How To Find Amazing Point Deals On Virgin Atlantic

People ask me all the time how I find great flight deals to Europe. There are no tricks, but there are some tips to find them. 

#1 is planning early. If you haven't started planning for next summer, you are late! But I'm here to help. 

#2 is knowing where to look for those deals

#3 is having the points available to jump on them when you find them

Let's go step by step and see what we can find. Suppose we are looking to go to Europe in summer 2025. Usually, I look for flights at least a year in advance so I can find the best deal and get my points earned in time to buy the flights when they open 330 days in advance. But sometimes you can't plan that far out so let's see what's around now. 

My two favorite airlines currently to hop across the pond are Virgin Atlantic and Flying Blue (KLM and Air France).

First, let's check Virgin Atlantic to see how many miles we would need to book Washington DC to London on July 8th.

Even now, you could book a flight from Washington Dulles to London for just 6,000 Virgin points and $73 in taxes in July 2025. Pretty sweet. Last month, Chase was offering a 40% transfer bonus and this month American Express is offering the same deal. With the transfer bonus, this flight would only cost approximately 4,000 points. Crazy! 

For a family of 5 like mine, you are talking just 20,000 points and less than $400 to hop across the pond. 

Now let's check Flying Blue. 

Flying Blue is the loyalty program for both KLM and Air France. It's not the loyalty program for Virgin Atlantic, but that airline shows up on the portal as well. But now look at the points. On Flying Blue, it would cost you 20,000 miles and $124 in taxes for the one way flight from Washington Dulles to London. Still a great deal, but definitely not as good as on Virgin Atlantic. Occasionally, Chase and Amex will offer transfer bonuses to Flying Blue as well making this deal even better. 

To find these deals on Virgin, you will need to start at the reward seat checker. Once you enter your departure and destination airport, you will get a view of the month you choose and available reward seats. 

Then you go to the actual website and put in your dates to locate the flights. 

Now here's where it gets interesting. You might be saying this is all great, but I don't have any Virgin Atlantic or Flying Blue points. 

That's true, most of us don't. 

But if you follow my blog or have worked with me in the travel coaching program, you know how much I love flexible points. My favorite flex points are Chase and Capital One and this is when they come in especially handy. 

Both Chase and Capital One are transfer partners for Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic. You can read here about how to transfer your flex points to dozens of different airlines and several hotel chains. 

Remember once you transfer your points, you can't get them back even if the flight is no longer available. 

Right now, you can pick up 75,000 Capital One points by applying for the Capital One Venture or Venture X cards. 

• Both come with a 75,000 bonus for a $4,000 minimum spend. 
• The Venture card has a $95 annual fee and the Venture X has a $395 annual fee because it also comes with a $120 Global Entry credit, Priority Pass membership and a $300 travel credit. 

For Chase points, our favorite cards are the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve credit cards. 

Both come with a 60,000 point bonus for $4,000 minimum spend. The Preferred has a $95 annual fee and the Reserve has a $550 annual fee, but comes with a $300 travel credit, $120 Global Entry credit and Priority Pass membership. 

Don’t spend tons of money on your next vacation. Instead, let us help you travel for almost FREE forever. Join our coaching program today, and start making your travel dreams a reality—just like this success story!

We can’t wait to see you in the program and help you unlock all the amazing travel rewards waiting for you.

Woohoo! Let’s make your next trip an AlmostFREE adventure!

https://travelplus.virginatlantic.com/reward-flight-finder/results/month?origin=LHR&destination=JFK&month=02&year=2025

Chase 1st Quarter 2025 5x Bonus Categories

 

Woohoo! Chase has announced the 5x bonus categories for the FREEDOM (not available to new customers) and FREEDOM FLEX credit cards for Q1 2025. 

The bonus categories rotate quarterly and offer 5x Chase points up to $1,500. It's an easy way to accelerate your earning power. I max out these bonus offers on both of my FREEDOM credit cards every quarter. 

And then transfer the points to my Chase Sapphire Reserve for maximum value. 

