How To Avoid The Long Lines At TSA

Skip the TSA Line With This Facial Recognition Shortcut ✈️

Want to breeze through airport security without the usual wait? A little advance planning is all it takes.

TSA is currently expanding a touchless pilot program at airports across the country — and the timing couldn't be better. With security lines growing longer by the day, this upgrade is a welcome relief for frequent flyers.

It's called the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program, and it uses facial recognition technology to get you through security without fumbling for your boarding pass or driver's license. Just step up to the camera, and you're on your way. 📸

I got to try it firsthand this week at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina — and the difference was striking. There was a small line for standard TSA PreCheck, a longer one for regular security, and zero wait at the Touchless ID lane.

Here's how to set it up:

Before you fly, head to the profile section of your airline's app or website. Look for the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID option, scan your passport, enter your Known Traveler Number, and hit submit. Note that you'll need to repeat this process for each airline separately — it doesn't carry over automatically.

One important requirement: you must already have TSA PreCheck to use this program. 🔐

Which airlines support it?

All five major U.S. carriers are currently participating: United, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and American Airlines.

Where is it available?

Not every airport has it yet, but TSA plans to roll out the program to 65 airports by June 2026 — so keep an eye out next time you travel. 🗺️

And if you don't have TSA Precheck yet, a few of our favorite credit cards offer a $120 Global Entry credit like the Capital One Venture X, the Capital One Venture and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.  

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? I can plan your entire trip using your points and miles or offer a 30 minute consult to answer questions or you can  download my ebook, custom tracker or Join my Travel Coaching Program.

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. 

Client Success Story! 100,000 Point Bonus Earned

 

Love getting emails from clients about their wins! This one made my day because it’s the first time this client has used points and miles for a trip—and it’s a big one. 🎉

They’re heading to Europe to celebrate their anniversary. The plan starts in Amsterdam during tulip season 🌷, then a flight to Prague, followed by a train ride to Vienna. Not a bad way to celebrate an anniversary!

Honestly, I wish I could tag along.

They reached out because they had some Chase Ultimate Rewards points but weren’t sure how to use them effectively. They wanted help turning those points into a memorable anniversary trip to Europe.

We talked through the best strategy: how to use their Chase points for flights, how to structure the itinerary, and how to leverage the rest of their travel spending to earn even more points that could offset additional costs.

Here’s what we put together:

✈️ Flights

• 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points covered two round-trip flights from LAX to Amsterdam

🏨 Hotels

• $300 Capital One Venture X annual travel credit applied toward a hotel stay

💳 Additional travel

• 100,000+ Capital One bonus points available for hotels and their flight from Amsterdam to Prague

We estimate this client will save approximately $3,000 on their anniversary trip! Woohoo! 😄

And that brings up a great question: What can you do with 100,000 Capital One points?

Quite a lot.

Depending on transfer bonuses and award availability, that balance could potentially cover multiple flights to Europe or several hotel stays.

Here are a few of the ways we like to use Capital One points:

✈️ Transfer to airline partners for award flights
🏨 Transfer to hotel partners for hotel stays
💳 Use the travel purchase eraser to offset travel charges
🌍 Book through the Capital One Travel Portal

You can read here about how I used Capital One points to get a free rental car and Lavatubing tour in Tahiti or how I used Capital One points for a 2 week family trip to Ireland. 

One thing we generally don’t recommend: redeeming points for gift cards or statement credits. Those options typically deliver the lowest value for your points.

If this is your first time using points and miles, this is exactly the kind of strategy that can turn a pile of credit card points into a memorable trip. And honestly, there’s nothing better than seeing it all come together. ✈️🌍

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 To Get Thousands of FREE Airline Miles Without Spending Extra $

I talk about shopping portals all the time because they’re one of the easiest ways to earn airline miles and hotel points on spending you’re already doing. 🛍️✈️

Today I want to show you a few real examples — plus some bonus offers that can help you stack even more points and miles.

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Rakuten is my current favorite shopping portal 💻✨

Rakuten.com has become my go-to for earning extra rewards on everyday purchases.

