Should I cancel my Citi Hilton Credit Card?

Citi is transferring all Hilton Honors card holders to new American Express Hilton Honors cards in January. You should have received a letter in the mail alerting you to the change. Citi ended its relationship with Visa and is launching a new relationship with American Express. 

So the question is should you let the transfer happen or cancel your card?

The Visa card is a no fee card and as far as we know the American Express card will be no fee as well. 

There are currently 2 American Express Hilton Honors cards available. We suspect a third premium card will be added next year. 

The no fee card offers 7x points on Hilton purchases and no foreign transaction fees starting in January. 

The Hilton Surpass card will be changing to the Ascend card next year and offer a few more perks like 12x points on Hilton purchases, 10 complimentary lounge passes and if you spend $15,000 in a year, you will earn a free night at any Hilton property. 

That card has a $95 fee and next year no foreign transaction fees. 

American Express and Hilton are gearing up to offer a premium card next year too which will have a $450 annual fee and include perks like a $250 airline credit and $250 Hilton credit on your cardmember anniversary, unlimited lounge access, 14X points on Hilton purchases and a free night on your anniversary.  

We don't know about sign up bonuses for these cards yet so you will need to look at your own situation and decide if it's worth keeping your current Hilton Honors Visa card. I cancelled mine so I could take advantage of whatever is coming  in 2018. 

How to find FREE shipping for holiday shopping

Shipping charges are the #1 reason online carts are abandoned before the purchase is completed. But you can find FREE shipping during the holidays. 

Here's how:

1. do a google search for coupon codes

2. try signing up for www.shoprunner.com - you join for free and then get free shipping at a dozen or so stores. 

3. use a cash back portal like ebates.com and they will list all the promotions being offered right now by that particular store

4. use an airline shopping portal and again, it will list the promotions being offered right now by that particular store

5. increase your minimum spend in order to get the free shipping. Sometimes if you buy another $10 worth of product, your shipping is free so it's worth it. I would rather have more stuff than pay for shipping. 

6. Ship to store and pick it up there

Don't waste your hard earned money on shipping charges, instead spend it on almost FREE family travel. And remember to use the right credit card to maximize those points! 

Get FREE Netflix From Tmobile

If you are a Tmobile subscriber or if you are thinking about becoming one, here's an added perk. 

Tmobile is giving everyone who qualifies Netflix for FREE. 

The fine print says you must have at least 2 active lines on a Tmobile ONE tax inclusive voice plan. The Netflix subscription is a standard one. You can upgrade to premium, but you will need to pay the difference. You must also use the same credit card as your Tmobile autopay. 

From Tmobile:

Before you can get Netflix On Us, you'll need to opt in to it on your T-Mobile account.

To opt in from the T-Mobile app:

1. Make sure that you or someone else isn't currently logged into Netflix. Even if you're creating a new Netflix account, logging out of Netflix will ensure that you're linking to your Netflix account, rather than to someone else's account that might be currently logged into Netflix.
2. Open the T-Mobile app.
3. Tap the menu (the three stacked lines in the upper left).
4. Tap USAGE & PLANS.
5. Scroll down to your name and tap View line details.
6. Scroll down to the Services section and tap Manage Services.
7. Tap the + next to Family and Entertainment, and select the box next to Fam with Netflix ($10.99 value).
   Note: If you don't see the Netflix option, you'll need to change your plan to qualify for Netflix On Us. To go through the process, tap the menu, tap USAGE & PLANS, and then tap Change Plan. (Or, you can contact T-Mobile customer service for assistance.)
8. From the Order Confirmation page, tap the Continue to Sign Up button below Your Account's Now Ready for Netflix!
9. On the next page, tap the Sign Up For Netflix button.
10. You'll be rerouted to Netflix to continue the process:
    • If you're completing this process from a device that you've already streamed Netflix on before, it'll default to an existing customer sign-in page. Or, you can create a new account by selecting the Not yet a Member? Sign Up link.
    • If you're completing this process from a device that you haven’t streamed Netflix on before, it'll default to a new customer account creation page. Or, you can use an existing account by selecting the Already a member? Sign in link.
      Note: If needed, customers may also delete their browser cookies and cache and start this process over.

