How To Make Travel Chaos Easier On You

 Quick flight home

from San Francisco this week turned into travel weather chaos but I learned a few things that helped me navigate the changes more quickly.

I was notified of the changes for my Alaska Airlines flight through email, but there was a serious lag. I was actually sent a free $50 airport voucher for food and drinks BEFORE I found out my flight was delayed. That's when I decided to check the board to confirm the delay and saw my flight was actually cancelled. Hmmmm.

The app and flightaware.com still showed the flight delayed.

The Alaska Lounge rep told me to head to the Alaska service center, but the line was 50 deep so I hopped on the app.

The app immediately offered me several alternative flights to cities within 70 miles of my intended destination. I could check the flight board at the airport to see if those alternative flights were still taking off and I was able to rebook myself on an American Airlines flight leaving in an hour. Alaska even refunded 8,000 points when I booked the new flight.

That American Airlines flight ended up getting delayed as well, but I still departed that night instead of spending the night in San Francisco.

While I was changing flights, I was trying to help a woman in the service center line, but she had not downloaded the app and didn't have her confirmation code or loyalty number so we were not having much success. The Alaska rep ended up rebooking her on a flight leaving the next day and she was forced to pay for a hotel near the SFO airport. Sidenote, she had also checked her bag and could not get it back. Bummer.

I had access to both the Alaska Lounge with the Atmos Summit credit card lounge passes and The Club at SFO through Priority Pass with my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card.

I was disappointed with the food at the Alaska Lounge though the Whiskey Sour welcome drink was pretty tasty!

There was a waiting list for The Club at SFO so I spent the $50 voucher from Alaska on a sandwich, yogurt and protein bar from one of the restaurants. Since I still had a balance available, I bought some chocolate and pretzels. The credit showed up instantly on my credit card.

Then I got off the waitlist at The Club and my flight got delayed again so I went in and found a quiet place to work.

So lessons learned from this experience:

Always download the app for the airline you are traveling with. I was able to rebook myself from a cancelled Alaska flight to an American flight on the app and skip waiting in the huge line. The Alaska rep was surprised! She could only rebook on Alaska flights and Alaska refunded my miles thru the app

Check your credit card benefits, Atmos Summit sent me a $50 voucher to use in the airport during the delay

Lounge access is awesomea welcome drink and free food makes the delay much easier

Be flexible. I ended up flying to LA and renting a car for $32 instead of spending the night in a hotel

Another reason not to check bags. My carryon stayed with me.

The flight cancellation notice from Alaska Airlines eventually came through and cited Air Traffic Control Restrictions as the reason for cancellation. Since I did have to rent a car and pay for a half tank of gas, I filed a claim with Alaska Airlines. Stayed posted to see if I get reimbursed. If I had paid for my flight or just the taxes with my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, I could have filed a claim with Chase under trip delay reimbursement. But since I used my Atmos Summit credit card to pay the $6 taxes for this flight, I was awarded the $50 trip delay voucher to use in the airport.

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. 

Last Chance To Get 100,000 Capital One Bonus Points

 

We just got word that this offer is ending January 5th! If you have been thinking about this one, don't wait.

 🔥 Capital One Venture X has 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. 

My 2025 Travel Year in Review: How Points & Miles Funded $14K+ in Adventures

On the island of Gozo in Malta

My 2025 Travel Year in Review: How Points & Miles Funded $14K+ in Adventures

December is the perfect time to look back and tally up the real-world impact of points and miles—specifically, how much actual cash they kept in my wallet.

And wow, 2025 delivered! 🌍

The Adventures

The year kicked off with gorilla trekking in Uganda with my family, followed by exploring the national parks of Eastern Rwanda. Both places absolutely blew my mind.

Then came six weeks volunteering in Israel—a truly transformational experience that shifted something fundamental in me.

Back stateside, I jetted off for a long weekend in Nashville with girlfriends. My second visit to the city, but my first time really diving in beyond the surface. The energy there is infectious!

For my birthday, I treated myself to an overnight at Joshua Tree National Park and scored an incredible behind-the-scenes tour of an original homestead. Desert magic at its finest ✨

July brought an unexpected gift: my cousin invited me to visit family in Rio de Janeiro. I tacked on a few extra days to finally see Iguazu Falls—which means I've now checked off all three of the world's great waterfalls!

