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Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Gateside by TSA PreCheck: One More Reason to Get PreCheck

Gateside by TSA PreCheck: One More Reason to Get PreCheck 🎉

If you have TSA PreCheck — or you've been on the fence about getting it — here's one more reason to sign up. ✈️

The new Gateside by TSA PreCheck program lets approved travelers (anyone with TSA PreCheck or a Known Traveler Number) walk loved ones to the gate, greet them when they land, or meet up with friends inside the airport during a layover. No boarding pass required. 🙌

And the best part? It's completely free for TSA PreCheck members.

Where It's Available

The program has launched at 13 airports nationwide, with more expected to join soon:

Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) – Arizona
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) – Ohio
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Texas
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – Michigan
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) – Kansas
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – Indiana
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – Nevada
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – California
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) – Arkansas
Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) – Oklahoma
Eppley Airfield (OMA) – Nebraska
San Diego International Airport (SAN) – California
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Utah

Keep in mind availability may be limited during peak travel times. 🕐 TSA Precheck launched touchless ID back in March at some airports.

How to Apply

You'll need to apply for approval a few days before you want to use it. Here's the process:

Click Apply on the TSA PreCheck website
Log in to your Login.gov account
Enter your personal information
Submit your request
Be ready to show your approval at the TSA PreCheck checkpoint

👶 Traveling with kids? You can bring them along — just add them when you apply.

A couple of things to note: the number of passes issued per day is limited, and the personal info on your application needs to match your TSA PreCheck info exactly.

Don't Have TSA PreCheck Yet?

Signing up on your own costs $85, or $120 if you add Global Entry. But here's a smarter move — several credit cards give you this as a free credit. My favorites: 💳

Either card pays for the PreCheck credit and then some, so it's a nice two-for-one if you're already planning to apply. ✨

Do you want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? 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 program.

Or you can pay a travel planning fee and we will find all the best points and miles deals for your trip!

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable.

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Mexico's Most Charming Colonial City 🇲🇽

San Miguel de Allende: Mexico's Most Charming Colonial City 🇲🇽

A UNESCO World Heritage City and consistently ranked among the world's best small cities, San Miguel de Allende is the kind of place that gets under your skin fast. Cobblestone streets wind past art galleries, live music spills out of mezcal bars, flower-draped balconies frame every corner, and somehow it all costs less than you'd expect. Walkable, beautiful, and endlessly interesting — this one belongs on your list.

Getting There ✈️

There's no airport in San Miguel itself, so you'll need to plan your arrival. Three airports serve the city, each with its own trade-offs. You can fly from the US or use the Cross Border Express from San Diego to fly out of Tijuana. If you can't use points in the travel portal to cover your flights or miles, you can always use your Capital One Venture X and "erase" the flights.

1. Del Bajío International Airport (BJX) — León/Guanajuato 🥇 Best for most travelers

About 1.5 hours away (~100 km)
The most direct flights from the US, including nonstops from Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta
Served by United, American, Delta, Volaris, and Aeromexico

2. Querétaro International Airport (QRO) 🥈 Solid alternative

About 1 hour 15 minutes away (~60 km) — actually the closest geographically
Fewer international routes, but the airport is growing quickly
Works well if you connect through Mexico City

3. Mexico City International Airport (MEX) or AIFA (NLU) — Widest selection, longer transfer

About 3 to 3.5 hours by highway (~270 km)
Your best bet if you're flying in from Europe, South America, or Asia
Many travelers tack on a night in CDMX and turn the drive up to SMA into part of the trip

💡 Hot tip: Budget airline Volaris sells an annual unlimited flights pass for around $500 — the catch is you can only book a few days before departure. Worth it if you're flexible.

Getting to Town 🚐

From BJX or QRO, pre-booking a shuttle is the move. We recommend BajioGo Shuttle — shared rides run about $66 per person round-trip. If you plan to use it regularly, their pass drops the cost to just $10 per ride.

Getting Around 👟

San Miguel is small and very walkable, but here's something the Instagram photos won't tell you: it's built on a hillside. When booking accommodation, pay attention to where you land on that slope — your legs will thank you. We stayed a few blocks from the historic center at casaavra.com, which hit the sweet spot of flat location, great price, and genuine comfort.

One more thing: almost every street is cobblestone. Gorgeous? Yes. Forgiving on heels? Absolutely not. Pack good walking shoes — we watched a few brave souls attempt the streets in stilettos and it was not going well. Also worth noting: the city sits at 6,400 feet elevation, so give yourself a day to adjust before going full tourist mode.

