Hi Reader,

One of the things I love most about travel is that it doesn't always have to revolve around a destination.

Sometimes the destination is the event itself.

This spring, Gary and I checked off one of his bucket-list experiences when we attended the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. He's a lifelong Washington Commanders fan, and seeing the draft in person had been on his wish list for years.

The trip ended up being a great reminder of how points, miles, credit card benefits, and a little planning can turn a dream experience into an affordable adventure.

This Week's Travel Experience

The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

While the draft itself was incredible, what surprised me most was how many perks were available through our American Express cards. Since AMEX was one of the event sponsors, cardholders received special access throughout the NFL Draft Experience.

Each day, we stopped by guest services to pick up wristbands that allowed us to skip some of the longest lines.

That included:

• The 40-yard dash, which Gary completed three different times
• Field goal kicking
• Draft podium photos with a team jersey
• Photos with all of the Pittsburgh Steelers' Lombardi trophies
• Former player autograph sessions, which we chose to skip

We also received special access to create custom football trading cards using our own photos.

One of my favorite experiences was the AMEX Lounge.

We reserved a spot during the third round and enjoyed complimentary snacks and drinks while listening to a Steelers tight end speak. It was a nice break from the crowds and a chance to recharge before heading back out to the festivities.

Another benefit that became incredibly useful was unlimited battery pack exchanges. We were taking photos, videos, and checking draft updates all day long, so having a fully charged phone whenever we needed it was a huge perk.

We even left with personalized photos, a custom jersey image featuring our name, a pair of binoculars, and plenty of memories.

People often ask if premium credit cards are worth the annual fees. For us, experiences like this are a big part of the answer.

I can't put an exact dollar value on everything we received, but skipping hours of waiting in line made a huge difference in our overall experience.

We also used our $100 AMEX RESY credit for dinner at Fig & Ash before Round 2. It was one of our favorite meals of the trip and a perfect way to kick off the evening.

The best part?

We enjoyed the experience so much that we're already planning to attend again next year when the NFL Draft moves to Washington, DC.

Travel Tip of the Week

How I Decide Whether Using Points Is a Good Deal

One question I get asked a lot is whether using points for a trip is worth it.

My answer is always the same.

It depends.

As a general rule, I like to get at least 2 cents per point when I redeem points. That's because many travel rewards programs let you redeem points for about 1 cent each toward travel purchases, so I want my points to work harder than that.

But value isn't always about the math.

Sometimes it's about getting the flights you actually want.

Take Maui, for example. We visit Hawaii often, and I don't always get the highest redemption values. Many of my Hawaii flights come in around 2 to 3 cents per point.

Could I hold out for a bigger redemption?

Probably.

Would I rather have the flights I want, at the times I want, with fewer connections?

Absolutely.

One thing I've learned over the years is that a "great" redemption isn't always a great trip. I would rather get solid value and fly comfortably than chase a huge points value that requires multiple connections and adds hours to my travel day.

Points are a tool. The goal isn't to win a math competition. The goal is to have a great trip.

That philosophy helped us book our 2027 NFL Draft flights to Washington, DC. I transferred points from Bilt to Alaska Airlines and booked flights for just 4,500 miles each way. The redemption worked out to roughly 6 cents per point, which made it an easy decision.

I also booked our hotel more than a year in advance using my Hyatt Globalist benefits. By booking early, I locked in a rate under $300 per night before demand starts driving prices higher.

The best part is that everything is refundable, so if plans change, we're not out anything.

In fact, that's exactly what happened a couple of weeks ago. The NFL announced that the 2027 Draft dates had shifted by a week. Instead of stressing, I simply canceled our original reservations and rebooked the same flights using the same number of points and the same hotel at nearly the same rate.

It was a great reminder that booking early doesn't mean you're locked in. When you book refundable reservations, you get the best of both worlds. You lock in today's pricing while keeping the flexibility to adjust if plans change.

If you'd like help calculating your own redemption values, I built a simple calculator on Travel Must Do's:

​Travel Must Do's Points Calculator​

Travel Tool of the Week

Why Flighty Is Always on My Phone

If you've followed me for a while, you know I love travel apps.

One app I use on almost every trip is Flighty.

I have the paid version, but there is a lot of value in the free version as well.

What I love most is that Flighty often provides flight updates faster than the airline apps themselves. When gates change, delays happen, or aircraft assignments are updated, Flighty is usually the first place I see it.

Some of my favorite features include:

• Real-time flight alerts
• Delay and disruption tracking
• Aircraft information
• Route history
• Annual travel statistics

The travel geek in me especially loves seeing how many times I've flown a particular route and whether I've flown on that specific aircraft before.

At the end of the year, Flighty also provides a fun recap showing:

• Total flights
• Miles traveled
• Time spent in the air
• Delays experienced
• Travel trends throughout the year

It's one of those apps that makes travel easier while also making it more fun.

Looking Ahead

We're already counting down to the 2027 NFL Draft in Washington, DC.

It's amazing how much of the trip is already planned, even though it's nearly a year away.

That's one of the biggest lessons travel has taught me.

Sometimes the best adventures start long before you ever board the plane.

Until next time,

Melodie
​Travel Must Do's​

P.S. Join the Come Travel with Melodie Facebook group to share travel tips, ask questions, and connect with fellow travelers.

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