Past categories have included Paypal, Amazon, Lowe's Walmart, pet services and more. 

For Q1 2025, the categories are:

• Self Care, Nail and Hair Salon and Spa 
• Grocery Stores - excluding Walmart and Target
• Fitness and Gyms 
• Norwegian Cruise Lines 

You need to activate your bonus by March 14th 2025. 

Besides the bonus categories, the Chase FREEDOM FLEX comes with a $200 bonus offer for a $500 minimum spend. This is a $0 annual fee credit card so it's a great everyday card to add to your wallet. 

Travel Insurance: Do You Need It And Which Should You Choose

Are you travelling for the holidays? A lot of us are and well, when we travel things happen. So the question is should you buy travel insurance? 

Well it depends. 

Our client, Deborah, said that travel insurance recently saved her thousands of dollars when she and her partner came down with Covid while on a trip to Croatia and Greece. They had to change plans and stay at an island hotel for 5 days while they recovered. Travel insurance covered the additional hotel nights, cancelled hotel nights, food and transportation. 

Some credit cards include travel insurance if you buy your flights, hotels or car insurance with it. If you use points to buy your flights and/or hotels, coverage will depend on how you booked the flight and hotel. Did you transfer the points to an airline or hotel partner, if you did, then Chase considers itself no longer responsible for the trip. And you would only be covered if you purchased travel insurance from the carrier or hotel brand. 

If you booked through the Chase Travel Portal, then Chase would still cover your trip and would refund you in cash rather than points. 

The credit cards we like that include travel insurance are:

Chase Sapphire Reserve -  details about coverage from Chase.com 

• Travel and Emergency Assistance Services: If you run into a problem away from home, call the Benefit Administrator for legal and medical referrals or other travel and emergency assistance. (You will be responsible for the cost of any goods or services obtained.)
• Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed more than 12 hours (six hours for Sapphire Reserve) or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging, up to $500 per ticket.
• Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance: If your trip is canceled or cut short by sickness, severe weather and other covered situations, you can be reimbursed up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses, including passenger fares, tours and hotels.
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses you for essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays over six hours by passenger carrier up to $100 a day for 5 days.
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: If you or an immediate family member check or carry-on luggage that is damaged or lost by the carrier, you're covered up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. For Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, coverage is primary and provides reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for rental cars in the U.S. and abroad. Sapphire Preferred Cardmembers can be reimbursed up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, but coverage excludes certain cars, such as high value and exotic vehicles.
• Travel Accident Insurance: When you pay for your air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card, you are eligible to receive accidental death or dismemberment coverage of up to $500,000 ($1,000,000 for Sapphire Reserve).
• Certain travel reimbursement, cancellation protection and emergency services are available to Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers on eligible travel booked with their credit card. Here’s some more information about the benefits offered with the card.
• Emergency Evacuation and Transportation - If you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000.
• Roadside Assistance - If you have a roadside emergency, you can call for a tow, jumpstart, tire change, locksmith or gas. You’re covered up to $50 per incident 4 times a year.
• Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit - If you're 100 miles or more from home on a trip, you can be reimbursed up to $2,500 for medical expenses if you or your immediate family member become sick or injured.

Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our favorite cards, it comes with 60,000 bonus points, $300 travel credit, Priority Pass Lounge Membership, $120 Global Entry credit and more.

Capital One Venture X - details about coverage from Capitalone.com 

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance - If you booked and paid for your trip with a card belonging to a network that offers trip cancellation and interruption insurance, you may qualify for reimbursement in certain situations. For example, they can include unexpected health issues or accidental injuries. The death of an immediate family member or someone in your travel party may also qualify. Maximum reimbursement depends on your card and can vary significantly. For example, some Capital One consumer credit cards may offer up to $2,000 per trip. (For others, it could be less or more.)
• Trip delay insurance - Travel schedules don’t always go as planned. Flights may get delayed or severe weather may affect your travels. Or you may need to pay for a meal or last-minute hotel room while you wait. If you paid for your trip with a card that has trip delay insurance, certain reasonable costs you incur during the delay might be covered.
• Rental car insurance - If you pay for a rental car with your card, you might be able to skip the added cost of buying insurance through the rental company. Credit card rental car insurance through some Capital One cards could cover collisions and theft.
• Lost or delayed baggage insurance - Lost, delayed or even stolen baggage can interrupt your trip. If you need to buy replacement items, you could be reimbursed.
• Travel accident insurance - In cases of severe injury or death, you or your family members could receive benefits if you booked and paid for your trip with a card that offers travel accident insurance.