To opt in through your computer or a browser on your device:

1. Make sure that you or someone else isn't currently logged into Netflix. Even if you're creating a new Netflix account, logging out of Netflix will ensure that you're linking to your Netflix account, rather than to someone else's account that might be currently logged into Netflix.
2. Go to My T-Mobile and log in to your T-Mobile account.
3. Click PLAN.
4. Scroll down to your line and click CHANGE SERVICES.
5. Under Family and Entertainment, click the + to expand the Fam with Netflix ($10.99 value) section. 
   Note: If you don't see the Netflix option, you'll need to change your plan to qualify for Netflix On Us. To go through the process, tap the menu, tap USAGE & PLANS, and then click Change Plan. (Or, you can contact T-Mobile customer service for assistance.)
6. Select the box to add the Fam with Netflix ($10.99 value) feature to your account.
7. From the Order Confirmation page, click the Continue to Sign Up button below Your Account's Now Ready for Netflix!
8. On the next page, click the Sign Up For Netflix button.
9. You'll be rerouted to Netflix to continue the process:
   • If you're completing this process from a device that you've already streamed Netflix on before, it'll default to an existing customer sign-in page. Or, you can create a new account by selecting the Not yet a Member? Sign Up link.
   • If you're completing this process from a device that you haven’t streamed Netflix on before, it'll default to a new customer account creation page. Or, you can use an existing account by selecting the Already a member? Sign in link.
     Note: If needed, customers may also delete their browser cookies and cache and start this process over.

Canceling your Netflix subscription

If you need help canceling your Netflix subscription billed through T-Mobile, or if you've recently transferred your line between T-Mobile accounts, contact T-Mobile customer service for assistance. If you remove Netflix On Us, you'll need to contact Netflix to update your method of payment to avoid a lapse in streaming service.

Best Websites To Use To Find Additional Black Friday Savings

The countdown is on to Black Friday! Do you have your list ready? You may not need to wait til Friday to nab the best deals. In the last post, we talked about the 5 best products to buy this week. Now let's talk about the best websites to use to layer additional savings.



1. Check out ebates.com to see a lot of the Black Friday ads early so you can plan your shopping. Some of the stores offering deals on the products you want may surprise you. Remember when you shop online, sign into your ebates.com account first and then click to the store you want. Ebates.com will offer you a percentage in cash back. The percentage will be range from 2% to 15%. 

2. Groupon.com  - Over the years, I have liked and disliked Groupon.com. Right now, I put them in the like column again. They offer spectacular savings on products and services. Plus they are listed on Ebates.com so you can spend less and get cash back. Wow! 




3. Airline Shopping Portals - Most airlines offer a shopping portal. Check the earn miles section of the frequent fliers club website for that specific airline. This week in honor of Black Friday, they are offering extra miles for your purchases. 

4. Travel deals - The airlines don't want to be left out of Black Friday so our friends at Skyscanner.com will be posting all the deals so you can nab some great affordable travel. Again, check ebates.com to see if that airline is listed for additional savings. 


Happy shopping and let us know about the great deals you find. That's how we do it at almost FREE family travel. 

How You Can Nab A $99 Fare To Europe

Discount airline WOW Air is starting its Black Friday sale early this year with $99 fares to select cities in Europe. The $99 fares are from cities on the East Coast like Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Miami. WOW Air is offering $129 fares from cities on the West Coast like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
European cities include London, Brussels, Dublin and Amsterdam. Travel can be for anytime Dec. 2017 through May 15 2018 with limited offers from Miami.
I did a quick search for fares from Los Angeles to Dublin and came up with just a couple of dates in April with the low fares. Most of the fares were $219 unless you signed up for a WOW pass. However, I could not find any information about how much the Wow pass costs.
WOW air allows stopovers on your return flight in Iceland so that's a bonus.
Watch out for extra fees for baggage and seat reservations. Plus remember there is no in flight entertainment or food/drink included though they will sell it onboard.
Bottom line, if you can nab a $99 fare, it may be worth it. But remember this is a discount airline, so pack light and lower your expectations.

5 Best Products To Buy Pre Black Friday

You don't have to wait til the day after Thanksgiving to get the best deals. The pre Black Friday sales are sometimes actually better than the ones offered on Black Friday and you don't have to fight the crowds. Only 53% of consumers think Black Friday deals are good. 

So here are the top 5 products to keep your eye out for: 

1. Electronics - every year, it's the best deal and this one is no different. Check around to see who is offering the lowest price. 

2. Computers and laptops 

3. Appliances 

4. Books, movies and music 

5. Video Games

Check out this graphic from our friends at Wallethub.com  

Next post, I'll talk about some great websites that offer additional deals and how to layer them to get even more savings. 

Top 5 Portals To Use For Your Holiday Shopping

One of the best ways to earn airline miles or cash back is with shopping portals. And now as we head into the holiday season, the portals are offering bonus miles so it's easy to earn free plane tickets and hotel rooms. 

Here are my top 5 shopping portals:

1. American Airlines shopping portal - right now, you can earn up to 4,000 bonus miles if you spend $1200 by November 19th. 

