I had a work trip to Orlando scheduled, so instead of flying straight home, I turned it into my international trip of the year. By layering a Punta Cana getaway onto an already planned work trip and using points, I paid just $127 in taxes for an easy Caribbean escape. This is how I did it—and how you can too.

Cruising Alaska from Vancouver to Whittier was the kind of journey that slows you down in the best way. From glacier-filled days to quiet moments watching the Inside Passage drift by, this 7-day Alaskan cruise with Holland America Line delivered breathtaking scenery, thoughtful comfort, and a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful places in the world.