About

Hey, I’m Dani 👋

I’m a software engineer based in Jacksonville, Florida — and I haven’t paid for a hotel stay in over 3 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. Since then, I’ve booked 25+ free nights at Hilton properties alone — saving thousands of dollars along the way.

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 Dog 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 already knew 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 — a place to share everything I’ve learned so other dog owners can travel more without breaking the bank.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Credit card strategies for earning hotel points fast
  • Hotel guides with real info on pet policies and fees
  • Road trip tips focused on traveling with dogs
  • Trip reports from dog-friendly destinations

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

Experience: 3+ years of points travel, 25+ free hotel nights booked

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