How You Can Get Your Next Tour or Airbnb For FREE

 

Some places that you travel to like Diamond Beach in Iceland do not have chain hotels that you can book on points like Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton. Or maybe like our family of five, hotels are not a good choice because you need two rooms or you will be forced to eat out for every meal. 

How You Can Get Your Tour or Airbnb For FREE

So how can you get your Airbnb, Bed and Breakfasts and tours for FREE if you can't use points?

The secret is in the Capital One Venture credit card.  Current bonus offer ends Sept. 9th so read carefully. 

The Capital One Venture and Venture X credit cards include a travel eraser and travel credit through the Capital One Travel Portal. 

 

Let's explain: 

1. Travel Eraser - When you log into your Capital One account and click view rewards, cover travel purchases, you will see a list of qualified purchases. Any purchase that codes as travel will qualify to be erased like Airbnb, tours, rental cars etc. You can erase the whole purchase or just part of it. You can even erase some of the purchase and then when you have more points, erase the rest. You have three months to erase the purchase so start with the oldest ones first. The value is 1:1 so some would argue you can get more value out of your points by transferring them to an airline, but I believe this is personal to your strategy and goals. For example, I erased the hotel charge for our 5th person in Tahiti. We already had our flights and over water bungalow covered so this was a random travel purchase we could get for FREE. Worth it! 

2. Travel Credit in the Portal - The Venture credit card comes with a $250 travel credit with the current bonus offer which ends Sept. 9th and the Venture X always comes with a $300 travel credit when you purchase hotels or flights through the Capital One Travel Portal. In order to use this credit, you must book your hotel or flight through the Capital One Travel Portal which works great for independent hotels and bed and breakfasts. In the booking process, the portal will ask if you want to use your travel credit to cover the purchase. You do not have to use the entire credit on a single purchase.  

 

Some people are hesitant to book travel through third parties like the Capital One Travel Portal, but I have found it to work quite well. Even when my flight was cancelled due to weather last summer, I was notified by both the airline and Capital One of the cancellation and how to reschedule. 

Ending Sept. 9th, Capital One Venture credit card is offering a $250 travel credit, $100 Global Entry credit and 75,000 bonus points when you sign up. There is a $4,000 minimum spend and a $95 annual fee. So with the travel credit, you are actually making money on this card approximately $1,000. You can only get this bonus once every 4 years. We do not know how long this offer is going to last so don't wait. 

The Capital One Venture X card is a good option if you want airport lounge access for you and your authorized users. The current offer is 75,000 bonus points for a $4,000 minimum spend and a $395 annual fee, but it includes a $300 travel credit. 

If you need some help figuring out if this card will help you reach your travel goals, join my Travel Coaching Program. The next cohort launches September 15th and it's my personal goal to help my clients collectively save more than $100,000 in 2025. 

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! 

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 3-week trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. 

The client spent two weeks in Spain, one day in Morocco and one week in Portugal. 

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

• $1,200 flights to Europe
• $30 walking tour 
• $336 Cave daytrip in Portugal
• $25 boat tour 
• $100 Jeep tour 
• $150 day trip 
• $89 flight to Porto
• $399 hotel in Lisbon
•  $22 Wine tour 
• $109 flight to Madrid
• $700 hotel in Madrid

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! 

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. 

Now we have another client success story! 

This time, our client saved $3,200 on a month long trip to Iceland and Italy. 

The client spent 4 days in Iceland and 3 weeks in Italy. 

Here is how she used points to save:

Capital One Venture X Card

• $395 (charge $ 4,000 3 months)
• $300 Travel Credit (so card cost $99 but we split the charge)
• $100 Credit towards Global Entry (got entry card coming back from Venice @ LAX)
• 75,000 bonus miles
• Priority Lounge Access (used in Seattle and Venice)

American Express Delta

• Used points to buy a $500 gc (they were giving a 10% discount on gc) used GC towards plane ticket home. Plus miles I had so my ticket was FREE.

• Used points towards upgrade 2 passengers to Premium Plus coming home from Italy flew Delta Home

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! 

How to Witness the Northern Lights Using Points and Miles

 

If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, then you have come to the right place to find out how to use points and miles to make that dream happen. 

Recently, I went to Lapland Finland north of the Artic Circle in hopes of seeing the Aurora. Fortunately, we were able to see the lights twice during our 5 days in Lapland. 

The lights dance in the sky and the colors are barely visible with the naked eye. But their vibrant greens, reds and purples show themselves in the camera. 

So if this is on your bucket list, let's talk about how to use points and miles to get there. 

