Our Long Life Blog

07/05/2026

We had an amazing 4 night trip at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country San Antonio. We used 89,000 points and a suite upgrade award. The room would have been over $6,000 plus free valet Parking and breakfast for 4 every morning (with our Globalist status). We have loved the lazy river under the big Oak trees, and I think their 4th of July fireworks are the best I've ever seen.

* Note: I realize when you use points, your vacation is not free. You need to consider the opportunity cost of those points. 89,000 points can be cashed out as $890. I chose to use them for a $7,000 luxury vacation to make lifetime memories with my family instead. This is too much to write on a reel and less fun. Let me keep telling myself that it's free. Ok, bye.

Happy 4th of July!

03/14/2026

Spent Spring break in Hawaii. We were just here in July 2025, and thanks to points and miles we are back again.

My 3 year old has been to Hawaii 4 times. 🤯🤯🤯

We are so lucky, and we are grateful the Kona storm didn't ruin our trip.

We love the Hyatt Regency Maui, especially with kids.

02/06/2026

I did something I've been wanting to do for a long time...

I decided spending time with just me and my Mom can't wait. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. My Mom travels with my family every year, but as Moms we are both going to focus on the needs of my kids during our family travel. So, we made it a priority to go on a trip together just the two of us again.

I saw a story on Instagram a couple of years ago about someone using an old Disney ticket, and I knew my Mom still had tickets from our trip in 1993. I emailed Disney, and they said the was still valid, but I would have to bring it in person. My Mom and I flew to Disney for one night and went straight to guest relations to see if it could be true that we could receive two free days using my 1993 child ticket, and they were able to make it happen so easily!

I am so grateful for time with my Mom and for Disney for making it magical.

01/17/2026

Disneyland 2026 with was a success!

12/27/2025

2025 was the year of beach destinations for us!

This year I went to:
Waco, TX
St. Kitts
Disneyland
Bora Bora/Tahiti
Austin, TX
San Antonio,TX
Boston,MA
Nashville,TN
Maui, Hawaii
Las Vegas,NV
St. Thomas, U.S.V.I

It's crazy because we were busier this year with baseball and life, but we still managed to fit in tons of trips. Almost every single trip was on points and usually for a family of 4 or 5! It's amazing.

Hawaii is still our favorite beach location even after trying so many!

08/14/2024

I recently shared a blog about our Switzerland trip if anyone wants more details!

https://www.ourlonglife.com/a-family-adventure-in-wengen-switzerland-memories-and-miles-2/

01/02/2022

A few weeks ago, I was a guest on one of my favorite Travel Hacking podcasts, Geobreeze Travel . I have learned so much from Julia's podcast. In my episode, I share how we "travel hacked" our trip in April to Maui, Hawaii - https://geobreezetravel.com/episode-63/ We did something very similar a few weeks ago with all flights and hotels being on points. Feel free to message me if you have any questions! You can also follow along on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ourlonglifeblog/ This has been a fun new hobby for me.

Jessica Long discusses her family's strategy to get Southwest Companion Pass and how to use it for a family trip to Hawaii.

10/08/2020

The This Travel Tribe Podcast just released the episode I recorded on Things to do in Houston, TX for families! Check it out, and let me know what I missed!

Our city guide for you to use in Houston!