Big Southwest Change, What Families Need To Know

 

Big Southwest Changes: What Families Need to Know

Hey there, travel-savvy families! 👋 Buckle up, because we've got some game-changing news from Southwest Airlines that might just shake up your family travel plans.

Goodbye, Boarding Number Scramble!

Remember that frantic dash to check in exactly 24 hours before your flight? The one where you're trying to wrangle the kids while simultaneously hitting "refresh" on your phone? Well, those days might soon be behind us!

Southwest has announced they're ditching their iconic unassigned seat model in favor of traditional assigned seating. Yep, you heard that right!

Why the Change?

According to Southwest, a whopping 86% of their customers requested assigned seats. It seems like families aren't the only ones tired of the boarding number lottery!

What Does This Mean for Your Family Travel?

Here's what we know so far:

1. Assigned Seats: No more rushing to board to keep your family together.
2. Premium Seats: Southwest plans to redesign their planes to offer seats with extra legroom. More space for fidgety kids? Yes, please!
3. Potential Upsells: Like other airlines, expect options to upgrade your seats for a fee.
4. Red-Eye Flights: Starting February 2025, popular routes from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix to Baltimore and Nashville will offer night flights.

The Big Questions

Now, I know what you're thinking. What about all those Southwest perks we've come to know and love? Well, here's what's still up in the air:

• How will this affect upgraded boardings and early check-in benefits from Southwest credit cards?
• What about the beloved Companion Pass? (BOGO for all Southwest flights, remember?)

We don't have all the answers yet, but one thing's for sure - these changes could significantly impact how families use points and miles for Southwest flights.

When is This Happening?

Southwest plans to roll out these changes in early 2025. That might seem far off, but in the world of points and miles strategy, it's just around the corner!

What Should You Do Now?

If the Southwest Companion Pass is a key player in your family's travel strategy (and let's be honest, who doesn't love a buy-one-get-one deal?), now's the time to start planning.

Need Help Navigating These Changes?

That's where I come in! If you want to make sure your family is ready for these Southwest changes (and any other travel curveballs), why not join my Travel Coaching Program?

Here's what you'll get:

• My comprehensive course on maximizing points and miles for family travel
• A personal tracker template to keep your points organized
• A one-on-one meeting with yours truly to strategize your family's travel plans
• Monthly live group coaching sessions to stay up-to-date on the latest travel hacks

And the best part? You can join now for just $147! But hurry - there are only 10 spots left in the September cohort.

Don't let these Southwest changes throw a wrench in your family travel plans. Let's navigate these new waters together and keep your family flying high (and for less)!

Join the Travel Coaching Program Now!

Remember, in the world of travel, knowledge is power. And points. Lots and lots of points. 😉

Safe travels, everyone! ✈️🌎

Global Entry For Kids Will Be FREE Come October

 

We just returned from 3 weeks in Tahiti, it was amazing! Be sure to follow my blog in the next few weeks where I'll share inside tips on how to travel to this island using points and miles. 

But right now, I need to talk about Global Entry. Wow! I'm not sure there is anything else out there that helps as much with summer travel. 

We usually fly in and out of Los Angeles International Airport when we fly international because there are more flights and it's way easier to find award availability than our home airport. But whichever airport you use to fly in and out of the United States, Global Entry works the same way. 

You are pre approved to enter the United States. The pre-approval means you can scan your passport at a kiosk or allow the kiosk to snap your photo and you walk right through passport control. 

No lines! No waiting! Really, it takes all of five minutes and you can be on your way. 

Global Entry costs $100 right now, the cost will increase to $120 in October. And Global Entry is FREE with your Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, Capital One Venture (lowest annual fee) and the Capital One Venture X credit card. You can use this benefit for you or anyone else, just use the credit card to purchase the Global Entry. 

Here's the change, starting in October, your Global Entry can also include your children under 18 years old. Wow! 

Even though the price will increase, you can enroll your children for FREE. This applies to current members and new applicants. 

• apply for Global Entry here. 
• create an account
• enter your passport information
• pay 
• submit

If it is your first time applying, you will be prompted via email to schedule an interview which can be done at the airport and at various retail stores. 

Once you are approved, you will receive a Global Entry card which you do not need to carry with you. But you MUST enter your Global Entry or "known traveler number" into your  flight information BEFORE you check in. 

Global Entry includes TSA Precheck which means shorter security lines when you fly within the United States and you don't have remove your shoes! Yay! 

Two NEW Great Bonus Offers $1,000 FREE Travel

 

Just got back from Tahiti and all I can say is Wow! I'll share more on how to enjoy Tahiti using points and miles. This trip would have cost my family of 5 more than $20,000, but we spent three weeks in the islands for just $5,000. I saved approximately $15,000 on this bucket list trip. 

There are two great offers out right now that I need to share with you because these two cards are key to my success using points and miles to take my family on amazing adventures. 

Two NEW Great Bonus Offers $1,000 FREE Travel 

• Capital One Venture - 75,000 bonus points with a $4,000 minimum spend and $95 annual fee. Right now, you can get an additional $250 travel credit for use in the Capital One Travel Portal. So this offer is now worth $1,000 at the very least. 
• Chase Ink Business Preferred - 120,000 bonus points for $8,000 minimum spend and $95 annual fee. This bonus offer is worth at least $1,200 and maybe more if you use our trick. This offer ends September 3rd. 

Which is better for me?

Chase Ultimate Reward points and Capital One points are both considered flexible points which means you can use them on dozens of different airlines and several hotels. You can read about why I love flexible points here. 

But which one is better for you? That is a great question and the answer is that it depends on various factors including your travel goals, who and where you plan to travel, when you plan to travel and how you plan to travel. 

If you want support in making the best decision, join my Travel Coaching Program, the new cohort will start in September. There are only 10 spots so don't wait to enroll. Hope you will join us! 

Get $20 FREE Amazon Gift Card For Prime Day

 

Are you ready for Amazon Prime Day? It's coming July 16-17 and usually promises big discounts! 

Now you can get a $20 credit good on Amazon Prime Day just by uploading one photo. 

Here's how it works:

1. See if you are eligible through this link You must be a current Prime member and first time Amazon photos customer. Trial members not eligible. 
2. download the app to your mobile or desktop 
3. upload one photo 
4. within four days, you will receive an email with a $20 credit and instructions on how to redeem it. The credit is good on purchases of $40 or more. 

Amazon photos allows you to store up to 5GB for FREE. You must also be a Prime member. 

Woohoo! Another Client Success Story

 

I love using points and miles to save on travel, but what I love even more is to help others save on travel. 

So far, dozens of people have joined my Travel Coaching Program and saved thousands! You read about the honeymoon couple who used points to score FREE flights to Italy or my client who saved more than $3,000 on a month long trip to Iceland and Italy  

Now we have another client success story! 

This time, our client saved $3,200 on a 2-week trip to Kenya and Tanzania Africa.

The client paid for a National Geographic Photographic Safari, but was able to get her flights for FREE.

This is a list of what she was able to get for FREE: 

• Flights and seat upgrades round trip to Africa for 2 Los Angeles to Nairobi, Arusha to Los Angeles 

If you want to learn how to use points and miles to travel for FREE, consider joining my Travel Coaching Program. You get five short videos explaining the basics, a personal tracker and then 1:1 with me where we talk travel goals and set a plan in action. Then you can join our monthly live coaching session forever for FREE!

We look forward to helping you plan your next trip!