Capital One Venture X is my second favorite credit card because it earns 2x points on every purchase, offers a 75,000 bonus, $300 travel credit, $120 Global Entry credit and access to Capital One Lounges. 

If your credit card doesn't cover your needs or if you need additional travel insurance for a cruise or tour, I recommend Faye Travel Insurance. It's generally inexpensive and you can adjust coverage on the company website to suit your needs. 

I am an official partner with Faye Travel Insurance so reach out if you need help with this. 

Cyber Monday Sale: Save $50 and Learn To Travel For Almost FREE

My family of 5 walked on a glacier in Patagonia for almost FREE.  Yep, we saved thousands on our vacation to Chile and Argentina by using strategy and intentionality. Now I'm sharing my secrets with you to help you travel for Almost Free too. 

By joining our AlmostFREEFamilyTravel.com Coaching Program, you'll gain access to all the insider knowledge and tools that made this success story possible. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Video Series: Learn how to maximize your travel rewards and points with easy-to-follow lessons.
• Custom Tracker: Stay organized and on top of your travel goals with our personalized tracker.
• 1:1 Consulting Session: Get expert advice tailored to your travel plans.
• Live Monthly Group Coaching: Join a community of like-minded travelers, ask questions, and get feedback in our monthly live coaching sessions.

And here’s the best part— You can join right now for just $197! That’s a one-time payment for a lifetime of travel hacks, strategies, and savings!

But wait… we’ve got something extra special for you!

Cyber Monday Special: Save $50!

Use the coupon code “CYBERSALE” at checkout to get $50 off the coaching program! This is the best deal we offer, and it expires December 3rd 11:59pm pst.

Don’t Miss Out on This Opportunity!

Don’t spend tons of money on your next vacation. Instead, let us help you travel for almost FREE forever. Join our coaching program today, and start making your travel dreams a reality—just like this success story!

We can’t wait to see you in the program and help you unlock all the amazing travel rewards waiting for you.

Woohoo! Let’s make your next trip an AlmostFREE adventure!

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P.S. The $50 off Cyber Monday deal won’t last forever, so grab your spot now and start planning your next European getaway (or wherever your heart desires)!

Want Your Next Vacation Almost FREE? Black Friday Sale

 

My family of 5 spent 3 weeks in Tahiti for just $5,000! Yep, we saved $15,000 on this vacation by using strategy and intentionality. Now I'm sharing my secrets with you to help you travel for Almost Free too. 

By joining our AlmostFREEFamilyTravel.com Coaching Program, you'll gain access to all the insider knowledge and tools that made this success story possible. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Video Series: Learn how to maximize your travel rewards and points with easy-to-follow lessons.
• Custom Tracker: Stay organized and on top of your travel goals with our personalized tracker.
• 1:1 Consulting Session: Get expert advice tailored to your travel plans.
• Live Monthly Group Coaching: Join a community of like-minded travelers, ask questions, and get feedback in our monthly live coaching sessions.

And here’s the best part— You can join right now for just $197! That’s a one-time payment for a lifetime of travel hacks, strategies, and savings!

But wait… we’ve got something extra special for you!

Black Friday Special: Save $50!

Use the coupon code “BlackFriday” at checkout to get $50 off the coaching program! This is the best deal we offer, and it expires November 30th at 11:59pm PST.

Don’t Miss Out on This Opportunity!

Don’t spend tons of money on your next vacation. Instead, let us help you travel for almost FREE forever. Join our coaching program today, and start making your travel dreams a reality—just like this success story!

