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#ad What are the best travel credit cards? As you #ad What are the best travel credit cards? As you know we use points and miles to offset the costs of our travels, often times getting us free flights and hotel stays. So how do we find the best travel credit cards? We use @nerdwallet to find the best card for us based on our typical travel spend.

The past 6 months we’ve been taking school and work all over the US. Our 2022 goal is to spend the entire summer in a Spanish speaking country to help the girls on their journey to becoming bilingual. Knowing points and miles will be integral to us affording such a long trip it was time to get a new travel credit card and NerdWallet helped us find the best one. 

Their comparison tool makes it easy to see which card will give you the best sign-up bonus, perks such as Global Entry or lounge access and the most points for spending on accommodations, food, and activities. What travel goals do you have that points and miles can help you achieve?
When in Rome... New Orleans is America’s most ha When in Rome... New Orleans is America’s most haunted city so on our road trip last year, hubby and I went on a NOLA ghost tour. That tour sparked our interest in other haunted locations so we checked out the ‘Ghost Adventures’ Series on @discoveryplus. And since we spend a lot of time in hotels and have visited the haunted Read House Hotel in Chattanooga, we decided why not watch the special ‘Ghost Adventures: #CecilHotel’ too. Have you heard about this LA hotel? Subscribe to #discoveryplus to stream with a loved one and #NeverStreamAlone. #ad #GhostAdventures
🎶 Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, H 🎶 Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthday to ya, Happy Birthhhhdayyyy! 🎶 I cannot believe my youngest child is 5, insert all the tears. Kennedy my love you are the most morningist morning person I’ve ever met.  You are smart, full of energy, kind and a natural comedian. Wishing you the best in this next year around the sun.

P.S. thank you @lovelydarlingspicnic for the most perfect Princess picnic for my baby girl.
New York, New York, the place of all of our births New York, New York, the place of all of our births, we usually visit multiple times a year. When @bookingcom asked us to write a love letter to a destination we want YOU to travel to one day, I could think of no greater city. Whether we’re stuffing our faces at our favorite soul food restaurants in Harlem, enjoying the millions of activities the city has to offer, or screaming at the top of our lungs on all the rides at Coney Island in Brooklyn we always enjoy our visits. There is truly no place on Earth like NYC and we cannot wait to be reunited. What city in the US holds a special place in your heart? #LoveLetterstoAmerica #LoveLetterstoNewYork
Individual time with each of the girls is so impor Individual time with each of the girls is so important to me. While I usually take each of them on a trip alone with me every year, these days I'm settling for any small win I can get. Today that was making a simple meal with Jordyn, thanks in part to @campbellswellyes. What wins have you had this week? [AD] #LiveBright
Today my friend gave me a compliment and my first Today my friend gave me a compliment and my first instinct was to downplay it. To tell her I really wasn’t that good, that what I am doing isn’t that special. I stopped myself, because I have a horrible habit of pushing peoples compliments away. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t want to come off as not being humble or what, but it’s something I’m working on.

So today I sat in the compliment and appreciated it. What she said actually meant a lot to me and I told her it took me everything to just say thank you, admittance is the first step to recovery right? Am I the only one who struggles with just accepting a compliment? I also struggle with sharing my wins, even though I will celebrate others without a second thought. Two things I’m working on in 2021. Anyone joining me?
Sometimes we only have a moment to get outside and Sometimes we only have a moment to get outside and play so being able to easily take a snack to go is important to us. @campbellswellyes Sipping Soups are ready in one minute allowing us to maximize our short breaks and get outside for some fresh air. How are maximizing your family time these days? [AD] #LiveBright

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8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience

August 7, 2018      Trip Planning Tips

We absolutely love Airbnb and have stayed in over 15 Airbnb homes! These include our $60/night Airbnb in Bangkok to our 15 person rental in Venice to our stays in Amsterdam, Costa Rica and Cuba. With all these booking we have become experts in picking a rental homes. If you haven’t joined Airbnb yet, sign up here and save $40 on your first stay. No need to be nervous about booking an Airbnb, just follow my 8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience.

Woman sitting on a bed in a bedroom

Read the Airbnb Reviews

It is very important to read the reviews of the Airbnb host. While you shouldn’t let one person’s negative experience taint all the positive reviews be very diligent in reading as many reviews as possible. Unlike a hotel, there isn’t a manager you can go downstairs to speak with if something is not to your liking to get it fixed immediately.

