Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Making your dream trip a reality can…

Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook or Twitter! Emily Jablon:  Daraius and I went to Europe in September to celebrate our 2nd anniversary for ~2 weeks.  It was my first time in Italy so I was very excited!  In Italy, we visited Varenna on Lake Como, Milan, Venice, and Rome. Since we were in Europe, we visited a friend in Strasbourg, France and also spent a night in Zurich.  We started our trip with a one day layover in Chicago to see friends! Emily Enjoying a Gelato in Varenna

Daraius and I used our miles and points to have a fabulous honeymoon in Bora Bora. We heard that the Maldives Islands rivaled the beauty and splendor of Bora Bora, so we planned a trip to decide for ourselves! The Maldives is known for its luxury resorts, and most resorts have their own private island.  There are beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water.  The islands also have fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving! We booked 5 nights using Hilton points at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.  The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a 30-minute seaplane ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives.  We booked this trip to make the most of our Hilton points before the Hilton devaluation last year. You Can Use Your Hilton Points Towards an Overwater Bungalow in the Maldives!

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. The Chase Ritz-Carlton card is offering a fantastic sign-up bonus of 3 complimentary nights at participating Ritz-Carlton tier 1 through 4 hotels after you complete the minimum spending. Here in my Ritz-Carlton credit card review, I'll show you an easy way to earn 10,000 Ritz-Carlton points! With 10,000 Ritz-Carlton Points You Can Get a Free Night at a Highly Rated Marriott Hotel Like the Fairfield Inn & Suites Watertown Thousand Islands I’ll explain how adding an authorized user can get you bonus points!

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Emily Jablon:  Daraius and I used our miles and points to have a fabulous honeymoon in Bora Bora. We heard that the Maldives Islands rivaled the beauty and splendor of Bora Bora, so we planned a trip to decide for ourselves! The Maldives is known for its luxury resorts, and most resorts have their own private island.  There are beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear blue water.  The islands also have fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving! We booked 5 nights using Hilton points at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.  The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a 30-minute seaplane ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives.  We booked this trip to make the most of our Hilton points before the Hilton devaluation last year. A Lovely Breakfast by the Beach

UPDATE: The Starwood American Express credit card offers in this post are no longer available, but check Hot Deals for the latest offers! Did you know you can save cash on Broadway shows with Starwood points?  It's often a good deal! In addition to award stays at Starwood hotels, flights on ~30 airline partners, Cash & Points, and Nights & Flights - you can use Starwood points to see Broadway shows in 6 cities! Use Starwood Points to Get Tickets to Dozens of Broadway Shows in Cities Including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York! I'll explain how this unique way to use Starwood points works!

Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.  1.   Get a $20 Staples Gift Card When You Purchase $300+ in AMEX Gift Cards Link:   SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express Via Travel With Grant, you'll earn a $20 Staples rebate gift card when you buy $300+ worth of AMEX gift cards.  AMEX gift cards can only be purchased in-store. When You Spend $300+ on AMEX Gift Cards at Staples, You’ll Get a $20 Staples Rebate Card! The offer is good from through September 5, 2015. Remember you can NOT use AMEX gift cards to load Bluebird or Serve.  But if you have a friend who shops at Costco and pays cash, you could swap.  Or use the gift card anywhere AMEX is accepted. Use Your Staples Rebate Cards to Buy Items In-Store or Online at Staples You can only use the $20 Staples rebate card at Staples (in-store or online).  You can't use them to buy other gift cards, but $20 would get you a lot of free chocolate and candy (if you have a sweet tooth like me!).  Or you can sell them online. Folks like to buy AMEX gift cards to meet minimum spending requirements to earn sign-up bonuses on credit cards.  Because they can earn bonus points faster, and keep the AMEX gift cards to spend any time. You'll also earn bonus points at office supply stores with AMEX SimplyCash, which earns 5% cash back at US office supply stores. Be sure to read about how to use Staples rebates! 2.   2,000 American Airlines Miles When You Buy ~$15 Worth of Magazines

UPDATE:   The Starwood American Express credit card offers in this post are no longer available, but check Hot Deals for the latest offers! Until September 14, 2015, you can earn 30,000 Starwood points when you open the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express and complete the minimum spending requirements. There are 2 versions of the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express.  One is a personal card, and the other is a small business card. The Starwood Preferred Guest Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN has added perks and benefits you might not know about! Which AMEX Starwood Card Should You Get? I’ll Help You Decide! I'll highlight the differences.  And help you decide which card is right for you!

Two different representatives with AMEX Serve told me there will be a NEW Silver AMEX Serve card coming in ~2 months offering a 1% rebate.   There’s a New AMEX Serve Silver Card on the Way and You’ll Earn a 1% Rebate on Every Transaction! Find out more about this new card and other changes coming to AMEX Serve!