u/sk8rgirl2006

I am new to using credit card points for travel and want to know the best way to break into this lifestyle. I currently have a capital one venture card which is pretty basic but it’s a start. What I am wondering is if it would be better if I pick a brand to be loyal to (such as Hyatt or American Airlines, which I use a lot) and get their specific credit cards. Or should I look into cards that give more miles for things I actually buy like groceries? (For example I hardly get the miles bonus on my current card for restaurants or gas because I rarely go out to eat and don’t drive a lot). I don’t know it just seems like there are a million options and it is overwhelming. Practical tips are welcome 😭 Thank you!!

Okay so I will preface this by saying I am not usually a “resort person” but this is my third time staying at an AI in Cancun so I am getting the hang of it.

Husband and I (28M/28F) just got back from Secrets Maroma where we stayed for 6 nights for our honeymoon. Overall I had a really great time and will probably stay within the Secrets brand if I do another Cancun AI, though I may try a different property next time.

We had a swim up suite and got the “preferred” status room, which gets you access to 2 different bars (preferred bar and the preferred beach club which also serves lunch) and a different breakfast restaurant option. The room was beautiful with a HUGE bathtub, and the swim up was decently private. My one issue with the room was that the AC didn’t get below 73 no matter how low you set it. It was fine but I did feel slightly hot at night. Overall the swim up was so worth it, but the preferred status probably was not. We didn’t even go to the alternative breakfast place and got lunch once at the beach club. There are a lot of food options for lunch so it didn’t even really matter. Idk definitely would have been just fine without it.

Now what is crazy about this place is the staff. I mean talk about attentive. They really wait on you hand and foot, so if you like that, this is the place for you. I actually was annoyed at times because I wanted to be left alone. I was starting to feel like there was always someone knocking on the door or calling the room. I know they are just trying to earn a tip but I really didn’t like that level of attention. Speaking of, prepare to bring more tipping money than you would expect. You interact with a lot of people and I was out of cash by the end. But like I said, if you are a person who wants to be waited on, you would love it.

The food was hit or miss. Some of the food was AWESOME and some was just meh. Depends on where you go and what you order. I ate a lot of octopus and it hit every time and the al pastor was incredible. The Asian and Mediterranean restaurants were mid at best. The seafood restaurant was soo good though, and so was the grill at lunchtime. The one downside is there is not really a lot of casual dinner options and the buffet is closed for dinner. Expect to dress up every night for dinner (super normal for AIs but just something I personally don’t like). They have 24 hr room service and coffee shop though so no need to worry about going hungry.

The beach would have been great if not for the weather bringing in the seaweed. I didn’t spend much time at the beach but they had a very nice set up, if it was a different time of year I bet I would have loved it out there. The pools were nice though and they always had activities and things going on.

I never made it to any of the night shows because I was so pooped every night by 9 pm (a good thing!!) so I can’t speak for any of the big entertainment programs they had, but they had the perfect amount of daytime activities where there was always something to do but it also didn’t bother you if you just wanted to relax at the pool.

Overall had a great honeymoon and would recommend this place to other couples looking for a romantic vacation. Hope this helps ☺️

ALSO- are you married/ see in laws on holidays and do you have kids?

For context I (28 F, oldest daughter) live about a 5 hour drive from my parents. I see them about once or twice a year for the last 5 years since moving out of state. I personally think this is more than enough but my mom is always so upset I don’t visit more.

We have always had a strained relationship because of her mental health issues and some part of her has always expected me to take care of her, so I do feel guilty not visiting more (though it is so much better for my mental health not to tbh). She does live with my dad so she isn’t alone but there is still an expectation there. She has a lot of anxiety traveling so she has only visited me once in the last 5 years.

I recently got married and I am now visiting my husband’s parents on most holidays, but they live close and don’t have the same issues my family does. It’s a lot of strain having to visit his parents and worry about my own, I couldn’t even imagine if we had kids how difficult managing family expectations would be!! I think I would have to draw a line in the sand and just stop visiting, or at least travel a lot less.

TLDR; I see my parents 1-2 times per year and they are a 5 hour drive away, which to me feels like a lot. My in-laws are close (and more normal) so I usually see them on holidays.