Episode 10 - Christmas in May! Time to Start Holiday Planning"If you aren't looking to book those peak holiday dates way ahead of time, then you're gonna be the one who says 'these miles are useless, I can't use them to go see Grandma'."Many out there work hard to save up points and miles only to be frustrated at a "lack" of availability when it comes time to redeem them during peak travel dates. Whether you're traveling with kids and just trying to get yourself home for the holidays, attempting to book award travel when the rest of the country (or the world) is traveling can be challenging. This week, Summer Hull AKA Mommy Points from TPG Family shares her best tips and tricks on how to maximize your award travel redemptions during holiday seasons.Today's Episode Timestamps3:25 - How can you plan travel a year (or more) in advance?7:40 - Are there "off peak" destinations to travel to on holidays?13:30 - Why you might want to start thinking about holiday 2020...not just 201919:20 - Researching how your vacation house rental codes & a new AwardWallet tool22:25 - How to book award travel "speculatively"Today's GuestSummer HullWhile studying social work at NYU she started racking up frequent flyer miles flying on deals, often visiting friends and family back home in Texas on breaks and long weekends. By the time her two girls came along years later, she had a full-blown love and appreciation for what miles and points could do for families looking to experience the world on a budget. Summer launched the Mommy Points blog in 2011 to show families that miles, points, and loyalty programs weren’t just for the business travelers, but they were for families, too. In the summer of 2018, Mommy Points was acquired by The Points Guy where it lives on as a component of TPG Family. In addition to continuing the Mommy Points column, Summer now is the head of TPG Family content.ResourcesAmerican Airlines Award Map ToolMommy Points on TPGSouthwest Low Fare CalendarThanks to Our SponsorStop paying too much for flights! Thrifty Traveler Premium finds cheap international flight deals and immediately sends them straight to your inbox. Save up to 50-70% off your next flight!