Holiday Shopping Portals Offer Big Bonuses

It's almost that time of the year again! The holidays. Whether you give big gifts or small gifts or you plan to gift to charity, you can earn extra points for your online purchases. 

Holiday Shopping Portals Offer Big Bonuses 

How you ask? By taking that one extra step and making your purchase through a shopping portal. Most of the airlines, some credit cards and even a few hotel chains have shopping portals. 

Already we are seeing some bonus offers! 

• Alaska - Earn 300 bonus points when you spend $100, 750 when you spend $350 or 1,500 when you spend $650. 
• American - Earn 500 bonus miles for spending $200, 1,500 for $700 or 4,000 for $1,600 in total purchases. This is big because it doesn't have to be one purchase, it can be multiple purchases from different stores. 
• Delta - Earn 400 bonus miles for spending $200, 1,000 bonus miles for $500 or 4,000 for spending $1,500. 
• Southwest - Earn 400 bonus points when you spend $100, 1,600 when you spend $400 or 4,000 for spending $900.
• United - Earn 500 bonus miles when you spend $125, 2,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 or 5,000 for $1,100. 

These are just some examples, but your first step before making any online purchase is to check cashbackmonitor.com for the specific store. From there, you can see if there is an elevated offer for that store and then you can see if there is a bonus offer being offered by the platform. 

Holiday Shopping Portals Offer Big Bonuses 

The other thing to take into consideration is your travel strategy. Are you trying to collect points or miles on a certain airline or hotel? If so, then target that shopping portal. Flying Blue often has huge bonuses! 

Another interesting fun fact is that you don't have to use the credit card associated with that shopping portal. For example if you use the Chase Shopping Portal to earn 3x points at Chewy.com, you could use your Capital One Venture X credit card to pay for the purchase to earn 2x points. 

We call this strategy "stacking". I've seen some people double and even triple stack! 

Let me know the creative stacking you come up with. 

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. 

Capital One Venture X Launches A 100,000 Bonus Offer

🔥 Capital One Venture X just launched a whopping 100,000 point bonus offer! Wow! This is the highest offer we have seen for this card. The minimum spend is also high at $10,000, but you have 6 months to reach that spend. 

Capital One Venture X Launches A 100,000 Bonus Offer

We love the Venture X because the annual fee is $395, but you get a $300 travel credit in the Capital One Travel Portal, 2x points on every purchase, $120 Global Entry credit, 10,000 bonus points on your anniversary valued at $100 and Priority Pass and Capital One lounge access. 

What can you do with 100,000 Capital One points? Oh so much. You can read about how I have used Capital One points in the past here. 

1. If you spend them in the portal or use them to erase travel purchases, they are worth $1,000 in travel

2. If you transfer the points to any of the dozen or so airlines and hotels,  they can be worth so much more. For example:

• 18,750 points on Flying Blue (KLM and Air France) from the US to Europe in economy 
• 16,000 Iberia Avios from the US to Spain (transfer to British Airways or Finnair and then transfer to Iberia)

Capital One Venture X Launches A 100,000 Bonus Offer

That's just a start to the incredible travel savings! If this card is too hefty, the Capital One Venture card carries just a $95 annual fee and right now offers a bonus of 75,000 points for a $4,000 minimum spend. 

We don't have an end date on this offer yet. 

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. 

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!

Why My New Fave Is Riding Amtrak

Recently I hopped on Amtrak from Washington DC to New York and wow, I was impressed. From start to finish, the process was easy, clear and affordable. Plus I could get some work done on the train. 

The Amtrak website is very user friendly and I booked my ticket about a month before my travel date for just $38 one way. Trains ran frequently on that route even though I was traveling on a Thursday. After I purchased online, the system immediately sent me an email with my electronic ticket. In fact, the system followed up with a series of emails asking me if I would like to upgrade my ticket, reminding me that my trip was just a few days away, giving me helpful tips and finally giving me my gate information. So helpful. 

At Union Station which was beautiful by the way and full of shops, restaurants and even a Starbucks, I easily found my gate. There was a staff member directing the crowd to line up. And 15 minutes before departure time, the staff member opened the doors and directed the crowd towards the train. There was another staff member closer to the train directing the crowd to the cars. 