We can’t wait to see you in the program and help you unlock all the amazing travel rewards waiting for you.

Woohoo! Let’s make your next trip an AlmostFREE adventure!

---

P.S. The $50 off Black Friday deal won’t last forever, so grab your spot now and start planning your next European getaway (or wherever your heart desires)!

My Favorite Travel Products That Are On Sale Right Now

My Favorite Travel Products (That Are on Sale Right Now!)

Hey there, fellow travel lovers! We all have those travel essentials that make life so much easier on the road, right? The things you simply can’t imagine leaving home without. I definitely have a few favorites, and guess what? They’re all on sale right now—just in time for Black Friday!

Here are my top 5 travel products that I swear by:

1. French Press – Coffee Lovers, This One’s For You!

Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m a bit of a coffee snob. So, it’s no surprise that my #1 travel essential is my trusty French Press. It’s small, portable, and makes a delicious cup of coffee anywhere I go. I used to travel with a glass one, but it broke on my way to Peru (RIP, glass press). Now, I take this steel French Press that’s both durable and practical. It’s only $25 on Amazon and honestly, it’s a game-changer for my mornings on the go.

2. Anker Portable Charger – Never Run Out of Battery Again

If you’ve ever been traveling and suddenly realized your phone is at 1% with no charging outlet in sight, you know the panic that sets in. No maps, no ride-sharing apps, no way to order food… yikes! That’s why I never leave home without my Anker Portable Charger. It’s compact, reliable, and perfect for long days of exploring. Right now, you can grab it for just $15.99 during the Black Friday sale. Trust me, this one will be a lifesaver.

3. Compression Socks – Not Just for Grandma Anymore!

Hear me out—compression socks are one of those things you never think you need until you do. These socks are perfect for long flights or road trips. They help improve blood flow, reduce muscle fatigue, and make traveling so much more comfortable. I used to think they were just for older folks, but now I can’t imagine a trip without them! And the best part? You can get three pairs for just $12 on Amazon right now. They’re a total steal.

4. Universal Travel Adapter – One Adapter to Rule Them All

Gone are the days of carrying around a bunch of different adapters for each country you visit. This universal travel adapter works in over 150 countries, so you can charge your devices no matter where you are. It even lets you charge three devices at once, which is a major win in my book. It’s currently on sale for just $12—and I love using it as a stocking stuffer gift, too!

5. Compression Packing Cubes – The Ultimate Packing Hack

Packing cubes are great, but have you ever tried compression packing cubes? They’re like regular cubes, but with a magical extra feature—they squeeze the air out, making your clothes way more compact. On a recent trip, I used just one cube to fit everything I needed for a weekend getaway, and it worked like a charm. If you’re looking to save space and travel light, these are a game-changer. And guess what? They’re currently on sale for less than $9 during Black Friday!

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So there you have it! These are my favorite travel products, and I’m so excited to share them with you—especially since they’re all on sale right now! Whether you’re planning your next big adventure or just need a few travel hacks to make life easier, these products will have you covered.

Happy shopping, and happy travels! ✈️

Don’t Miss Out on This Opportunity!

Don’t spend tons of money on your next vacation. Instead, let us help you travel for almost FREE forever. Join our coaching program today, and start making your travel dreams a reality—just like this success story!

We can’t wait to see you in the program and help you unlock all the amazing travel rewards waiting for you.

Woohoo! Let’s make your next trip an AlmostFREE adventure!

---

P.S. The $50 off Black Friday deal won’t last forever, so grab your spot now and start planning your next European getaway (or wherever your heart desires)!

Another Client Success Story: $3,000 Off A Trip To Croatia and Greece

 

Woohoo! Another AlmostFREEFamilyTravel.com Success Story!

Are you dreaming of a European getaway without the hefty price tag? Well, get ready for some exciting news!

One of our amazing coaching program students just completed a three-week trip to Croatia and Greece this past summer with her partner, and they saved over $3,000 on their entire trip by leveraging the power of points and miles! Yes, you read that right—$3,000 in savings!