For example: I buy cat food from Chewy.com every few months. If I take the extra step of starting at Rakuten and then clicking through to Chewy, I’m still shopping at the exact same website — but now I earn:

• 2% cash back from Rakuten

• Plus 1x–2x points from my credit card

Chewy is listed on a bunch of shopping portals, so it’s always smart to check cashbackmonitor.com before you buy. When I checked, most portals were offering 1x points or miles at Chewy… but the Chase Freedom portal was offering 2x. 👀

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The best part: Rakuten can pay out in points 🎯

Rakuten lets you earn rewards as:

• Cash back

• American Express Membership Rewards points

• Bilt points

I linked my Rakuten account to Bilt, so every 4 months my Rakuten rewards automatically transfer into my Bilt account.

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Quick Bilt refresher (because these points are legit)

Bilt points are a newer flexible currency — similar to Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex, Citi, and Capital One.

You can transfer Bilt points to airline and hotel partners like:

• Southwest

• Alaska

• Iberia

• Virgin

• Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)

• Hyatt

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A huge current Rakuten offer: Kraken 💰

Right now on Rakuten, the crypto platform Kraken is offering:

$150 back on a $225 deposit and purchase

If you’re earning in Bilt points, that’s essentially 15,000 Bilt points (since it transfers 1:1).

To put that into perspective:

• My last flight from San Francisco to Los Angeles cost 4,500 Alaska points

• The one before that cost 2,500 Southwest points

• And yes, I brought a companion along for free 😅

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Want to stack the deal even more? 🔥

If you open a Rakuten account using my referral link, you’ll get an extra 5,000 points after you spend $50.

So if you did the Kraken offer, you’d be looking at 20,000 Bilt points total.

And just to show how real this is: transfer those points to FlyingBlue.com and you can potentially book a one-way economy ticket on Air France from Los Angeles to Athens. Seriously.

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Not into crypto? Totally fair 😄

If crypto isn’t your thing, you can still use the referral offer and earn the bonus on a normal purchase.

I used it once to send flowers to a friend as a thank-you and earned the 5,000 points that way. You could also use it on something basic like… cat food. 🐾

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More bonus offers to earn points on everyday life ✈️🍽️🚗

United + Instacart 🛒

If you link your Instacart account with your United account and make a grocery purchase within 60 days, United will give you:

• 500 miles for free

If you’re a new Instacart customer and make 4 orders in 8 weeks, United will give you:

• 5,000 miles

I just did this and added another stack. I clicked on Rakuten.com which was offering 3x points on Instacart then placed an order with my Capital One Venture X to earn 2x points and 500 bonus United miles. Woohoo! 

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Lyft partnerships 🚙

Link your Hilton, Alaska, Bilt, or United account with Lyft and earn points every time you ride.

Prefer Uber? You can link Uber + United for extra miles too.

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Airbnb miles 🏡

• Book through Delta Airbnb to earn Delta miles

• You can also earn British Airways Avios on Airbnb stays through their earning portal

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Rental car miles 🚗

I’ve linked my Budget Rental account to my Southwest Airlines account — so every rental earns me 500 Southwest miles.

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VRBO + United 🧳

United also has a partnership with VRBO, so you can earn United miles on stays.

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Dining points through IHG + OpenTable 🍷

On the IHG website, you can access OpenTable and earn:

• 150 IHG points every time you dine out

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The takeaway

None of these require extra spending — they just require one extra click or a quick account link. And over time, these little wins can add up to real flights and hotel nights. 😎

There are even more offers like this out there, so check the websites (or social pages) for your favorite brands and see who they partner with for rewards.

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.

Why The Island of Malta Should Be Tops On Your Bucket List

Valletta, Malta

Malta may have a reputation as a Mediterranean sleeper hit, but that’s about to change. ✈️ In June 2026, Delta will become the first U.S. airline to launch nonstop flights from JFK to Malta. A quick points search shows economy seats pricing around 74,000 miles each way. You can get there for fewer points with connections, but for a brand-new nonstop route, that’s a compelling option.

On the island of Gozo

I was just in Malta, and I can confidently say this is a destination worth prioritizing. Here are five reasons it deserves a spot at the top of your list:

1. A surprisingly strong Michelin dining scene 🍽️

Since the pandemic, the Maltese government has invested heavily in food and hospitality, particularly in Valletta. Today, Malta boasts 42 Michelin-recognized restaurants. Even better, 25 are Bib Gourmand, meaning excellent food at moderate prices. I ate at two Bib Gourmand spots and found entrées averaging €20–25. The quality was outstanding—and unlike many major European cities, reservations aren’t always required. Walking in is often an option.