August started with a New York City board meeting and visit to the floor of the stock exchange. Naturally I extended for Broadway shows and proper bagels 🥯

Late August meant a whirlwind family tour through Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles with my daughter. We kayaked in Canadian waters and squeezed in quality time with cousins across four cities.

Then came the big one: early October through mid-November exploring Spain, Portugal, Malta, Sicily, Cyprus, and the Canary Islands. Detailed guides for all these spots are in the works!

Beyond the Flights

The travel is just part of the equation. Factor in all those card credits—Lyft rides, food pickup through Dash, StubHub credits, airport lounge access, Edit hotel credits, and dining credits. Plus travel insurance reimbursement and one flight claim in Europe.

The Numbers

• 10 countries explored
• 37 flights booked
• 7 hotels (23 nights)
• 8 Airbnbs (32 nights)

Grand total saved: $14,460 💰

The experiences and memories? Those are priceless—but knowing I kept nearly $15K in my pocket while collecting them feels pretty incredible too.

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Want more personal help planning your next trip? Email me about how I can help plan your next trip! 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 Chase Combo That Changed My Points Game 💳✨

The Chase Freedom Unlimited + Sapphire Combo That Changed My Points Game 💳✨

Want to know a points-earning strategy that actually makes sense? Pair the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Unlimited with either a Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card. (I've got a full breakdown of how this duo works )

Here's why this matters: The Freedom Unlimited earns 1.5 points on literally everything, plus 3x at restaurants and drugstores, and 5x on travel booked through Chase. The real magic happens when you transfer those points to your Sapphire card—suddenly they're worth way more when you redeem them for travel.

Right now, there's a $300 bonus after you spend $500 🎉

Since there's no annual fee, this card pays for itself (well, technically it costs nothing). It's one of those rare no-brainer additions to your wallet that keeps working for you year after year.

Use my referral link to get the increased bonus 

Want more personal help planning your next trip? 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. 

Score Big Points: Chase Freedom Q1 2026 Categories Are Here! 💳

Chase just dropped the Q1 2026 rotating bonus categories for the Freedom (no longer available) and Freedom Flex cards, and there's some surprisingly specific earning potential this quarter.

Why These Cards Matter

Both Freedom cards charge zero annual fees and pair beautifully with premium Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve. Since all your points pool together in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem, you're essentially earning 5x points that can transfer to travel partners or boost redemptions through the Chase portal.

Q1 2026 Categories (Jan 1 - Mar 31)

Here's where you'll earn 5x points:

• Norwegian Cruise Line 🚢
• American Heart Association
• Dining 🍽️

The Cruise Opportunity

Planning a Norwegian cruise in 2026? Here's a pro move: wait until January to book or pay your balance. A $3,000 cruise booking would generate 15,000 Chase points—that's serious value from a no-fee card. Even final payments on existing bookings should qualify if processed during Q1.

Dining Never Gets Old

The dining category remains one of the most practical bonus opportunities. Whether you're grabbing coffee, ordering takeout, or enjoying a nice meal out, those 5x points add up quickly over three months.

Don't Forget to Activate! ⚠️

Activate your card by March 14th to earn bonus points. The good news? Activation is retroactive to January 1st, so you won't miss out on early purchases.

New to Chase Freedom?

The Freedom Flex currently offers a $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first three months. That's a solid return for everyday spending, plus you'll be ready for future rotating categories.

If you don't have a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card yet and these credits sound interesting to you, there is an increased 125,000 point offer right now for a $6,000 minimum spend. You can read more about the benefits of the card here. If that's too steep for you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is also offering an increased 75,000 point bonus offer for $5,000 minimum spend.

Want more personal help planning your next trip? 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. 

Don't Let Your Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits Expire! Here's Your Game Plan 🎯

Got the Chase Sapphire Reserve? You're probably feeling the December 31st deadline pressure right about now.

Here's the deal: Chase bumped the annual fee to $795 earlier this year (ouch 😬). But they also added some seriously valuable credits to soften the blow. The catch? They all expire on Dec. 31st, and you need to use them to actually justify that hefty fee.

If you're scrambling to figure this out, you're not alone—we're in the same boat! Let me walk you through some strategies that might help. Plus, Chase is rolling out changes on January 1st that should make this less stressful next year 🙌

Your Three Main Expiring Credits:

• $150 StubHub credit
• $150 Restaurant credit
• $250 Edit hotel credit

(There are also monthly credits like Lyft and DashPass, but those don't expire annually, so we're focusing on the big three.)