With my coach ticket, I was able to choose any seat in the front cars. I noticed there were some quiet cars, a cafe car and business class cars. Inside the car, the seats were plush, there were electrical outlets in each seat, luggage racks and most importantly, air conditioning. 

The train left on time and arrived three hours later at Penn Station in New York City. Amtrak offers a rewards program and though I probably won't ride enough to rack up many points, it's always a good idea to join and take the rewards. Also  use your Capital One Venture X card to buy your Amtrak ticket and then erase it with points. Yay! 

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. 

Avios Just Got WAY More Flexible

Avios Just Got WAY More Flexible (And I'm Here for It!) ✈️

Hey travel friends! You know I'm obsessed with flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One miles, but there's another loyalty program that's quietly becoming a powerhouse player. Let me introduce you to the Avios ecosystem - it's about to become your new best friend! 🌟

Meet the Avios Family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Avios points work across multiple airlines, giving you tons of booking options:

• British Airways 🇬🇧
• Iberia 🇪🇸
• Qatar Airways 🇶🇦
• Finnair 🇫🇮
• Aer Lingus 🇮🇪
• Vueling ✈️
• Loganair 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Transfer Partners Galore! 💳

Here's where it gets exciting - Avios partners with practically everyone:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Capital One miles
• Bilt Points
• Wells Fargo Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• American Express Membership Rewards

This means you can funnel points from multiple credit card programs into one super flexible currency!

Sweet Spot Alert! 🍯

Want to cross the Atlantic without breaking the bank? Iberia flights to Spain start at just 16,000 Avios + $50 in taxes for economy class. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus makes hopping over to Ireland surprisingly affordable. These are the kind of deals that make my travel-planning heart sing! 💚

Game-Changer: New Transfer Tool 🔄

Here's the really exciting news - Avios just launched a tool that lets you move points between different airline programs within their family. Found an amazing Iberia deal but your points are sitting in British Airways? No problem! Transfer them over in minutes.

Sometimes Iberia has the sweet spot, other times British Airways comes through with the perfect routing. Now you can chase the best deals across the entire network without being locked into one program.

How to Set It Up 🛠️

Getting started is straightforward:

1. Log into your Avios account 
2. Link your accounts with the other Avios airlines
3. Double-check that all your accounts have identical name and contact info (this is crucial!)
4. Set everything up BEFORE you need it - trust me on this one

Pro tip: There's no minimum transfer amount, and you can move points back and forth as many times as you want. The flexibility is incredible! 🙌

Why This Matters for Your Family 👪

For families like ours, having multiple options means better chances of finding award space for everyone. Instead of being stuck with one airline's availability, you can check across the entire Avios network and transfer points to wherever the best deals are hiding.

This kind of flexibility is exactly what we need to keep family travel affordable and accessible. The more options we have, the better our chances of scoring those sweet award flights that make international family trips possible! 🌍

Ready to dive into the Avios ecosystem? Start by linking those accounts and watch your booking options multiply!

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. 

My FREE Gift To You: 1,000 Airline Miles

My Go-To Strategy for Affordable European Adventures ✈️

When it comes to crossing the Atlantic without breaking the bank, I keep coming back to Flying Blue, the loyalty program that powers both Air France and KLM. Here's why this program has become my secret weapon for European travel.

The Sweet Spot for Award Flights

Flying Blue offers some genuinely solid redemption rates:

• Economy seats: 25,000 points one way (or just 18,750 during their regular promotions)
• Business class with lie-flat seats: 50,000 points each way 🛏️

What really sets them apart? Both airlines include free stopovers in their hub cities (Paris for Air France, Amsterdam for KLM). This means you can essentially visit two destinations for the price of one award ticket.

A Recent Win That Made My Day

Earlier this year, I snagged a flight from Athens to Los Angeles for only 20,000 points plus $50 in taxes. The cherry on top? When I missed my connection in Paris due to delays, Air France stepped up big time – covering my hotel, meals, and even sending me an $800 compensation check. Sometimes travel hiccups work out better than expected! 🎉

Easy Ways to Earn Flying Blue Miles

The beauty of Flying Blue lies in its flexibility. You can transfer points from all the major credit card programs:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Capital One Miles
• Bilt Rewards
• American Express Membership Rewards

The New Player Worth Watching

Here's where things get interesting – Rove Miles just entered the scene as a shopping portal meets flexible points program. They've partnered with over 12,000 online merchants, letting you earn miles on everyday purchases that you can then transfer to Flying Blue and other airlines.