2. History you can actually see and touch 🏛️

Valletta, Malta

Malta’s position in the Mediterranean made it strategically important for centuries, most notably during World War II. That layered history is visible everywhere—from architecture to street layouts to cultural influences. Valletta, the walled capital city, is the standout. Limestone buildings, ornate door knockers, and colorful enclosed balconies give the city real character. I highly recommend a free walking tour of historic Valletta to put everything into context.

3. Three distinct islands, easy to explore 🚢

On the island of Gozo

Malta is made up of three islands:

• Malta (main island, airport, Valletta)

• Gozo (smaller, quieter, fishing villages and countryside)

• Comino (tiny, home to the famous Blue Lagoon)

Ferry to Gozo

An inexpensive ferry system connects all three, and tickets can be purchased online. You can also visit Gozo or Comino via catamaran or guided boat tour. If you go by ferry, it’s easy to grab a Bolt taxi (download the app) or take a public bus from the port up into town or out to the villages. This works well as a day trip, though Gozo is worth an overnight or two if you have the time.

4. The Hypogeum: plan ahead 🗿

The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a prehistoric underground burial site unlike anything else in Europe. Only 80 people per day are allowed inside, so tickets must be booked well in advance. Adult admission is €35, and it’s an easy Bolt taxi ride from Valletta. If you’re even mildly interested in archaeology or ancient history, it’s worth the effort.

Ancient walled city of Mdina

5. Game of Thrones filming locations 🎬

Fans will recognize several filming sites, including Mdina, the ancient walled city that stood in for King’s Landing in season one. You can wander the narrow streets and walk along the city walls—no tour required. Even if you’ve never seen the show, Mdina is one of the most atmospheric places on the island.

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Luciano Valletta Boutique

Getting around and where to stay

Malta is refreshingly easy to navigate. From the airport, a Bolt taxi to Valletta costs around €20. At the moment, Uber and Lyft are not available, so Bolt is the go-to rideshare option.

Where you stay depends on your travel style:

• Valletta: Central, walkable, lively, and close to museums, restaurants, and ferry docks. I recommend Luciano Valletta Boutique, set in a restored limestone building with an excellent breakfast.

• St. Julian’s: More resort-oriented, with larger hotels and waterfront views.

• Sliema: Busier and more nightlife-focused, with shopping and clubs.

Malta manages to feel historic, affordable, and easy all at once—and with nonstop flights coming soon, it’s not going to stay under the radar for long 🌍

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 to Attend a Destination Wedding in Cancun (Without Blowing Your Budget)

 TRS Coral Costa Mujeres, a Registry Collection Hotel

How to Attend a Destination Wedding in Cancun (Without Blowing Your Budget)

Beautiful Cancun, Mexico 🌊
Destination weddings are more popular than ever. For the bride and groom, they often mean a stunning setting and a more affordable celebration. For guests, though, they can quickly turn into a pricey commitment once you factor in flights, hotel minimums, and resort rates.

So what do you do when you’re invited to a destination wedding—but don’t want to drain your savings? Here’s exactly how I approached a recent invitation and ended up saving thousands.

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The wedding hotel reality check

We were invited to a wedding at the TRS Coral Costa Mujeres—gorgeous, no question. The couple reserved a wedding room block at a “special” rate of $408 per night 😬
But there was a three-night minimum stay.

That’s over $1,200 before flights or transfers.

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Step one: look beyond the wedding block

A quick search showed that TRS Coral Costa Mujeres is an all-inclusive Wyndham property. On the Wyndham website, rooms were priced a bit more than the wedding rate—but with no three-night minimum 👀

Even better:

• Rooms were available for 30,000 Wyndham points per night

I already had 18,000 Wyndham points, so I was part of the way there. But how do I gather enough points?

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Step two: run the math on buying points

Wyndham offered me the option to buy points with a 45% discount. To cover three nights, I’d need an additional 72,000 points, which would cost $514.

For three nights at an all-inclusive? $514 is already a huge improvement over $1,200.

But could I do better? Of course.

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Step three: stack promos and transfers

Wyndham was also running an 80% bonus on purchased points. Buying 72,000 points would cost about $520—roughly the same.

Then I asked the most important question:
Do any flexible points transfer to Wyndham?

✔️ Yes—Capital One and Citi Thank You transfer 1:1.

