Southwest 120,000 Bonus Offer Ends Oct. 27th

 

Southwest Airlines 120,000 bonus offer ends Oct. 27th so don't wait! This offer gets you so close to earning the Southwest Companion pass. It's crazy! 

If you follow my blog, you know that the Southwest Companion Pass is the most valuable travel perk out there. It is a BOGO pass on any Southwest flight for up to two years and you can change your companion up to three times per year. If you  were planning to earn the pass, you may have applied for the Southwest Personal Credit Card 100,000 bonus offer that ended recently. 

And you are now slowly working towards your minimum spend since you have four months to do that instead of the usual three. So you strategically reach the minimum at just the right time to earn the companion pass for nearly two years. 

The Southwest Companion Pass has saved my family thousands of dollars on cross country trips, college trips, family weekends, events and more! Plus Southwest will be starting flights to the Caribbean in 2026! 

And usually the second step in this plan is to apply for a Southwest Business Credit Card to reach the 135,000 points that you need in a single calendar year to earn the pass. 

Whew! It's a lot of strategy and that's why I help people like you keep it all straight and on track. 

With this new offer, if you do it right, you will end up with 235,000 Southwest points plus a BOGO companion pass good through December 2027. Wow! 

Now if you were not eligible for the Southwest Personal Credit Card 100,000 bonus point offer, don't worry. This new offer includes almost enough points to earn the Southwest Companion pass on its own.

 

Here's the offer:

• $10,000 minimum spend in 3 months 
• 120,000 bonus points 
• Offer ends 10/27/2025
• $299 annual fee

The minimum spend is a bit hefty, but remember to use this card for all of your purchases for the next three months. It is a business credit card, but many businesses qualify, you can read about that here.

Just as an fyi, the Southwest Personal Credit Cards dropped back to their traditional offer of 50,000 bonus points for $1,000 minimum spend. Remember when you fly, you may have access to a better offer. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Book a 1:1 consulting call, download my ebook, custom tracker or Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process.

Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the coaching program. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

*For every new client, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of our favorite charities. 

#1 Thing You Need To Do BEFORE Oct. 26th

 

If you already had the Chase Sapphire Reserve before the mega bonus offers in June 2025, then get ready for your benefits to kick in. 

Starting October 26th, we will finally get the new refreshed benefits and for most of us, we are getting them without paying the increased annual fee. So you want to make sure you cash in! And some of the benefits reset January 1st, so you really want to be on top of this one to max out the value. 

Here's the list so you can just check them off as you go:

Before 10/26 - 

• Transfer points to your Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred from any Chase Ink, Freedom or Unlimited credit cards so they hold onto their increased value of 1.25 or 1.5. Any points accumulated or transferred to the Chase Sapphire Reserve BEFORE Oct. 26th hold their value. 

After 10/26 - 

• Activate Apple TV+ and Apple Music
• Activate IHG Platinum Status 
• $250 "The Edit" hotel credit valid through 12/31/25 then resets Jan. 1st 
• $150 StubHub credit valid through 12/31/25 then resets Jan. 1st
• $150 dining credit valid through 12/31/25 then resets Jan. 1st
• Points earned after 10/26 can be redeemed for 1x
• Peloton statement credit begins 

Starting 1/1/26 -

• "The Edit" hotel credit resets to $500 per year
• StubHub credit increases to $300 per year 
• Dining credit increases to $300 per year
• $250 one time promo for select properties 

I plan to pin this list where I can see it and check off these credits as I use them. If you use the credits, the card more than pays for the increased annual fee of $795. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. Or book a 1:1 consulting call.  I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

*For every new client, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of our favorite charities.

How My Client Scored a FREE Mediterranean Cruise PLUS Used Points for Extras 🚢

 

Picture this: You've just won a Mediterranean cruise through a work promotion, and you're wondering if you can make it even better without spending a dime. That's exactly what happened to one of my clients, and the answer might surprise you!

The Power Play: Using Points as Statement Credits ✨

My client had already hit the jackpot with her free cruise and flights (earned through reaching her sales goals), but she wanted to know if her credit card points could cover the drink package and shore excursions.

Here's the game-changer: Most flexible points programs let you use points as statement credits to offset ANY purchase – not just traditional travel bookings.

Which Cards Offer Statement Credit Options?

