up to 1,500 bonus mil

Show Mom Some Love!

Whether you call her "Mom", "Mama", "Mommy", "Ma" or an angel (hugs), this Sunday is Mother's Day.    Take the time to celebrate and honor your mother, the mother of your children or if you're a mom, #treatYoSelf!

via GIPHY

They say motherhood is a thankless job because as kids we don't fully grasp all that our mothers do (or have done) for us until we're much older.  And while they teach us about manners and being polite, we often don't say thank you and show them the appreciation they deserve. 

So, show your mom a little love.  Say thank you with thoughtful words, quality time or with a heartfelt gift. Treat her with something that makes her smile: flowers, jewelry, wine, edible arrangements, chocolate covered strawberries etc.

If you're looking for a gift or flowers, there's still time to take advantage of the sales, discounts and bonus offers at mom's (or your) favorite retailers.  For example, AmericanAAdvantage is offering you 250 bonus miles for spending $150 at select retailers.   And while you treat the mother(s) in your life, you can treat yourself with miles or points by shopping at your favorite loyalty program's online mall. Those bonus miles may be the difference  between you and your next vacation.

Remember to visit your favorite online shopping portal or compare which portal offers the most points or miles per dollar at sites like, EVReward.com that compares the earning rates of these portals (and others like Ebates and Ultimate Rewards). Search for your desired retailer and note the different amounts of points, miles, and/or cash back provided through each shopping portal.

• American Airlines: AAdvantage eShopping
• British Airways: Gate 365
• Delta Air Lines: SkyMiles Shopping
• Southwest Airlines: Rapid Rewards Shopping
• United Airlines: MileagePlus Shopping

Stand Up to Cancer & Get 25 AAdvantage® Miles for every $1

We can all agree. Cancer sucks! For me, it's personal.  I've lost quite a few family members to the disease.  So, I support organizations like Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), that fund collaborative, innovative cancer research to bring treatments to patients faster, and save lives.  Now there's an added incentive that ends today.  If you donate a minimum $25 you'll receive 25 AAdvantage® miles for every $1.  After today, the incentive goes down to 10 miles for every $1.

Since Stand Up To Cancer was founded in May 2008, over 160 clinical trials have been planned, initiated, or completed by SU2C scientists, in which more than 8,000 patients have participated.

And more important, 100% of donations received from the public support collaborative cancer research programs.

Are you ready to Stand Up To Cancer?
Donate now.

American's incentive program, a way of saying “Thank you” when you give to SU2C through April 15, 2016, offers  AAdvantage® members will receive 25 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 donated, with a minimum $25 donation.

Get Paid to Shop Online

I love shopping.  Shocker.  Do you know a diva who doesn't??

I know, I typically wax on and on about earning points and miles, but there's just something about getting paid to shop.  I like to travel and I like a bargain.  With all the deals and savings offered with post-holiday sales, getting cash back takes the savings to another level.   That extra cash in your pocket can be put toward travel expenses or spending money for your next vacation.

So, how do I get paid to shop?

Ebates! Visit the website or download the app from iTunes or Google Play, click, shop and earn. It's that simple.  Ebates  also provides discount codes for many vendors for additional savings and to date,  has paid members more than $300 million in cash back.  Why would you want to leave money on the table??

Many of your favorite vendors and services, including travel sites, are in the Ebates network.  You can earn up to 8% cash back and sometimes double, when booking your next trip.

Try it today and let me know how much you save!

How Ebates Works:ere's how simple it really is:

Each store offers a different cash back percentage. Just look at the percentage next to the store name on the Ebates.com site to see how much savings you will earn.

Explore. Dream. Discover: Travel More in 2016!

Hello 2016! And Happy New Year to you and yours!

I've opted out of resolutions this year.   Instead, I'm focusing on a word to represent the year ahead.

My word for 2016 is joy.  Though I'm an optimist for the most part,  my definition of joy focuses on the determination to find happiness in both the amazing and most ordinary of things.  Travel helps me explore and discover the simplest and most awesome things.  This year, I plan to earn more miles/points and check off a few places from my bucket list.  If I can dream it, I can make it a reality if I put my mind to it.  Here's what I'm thinking: Panama, Turks and Caicos, Costa Rica (Caribbean Coast), and the Mediterranean.

If traveling more is on your list of things to do in 2016, kudos to you! It's a new year and you have a new opportunity to plan a vacation and actually take it! I encourage you to create a bucket list, discover new things and explore new places.  What is on your list of places or countries you'd like to see?  things you'd like to do? Let's make it happen!

 As things continue to evolve with our favorite travel loyalty programs, I'll be here sharing my favorite thrifty travel tips.  I'll keep you in the loop of what I'm doing to get closer to my travel goals and give you ideas for your own travel adventures.  Stay tuned!

Remember:  “You don’t have to be rich to travel well.” – Eugene Fodor

Tis the Season for Bonus Miles

There's no escaping it.  Before the kids even went back to school, your favorite stores had their holiday decor in the seasonal section. I've been seeing ornaments, inflatable snowmen, and wreaths, before I felt the first chill of fall.  That being said, this is my favorite time of year -- not only for the holiday cheer, good eats and family memories; yes, my wanderlust family, it's bonus time!!

Now's the best time to start stockpiling your miles/points without stepping foot on a plane. Most loyalty programs offer bonus points or miles around this time of year.  You can earn miles for your dream vacation as you get ready to entertain family and friends or deck the halls this holiday season.

American AAdvantage is offering up to 5,000 bonus miles for spending $1,200 or more through their online shopping mall by November 26.   That's in addition to any miles or bonuses merchants already offer.

Check your loyalty programs shopping portal and subscribe to their respective e-newsletters to stay in the loop and take advantage (no pun intended) of bonus offerings.

Happy shopping!!