How to Witness the Northern Lights Using Points and Miles

First, the Northern Lights are visible in Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Occasionally they are visible further south, but you can't count on it. And some people have actually seen them from the airplane, but again, you can't plan for that. You will also want to be in the area for at least 4-5 nights to have a good chance for clear skies. 

You can download the Aurora app which will notify you when there is a chance to see the lights in your area. 

The lights are visible from October through March. 

For our trip, we flew Finnair from LAX to Helsinki and then caught a second Finnair flight to Ivalo Airport in Lapland. You can also fly to Rovaniemi in Lapland. Finnair joined the Avios loyalty program in March 2024. Avios is the loyalty program for British Airways, Iberia, Qatar and Aer Lingus. Right now, you can apply for the Chase British Airways, Iberia or Aer Lingus credit cards and earn the 75,000 Avios bonus offer. But we have seen it as high as 100,000 Avios. 

Finnair is also a partner with American Airlines so you can book with American Airlines miles and a transfer partner with Capital One. 

The easiest way to earn American Airlines miles is by applying for the Barclays American Aviator Mastercard. It comes with a 50,000 American mile bonus after just one purchase and the $99 annual fee. I have seen this offer as high as a 70,000 bonus.  

How to Witness the Northern Lights Using Points and Miles

Of course, you can also fly to Fairbanks, Alaska to see the lights via Alaska Airlines, American and Delta. Bilt Rewards also offers transfers to American and Alaska Airlines. 

Once you are in the area, there are hotels built to see the lights featuring igloos like this one at the Northern Lights Village in Lapland so you can stay toasty warm and watch the lights dance outside. There are also Northern Lights tours. You could book this hotel through the Chase Travel Portal. A random check of rooms available April 12-14 would cost $316 per night or 46,312 Chase Ultimate Reward points with the Sapphire Reserve. Not too bad. 

If you head to Fairbanks, Alaska, you can find all the major hotel chains there including Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton and Wyndham. If you want the igloo experience, you can try the Borealis Base Camp for a pricey $990 per person for two nights. 

Other activities in Finland while you are waiting for the lights to appear include visiting a reindeer farm, snowshoe, sauna and driving a dog sled team. 

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those bucket list experiences that is within reach with points and miles. As with all travel, if you want it almost FREE, you need to make a plan, plan early and be strategic. If you want help with this, join my Travel Coaching Program, it's affordable and I'll support you every step of the way so you can travel for almost FREE too. 

Registration is open for my Travel Coaching Program

 

If Paris is a travel goal for this year, think 2024 Olympics, then it's time to learn about using points and miles for FREE travel. I have travelled to more than 54 countries and 6 continents and now I'm ready to help you. 

Registration is open for my Travel Coaching Program. I'm only taking 10 people in the January cohort so don't wait. 

It's just $297 for 3 video modules about points and miles plus two bonus modules with real life examples, personal points and miles tracker, 1:1 live coaching session with me, and monthly group zoom sessions. You can add additional 1:1 live coaching sessions for a fee if needed. 

Check out some of the feedback from the first cohort:

"Stephanie Antin of Almost Free Family Travel has been so helpful in saving my family $1,000’s of dollars in travel costs.  I was also able to save on domestic travel by following her tips on how to make the most of your Southwest card to get a Companion Pass. If you love to travel Stephanie Antin and her Almost Free Family Travel blog is a “must have”!!
-Dena from San Diego

"I just want to take a moment to thank you for helping me plan my recent trip to Europe. Taking the time to clearly explain different credit card options, and giving me useful tips on using the miles and points was invaluable. In the end, I was able to use the points earned to cover airfare for all four of us to Iceland, The Netherlands, and Spain. I am now working on our upcoming summer vacation to Hawaii and plan to use points to cover not only airfare, but also most of our hotel rooms. I could not have done it without you!

Debbie from Riverside

In my travel coaching program, you get the following:

• 3 video modules that cover basics of points and miles 
• 2 bonus modules with real life examples of redemptions 
• custom points and miles tracker 
• audit of your points, miles, credit cards
• 1:1 live strategy session with me
• group coaching sessions forever 

The $297 price for my Travel Coaching Program ends January 31st, so don't wait. Let me help you reach your travel goals in 2024. 

$99 Sale Price Ends January 1st For My Travel Coaching Program

 

The $99 sale price for my Travel Coaching Program ends January 1st, so don't wait. This price includes 3 video modules about points and miles plus two bonus modules with real life examples, personal points and miles tracker, 1:1 live coaching session with me, and monthly group zoom sessions. 