What to Do 🎨

Start with a walking tour. It's the fastest way to get your bearings, pick up local recommendations, and discover buildings you'd never find on your own. Our guide took us inside stunning off-the-beaten-path spots, including an incredible mural hidden inside the Arts and Culture Building.

Visit Fabrica La Aurora. A converted 19th-century textile factory turned high-end gallery and studio complex — plan to spend a couple of hours here.

Spend time in the main square. The neo-Gothic pink Parroquia church anchors the plaza and looks different (and frankly better) every hour of the day.

Wander without a plan. Some of the best moments in San Miguel happen when you have nowhere specific to be — ducking into a courtyard, stumbling on a jazz trio, finding a rooftop bar with a view.

Take a cooking class. Learn to make chiles rellenos at Pura Vida Kitchens, pair them with natural wines, and leave with a skill you'll actually use at home. 🍷

Hit the Saturday farmers market. The whole town shows up for this one — live music, local produce, great people-watching. Don't skip it. 🌿

Day Trips. Check out the thermal hot springs just 15 minutes drive from town

The Expat Factor 🏡

San Miguel has a well-established expat community, drawn largely by the low cost of living. Rental rates are reasonable, daily life is affordable, and the quality of life is high. It's not a secret, but it still feels like one.

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? 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 program.

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable.

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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.

Friday, March 13, 2026

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

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.

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. 👀

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.

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

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 😅

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.

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. 🐾

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!

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.

Airbnb miles 🏡

Book through Delta Airbnb to earn Delta miles
You can also earn British Airways Avios on Airbnb stays through their earning portal

Rental car miles 🚗

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

VRBO + United 🧳

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

Dining points through IHG + OpenTable 🍷

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

150 IHG points every time you dine out

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.

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.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

A Change to Capital One Venture X Lounge Access 😕

Priority Pass lounge in Las Palmas, Canary Islands

And now for a bit of disappointing news ✈️

As of February 1, Capital One Venture X removed complimentary lounge access for authorized users 😥

Previously, authorized users could access:

Capital One Lounges in Denver, Las Vegas, Washington DC (Dulles and Reagan), JFK, and Dallas
Priority Pass lounges worldwide

That perk is now gone for authorized users, and guest access is more limited as well.

Capital One Lounge Denver

Why I’m Still Keeping the Card 💳

Even with this change, I’m holding onto my Venture X. The math still works:

$395 annual fee
$300 annual travel credit
10,000 anniversary bonus miles (worth about $100)

That essentially offsets the annual fee.

On top of that:

All purchases earn 2x points
It pairs well with other cards for everyday spending
Transfer partners are strong
The travel eraser makes using points simple and flexible

Still, the loss of lounge access for authorized users—and tighter guest rules—is frustrating. Some cardholders are hoping this leads to shorter lounge lines 🤞, but that remains to be seen.

So What Are Your Options Now? 🧳

If you travel with authorized users or guests, here’s what you can do:

1. Buy lounge access for authorized users
You can add annual lounge access for authorized users for $125 per person.
I plan to do this for my three kids, but the nice part is you don’t have to activate it right away—so you can wait until they actually need it.
To add this, log into your account and select “Manage Users.”

2. Pay per visit for guests
If someone is traveling with you:

$45 per adult
$25 per child
Kids under 2 are free 👶

3. Have your travel partner apply for their own Venture X
If your partner applies for their own card:

You can earn 10,000 bonus miles with a referral 🎉
They’ll get their own lounge access, no guest fees required

While this change definitely takes away some of the shine, the Venture X can still make sense—especially if you value simple earning, flexible points, and strong travel credits.

If you don't have a Capital One credit card yet, be sure to look at the hot bonus offer on the Venture credit card which can save you at least $1,000 off your next flight or hotel.

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.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

TSA PreCheck Just Got Better!

If you have TSA Precheck, security just got even easier! A new Touchless ID option is being offered to those who already have TSA Precheck. With this new option, you don't need to show your ID or boarding pass, security is done with facial recognition.

There may even be a separate line for those who have opted in.

So how does it work?

Enroll: Link your Known Traveler Number (KTN) with a participating airline and opt-in via their app, uploading your passport info. At this point, we are not sure if you have to opt in for each airline or just once.
Check-in: Look for the "TSA PreCheck Touchless ID" indicator on your mobile boarding pass
. The icon will not show up on a printed boarding pass.
At the checkpoint: Find the dedicated lane, show your mobile pass, and look into the camera for a facial scan.
Verification: The system compares your live photo to your passport photo. If it matches, you proceed without showing documents.