Their airline partners include Flying Blue, Finnair, Aeromexico, and Turkish Airlines, giving you plenty of redemption options.

Limited-Time Opportunity 🎯

I've got something special for you – 1,000 free Rove miles just for signing up (no purchase required). The signup process takes under a minute, and you can transfer those miles to Flying Blue if that's your preference once you have earned 2,000 Rove miles.

Important: This offer expires September 17th, so don't let it slip by if you're interested in building your points balance.

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.  

Why You Might Want To Try Staying At The Generator Hostel

Recently I stayed at The Generator Hostel in Miami Beach just to see what the fuss is about. I loved it! 

Affordable, stylist and with the tagline "for the young at heart", you gotta love it. 

Currently, there are 12 locations in Europe: Copenhagen, Paris, Vienna, Dublin and more. These funky hostels are known for their lively atmosphere and are often sold out. 

The first US based Generator opened in 2018 and offers an affordable accommodations in the otherwise expensive Miami Beach. There are 5 Generators in the US. For August, the chain is offering buy 3 nights, get a 4th FREE and 10% off if you buy directly from their website. Remember if you use your Capital One Venture or Venture X to make this purchase, you can "erase" it with points.  Right now, you can get 75,000 points with a $4,000 minimum spend on the Capital One Venture X credit card. 

The Miami location is right across the street from the beach/boardwalk and down the street from Starbucks and a grocery store with a hot food counter. 

The restaurant inside the Generator hotel features modern Mexican cuisine, the corn appetizer is delicious. The fish tacos were also a delicious choice. 

The rooms are small but the view was fire of the Atlantic ocean

The room was lacking in desk space which for remote workers would be a necessity, but the property did offer FREE high speed Wifi. Plus a work space downstairs, but again no desks. 

The pool area also had lots of low seating, but very few desk type spaces. The one space with tables and chairs that could be used as work space was a designated smoking area.

The Generator offers a deal with the AC Marriott two blocks away for parking at $35 per 24 hours with in/out privileges however it is cash only. 

The rooms included a funky modern refrigerator, but no coffee maker, microwave or hot water kettle. There was a hot water dispenser in the lobby. Beach umbrellas, chairs and luggage lockers were offered at the front desk. 

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. 

The Best Way To Visit Iguazu Falls, Brazil

It's one of the wonders of the world, the beautiful Iguazu Falls! The falls are located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. And the country of Paraguay is just up the road. 

Iguazu Falls is actually made up of more than 250 small falls. And because of that fact presents completely differently than the other great falls in the world, Victoria Falls in Zambia and Niagara Falls in New York. The falls are also home to many animals and plants that make this one of the most diverse eco systems in the world. Both sides are National Parks and UNESCO declared the falls a World Heritage Site in 1984. Most than one million people visit the falls each year.  

This should definitely be on your bucket list! So what's the best way to visit the falls? 

• Where to fly? You will most likely fly into Foz Do Iguazu, Brazil (Airport code IGU) or Puerto Iguazu, Argentina. (Airport code IGR). Both cities are about a two hour flight from either Rio or Buenos Aires. Whichever side is easier for you to arrive, you must see the falls from both sides and crossing the border is easy. 

• Where to stay at the falls? There are many hotel options on both sides of the falls. There is only one hotel inside the park on the Brazilian side and its quite costly. But you can choose to stay in a hotel walking distance from the entrance like the Sanma Hotel. It cost just $125 per night and included breakfast. It featured a nice pool and was located right next door to the Bird Park. It is about 25 minutes out of town so something to keep in mind for dinner. The hotel offers a dinner buffet for $20 per person and a snack bar which has $6 burgers and french fries. The hotel offers helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides and a spa. You can use Capital One points to "erase" any hotel or book through the Capital One Travel Portal. 
• 
  

• How to visit the Brazilian side of the falls? No need to buy tickets prior to arriving at the falls. There are kiosks at the entrance gate and plenty of staff to direct you to the kiosk and then to the line for the bus. There is also a snack bar available if you want to grab an inexpensive snack. Entry tickets cost approximately $18 pp. The bus ride takes approximately 20 minutes and I recommend you get off the bus at the pink hotel. It's the second to last stop. Take the platform heading down the hill on your right and you get an incredible view of the falls. Keep going and the platform will take you along the river and all the way down to the platforms in the water and a viewing station next to the falls. No worries, there is an elevator you can ride to come back up or you can continue walking to the last bus stop to catch the ride back to the entrance. There is no need to hire a guide for this park. At a leisurely pace, you will probably spend 3 hours here.