• Capital One: Famous for their "Purchase Eraser" feature
• Chase: Through their "Pay Yourself Back" option
• American Express: Via statement credit redemptions
• Citi: Through their rewards portal

Real Results: 290,000 Points = Major Savings 💳

When my client logged into her Chase Sapphire Preferred account (she hadn't checked in ages!), she discovered 290,000 points just sitting there. Here's how she used them:

• Drink package: 30,000 points
• Shore excursions: Several thousand additional points
• Leftover balance: Saved for her upcoming Alaska adventure

Is This the "Best" Use of Points?

Let's be real – you might not get maximum value compared to transferring points to airline partners. But sometimes convenience and cash flow matter more than squeezing every penny of value from your rewards.

The bottom line: If using points means you can enjoy your vacation worry-free without touching your bank account, that's a win in my book.

How to Redeem Points as Statement Credits

The process is surprisingly simple:

1. Log into your credit card account
2. Navigate to "Redeem Rewards" or "Pay Yourself Back"
3. Select the charges you want to cover
4. Confirm your redemption (usually at 1:1 value)

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for bonus categories that might offer better redemption rates during special promotions!

The Takeaway

Don't let your hard-earned points collect digital dust. Whether you're covering cruise extras, hotel incidentals, or any other travel expenses, your flexible points can work harder for you than you might think.

Have you discovered a stash of forgotten points in your account? Share your best redemption wins in the comments below! 👇

If you need more points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee and right now is offering a 75,000 bonus point offer for a $5,000 minimum spend. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. Not ready to dive into the coaching program, download the ebook or custom tracker or book a 1:1 consulting call with me.  I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

*For every new client, we will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of our favorite charities. 

San Diego's Brand New Terminal One is Finally Here – And It's Spectacular! ✈️

San Diego International Airport just unveiled its gorgeous new Terminal One, and honestly, it couldn't have come soon enough! As someone who's traveled through the old terminal countless times, I'm thrilled to share that this transformation addresses every single frustration I had with the previous space.

Why the Old Terminal One Needed a Major Makeover

Let me be real with you – the old Terminal One was rough. Between the barely-functioning water stations that took forever to fill a bottle, the confusing dual security checkpoints (yes, I once had to exit and re-enter security because I chose the wrong line 🤦‍♀️), and the cramped, low-ceiling gate areas with zero lounge options, it felt more like an endurance test than the start of a vacation.

The limited food choices and overall dated feel made layovers feel longer than they needed to be. But those days are officially behind us!

5 Game-Changing Improvements in the New Terminal One

1. Local Flavors Take Center Stage 🌮

The dining scene has been completely transformed with beloved San Diego favorites like The Taco Stand, Luna Grill, Novacientos Grados by Tony Hawk, and Better Buzz Coffee. 

2. Security Made Simple

Gone are the days of security checkpoint confusion! The new terminal features one streamlined security checkpoint serving all gates. No more guessing games or accidental wrong turns.

3. Lounge Life is Coming Soon ✨

Two lounges are set to open: The Green Room near Gate 114 and The Studio near Gate 122. While they're not yet listed on the Priority Pass app, word is that The Studio will accept Priority Pass membership through American Express, Chase, and Capital One. Keep your eyes peeled for official announcements!

4. Bright, Airy Spaces That Actually Feel Good

The soaring ceilings and abundant natural light create such a welcoming atmosphere. You'll find diverse seating options throughout, with plenty of charging stations. The real showstopper? An outdoor deck complete with fire pits and lounge chairs – perfect for soaking up that famous San Diego sunshine before your flight.

5. Finally, Functional Water Stations! 💧

Remember those painfully slow water fillers that always had lines? The new terminal features multiple efficient water stations with strong flow. The bathrooms deserve a mention too – they're bright, clean, and equipped with individual hand dryers and those fancy makeup mirrors that make everyone look good.

Art That Catches Your Eye

The terminal showcases stunning local artwork, from the eye-catching jellyfish installation outside to the beautiful pieces adorning the interior walls and ceiling. It's clear that thought went into making this space feel uniquely San Diego.

Which Airlines Call Terminal One Home?

Currently, you'll find Southwest, Sun Country, Breeze, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier operating from the new Terminal One. There is plenty of parking nearby for $2.50 per 15 minutes for quick pickup and drop off.  Unfortunately there is no walkway access to Terminal Two, but there is a shuttle. There are also Rental Car Shuttles in front of the terminal. 

San Diego has truly outdone itself with this renovation. The new Terminal One transforms what was once a travel hassle into a genuinely pleasant experience. Whether you're heading out for vacation or returning home, this terminal sets the right tone for your journey.

Have you experienced the new Terminal One yet? I'd love to hear about your first impressions!