Families Fly Free

Unfortunately, it's commonly recommended to open a lot of travel cards in order to earn the "sign up bonus" (SUB), but this can quickly lead to overwhelm, getting banned by banks and cause you to miss out on the truly great deals and a simpler system that could save you thousands on travel. In this episode, I outline the problems with opening too many travel cards and what the alternative is.  Wan...

Fresh off my family’s trip to London, I’m sharing 5 travel insights you can use on your next international adventure. These simple but powerful tips helped make our trip smoother, more memorable — and more fun! You’ll learn: My #1 strategy to beat jet lag Why flexibility can be your travel superpower How to stay on top of major travel news (and why it matters!) When it’s worth splurging — and how...

If you love shopping at Costco (who doesn’t?), you might be missing out on a hidden travel perk. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to make your Costco spending — and even your Costco credit card — work harder for your travel goals. Whether you’re earning points or planning your next trip, I’ll show you how Costco fits into a smart travel rewards strategy. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Tra...

No one loves writing a check to the IRS — but what if it could help fund your next vacation? With the tax deadline approaching, I’m sharing smart ways to earn valuable travel points when paying your taxes. If you owe money this year, don’t miss this chance to turn a painful payment into free flights! 💡 It’s one of my favorite creative ways to rack up rewards — and it might just change how you loo...

We continue our discussion with more information now available about Southwest's big changes announced on March 11, 2025. We discuss the answers to questions like: Is there an easy way to still get my checked bags free? Yes! Do these changes affect flights I've already booked or will book before May 28? Should I stop booking the cheapest Southwest fare? Would I get points back if I canceled a Basi...

Southwest ends free checked bags and announced other MAJOR changes recently, including a new "Basic" fare. While much of these changes are very disappointing, in reality, they only requires a few minor adjustments for those of us flying Southwest using travel rewards. I explain the changes and what shifts you need to make in this episode. After recording this podcast, Southwest did confirm that th...

Is Southwest's surprise reduction in the number of points you can earn on certain fares when you book paid flights a big deal? It's not, trust me. I explain in this episode... ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less....

If you follow my simple system to use travel rewards to fly for free, you know that Chase cards are some of my favorite travel cards. That makes doing all, or most of, your banking at Chase a no-brainer. As a longtime Chase banker, I explain some of the benefits of banking with Chase, especially if you use travel rewards on the regular. If you decide to open a checking account at Chase, you can us...

A lot of people have mistaken assumptions about travel rewards that simply aren’t true. In this episode, Lyn lays out what you “think” travel rewards involves, versus the reality of what is actually the case. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock un...

Lyn shares the latest about the changes coming to Southwest Airlines this year and next year, including assigned and extra legroom seating, their partnership with Icelandair, credit card changes, hotel partnerships and more. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury per...

When you start flying more because you're using miles and points, having access to airport lounges can be a nice perk of traveling! In this episode, Lyn shares the easiest way to get access to airport lounges - by holding the right travel cards - and her favorite card options to help you do so most affordably. Resources: Capital One Venture X referral link - https://familiestravelfree.com/capitalo...

Learn how Amy Heffern, a mom of 2, has used travel rewards and Southwest Airlines specifically to not only save on the cost of flights for travel sports for her son's travel lacrosse tournaments, but also how flying Southwest is a more flexible and convenient option for her family. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider...

Here are 5 things that banks, airlines, hotels and others DON’T want you to know about travel rewards because it’s not in their best interest for you to know. In this episode, I’m sharing the straight truth to help you fly and travel for free in the most efficient, effective and easiest possible way that’s in YOUR best interest. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m...

Lyn shares how aficionados of Dave Ramsey can still follow his advice and remain debt free, while responsibly taking advantage of travel rewards.  ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less. 👉 Grab your spot + start pl...

Lyn shares how her family saved $11,000+ on free flights, hotel and vacation rental stays across six trips in 2024. This included trips to Orlando, Costa Rica, Austin, New Orleans and more. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experie...

Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club member Michele Holmes shares how she went from never using miles and points to save thousands with travel rewards and prioritizing remaining a member despite a job loss to ensure her family can continue to travel affordably. Hear more travel rewards success stories on YouTube.com/FamiliesFlyFree . ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where...

What are some trends I'm seeing in travel among my Families Fly Free members? In this episode, I share not silly, made up travel trends like "multi-generational" travel or "babymoons" but real, on-the-ground things that I've seen in 2024 regarding flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more that you need to prepare for in 2025. Don't miss this episode if you'll be traveling in the coming year! Down...

Lots of people are under the mistaken assumption that because the Southwest Companion Pass is such a great deal that having 2 would be better than having 1! But that is NOT the case. I explain why a) it's not necessary to fly for free and b) why it overcomplicates everything. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider trave...

In this podcast episode, travel rewards user Jon Gombola shares how learning not just how to collect miles and points but understanding how to use them most efficiently, paying the fewest possible points, has allowed his family to save more on travel than they could have ever imagined, enjoying trips to Grand Cayman, Hawaii, Aruba and more. Get access to Jon's secret of success: the Families Fly F...

One of my travel mottos is: Just Keep Checking. Whether it's hotels, dining reservations, flights or car rentals, this motto can save you a lot of points and money and score you the reservations you dreamed of. I explain how in this episode.  Want to learn my simple system to use miles and points to always fly for free? Come join my Families Fly Free membership, where you'll learn my expert proces...

Southwest announced lots of BIG news at its Investor Day on September 26, 2024. These big changes include partnerships with Icelandair, the ability to fly to Europe through new airline partnerships, more details about how their assigned seating will work, elite status changes and more. In this episode, I share my thoughts and analysis as someone who has followed Southwest for the last 10 years and...

Southwest announced this summer that they will be ending their no assigned seats policy in 2025. What will this look like? How will it change flying for free? I break it all down in this episode. Join Families Fly Free by Sept. 4 and get access to my Fly Free Formula classes which I'll be teaching live over 4 weeks! Learn more --> https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join This is a public episode. I...

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card, which earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, one of my favorite flexible travel points, currently has its HIGHEST EVER bonus for a limited time (there is no end date, meaning it could end at any time). This is ALSO highest bonus currently available to earn Chase points. In this episode, I explain why this is such a great card and include a replay of episode 13...

Learn all about my favorite travel card, Chase Sapphire Preferred. I explain the offer, the card's features, how you can earn $1100+ in FREE travel, why it's my favorite travel card and walk you through how to fill out the card application. Thanks for using my affiliate link if you decide to apply in support of my small business and free podcast: https://www.familiestravelfree.com/chasesapphirepre...

Monica Marino shares how implementing a simple system to use miles and points enabled her to visit her son as much as she wanted, as well as enjoy some vacations. She also explains how teachers can fly for free using travel rewards despite being on a traditional school schedule. Learn how to fly for free like Monica by joining Families Fly Free. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join T...