Families Fly Free

Chase Sapphire Preferred is my FAVORITE Travel card — and right now, it’s offering a limited-time 100,000-point bonus (worth at least $1,250 in free travel) that ends May 15 at 9am ET. Thanks for using my personal affiliate link to support the podcast if you decide to apply for the card: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card [https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card] But beyond the big bonus, this card quietly packs in some powerful perks that most people overlook. In this episode, I’ll break down the lesser-known features that make this my #1 recommended travel card — including a $50 hotel credit, hidden travel protections, a way to “erase” any purchase with your points and more. Whether you already have the card or are thinking of applying before the offer ends Thursday at 9am ET, you’ll learn how to get the most value from every benefit it offers. 🎧 Tune in to find out: * How to use the $50 hotel credit (most people forget this!) * What Chase Pay Yourself Back REALLY is — and why it’s a game-changer * Travel insurance protections that could save you thousands * The overlooked bonuses you earn just for keeping the card Thanks again for using my affiliate link to apply for this card to support the podcast & my small business: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card Got a question about it? Text it to me at 844-403-2263.   ✨ 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 planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club] ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/] for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263. Music Credit: Inspiring Optimistic Upbeat Energetic Guitar Rhythm by Free Music |  https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic [https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic] Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com [https://www.free-stock-music.com] Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US]

Southwest Airlines is shaking things up—starting with assigned seating in January 2026 and a new policy that could mean paying for checked bags. 😲 But don’t panic! In this episode, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s changing, what’s not changing, and most importantly—how you can still get your checked bags free and snag a great seat without paying extra. We’ll cover: * ✈️ How to navigate the new bag fee rules * 🧳 The trick to keeping your checked bags FREE * 💺 What assigned seating really means—and how to get the best spot * 💡 My insider tips to make the most of Southwest’s evolving policies If you love flying Southwest (like I do!) and want to keep the perks you’ve always enjoyed, this episode is a must-listen. Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels? 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 planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club] ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com] for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263. RESOURCES: See the complete list of Southwest's changes here [https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/]: https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/

Ever feel like travel is more stressful than it should be? You’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I unpack the real reason travel feels overwhelming: No one ever taught us how to do it well. From not knowing if you passport will pass muster to panicking when a flight gets canceled, most of us are just guessing our way through trips — and that leads to stress, wasted money and missed experiences. But it doesn’t have to be that way. I share how 25+ years as a travel journalist led me to create a simple system to help you plan confidently, avoid costly mistakes and actually enjoy your travels. You’ll discover the tools, tips and insider strategies that take you from confused to confident — no matter your destination. If you’re ready to stop winging it and start traveling smarter, it’s time to go behind the curtain. 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 planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club] ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/] for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

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.  Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels? 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 planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club] ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/] for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

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: 1. My #1 strategy to beat jet lag 2. Why flexibility can be your travel superpower 3. How to stay on top of major travel news (and why it matters!) 4. When it’s worth splurging — and how to do it guilt-free 5. The mindset shift that will help you savor every moment 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 planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club] ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com [https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/] for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263. RELATED EPISODES: * Episode 28 | Oh the Places We've Gone! My Family's Top 15 Bucket List Adventures Flying Free [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/28-oh-the-places-weve-gone-my-familys-top-15-bucket/id1540642046?i=1000521366950] * Episode 32 | The Quickest Way to Learn a Language Slowly: How I'm Learning Italian Inspired By My Travels [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/32-the-quickest-way-to-learn-a-language-slowly-how/id1540642046?i=1000525680957] * Episode 67 | First-Timer's Guide to Europe: Everything You Need to Know for a Smooth 1st Trip Across the Pond [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/67-first-timers-guide-to-europe-everything-you-need/id1540642046?i=1000559521174] * Episode 106 | Don't Make These Passport Mistakes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dont-make-these-passport-mistakes/id1540642046?i=1000607307829] * Episode 117 | Europe Is Bonkers This Summer: What You Need to Know With The Tour Guy's Sean Finelli [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/117-europe-is-bonkers-this-summer-what-you-need-to/id1540642046?i=1000617697702]