About

Hey, I’m Dani 👋

I’m a software engineer based in Jacksonville, Florida — and I haven’t paid for a hotel stay in years.

A few years ago, a friend introduced me to credit card points and hotel loyalty programs. I went down the rabbit hole, learned the system inside and out, and built a strategy that keeps me traveling without spending cash on hotels. Between Hilton Honors points, free night certificates, and stacking welcome offers, I’ve turned loyalty programs into a reliable way to travel for free.

Why Pet Travel?

This is Ansel — my 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer/Lab mix. He’s 70 pounds of energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm for literally everything. He loves hiking, chasing birds, meeting new people, and going anywhere that isn’t the house.

Ansel

He’s well-trained enough that I can take him to restaurants, breweries, and patios without any issues. But I wanted more for us — road trips, beach weekends, and new places to explore together.

The problem? Flying with a 70-pound dog isn’t really an option. So I combined what I know about points and hotel programs with deep research on pet policies, fees, and what actually works for travelers with big dogs.

That’s how ThePointsPup started.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Trip reports from dog-friendly destinations
  • Credit card strategies for earning hotel points fast
  • Honest hotel reviews with real info on pet policies and fees
  • Road trip guides focused on the Southeast and beyond

The Setup

Cards I Use:

  • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass

My Dog: Ansel, 2-year-old GSP/Lab mix, 70 lbs, very good boy

Home Base: Jacksonville, FL

Have a pet-friendly hotel you want me to check out? A destination you’re curious about? Reach out — I’m always looking for the next trip.