2. United Airlines shopping portal - right now you can earn up to 5,000 bonus miles if you spend $1500 by November 19th. 

3. Southwest Airlines shopping portal - right now, you can earn up to 3,000 bonus miles if you spend $1,000 by November 20th. 

4. Dining reward programs where you link your credit card to the dining program offered by an airline like United or Southwest. Any time you dine at a particular restaurant that is in the program, you earn bonus points. 

5. Ebates.com for cash back on purchases. When we went returned home from Europe, ebates.com sent me a check for $54. Nice. 

Remember, always set your credit cards on autopay and pay them off each and every month in full. That's how we do almost FREE family travel. 

Starbucks: Load $20, Get 300 FREE Stars

Through our friends at Doctor of Credit,  we discovered Starbucks is offering 300 FREE stars if you load $20 onto your card through the Starbucks app and pay with Chase Pay.
Chase Pay is similar to Visa Checkout and other type services. You will need to link a credit card to use it.

Offer is valid November 15-21.

Here's the fine print:

Promotional Offer Terms: Offer valid 11/15/17 – 11/21/17. Starbucks Rewards™ Members load your Starbucks Card/App using Chase Pay® and collect three hundred (300) Bonus Stars. Bonus Stars will be automatically loaded to this Starbucks Rewards™ account within 24 hours. These Bonus Stars cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Bonus Stars do not apply towards Star Dashes. This offer is exclusively for Starbucks Rewards™ Members. Limit one per person. Offer good in the U.S. only.

Promotion Period: The Promotion Period runs from 12:01 AM PST on 11/15/17 and ends at 11:59 PM PST on 11/21/17.

Eligibility: This offer is open to residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who have a valid Chase Pay® account.

This offer is not from Chase. Chase is not responsible for the provision of or failure to provide the stated benefits and services.

*Bonus stars will be loaded onto your account within 24 hours of purchase

Buy An Easy 1,000 United Miles For $1

Buy an easy 1,000 United miles for just $1 and get a digital subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Offer ends November 16th. And be sure to make the cancellation by date on your calendar so you don't get charged $36.99 per month for the subscription after the trial ends.
This is a good way to top off an account or to reset an expiration date. You can only get this offer once in a lifetime.
That's how we do almost FREE family travel.

Why You Might Want To Shop At Walmart This Holiday Season

One of top reasons to have a Chase Freedom credit card are the rotating bonus categories each quarter. This Q4 2017, the bonus categories include 5% cash back at Walmart.com. So if you are doing some holiday shopping at Walmart.com, you should put those purchases on your Chase Freedom card. The bonus caps at $1500 cash back. 

There are two Chase Freedom cards to pick from: Chase Freedom and Chase Freedom Unlimited. Both have bonus categories. Both have no annual fees. Both come with a 15,000 point bonus for making a minimum of $500 spend in the first 3 months. The Unlimited earns an additional 1.5% cash back on purchases. 

The drawback to this card is that you cannot transfer points to airlines or hotels. It is strictly a cash back card. If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Ink card, then you can transfer points to travel partners. 

Win A Volunteer Travel Trip From Jet Blue #checkinforgood

Jet Blue is offering all expenses paid weekend volunteer trips to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Houston, Texas and Nassau, Bahamas. It's part of the airlines month long humanitarian mission called Jet Blue For Good
To be considered, you need to fill out a short questionaire and write a short essay. 22 winners and their guests will be chosen.
The humanitarian trip is scheduled for 11/27-11/29/2017 and the fine print indicates you are responsible for transportation to and from JFK in New York City. Jet Blue will also give participants a $250 gift card for any items not covered.
Good luck! Let us know if you win.

New Rules Make It Harder For Americans To Visit Cuba

Starting tomorrow, it's going to be harder for Americans to travel to Cuba. President Trump once again issues tighter restrictions on travel and business with Cuba. US tourists and companies will no longer be able to do business with a long list of hotels, shops, rum producers and real estate firms who allegedly do business with the government. 

US tourists will also no longer be able to visit the island nation on people to people exchange programs. They must now travel with a sponsored program or American University or group. 

Any contracts signed before tomorrow will be allowed to proceed. The new travel restrictions do no apply to anyone who booked people to people trips before Trump's speech back in June or educational or humanitarian travel before Nov. 9th

If you have a trip planned for Cuba, be sure to keep your paperwork handy just in case you face an issue.  

Wow.....120,000 Marriott Point Offer Goes Public

If you have some big purchases coming up and you are not over Chase 5/24 rule, this might be a good option for you. This offer was targetted, but was released this week to the public. 

