Lori Zaino

Madrid

Writer/editor in Madrid with bylines in @thepointsguy, @newsweek, @infatuation, @cnnunderscored, @forbes, @upgradedpoints, @nbc … ! Insta: @lori_zaino #binders

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Articles

30 Gorgeous Lakes Around the World

6 days ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino

The steamy months of summer are approaching, and diving into a refreshing body of water is the best way to beat the heat. Ocean destinations are wildly popular for summer vacations, whether it’s the beaches of the West Coast or East Coast of the U.S., Southeast Asian islands, or Mediterranean coastal towns. But water doesn’t have to be salty to be refreshing.
15 Family-Friendly Hotels That Parents and Kids Will Love [2025]

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino

I hope to never hear the dreaded “I’m bored” from my kid when on vacation. While boredom sparks creativity and independence, bored kids on vacation often mean other family members (read: parents) pay the price. I’m always searching for family-friendly hotels that allow my kid to enjoy speaking in an outdoor voice at the pool without judgment and offer many activities for all family members.
The 27 Best Hotels in Africa To Book With Points [2025]

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino

Africa is a massive continent, home to 54 countries and numerous hotels. That said, there aren’t as many points hotels as you might think. Some brands have a larger presence than others, and certain countries have more options if you want to use your points to pay for your stay. And even when there are hotels you can book with points, they may not be properties you want to book or in destinations where tourists want to visit.
You Don't Want To Miss These 17 Sites on Your Next Trip to Mexico

4 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino |Nick Ellis

Mexico is easy to reach from the U.S. and is full of beauty and culture — stunning white-sand beaches, charming villages, delicious cuisine, and iconic landmarks. This guide will point you to some of the must-visit tourist sites in Mexico (as well as how to get there and what to know when visiting) so you can perfectly plan your next vacation in Mexico. Getting to Mexico is relatively simple for U.S. travelers.
How To Vent a Range Hood Through the Roof - Today's Homeowner

1 month ago | todayshomeowner.com | Lori Zaino |Doug Sluga

Venting a range hood through the roof is one of the best ways to remove smoke, grease, and cooking odors from your kitchen — but only if done correctly. A poorly vented hood can lead to moisture buildup, grease accumulation, and even structural damage. The key is proper planning: choosing the right ductwork, ensuring an efficient route to the roof, and sealing every connection to prevent leaks.
Discover Morocco on a Budget: Top Tips for an Affordable Adventure

1 month ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino

As travel becomes increasingly expensive, it’s becoming harder to stick to a budget on vacation. But it’s still possible to do so in certain destinations, such as Morocco, a beautiful country in North Africa. Morocco’s affordable riads (small guesthouses typically built around a charming courtyard), walkable cities, and cheap eats mean you can easily explore the country without breaking the bank.
Can a Travel Agent Really Save You Time and Money?

1 month ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino

“Culture, history, spaghetti … these are the things of a boot country called Italia,” Adam Sandler as Joe Romano of Romano Tours says with a straight face in a Saturday Night Live skit, touting his “high-quality tours for people from all over the world, but mostly Long Island and Jersey.” His tours mean you’ll see “Venice, the city of Wetness” and point and laugh at the Tower of Pisa. This type of tourism is often what comes to mind when I think about using a travel agent.
Going for Green: 5 Perks That Sold Me on This Underrated Amex Card

1 month ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino |Jessica Merritt |Jestan Mendame

The American Express® Green Card wasn’t even on my radar until recently. A long-time holder of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 2025 was the year I finally decided that the hefty annual fee wasn’t worth it for me. Instead, I wanted a card that offered me bonus American Express Membership Rewards points for categories I spent the most on, like dining and travel. Here are some of thereasons I’m prioritizing using the Amex Green card this year.
Ryanair Prime: Is the Airline's New Paid Loyalty Program Worth It?

1 month ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino |Stella Shon |Alberto Riva

Advertiser DisclosureMany of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Is Buying Carbon Offsets for Flights a Scam? Do This Instead.

1 month ago | upgradedpoints.com | Lori Zaino |Michael Park |Alberto Riva |Katie Seemann

What if you could cancel out your carbon footprint when traveling? According to airlines, you can. While they work on creating more sustainable fuel and reaching net zero emissions, air carriers are offloading the burden and moral responsibility of making up for carbon emissions to passengers. Many airlines allow passengers to buy carbon offsets, where you pay a few dollars and breathe a sigh of relief because now you’re “canceling out” the emissions from your flight.