Real-life family travel tips, cruise hacks, and points and miles guides from Sheila Hayes — helping families travel smarter, not harder, one trip at a time.
How to Get to the Black Sand Beach in Vieques, Puerto Rico (Playa Negra) If you’re looking for one of the most unique beaches in Puerto Rico, Playa Negra in Vieques belongs at the top of your list. This isn’t a “park-and-walk” kind of beach—but that’s exactly why it still feels wild and untouched. When we decided to go, I had no idea how much of an adventure it would actually be. This isn’t the kind of beach where you pull into a paved lot, grab your towel, and walk 30 seconds to the water. It requires effort — and honestly, that’s what makes it unforgettable. The first glimpse of the black sand against the turquoise water stopped us in our tracks. It didn’t feel touristy. It felt earned. Below is the exact, step-by-step route we used to get there, plus tips so you don’t miss the trail (or ruin your shoes). Ready? Let’s go! Step 1: Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico Start by booking a flight into San Juan (SJU). This is the easiest jumping-off point for getting ...
If you’ve ever seen someone say “We flew our whole family to Europe for $200!” and thought, how the heck?! — you’re not alone.
Welcome to the world of travel hacking — and yes, moms can do it too.
I’m Sheila, a mom, educator, and travel content creator behind SheMamaMaps, and I’m here to break this down in real mom terms. You don’t need a spreadsheet obsession or a million hours a week. You just need a little strategy — and the right card in your wallet.
💡 What is Travel Hacking, Exactly?
Travel hacking is the art of using credit card points, airline miles, and hotel rewards to pay less (or nothing) for flights, hotels, and trips.
It’s not shady. It’s not spammy. It’s strategic adulting.
🛠️ Step 1: Know Your Why
Are you dreaming of:
A family Disney trip that doesn’t cost a mortgage?
Flying to Hawaii or Japan without shelling out thousands?
A cruise with upgraded flights and hotel stays covered?
💬 Define your goal first.
That will shape what cards you apply for and which rewards programs you focus on.
💳 Step 2: Pick the Right Credit Card
This is the game-changer.
Here are three cards I personally recommend for beginners:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Great all-around card
Big welcome bonus (often 60,000+ points)
Points transfer to travel partners like Hyatt & United
Capital One Venture
Easy to use for any travel expense
Good for busy moms who want flexibility
American Express Gold
Great for groceries + restaurants
Excellent for moms with everyday spending
💥 Pro Tip: Never carry a balance. The rewards aren’t worth it if you’re paying interest.
🧾 Step 3: Use That Card
Intentionally
Don’t change your lifestyle — just redirect your normal spending (groceries, gas, school supplies) to the card you’re working on.
Example:
I once hit a $4,000 minimum spend just by paying for:
Back-to-school shopping
Groceries for 3 months
A family birthday party
Then boom: free flights to Costa Rica.
✈️ Step 4: Redeem Smarter, Not Harder
Once you’ve earned points, you can:
Book flights directly in the travel portal
Transfer points to airlines or hotels for better value
Erase travel purchases (with cards like Venture)
I’ll be diving deeper into redemption hacks in future posts — but for now, focus on earning.
👩👧👦 Real Talk: Is Travel Hacking Worth It for Moms?
Yes — if you’re organized, intentional, and pay your balances in full.
No — if you tend to overspend or are currently paying off debt.
It’s a tool. Use it wisely, and it can unlock thousands of dollars in free travel for your family.