Currently, the program is available in 15 airports and the following airlines Delta,

United, Alaska, American and Southwest.

According to TSA, the program will expand to 65 airports in 2026.

Several credit cards offer a Global Entry credit which includes TSA Precheck.

My favorites are the Capital One Venture X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards.

Both cards are offering bonuses right now.

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.

Monday, January 19, 2026

How You Can Use Your Sapphire Reserve Credits For A Vegas Holiday

Since the refresh of the Chase Sapphire Reserve last year, figuring out how to actually use the card’s growing list of credits has been top of mind. With such a high annual fee, you really don’t want those credits expiring unused—but how do you use them without spending a ton of extra cash?

I kept seeing Las Vegas mentioned as an easy win, so I decided to test it myself. My credits were expiring December 31, 2025, which gave me a perfect excuse to plan a quick midweek escape. I started researching what 48 hours in Las Vegas could realistically look like—and whether the math would actually work in my favor.

Below is exactly how I used the credits, and what the weekend ultimately cost. 🎰✈️

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits (Current Lineup)

The Chase Sapphire Reserve currently includes the following credits:

$500 Edit Hotel Credit – $250 per two-night stay booked through the Chase Travel portal
$300 Restaurant Credit – valid through Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Dining
$300 StubHub Credit – must be activated in your Chase account before purchase; split into two $150 credits (Jan–June and July–Dec)
$250 Chase Hotel Credit – valid on select hotel brands (Omni, IHG, Montage, Pendry, Virgin, Minor, Pan Pacific) booked through the portal; two-night stay required
$300 Annual Travel Credit – automatically applied to eligible travel purchases charged to the card

The credits I specifically needed to use before they expired were:

$150 Dining Credit
$250 Edit Hotel Credit
$150 StubHub Credit

Booking the Hotel 🏨

I logged into the Chase Travel portal and found a solid midweek deal at Park MGM: Tuesday–Thursday in mid-January for about $145 per night, plus a $100 property credit. After booking, the $250 Edit Hotel Credit posted the next day. The hotel was well located, room was large and beds were comfy. Added bonus, there is a tram that connects the hotel to the Bellagio saving your feet from more walking.

Total out-of-pocket for the hotel: $41

Using the StubHub Credit 🎭

Next stop: StubHub. I noticed The Wizard of Oz was playing at the Sphere—seeing a show there was already on my wish list. Midweek 5:00 pm tickets were about $189 per ticket including fees and taxes.

After activating the StubHub credit, I booked the tickets. The $150 credit posted immediately.

Total out-of-pocket for the show: $229

Dining with Chase Exclusive Tables 🍽️

I checked Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables and snagged a reservation at Hell’s Kitchen. Dinner came to $175 including tax and tip, and the dining credit applied seamlessly. And by the way, dinner was delicious. Highly recommend!

Total out-of-pocket for dinner: $25

Property Credit Meals & Extras 🥢☕

We used the $100 Park MGM property credit for dinner at La La Noodle and breakfast at Primrose Café. The front desk confirmed the credit only covered food—not tax or tip, but was valid at any of the restaurants inside the hotel except Crack Shack.

We also split a sandwich from Eataly before the show.

Total out-of-pocket for additional food, tax and tip: $45

Since that used up the property credit, we picked up breakfast at the airport before our flight home in the Capital One Lounge which is a benefit of the Capital One Venture X credit card. Yum!

Capital One Lounge Las Vegas

Flights & Transportation 🚗

We flew to Las Vegas on Southwest using points and my Companion Pass. I did park my car at the San Diego airport for $36.

We skipped renting a car in Las Vegas and used Lyft instead. I applied the $10 monthly Chase Sapphire Reserve Lyft credit for the airport ride, and paid for the return trip.

Total out-of-pocket for parking and rides: $51
(If I still had my $300 travel credit available, this would have been fully covered.)

Beautiful light and fountain show in front of the Bellagio Hotel

Final Tally 💸

Was this a completely free Las Vegas trip? No—not technically. But for 48 hours in Vegas, a hotel stay, a Sphere show, multiple restaurant meals, and flights on points, we spent about $250 out of pocket total.

More importantly, I used credits that otherwise would have expired—and turned the Chase Sapphire Reserve “coupon book” into a genuinely fun, low-stress getaway. For me, that’s exactly how these credits should work. If you are interested in applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred credit cards, use this link.

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.