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💳 The $150 StubHub Credit

This one's straightforward:

Activate the credit first in your Chase.com account. It's located under benefits. Buy any ticket on StubHub.com using your Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You can purchase for yourself or let someone you trust buy a ticket in their account using your card—as long as the purchase goes through StubHub directly, you're good.

Key detail: You only need to purchase the ticket by Dec. 31st, not attend the event. You need to activate the credit before you make the purchase! 

Pro tip: You could buy a ticket and relist it on StubHub. Even if you resell for the same price, you're up $150 from the credit 💡

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🍽️ The $150 Restaurant Credit

This one confuses people, but it's actually pretty flexible:

1. Go to Chase Sapphire Exclusive Tables on OpenTable
2. Click your city (or wherever you're visiting) to see participating restaurants
3. Book a reservation through OpenTable—you can choose ANY available time, not just the ones marked "Chase Sapphire"

But here's where it gets better—you don't even need a reservation:

• Walk in and dine
• Order takeout
• Get delivery (if the restaurant offers it directly—not through third-party apps)
• Buy a gift card online IF the restaurant uses Toast as their payment system (you'll see "Toast" on the checkout page)

Just make sure you pay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card to trigger the credit.

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🏨 The $250 Edit Hotel Credit

This one takes a bit more work:

Log into the Chase Travel Portal and search for hotels. Edit properties sometimes appear at the top if they include a points boost, but there's no dedicated filter (annoying, I know).

Since Edit hotels are typically 4-5 star luxury properties, filter for those categories to narrow your search. Some more affordable options include Kimpton hotels and MGM properties in Las Vegas.

What you get with Edit hotels:

• $100 property credit
• Daily breakfast
• Early check-in/late check-out
• Free WiFi

Important notes:

• 2-night minimum required
• Book by Dec. 31st, but your actual stay can be in 2025
• Some people are booking refundable 2026 stays—we're still figuring out what happens if you cancel or modify
• You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover any remaining balance after the credit

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My Vegas Plan 🎰

I already have trips booked for next year, but the Edit hotels in those cities were way over budget. So I'm doing a quick midweek Vegas trip instead:

• MGM Grand - only $40 out of pocket after the $250 credit for 2 nights
• Daily breakfast included
• $100 property credit for lunch or dinner
• $150 restaurant credit for another meal out
• $150 StubHub credit for Sphere tickets
• Southwest points + Companion Pass for flights

Total out-of-pocket: $40 for a 2-night Vegas getaway ✈️

I'll report back on how it goes! 

In January, Chase is changing the bi-annual $250 credit to an annual $500 credit, BUT you will still need to book a 2 night minimum for each $250 credit. The theory is you can book back to back reservations to use both credits. You will need to contact the hotel to connect the reservations so you don't need to change rooms. 

If you don't have a Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card yet and these credits sound interesting to you, there is an increased 125,000 point offer right now for a $6,000 minimum spend. You can read more about the benefits of the card here. If that's too steep for you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is also offering an increased 75,000 point bonus offer for $5,000 minimum spend.

Want more personal help planning your next trip? 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. 

Your Ultimate 10-Day Portugal Adventure

Portugal truly has it all. Wine that'll make you reconsider your drinking habits (in the best way), beaches carved into dramatic cliffs, rivers winding through ancient valleys, narrow cobblestone streets that were definitely not designed for modern cars, and yes, that famous yellow tram. I traveled from the sun-soaked Algarve in the south all the way north to the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and the vibrant streets of Porto, with plenty of stops in Lisbon and charming villages along the way.

This is my 10-day itinerary that actually worked – no rushing, no FOMO, just the right balance of sightseeing and soaking it all in. And if you want help booking this luxury trip for less? Reach out to me.

Getting There: The Flights ✈️

My family flew to Lisbon using points and miles, but here's where it got interesting: we were coming from four different cities, arriving and departing on different days, and arriving and departing on different flights to and from different destinations. Chaos, right?

Actually, it was both complex and simple at the same time. Simple because we were essentially four solo travelers with some flexibility, which makes award bookings much easier to piece together. Complex because keeping track of everyone's itinerary required a detailed spreadsheet and possibly too much coffee.

Want the full breakdown? You can read about exactly how I used points and miles for these flights here.

Days 1-3: Lisbon ☕

Lisbon hits different. Europe's second-oldest capital somehow manages to feel both ancient and alive, with its hilltop neighborhoods cascading down to the Tagus River. The tile-covered alleys of Alfama will have you stopping every five steps for photos, while the contemporary buzz keeps things fresh.