I had 14,000 Capital One points. If I transferred those to Wyndham, I’d only need to buy 58,000 points, dropping my cost to about $420 💡

The points sale runs through February 18th, so there’s also time to:

• Shop through the Wyndham Shopping Portal to earn more points

• Keep earning points on my Capital One card

• Reduce the number of points I need to buy

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Step four: consider staying fewer nights

What if I stayed at the wedding hotel for just two nights?

• Two nights = 60,000 points

• With just Wyndham points, I’d need 42,000 additional points
  → Cost: about $300

• With the Capital One points transfer to Wyndham, I would need 28,000 additional points
  → Cost: about $200

But is that the best value for my Capital One points? or does it make more sense to pay the $300 and use Capital One points to erase other travel purchases like the shuttle or flights? 14,000 Capital One points will erase a $140 travel purchase and I will have 90 days to continue erasing. Unfortunately, purchases to buy points do not usually code as travel so they cannot be "erased".

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Step five: mix in another hotel

So where would I stay the remaining nights? Easy.

I checked the Chase Travel Portal and found:

• InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort by IHG for 18,428 Chase points

• I could use the $250 Sapphire Reserve IHG hotel credit and pay just 6,000 Chase points. 

  
  
  
  
  

I could:

• Stay three nights for 35,000 Chase points + the $250 Sapphire Reserve IHG hotel credit, or

• Use my IHG credit card free night + 8,000 points for one night 🏨and the $250 Sapphire Reserve IHG hotel credit for a the second night. 

• There were also several Edit hotels in the area where I could use my Chase Sapphire Reserve Edit credit and points. 

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The takeaway

With a little flexibility and some points strategy, I turned a $1,200 hotel stay into a much smaller out-of-pocket cost—while still staying at the wedding resort and celebrating with the couple 🥂

Destination weddings don’t have to wreck your travel budget. Celebrate the bride and groom—and keep your savings intact.

Right now, there is a hot 75,000 bonus offer on the Capital One Venture credit card, you can read about it here. 

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Talk to me about your next trip and I'll figure out the best way to use your points and miles, 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. 

Visiting The Last Divided City In The World

Nicosia—also known as Lefkosia—is the last divided capital city in the world. The southern, Greek Cypriot side and the northern, Turkish Cypriot side have been separated since 1974, when the Turkish invasion led to the creation of the UN Buffer Zone, known as the Green Line.

If you’re visiting Cyprus, I highly recommend setting aside a half day (or a full day if you like to wander) to explore Nicosia. It’s an easy and rewarding side trip.

Pedestrian checkpoint in Nicosia/Lefkosia

Crossing between the two sides is straightforward: just bring your passport and use one of the designated pedestrian checkpoints. Once you cross, the shift in atmosphere is immediate—architecture, language, and daily rhythms reflect very different cultural influences.

On the Nicosia side of the city

On the Cypriot side, credit cards are widely accepted. After crossing into the Turkish side, however, cash is much more useful. Bring extra euros with you; there’s no need to exchange money for Turkish lira 💶.

On the Lefkosia side of the city

English and Greek are commonly spoken on the southern side, but once you cross into northern Lefkosia, expect Turkish to be the primary language.

Both sides offer plenty to see, especially within the old city walls. Walk along Ledra Street, which leads directly to the pedestrian-only checkpoint and makes crossing on foot simple 🚶‍♀️.

Inside the Selimiye Mosque

On the northern side, don’t miss the former St. Sophia Cathedral—now the Selimiye Mosque—along with Büyük Han and the Cyprus Museum 🕌. These sites offer helpful context for the area’s layered history.

You’ll find some pricey guided walking tours advertised, but exploring independently is very doable. The city is compact, signage is clear, and getting around on foot is easy. Public buses also run about once an hour from Larnaca and other coastal cities, making Nicosia an accessible addition to your itinerary 🚌.

Cyprus itself is a beautiful Mediterranean island, easily accessible from Athens. It offers miles of sandy beaches, resort hotels, delicious restaurants and historical sites. The Troodos mountains offer wineries, mountain villages and monasteries. 

If you are open to staying at a hostal, the Le Mat Hostal, is located in one of the oldest buildings just one block off the beach in Larnaca. It offers dorm style and private rooms all with shared bathrooms. There is no breakfast included, but there is a kitchen available with refrigerator space for guests. There is a lovely common courtyard with social activities offered. 

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.