Good morning, explorers! 👋🏻
This is your favorite travel couple (we hope so), Chai & Sunkist!
If you love travel hacks, hidden gems, and making the most of points & miles, you’re in the right place. We plan to bring you the best travel deals, expert tips, and exciting updates from our own adventures with every issue.
In this first edition:
🔥 A last call for the best hotel credit card offer (you don’t want to miss this!)
📍 Everything you need to know for cherry blossom season in DC
🌍 Our latest trip was wayy different than our usual—any guesses why and where?
Let’s dive in! ✈️✨
🔥 Mad Points Offers
‼️ Last Call for the Best IHG Card Offer
With perks like an annual free night and Platinum Elite status, the IHG One Premier is already a keeper, even at its usual 140,000-point welcome offer.
But right now? It's at an elevated 170,000 points—a total no-brainer!
This offer ends March 20, so don't wait! Both of us have this card, and we've redeemed some incredible IHG stays on points, including:
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Istanbul
🗓️ 4 nights
🏨 Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old City
💰 65K points
Watch the stay
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Brussels
🗓️ 4 nights
🏨 Hotel Indigo Brussels City
💰 116K points
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That's 12 nights for 266,000 points! If you and your partner each open this card, earn 340K bonus points, and somehow replicate these exact stays (IHG has dynamic pricing, btw), you'll still have 74K points left—enough for another 4 nights at a Holiday Inn!
💡 Why do all our IHG stays above last 4 nights?
Because all IHG cardholders (even the no-fee version) get the 4th night free when booking with points—the best IHG trick to maximize your points!
Here are some key benefits of this card and its sister no-annual fee card.
IHG One Premier ($99 annual fee)
✨ Anniversary Free Night
✨ 170K Bonus Points (up from 140K) after $4K spend in 3 months
✨ $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus
✨ $50 United TravelBank credit
✨ 17X points per $1 at IHG hotels
✨ 5X points on travel, gas, and dining | 3X on all other
✨ Automatic Platinum Elite status
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IHG One Traveler ($0 annual fee)
✨ 100K Bonus Points (up from 80K) after $2K spend in 3 months
✨ 17X points per $1 at IHG hotels
✨ 3X points on gas, dining, and utilities | 2X on all other
✨ Automatic Silver Elite status
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Click here to find these offers and a few other MAD welcome offers of March 2025.
💡 If you’re short on points, IHG is currently offering a 100% bonus on purchased points until March 29. When paired with the 4th night free perk, this can be a great way to book a stay for much cheaper. Just compare the cash price vs. the cost of purchasing points required for the same dates to see if it’s a better deal!
💭 After our hit Hyatt masterclass earlier this year, we're considering hosting an IHG Masterclass to dive deep and share more tips and tricks.
| Would you be interested in an IHG Masterclass? |
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⏳ Transfer Bonuses Expiring March 31
🔹 20% from Chase Ultimate Rewards → British Airways Avios
🔹 20% from Chase Ultimate Rewards → Aer Lingus Avios
🔹 20% from Chase Ultimate Rewards → Iberia Avios
🔹 50% from Chase Ultimate Rewards → Marriott Bonvoy
🔹 20% from Amex Membership Rewards → Qatar Privilege Club Avios
🔹 Up to 40% from Capital One Miles → Etihad Guest
🚨 Last chance! TODAY (March 15) is the final day for the 20% transfer bonus from Citi ThankYou Rewards to Qatar Privilege Club Avios.
📍 Over the Bloom
Your Guide to Cherry Blossoms in DC
Every spring, Washington DC transforms into a pink and white wonderland, drawing thousands to witness the iconic cherry blossoms. But to truly enjoy them—without battling overwhelming crowds—you need a plan. Here's everything you need to know for this season!
🌸 When & Where to See Peak Bloom
🗓️ Peak Bloom: Expected between March 28-31
📍 Tidal Basin & National Mall: The most iconic (and most crowded) spot, featuring thousands of Yoshino cherry trees.