How Did They Do It?

With a little guidance and strategy, they turned their dream vacation into a budget-friendly reality. Here’s how they pulled it off:

• Partner Airlines & Repositioning Flights: By flying with partner airlines and booking repositioning flights, they saved big on international and regional travel.
• Strategic Earning & Redeeming of Points: They mastered the art of earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One points to cover flights, hotels, and even upgrades!
• Airport Lounges & Premium Economy Upgrades: Instead of spending money on expensive meals and cramped flights, they relaxed in airport lounges and enjoyed premium economy seats. Talk about luxury for less!

Sounds amazing, right? We’re thrilled to see them experience such incredible success—and you can do the same!

How You Can Do It Too!

By joining our AlmostFREEFamilyTravel.com Coaching Program, you'll gain access to all the insider knowledge and tools that made this success story possible. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Video Series: Learn how to maximize your travel rewards and points with easy-to-follow lessons.
• Custom Tracker: Stay organized and on top of your travel goals with our personalized tracker.
• 1:1 Consulting Session: Get expert advice tailored to your travel plans.
• Live Monthly Group Coaching: Join a community of like-minded travelers, ask questions, and get feedback in our monthly live coaching sessions.

And here’s the best part— You can join right now for just $197! That’s a one-time payment for a lifetime of travel hacks, strategies, and savings!

But wait… we’ve got something extra special for you!

Black Friday Special: Save $50!

Use the coupon code “BlackFriday” at checkout to get $50 off the coaching program! This is the best deal we offer, and it expires November 30th at 11:59pm PST.

Don’t Miss Out on This Opportunity!

Don’t spend tons of money on your next vacation. Instead, let us help you travel for almost FREE forever. Join our coaching program today, and start making your travel dreams a reality—just like this success story!

We can’t wait to see you in the program and help you unlock all the amazing travel rewards waiting for you.

Woohoo! Let’s make your next trip an AlmostFREE adventure!

---

P.S. The $50 off Black Friday deal won’t last forever, so grab your spot now and start planning your next European getaway (or wherever your heart desires)!

Big Win For Airline Travelers Going Into Busy Holiday Travel Season

 

Good news for travelers this busy holiday travel season! 

A new US rule went into effect in late October that will require airlines to issue automatic refunds when your flight gets cancelled significantly delayed. 

What does this mean?

• If your flight is delayed by at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international, you will automatically get a refund according to the Department of Transportation. 
• If your arriving or departing airport changes
• If the number of connections changes 
• You are switched onto a plane that's less accessible if you have a disability. 
• If your flight is cancelled 
• Your cabin class is downgraded 
• You also need to be compensated for lost or delayed baggage 
• If you pay for services like wifi, in flight entertainment or seat selection and they were not provided. 

Big Win For Airline Travelers Going Into Busy Holiday Travel Season 

You no longer need to request a refund, you will automatically be refunded to your original payment method within one week or within 20 days if you paid with cash or points. 

Just a reminder, airlines still do not owe your a refund if:

• Personal reasons (sick, you miss your flight)
• Weather or natural disasters 
• Air traffic 
• Safety and security issues

US airlines are still not required to reimburse you for expenses you incur due to the delay or offer hotel or food vouchers. 

If you would like help planning your bucket list trip, reach out to me. I'll help you use points and miles to make your memorable trip affordable. 

Holiday Shopping? The Magic of "Stacking" Rewards

 

Are you leaving free travel points on the table every time you shop online? Let me introduce you to a game-changing strategy that'll have you earning rewards like a pro!

What is a Shopping Marketplace?

Think of an online shopping marketplace like a digital mall that rewards you for shopping through their platform. Instead of going directly to a retailer's website, you can earn bonus points by taking a quick detour through these clever portals.

The Magic of "Stacking" Rewards

Here's where it gets exciting: you can potentially earn multiple layers of rewards on a single purchase. Imagine turning your everyday shopping into a ticket for your next vacation!