Check out some of the feedback from the first cohort:

"Stephanie Antin of Almost Free Family Travel has been so helpful in saving my family $1,000’s of dollars in travel costs.  I was also able to save on domestic travel by following her tips on how to make the most of your Southwest card to get a Companion Pass. If you love to travel Stephanie Antin and her Almost Free Family Travel blog is a “must have”!!
-Dena from San Diego

"I just want to take a moment to thank you for helping me plan my recent trip to Europe. Taking the time to clearly explain different credit card options, and giving me useful tips on using the miles and points was invaluable. In the end, I was able to use the points earned to cover airfare for all four of us to Iceland, The Netherlands, and Spain. I am now working on our upcoming summer vacation to Hawaii and plan to use points to cover not only airfare, but also most of our hotel rooms. I could not have done it without you!

Debbie from Riverside

In my travel coaching program, you get the following:

• 3 video modules that cover basics of points and miles 
• 2 bonus modules with real life examples of redemptions 
• custom points and miles tracker 
• audit of your points, miles, credit cards
• 1:1 live strategy session with me
• group coaching sessions forever 

The $99 sale price for my Travel Coaching Program ends January 1st, so don't wait. Let me help you reach your travel goals in 2024. 

Black Friday Flash Deal on My New Travel Coaching Program

Wish you could travel for FREE? You can. I am launching the second cohort of my Travel Coaching Program right now. There are only 10 spots available so don't wait. Click here to sign up! and for Black Friday, I am dropping the price to $99. 

I'm setting the price low since it's only the second cohort. But this cohort will sell out very quickly.

I'll show you all my tricks and tips plus you start with short modules to learn the basics and see real life examples. I think the real value is the custom tracker, personal review of where you are and the 1:1 with me. 

Check out some of the feedback from the first cohort:

"Stephanie Antin of Almost Free Family Travel has been so helpful in saving my family $1,000’s of dollars in travel costs.  I was also able to save on domestic travel by following her tips on how to make the most of your Southwest card to get a Companion Pass. If you love to travel Stephanie Antin and her Almost Free Family Travel blog is a “must have”!!
-Dena from San Diego

"I just want to take a moment to thank you for helping me plan my recent trip to Europe. Taking the time to clearly explain different credit card options, and giving me useful tips on using the miles and points was invaluable. In the end, I was able to use the points earned to cover airfare for all four of us to Iceland, The Netherlands, and Spain. I am now working on our upcoming summer vacation to Hawaii and plan to use points to cover not only airfare, but also most of our hotel rooms. I could not have done it without you!

Debbie from Riverside

In my travel coaching program, you get the following:

• 3 video modules that cover basics of points and miles 
• 2 bonus modules with real life examples of redemptions 
• custom points and miles tracker 
• audit of your points, miles, credit cards
• 1:1 live strategy session with me
• group coaching sessions forever 

If you want to travel for FREE or if you are thinking about earning the Southwest Companion Pass for 2024-25, you need to be part of this new cohort. We will go step by step together to earn the pass. There are only 10 spots available, so don't wait. 

Registration is Open For The Second Cohort of my new Travel Coaching Program

 

Wish you could travel for FREE? You can. I am launching the second cohort of my Travel Coaching Program right now. There are only 10 spots available so don't wait. Click here to sign up!

I'm setting the price low since it's only the second cohort and I still need your feedback. But this cohort will sell out very quickly.

Check out some of the feedback from the first cohort:

"Stephanie Antin of Almost Free Family Travel has been so helpful in saving my family $1,000’s of dollars in travel costs.  I was also able to save on domestic travel by following her tips on how to make the most of your Southwest card to get a Companion Pass. If you love to travel Stephanie Antin and her Almost Free Family Travel blog is a “must have”!!
-Dena from San Diego

"I just want to take a moment to thank you for helping me plan my recent trip to Europe. Taking the time to clearly explain different credit card options, and giving me useful tips on using the miles and points was invaluable. In the end, I was able to use the points earned to cover airfare for all four of us to Iceland, The Netherlands, and Spain. I am now working on our upcoming summer vacation to Hawaii and plan to use points to cover not only airfare, but also most of our hotel rooms. I could not have done it without you!

Debbie from Riverside

In this program, you get the following:

• 3 video modules that cover basics of points and miles 
• 2 bonus modules with real life examples of redemptions 
• custom points and miles tracker 
• audit of your points, miles, credit cards
• 1:1 live strategy session with me
• group coaching sessions forever 

If you want to travel for FREE or if you are thinking about earning the Southwest Companion Pass for 2024-25, you need to be part of this new cohort. We will go step by step together to earn the pass. There are only 10 spots available, so don't wait.