📍 Beyond the Tidal Basin: Find stunning blooms at:
- Hains Point & East Potomac Park – 400 free parking spots & fewer crowds
- Kenwood, Maryland – A charming neighborhood lined with 1,200 cherry trees
- National Arboretum & Basilica of the National Shrine – Hidden gems with breathtaking blossoms
🚶♂️ Pro Tips for Beating the Crowds
✅ Follow these accounts to track peak bloom updates:
✅ Visit mid-week & early mornings – Sunrise visits guarantee spectacular views and fewer people.
✅ Skip the car, take the Metro – Smithsonian & L'Enfant Plaza are the closest stations.
✅ If driving, park smart – Use Parking Lot A, B, or C (971 Ohio Dr. SW, DC) or Hains Point.
✅ Wear comfy shoes – Expect to walk at least 3-4 miles if covering major areas.
✅ Pack food – Avoid overpriced food trucks & enjoy a picnic under the blossoms.
✅ Try scooters or bikes – Use Lime, Lyft, or Capital Bikeshare to save time and energy.
📸 Find Lesser-Known Photo Spots
Everyone heads to the Tidal Basin, but for less crowded yet pretty views, check out:
📍 Enid A. Haupt Garden – Cherry trees with Smithsonian Castle as the backdrop.
📍 LeDroit Park Arch – Hidden pink blossoms in a historic neighborhood.
📍 Congressional Cemetery – A peaceful spot with dreamy cherry-lined paths.
🎉 Must-See Cherry Blossom Events
🎀 Opening Ceremony (March 22) – A cultural celebration featuring top US & Japanese artists.
🪁 Blossom Kite Festival (March 29) – Watch hundreds of kites soar at the Washington Monument.
🎆 Bloomaroo (March 29) - Live music, fireworks and family-friendly activities at the Wharf.
💗 Petalpalooza (April 5) – A waterfront festival with live music, art, and a fireworks finale.
🥁 National Cherry Blossom Parade (April 12) – A vibrant showcase of floats, balloons & marching bands.
Find more events here on National Cherry Blossom Festival's page.
🌎 Exploring Slow
Most 9-to-5 workers take vacations to explore new places—counting PTO days, cramming in as many attractions as possible, and hoping everything aligns just right.
We’ve done the same countless times. But let’s be real—sometimes, it feels like a hamster wheel of rushed experiences and inevitable guilt when things don’t go as planned due to crowds, weather, or bad timing.
This year, for our anniversary, we decided to break that cycle and try something new: slow travel.
🐢 What is slow travel?
Slow travel is about immersing yourself in a destination rather than rushing through a checklist. It’s about fewer places, deeper connections, and more flexibility—soaking in the culture, nature, and experiences without feeling like you’re constantly on the go.
🇨🇷 Our slow itinerary
For 15 days in Costa Rica, we embraced this mindset. Instead of a jam-packed itinerary, we:
✈️ Flew into San José mid-week and worked remotely until Friday.
🚗 Explored at a relaxed pace, visiting smaller towns & nature spots in Alajuela & Puntarenas.
🗓️ Kept weekdays flexible, planning just one activity a day around work.
🥘 Cooked our own meals, thanks to Airbnb kitchens & a well-planned grocery run.
🏡 Did laundry, watched Netflix, posted reels, and caught up with family on calls—just like at home, but in a new place.
📍 Took days off at key stops, whether for a bucket-list tour or a WiFi-free glamping escape.
There were days we didn’t step out at all, and others where we chased waterfalls or hiked through lush rainforests. And for once, we came home feeling refreshed instead of exhausted.
Would we always travel like this? Probably not—we love our high-energy adventures too much to make slow travel the norm. But for the right destination, we’re all in. Costa Rica was just the beginning.
| Would you (or have you) tried slow travel? |
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That's a wrap from our first issue. We hope you enjoyed reading it and found it worth your time. See you in the next one!
Love,
Chai & Sunkist
Mad Over Exploring