Here's how it works:

For every $1 you spend, you get 10 Marriott points. You can charge up to $12,000 on the card in the first year which would translate to 120,000 Marriott points. The $85 fee is waived the first year. You can add an authorized user for another 7,500 Marriott points. 

As always be sure to check the fine print especially on this offer since the points vary depending on what you are purchasing. 

What can you do with 120,000 Marriott points? You can use them for Marriott brand hotels, of course. Or you can transfer them to Starwood at 3:1 and then transfer them to dozens of airlines and get the 5,000 bonus for each 20,000 you transfer. So you could be looking at 50,000 airline miles. 

It's a high spend to get the full 120,000, however, you could spend less and still take part of the bonus. If you spend $1,000, you earn 10,000 Marriott points and so on. 

That's how we do almost FREE family travel. 

How To Get Bonus Miles With Shopping Portals

The holiday bonus offers are starting early this year! American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are all offering bonus miles if you use their shopping portals. Shopping portals are online marketplaces that earn you extra miles when you shop. Remember we at almost FREE family travel do NOT support manufactured spend. Instead, let's maximize the power of what you are going to spend anyways.
For example, instead of typing in Old Navy in the search bar and shopping there, type in American Airlines shopping portal, log in with your Advantage membership information and then click on Old Navy in the marketplace. American will reward you with a few miles for each dollar spent. Plus if you spend enough before 11/20, they will give you bonus miles. The prices are the same, you are just harnessing the power or using leveraged spending.

Here are the details of each offer:

American 

Spend $150 for 500 bonus miles 

Spend $600 for 2000 bonus miles 

Spend $1200 for 4000 bonus miles 

United 

Spend $150 for 500 bonus miles 

Spend $750 for 2500 bonus miles 

Spend $1500 for 5000 bonus miles 

Both airlines are offering the bonus for shopping done between 10/30 and 11/19. 

Southwest is also in the game with its new shopping portal. Here are the details of their offer:

Spend $150 for 500 bonus miles 

Spend $500 for 1000 bonus miles 

Spend $1000 for 3000 bonus miles 

The bonus is for shopping done between 10/30 and 11/20. 

So if you are trying to top off your accounts, my recommendation is to pick one airline portal and stick with it. You might buy a few holiday gifts early and earn a few miles on the side. 

That's how we do it at almost free family travel. 

Get $10 Off Amazon With Your Citi Card

Some people are reporting that they are seeing this targetted offer when they open the Amazon app. The offer has been extended to December 15th if you are one of the lucky ones to be targetted.
Be sure to read the fine print since only items bought from Amazon are eligible and only certain Citi cards are included in the offer.
Good luck!

Win Southwest Miles In California Drawing!

Beginning today, Southwest Airlines is giving away millions of points, but just to California residents. If you live in California, you should register. There is a daily drawing that increases every day and week. 
The giveaway lasts for the next 30 days and you can spin the wheel every day. Plus they are promising local events with additional point giveaways. 
Here's the fine print

All Rapid Rewards® rules and regulations apply. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of CA, 18 + who are Rapid Rewards® Members. Ends 11/30/17 at 11:58 p.m. PT. Click here for Official Rules, including multiple methods of entry, odds, and prize descriptions. Void where prohibited.

I received notice of this by targetted email, but here's the link to register. 

Good luck! 

Earn Airline Miles With Groupon!

Add Groupon purchases to the list of ways to earn airline and hotel miles. This offer came through email today. A check of the Groupon website and I couldn't find the program. But if you go to the specific airline or hotel website and check the shopping portal, Groupon will be listed. 

The offer is to earn 3 miles per dollar spent on Groupon. But check the fine print for exclusions. This is the fine print from American Airlines. 

Not eligible on purchases through Groupon Freebies, Groupon Coupons, Groupon Invitation Only Deals, Donations deals and Student discount offers. Other restrictions may apply. Not eligible on orders placed through Groupon mobile app. Offer eligible on Getaways at time of travel. Not eligible on Beats By Dre, Apple iPad and Bassboomz Portable Speaker purchases. Not eligible on FANDANGO, Starbucks, Sam’s Club or HP promotions. Not eligible on MRKET Picks and Student Program Discounts. Not eligible on shipping, handling, gift­wrapping or packaging fees, taxes, rebates, credit card processing fees, and other charges. Not eligible on chargebacks. Not eligible on purchases made with coupon or discount codes that are not found on this site.

Airlines included are Alaska, American, Jet Blue and United. Hotels included are Choice, IHG and La Quinta. 

As you know, I love shopping portals so this is just another way to earn miles for purchases you would make anyway. It's free money and it's how we do it at almost FREE family travel! 

**If you do not have a Groupon account yet, please use my referral link. Thank you for your support.