My top picks:

🚶‍♀️ Start with a FREE walking tour – I do this in every city I visit. You'll get the history, the layout, and those crucial local tips about where to actually eat (not the tourist traps).

🚋 Tram 28 – Hop on and let it rattle you through the historic districts. Pay on board, around €2.50. Yes, it's packed with tourists, but there's a reason for that.

⚓ Maritime Museum – Give yourself 2-3 hours here. Portugal's seafaring history is wild, and this place tells it well.

🏛️ Carmo Convent – The roofless ruins are hauntingly beautiful.

📚 Baixa district – Wander through and pop into Livraria Bertrand, the world's oldest bookstore. It still smells like old paper and possibilities.

🌅 Sunset viewpoints – Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro Senhora do Monte are where you want to be when the light turns golden.

🍴 Mercado da Ribeira – Food stalls galore when you need a quick bite.

The Pastéis de Nata situation 🥐

Look, you're going to eat approximately 47 of these custard tarts. Here's where to find the best ones:

• Manteigaria
• Fábrica de Nata
• Pastelaria Santo António
• Pastéis de Belém (the original from 1837 – yes, there will be a line)

Days 3-5: Sintra & Douro Valley 🏰🍷

Sintra is basically a fairy tale that wandered into Portugal and decided to stay. Castles everywhere you look.

Pro tip: Do NOT drive into the town center. Just don't. Park outside and walk in, or take the train from Lisbon as a day trip. If you must drive, grab a parking meter spot (download the parking app so you can add time remotely) and hoof it from there.

There are dozens of castles here. Take a FREE walking tour to see most from the outside, then pick your favorite 2-3 to explore inside. Pena Palace is the famous colorful one on the hill – you'll need to bus up from town to reach it.

🍰 Must-try: Stop at Periquita (on the corner in town center) for local pastries that'll ruin your diet plans.

Douro Valley 🌄

This is where Portugal gets serious about wine and scenery. Most people day-trip from Porto, but I'm begging you – stay overnight. The valley at sunset, with a glass of wine in hand? That's the moment you'll remember.

🏡 Where to stay: Book a vineyard like Quinta da Portela. We spent two nights here, and our host brought breakfast baskets to our villa each morning – fresh pastries, yogurt, eggs, coffee, homemade jams. After a private wine tasting on the terrace overlooking the vines, I never wanted to leave.

🍷 Wine tastings: We did two, both around €20 per person:

• D'Origem – Started with an olive oil factory tour, ended with wine tasting on a deck with valley views that'll make your Instagram followers jealous
• Second vineyard (closer to our quinta) – More commercial vibes but held in an atmospheric wine cellar at a gorgeous table

Also available: hiking, biking, and boat tours on the Douro River.

Days 5-7: Porto 🌉

Porto just works. The history, the architecture stacked on hillsides, the entire culture built around Port wine – it's got everything.

🚶 FREE walking tour alert – I love Guruwalk but there are lots of tours available. They focus on the old historic center, which is where Porto's soul lives. After the tour, head downhill to where the magic really happens.

The Riverfront 💙

Seven bridges span the Douro here, with water taxis zipping underneath. The views are absolutely breathtaking – you can walk for hours along the promenade, ducking into shops, grabbing petiscos (Portuguese tapas), and watching street performers.

🍷 Port cellars – All located across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia (thanks to old tax laws). Dozens to choose from, but we loved Ferreira, one of the oldest producers. The cave and cellar tour is fascinating, ending in a proper tasting room where we sampled ruby, white, and tawny ports. Tours run about €20 per person.

🏛️ Palácio da Bolsa – Get tickets (around €11) if you can. Even if you've seen your share of palaces, this one will drop your jaw. Trust me on this.

Days 8-10: Algarve 🏖️

Portugal's southern coast delivers on natural beauty, dramatic cliffs, and that perfect beach vacation energy.

Base yourself in Lagos so you're not packing and unpacking every day.

🚣 Benagil Caves – Absolutely unmissable. Choose between a boat tour or kayaking (heads up: the ocean can get choppy). The view from the water looking back at those golden cliffs is stunning. Plus, you'll hit a secret beach and explore a hidden tunnel.

Other options:

• Wander through historic Silves
• Rent an e-bike and cruise along the coast
• Find your own favorite beach cove

Want more personal help planning your next trip? 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.