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How to Get to the Black Sand Beach in Vieques (Playa Negra)

  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 ...
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How I Track All My Travel Rewards (Without Losing My Mind) + a template to start your own system!

As a family travel content creator, I’m constantly earning points—from credit cards, hotel loyalty programs, airline miles, cruise line perks, and random promotions. 

But keeping track of it all? That used to be a nightmare.

I’d forget which card had which benefit, miss expiration dates, or lose out on points because I didn’t know they were even there.

Sound familiar? Here’s how I fixed it.



🧠: Get It All in One Place

I created a simple Google Sheet to track all of my:

  • Credit card points balances (Amex, Chase, Capital One, etc.)

  • Airline miles (Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, etc.)

  • Hotel loyalty accounts (Marriott, Hilton, IHG…)

  • Travel-related benefits (free hotel nights, lounge access, Global Entry credit, etc.)

It lets me see everything at a glance—no more logging into 10 different apps.

Want a copy of my exact tracking system?
🧳 Click here to get my Travel Rewards Tracker for Google Sheets →

🧠 Why I Created This Tracker

As a family traveler, I manage:

  • 6+ credit cards across 2 adults

  • 12+ loyalty programs

  • Cruise line and airline status

  • Rotating bonus categories and spending perks

Trying to keep it all straight in my head? Not a chance.
Now, everything lives in my Rewards Tracker, and it’s completely changed the way I earn and redeem points.




✨ What the Tracker Includes:

✅ Credit Card Snapshot

Track each card’s:

  • Bank (Chase, Amex, Capital One...)

  • Application Date

  • Current 5/24 Status (for Chase rules—super important!)

  • Minimum Spend Requirement + Deadline

  • Sign-Up Bonus (how many points, and if you earned it yet)

  • Annual Fee (and if it’s due soon or waived year 1)

  • Primary Earning Category (like dining, travel, gas, etc.)

✅ Rewards Program Balances

Log your:

  • Airline miles

  • Hotel points

  • Transferable points (like Amex, Chase, or CapOne)

  • Cruise loyalty status

  • Expiration dates

  • Last used date
    ...and more!

✅ Perks & Credits

Track statement credits, lounge passes, free nights, and more so you never forget to use them.

🎯 Pro Tip: Add a column for “Last Used” or “Next Use Date” to keep these perks top-of-mind.

✈️ Then I Use It to Plan My Next Trip

I open this spreadsheet and ask:

  • Do I have enough points to fly free?

  • Is there a hotel night credit to use?

  • What’s the next card I’m eligible to apply for?

  • Which card should I use to book this trip?

I call it intentional travel hacking, and it’s saved our family thousands over the years.

🔥 Want to Learn How to Travel on Points from Scratch?

If you're new to points and miles, I created a step-by-step guide that walks you through:

  • The best beginner travel cards

  • How to earn bonuses (without overspending)

  • What 5/24 means—and how to avoid getting blocked by Chase

  • The exact system I use to plan redemptions that maximize value

🎓 Download my beginner’s guide to traveling on points →
Bundle it with the tracker for the ultimate setup.

📥 Ready to Get Organized?

I built this sheet for myself, but now I’m sharing it with other busy families who want to travel smarter—not harder.

✅ See all your rewards in one place
✅ Redeem smarter and travel more often

👉 Grab the Travel Rewards Tracker here

Happy points-hoarding,
Sheila @ SheMamaMaps


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