How It Works:

1. Check Cashback Options: Before buying anything, visit cashbackmonitor.com
2. Compare Marketplace Rewards: See which portal offers the most points. Most airlines, hotels and banks have portals, but the number of points you can earn varies. 
3. Click Through the Marketplace: Log in and access the retailer's site
4. Use Your Rewards Credit Card: Double or even triple your point earnings!

Real-World Example: Walmart Shopping

Let's break down a typical scenario:

• You want to make a purchase on Walmart.com 
• Check cashbackmonitor.com
• Chase Freedom Marketplace offers 4x points
• Your credit card adds 1-2x points
• Total: Up to 5x points on a single purchase!

Pro Tip: Your Free Vacation Starts Here

By strategically routing your online purchases, you're not just shopping—you're building a travel fund. Every click could be bringing you closer to your dream destination.

So before you hit that "buy" button, take a moment to maximize those rewards. Your future self (lounging on a beach) will thank you! 🌴✈️💳

If you need more help, feel free to schedule a 1:1 coaching session with me or enroll in my travel coaching program. Both are super affordable and will help you be successful in traveling for almost FREE. 

Guide To Getting Your First Credit Card

Watching the Northern Lights from inside an igloo in Lapland, Finland

For the second time in a week, a young person in their 20's has asked me how to get started using points and miles. When I ask them what credit cards they have, they look at me with a blank look. "I use my debit card." 

Guide To Getting Your First Credit Card 

So let's take a step back and talk about how to dump the debit card, build a credit score and responsibly use a credit card. This is the first step towards using points and miles to travel. 

I have published a guide to getting started with 5 easy steps and one bonus tip so here you go:

1. Become An Authorized User - Ask your parents, partner, sibling or other trusted person if you can be an authorized user on their credit card. If they have a Capital One Venture X card, even better, because it’s FREE to add you and you get Capital One and Priority Airport Lounge access. But being an authorized user on any card will help you build a credit score. If you can't be an authorized user though, it's okay, just go on to step 2. 
2. Open Your First Credit Card - I recommend walking into the bank where you have your checking account to open your first travel credit card. If you do not have a checking account yet, then walk into the bank where your parents have their accounts. Open a checking account and apply for your first travel credit card.
3. Your First Credit Card - The first credit card should have NO annual fee. You will keep this credit card forever to boost your credit score. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Chase, Bank of America or Wells Fargo credit card. I recommend the Chase FREEDOM Flex, Unlimited or Rise no annual fee credit cards or the Bank of America Travel Rewards no annual fee credit card.
4. Set Up Auto Pay - The most important thing to remember is to pay your credit card balance in full every month. Credit cards charge crazy 25% interest on outstanding balances and you want no part of that. The easiest thing to do is to set up auto pay so you don’t forget.
5. Reach The Minimum Spend - Mark the date on your calendar that you opened the card and then mark a second date 90 days later. This is the date when you need to reach the minimum spend on the credit card to earn bonus points or cash.
6. Bonus tip: You will need to continue to use your new credit card and pay the bill on time every month for approximately one year. At that point, you should have a healthy credit score and be able to open your next card.

If you need more help, feel free to schedule a 1:1 coaching session with me or enroll in my travel coaching program. Both are super affordable and will help you be successful in traveling for almost FREE. 

Last Day For A Bonus Offer From Our Fav Travel Card

Update:

This offer is ending November 14th.

Get ready for some fantastic news, family travelers! The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card just sweetened the deal, and we couldn't be more excited to share it with you!

Imagine this: a whopping 60,000 bonus points (that's at least $750 in FREE travel!) PLUS a $300 travel credit on travel purchases. And wait, there's more – a $50 hotel credit too! Add it all up, and you're looking at over $1,000 in FREE travel. How amazing is that for your next family adventure?

But here's a little secret: with some savvy planning, you could stretch those points even further. Want to know how I used Chase Ultimate Rewards points to save a jaw-dropping $15,000 on a family trip to Tahiti? Just ask, and I'll share all the details!