Be Wary of Booking Airbnb Hosts With No Reviews 

I know that every Airbnb host has to start somewhere but I’m not interested in my family being a host’s guinea pig. I personally only book properties that have a minimum of 10 reviews with at least 3 being in the past 2 months. The only time I break this rule is if the host has other properties with excellent reviews. Airbnb has Super Hosts who have multiple properties and maintain a positive rating of 95% and above so I at least know the host is trustworthy and keeps up their properties.

Review the Airbnb Listings Photos

The photos are just as important as the reviews. They will show you exactly what to expect in the home, bedroom configurations, bathroom set-up, TVs, etc. If it looks a mess in the photos it will most likely look a mess in real life. When reviewing photos of the home check for consistencies in the listing. If you find there aren’t photos of the bathroom or the listing states 3 bedrooms but you only see pictures of 2 ask the host to provide there. If they’re reluctant it’s probably a bad sign.

This is the Airbnb we stayed in during our trip to Honolulu, it was half the cost of getting a hotel. Amenities included free parking, a washer/dryer, and restaurants on the same block.

Research the Location of the Airbnb

While Airbnb won’t provide the exact address of the rental until your booking is made it does give the proximity if you look at the location map. With this, you can typically find nearby cross streets that will allow you to figure out the neighborhood. Be sure to research this for safety as well as access to public transportation. If you’ll be without a car you’ll want to know how walkable the area is.

Message the Airbnb Host

Even if the listing is an Instant Booking I always message the host first. This allows me to see how quickly they respond and how helpful they are. If it takes them days to respond to your inquiry of when you’re trying to put cash in their pockets imagine how poorly their responses will be once they have it.

woman holding child in front of a green house

Ask for Any Special Requests Up Front

One of the things I love most about Airbnb is their hosts typically are much better at accommodating special requests. When traveling to Europe we typically take the red-eye landing us in our destination at 6 or 7AM. While most hotels won’t allow you to check in that early, most Airbnb hosts will and at no additional cost but ask in advance. As someone who travels with young children this is a huge deal as we usually need a nap before heading out to explore.

Determine What You Need to Bring and What is Provided

While unlimited towels, wash clothes, soap and other basics are expected at hotels not all Airbnb’s offer these. If it’s not clear in the listing ask your host if there are any basic amenities you need to bring.

Confirm the Check-In Procedure

Each Airbnb is different when it comes to checking in. In some cases, the host will meet you at the home to let you in and show you around. Other times there will be a lockbox with the key or a door with a keypad. We have also stayed in homes where we picked the key up from a neighbor or neighborhood store clerk. Just be clear of the check-in prior to your arrival so there aren’t any surprises when you get there.

Once you arrive to your Airbnb do a walkthrough of the place to check for any major issues. Look for things like misrepresented photos, an incorrect location, or cleanliness issues. If things are unacceptable take photos and be sure to contact Airbnb’s customer service immediately. Contacting them within 24 hours can make processing any necessary refund easier.

Why Stay in an Airbnb?

As a family of four Airbnb has saved us a lot of money and given our kids a lot more space to run around over a cramped hotel room, like our family-friendly Airbnb in Copenhagen. We get to live like locals and have a kitchen to cook meals when we don’t feel like eating out. Now sit back, relax and enjoy the savings and extra space booking an Airbnb has given you. Don’t forget to save $40 on your first stay by signing up here.

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  1. 7 Days in Hawaii: The Big Island and Oahu says:
    August 28, 2018 at 3:14 am

    […] Related: 8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience […]

  2. 7 Days in Costa Rica says:
    August 28, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    […] Related: 8 Tips for a Great Airbnb Experience […]

  3. 12 Ways to Earn Miles Towards Free Flights says:
    August 29, 2018 at 3:27 pm

    […] Delta Airlines also has an exclusive partnership with Airbnb and you can earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all Airbnb stays when booking through www.deltaairbnb.com. Don’t already use Airbnb? Sign-up here and get a $40 credit towards your first stay. Nervous about staying in an Airbnb, read this: 8 Tips to Guarantee a Great Airbnb Experience. […]

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Hey, I’m Monet!

Hey, I’m Monet!

A full time working woman, wife and mama of two. I use every last one of my vacation days traveling with my kids, hubby, friends or solo. Join me as I share my travel experiences and tips to make travel affordable and easier with the little ones. You can read more about me here.

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