53. Navigating the Wonders of Istanbul: A Dream Destination for Traveling On Points!
Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam and Jess
4.9 • 734 Ratings
🗓️ 5 December 2023
⏱️ 38 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week, we're diving into the captivating world of Istanbul, where every turn is a discovery and every moment an adventure. Jess and Pam have been there, explored its wonders, and are thrilled to show you how to experience this magical city using the clever art of traveling on points and miles.
Picture this: You're cruising high above, nestled in business class, sipping a welcome drink, en route to an unforgettable Istanbul escapade. Jess has got the scoop on snagging those coveted business class seats using airline miles, ensuring your journey is as enchanting as the destination. Utilizing credit card miles, your dream flight to Istanbul is closer than you think.
Istanbul's accommodations aren’t just places to rest; they're part of the experience. Hear Jess rave about her experience at the Park Hyatt Istanbul. Transferring Hyatt points between friends allowed her and three girlfriends to stay for $0! We also share Jess and Pam’s contrasting experiences with the traditional Turkish Hamam, a story you won’t want to miss!
Istanbul is full of experiences! Whether you're soaking in the history at the Hagia Sophia, wandering through the bustling Grand Bazaar, or cruising the Bosphorus, Istanbul’s allure is endless. And with our insider tips, you’ll enjoy these wonders while making savvy use of your travel budget.
This might all sound like a dream, but it's all within reach, thanks to points and miles. Ready to embark on an Istanbul adventure like no other? Press play on this episode, and let us take you through the mesmerizing streets of Istanbul, showing you how to make your travel dreams a reality, without stretching your wallet. Happy travels!
Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad
Links For This Episode:
- Find Traci (Jess's points guru) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/practicalpointstravel/
- inDrive App
Episode Minute By Minute:
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01:11 Planning the Trip: Choosing the Destination
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01:49 Booking the Flights: Our Top Strategies
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03:05 The Benefits of Getting Friends into Traveling On Points
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04:55 Booking the Flights: Using Points and Miles
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07:50 Arriving in Istanbul: First Impressions and Transportation
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10:28 Accommodation: Staying at the Park Hyatt Istanbul
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17:41 Exploring Istanbul: Location and Accessibility
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18:49 Navigating Istanbul: Public Transportation and Taxi Apps
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22:05 The Hamam Experience: Pam’s Hilarious Story
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25:48 The Hamam Experience: Jess’s Story
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30:47 Exploring Istanbul: Guided Tours and Sunset Cruises
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34:51 Istanbul: A Family-Friendly Destination
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35:24 Traveling with Friends: The Benefits of Shared Experiences
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36:05 Conclusion: Istanbul, A Must-Visit Destination
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | You're listening to Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad, previously known as the Travel Hacking Mom Show. |
| 0:05.8 | Follow the links in the show notes to stay up to date with what the Travel Mom Squad has been up to. |
| 0:10.5 | Do you want to know how Jess scored a luxury vacation to Istanbul that would have cost over $5,000 for less than $500? |
| 0:19.5 | Keep listening to hear how she got there, where she stayed, and her |
| 0:22.9 | favorite things to do in Istanbul. |
| 0:26.9 | Welcome to the Travel Haki Mom Show. |
| 0:29.0 | We are three moms who've discovered how to leverage credit card welcome offers to get hundreds |
| 0:33.1 | of thousands of dollars in travel expenses for nearly free. |
| 0:36.7 | We've used credit card points and miles to take vacations to places like Hawaii, Paris, Greece, |
| 0:42.1 | the Maldives, Italy, and so much more. |
| 0:44.3 | And the best part? |
| 0:45.6 | We each still have an 800-plus credit score. |
| 0:48.1 | Imagine being able to book a vacation without having to check your bank account. |
| 0:51.5 | It's totally possible, and we're here to show you how. |
| 0:55.5 | Hey, I'm Alex, And I'm Pam, Alex's mom. And I'm Jess. We are travel hacking moms. |
| 1:03.3 | Jess recently returned from a trip to Istanbul and we can't wait to hear all about it. I for one |
| 1:09.6 | love Istanbul and have my own funny story to share |
| 1:13.0 | with you about my time there. But first, Jess, tell us all about how this trip came about, |
| 1:18.4 | how you got there, and where you stayed. I just want to say I love Istanbul. Like, it exceeded |
| 1:24.8 | all of my expectations and I cannot wait to go back. |
| 1:29.2 | But this originally came about because I have three girlfriends who I used to work with |
| 1:34.9 | and we sort of made it a tradition recently to go on a trip together once a year. |
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