• How to visit the Argentinian side of the falls? This park is much larger so you will probably need more time here. If you are staying on the Brazilian side, you will also need to include about 45 minutes to cross the border. Bring your passport! If you are staying on the Argentinian side of the falls, you will also need a visa to visit the Brazilian side of the falls. A visa costs $80 and is good for 10 years. You can buy it online here. The website is a bit glitchy so you may have to try several times. If you are coming from Brazil, you may want to hire a guide for the day, the going rate is approximately $150 for the guide. Entry tickets and the boat ride are additional. If you break down the cost though, you will need to get to the border, cross the border, and then get to the park. Plus once you are inside the park, it's nice to have someone guide you to the best viewing spots. Entry tickets cost approximately $38 pp and the boat under the falls costs approximately $63 pp. You can buy both of them online prior to your visit. I do recommend doing the boat ride into the falls. The boat gets so close to the falls that you get soaking wet, but it's an amazing view watching the water fall towards you and feeling the power. The boat staff gives each person a dry bag  for their shoes and personal items and I recommend bringing a rain poncho, towel, change of clothes and waterproof phone holder. 

Other highlights in the area include kayaking on the Parana River with Aguaray Eco Esportes, the Bird Park and a shopping trip in Paraguay. I recommend spending three days in the area so you don't feel rushed. 

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. 

Lounge Full? Visit Multiple Airport Lounges During Your Layover

Lounge capacity issues are real and incredibly frustrating! But here's something you might not know: you can visit multiple lounges on the same day, or even enjoy one while you're on the waitlist for another. Several credit cards offer free membership in the Priority Pass Lounge network which offers entry for you and up to two guests into more than 1,700 lounges around the world. 

Recently, I had a three-hour layover at JFK in New York. I wanted to check out the Chase Sapphire lounge, but the line stretched on forever. I decided to add my name to the waitlist anyway. The agent estimated a 20-40 minute wait, which operates through text notifications—and you only have 10 minutes to reach the lounge once they text you. While some lounges let you join waitlists through the Priority Pass app, this particular Sapphire Lounge requires in-person sign-up.

Lounge Full? Visit Multiple Airport Lounges During Your Layover

Ten minutes isn't nearly enough time to switch terminals, but it's plenty of time to visit another lounge within the same terminal. Terminal 4 offers several Priority Pass network options:

• Air India Lounge
• Virgin Atlantic
• Hello Sky
• Chase Sapphire - restricted hours for non Chase Sapphire card members

I headed downstairs to the Hello Sky pop-up lounge. No line whatsoever—I checked in quickly and walked right in. The space is compact but not overcrowded, and I immediately found a comfortable couch with a nearby charging station. An attendant approached within moments and offered me a glass of wine. What a welcome!

The food and drink selection pleasantly surprised me, featuring both hot and cold options plus an impressive variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A large monitor, computer, and printer were available for business needs. The only downside to this pop-up lounge? No restroom facilities inside.

Lounge Full? Visit Multiple Airport Lounges During Your Layover

After 40 minutes of relaxation, my phone buzzed with the text I'd been waiting for—time to head to the Chase Sapphire Lounge. I gathered my belongings and headed upstairs, passing a Capital One Lounge along the way.

The Chase Sapphire Lounge was busy but manageable when I arrived. An attendant immediately seated me at a spot with charging capabilities. The amenities included hot and cold food buffets, an extensive drink selection, and an espresso machine. There's also a full-service bar with a QR code menu featuring items like hamburgers, grilled cheese, and french fries.

The takeaway? You have numerous options available, so explore them all and don't hesitate to visit multiple lounges during a single layover!

How to Get Access

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card: This remains the best way to access the Priority Pass lounge network. The current offer includes 100,000 points for meeting a $5,000 minimum spend requirement. While the $795 annual fee might seem steep, the credits and benefits provide excellent value. We hear this offer is ending soon! 

