Meet Victoria & Brad Parks | Points & Miles Travel Enthusiasts

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria & Brad Parks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria & Brad, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It all started with what we thought would be a budget-friendly “staycation” as newlyweds. We booked a cheap Airbnb on Tybee Island, Georgia—close enough to drive, with a kitchen to save on meals—thinking we were making a smart move. But after the trip, the sticker shock hit hard. Victoria was in tears over how much we’d spent, and suddenly, international travel felt completely out of reach. That’s when she said, “I’ve heard about this thing called points and miles travel—I’m going to figure it out!”

One deep-dive weekend later, we cracked the code. For our first anniversary, we booked flights and a hotel in San Diego using points—and paid just $22.40 out of pocket. Our jaws dropped. We had just unlocked the secret to traveling for nearly free. From that moment on, we couldn’t stop telling everyone we knew.

That excitement led to the creation of Parks on Recreation (Parks on Rec for short!), where we now help others turn everyday expenses—groceries, gas, electric bills—into dream vacations. Why just spend your money when you can make it work for you?

Since then, points and miles have taken us everywhere: Greece, London, Italy, Paris, Costa Rica, Mexico, and more—all booked entirely on points. We’ve redeemed over $100,000 in free travel and counting. And the best part? Anyone can do it.

What should our readers know about your business?
While there are plenty of places to learn about points and miles travel, what sets Parks on Rec apart is our focus on true beginners. Our mission has always been to make award travel feel easy, friendly, and approachable—especially for those just starting out. We often joke that learning points and miles with us feels like chatting with your best friends: casual, fun, and explained in a way that actually makes sense.

We know firsthand how overwhelming the world of points and miles can feel—there’s a lot to learn. We filter through all the noise and intentionally focus on what beginners actually need to know, making it easy for people to take action without getting lost in the details. We believe that starting simple builds real confidence—and from there, the possibilities are endless.

We’re most excited when we see that “aha!” moment happen—when someone realizes they can afford the kinds of travel experiences they once thought were out of reach. Some of our proudest moments are hearing from people who say, “I’m finally going to Europe!” or “I just booked my first business class flight!” or “We’re staying at an all-inclusive resort for free!” Their wins are what fuel us and keep our passion for this work alive every single day.

Building Parks on Rec into what it is today has been a journey marked by both passion and perseverance. In many ways, the early days felt easy — when you’re doing work you truly love, it doesn’t feel like work at all. Sharing our passion was effortless. The real challenge, however, has been growing a business while also balancing full-time jobs outside of Parks on Rec.

Our dream is to one day make this our full-time focus, but until then, success has meant mastering the art of strategic planning — carving out early mornings, late nights, and every spare moment to create content, write blogs, and meet with one-on-one clients for coaching calls. One of the most important lessons we’ve learned is that mindset matters. Once we stopped thinking of it as “just a fun side hustle” and started treating it like the business we believe in, everything started to shift. By showing up with that level of commitment, we’ve been able to build real momentum — and lay the foundation for the future we envision.

We want people to know that their dream vacations aren’t out of reach — they’re absolutely possible. A “dream vacation” can mean first class flights across the ocean, a luxury resort stay in the Caribbean, or simply making it home for the holidays without the financial stress. Experiences like lie-flat seats, luxury hotels, and bucket-list trips aren’t reserved for the wealthy. They’re attainable for everyday people, just like us, by strategically using credit card points and miles. Our story is living proof, and our mission is simple: to show others how to turn their everyday spending into extraordinary travel memories.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When friends come to visit, we make sure they get the full experience — and it always starts with a Braves game at The Battery. Whether we’re cheering inside the stadium or lounging on the green, the energy is unbeatable. We’ll grab a margarita from Superica, split a wood-fired pizza from Antico, and — naturally — end the night with a scoop (or two) from Jeni’s Ice Cream.

If it’s a gorgeous Saturday morning, you’ll find us strolling through the Marietta Farmer’s Market, coffee in hand from Tuesday Coffee at the Marietta Square. Feeling a little more adventurous? We’ll head into the city, toss a frisbee around Piedmont Park, grab lunch at Ponce City Market, and wander the BeltLine to soak it all in.

And for the perfect finale? We love surprising guests with hidden speakeasies. Nothing beats the look on someone’s face when we step through the “fridge” door at Muss & Turner’s and into Eleanor’s — or when we sneak behind the “backdoor” at Chido & Padre to discover The Blind Pig’s latest pop-up. It’s the kind of night they’ll talk about long after they leave.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We’re incredibly grateful to our parents, siblings, and close circle of friends who have been our biggest cheerleaders from the very beginning. When we first launched, it was our family and friends who first followed our Instagram account, shared our blog posts, and used our affiliate links—helping us get Parks on Rec off the ground. They didn’t just support us; they championed us. We truly wouldn’t be here without their love, encouragement, and unwavering belief in our vision, and we are forever grateful.

Website: https://www.parksonrec.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parksonrec

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parksonrec

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@parksonrec