Amazing Bonus From One Of Our Favorite Cards

Now, let's talk strategy. This card opens up a world of possibilities with its transfer partners. You can move your points to various airlines and hotel chains, giving you ultimate flexibility for your family's travel dreams.

Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind with this offer:

• You'll need to spend $4,000 in the first 3 months to earn the bonus.
• You can only earn a bonus on a Sapphire card once every four years.
• You can only hold one Chase Sapphire card at a time (either the Preferred or the Reserve).

Amazing Bonus From One Of Our Favorite Cards

Want to make sure this card aligns perfectly with your family's travel plans? Let's chat!

Book a one-on-one session with me, or join our Travel Coaching Program for even more insights. You'll learn all about maximizing points and miles, get a personalized credit card tracker, and join our monthly live coaching sessions.

Don't let this opportunity slip away – we never know how long these amazing offers will last. Let's start planning your next almost-free family adventure today!

Chase Ink 90,000 Bonus Ends Thursday

 

This amazing offer ends on November 7th at 6am pst. If you haven't applied for this one yet, you should really consider it. 

90,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth $900, but could be worth even more if you already hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve credit card because you can use them in the travel portal and/or transfer them to dozens of airlines and several hotel chains.  

This offer is:

• 90,000 bonus points 
• no annual fee for this card 
• $6,000 minimum spend

The Ink Business Unlimited is a business card, but Chase is very lenient on the definition of a business.  Types of businesses that qualify include dog walker, selling items on Ebay or Etsy or rental property.

This offer ends Thursday so don't wait and if you do apply, please consider using my referral link. 

How You Can Get Around The Frontier Luggage Restriction

 

You have probably seen the ads from Frontier Airlines and other budget airlines for super low fares like this one, $19 to the islands. But once you click on that fare, then the airline asks if you want to take a bag and ching, ching, that costs extra, sometimes a lot extra. Then the airline asks if you want to choose your seat and ching, ching, that costs extra too, sometimes a lot extra. 

Suddenly, your $19 fare is not such a bargain anymore. 

How I Got Around The Frontier Luggage Restriction 

So this past weekend, I decided to try just flying on the Frontier Airlines bargain fare. No baggage, no assigned seat. Total cost $154 round trip from San Diego to Denver, Colorado. I did check to see how much it would cost to add a carryon. Frontier said it would cost $69 each way. Uh, no. 

I had never flown Frontier Airlines before so I was not familiar with their policies, but I decided to go for it. 

I bought a travel backpack and compression packing cubes off Amazon, packed minimally and headed to the airport. I did have to make a difficult decision whether to take my french press and coffee or my protein shaker bottle since both would not fit in the pack. I went with the shaker bottle since I was attending a conference. It was probably the right choice, but I did end up hitting Starbucks several times which cost me about $20. 

How I Got Around The Frontier Luggage Restriction 

When I got to the Frontier gate, these signs were everywhere! 

I got a bit worried that the gate agent would stop me and charge me for my bag. While waiting for the flight, the gate agent would periodically warn passengers on the overhead that they should pay for baggage through the app before they try to get on the plane so they get a "better deal." But I resisted and hoped that my bag would qualify for a personal item. 

How I Got Around The Frontier Luggage Restriction 

According to the signage, a personal item is a purse or laptop and a backpack is actually a carry on. But so many people had backpacks, I resisted the urge to pay more. And along with dozens of other passengers, we walked onto the plane without a word from the gate agent. On board, my backpack fit perfectly under the seat just like it was advertised on Amazon. Huge win! 

I was assigned a middle seat at check in and the flight was sold out. But it was a short flight so not so bad. On the return flight, there were empty seats and the flight attendant allowed me to move to a window seat. Hooray. 

The actual airplane was budget all the way. The seats were not very padded, the armrests were narrow and I don't think the seats reclined. 

There was no drink service or snacks and no entertainment system. 

But did I get from here to there and back again, yes! Was it cheap, yes! 

Would I do it again, maybe. 

If you would like help planning your next adventure or using points and miles to take a bucket list vacation, check out our website for travel advising and our new Travel Coaching Program. We would love to help you and your family make memories!