Capital One Venture X Credit Card: This alternative offers access as well, currently providing 75,000 points for a $4,000 minimum spend. The $395 annual fee comes with fewer benefits compared to the exceptional Chase Sapphire Reserve offer.

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 th 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. 

Why You May Want To Book Refundable Hotels

 

You've done all the research and decided on the hotel you want to book. You are not booking with points through the branded website, but rather booking through a third party platform or a travel portal, it may be wise to spend a little bit more to book the refundable option. 

I have to admit that I tend to book non refundable and rely on travel insurance with my credit card to cover a major issue.

But I'm starting to rethink that position. 

Here's why. 

Recently, I booked a hotel through the Capital One Travel Portal. My plan was to pay for the hotel and then erase the purchase with points. I have some points saved and will earn 10x points on the hotel purchase. I  decline the non refundable price protection offer for $115. 

But days later, the price drops. Argh. And now I can't rebook. If I had just paid the $9 extra for the refundable rate by the hotel or the $43 by Capital One or the $115 for the cancel for any reason, I could have rebooked at the lower rate saving $50. Of course, the math has to make it worth it. 

I am relentless at booking and rebooking my Southwest flights to chip away at the points, but I realize now that I tend to lock in hotel rates and should be using the same strategy. 

It may not always pay off, but in this case, spending a bit more at the beginning could have ended in a savings. 

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 I Scored A Flight To Europe for $50 And 20,000 Points

  

Number one million why I love flexible points! You have been hearing a lot about Chase Ultimate Rewards points these days because of the recently announced incredible bonus offers, but this story is about another brand of flexible points. One that you don't hear about as often and one that doesn't get enough credit. 

How I Scored A Flight To Europe for $50 And 20,000 Points 

We are talking about Avios, the loyalty points program for British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways and Finnair. But it doesn't stop there because these airlines are part of the One World Alliance that also includes partners like American Airlines, LATAM, and Vueling. 

The flexible part here is that you can transfer the points between the main four airlines depending on which one offers you the best deal. And you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Capital One points to Avios too. 

Let's look at the path I took to find this great deal of 20,000 points and $50 on a one way flight from Chicago to Madrid, Spain. 

How I Scored A Flight To Europe for $50 And 20,000 Points 

1. Start with Google Flights to see your options. We find this American Airlines red eye flight for $464 in economy. 

2. Next let's check American Airlines. Now I actually don't have any American Airlines miles and it is not a transfer partner for any flexible points, but let's check anyway. It's being offered for 27,000 miles and $5.60 so that gives us a starting point. We are looking at off peak fares.  

3. I always like to check seats.aero to see what other options may be out there. You can see 90 days out with a free account. 

4. Then I check the Chase Travel Portal and the Capital One Travel Portal to see if the flight is listed and how many points are needed or the price if I decide to buy it in the portal and earn 5x points. 

Now that the Chase Travel Portal has added the "Points Booster", it's always a good idea to look because you never know what you are going to get and it changes constantly. The Capital One Travel Portal is always one cent per point so it's usually a better place to pay cash, earn 5x points and then erase the purchase with your points. In the Chase Travel Portal, the same flight would cost 30,993 points. In the Capital One Travel Portal, the same flight would cost 46,400 points.  Big difference! 

4. American Airlines is in the One World Alliance with British Airways so we try searching there. The same flight shows up for 20,750 Avios and $213. I like the the number of points, but those taxes, Yikes. 

5. So can we do better? Since Madrid is the base for Iberia Airlines and we have a stash of Avios from the Iberia Airlines credit card bonus offer a few years ago, let's see what's happening there. 

Wow! 20,750 Avios and $51.70, now that's a deal. Remember when we mentioned that Iberia is part of the One World Alliance with American Airlines? This deal is for the same American Airlines red eye flight from Chicago to Madrid. Crazy, right?

And guess what? We look for the return flight and snag that one for just 16,000 Avios and $100 taxes. That's how we do it here at Almost FREE Family Travel. 

So if you just got your Chase Sapphire Preferred 100,000 bonus, this could be one way to use those points. Click here to read about other ways. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Book a 1:1 consulting call 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. 

Avios 

20,000 $50 Chicago to Madrid 

16,000 $131 Madrid to Chicago 

Iberia Avios