Friday, February 7, 2020

Thinking about cutting the cord? Sling $5 promotion starts today


We cut the cord in December and it's been awesome. We used to pay over $200 a month for cable, crazy, right? Now we pay $100 a month for internet and tv.
Today is National Cut The Cord Day! In honor of the day, Sling TV is offering a $5 per month promotion if you want to try it.
The promotion runs until Sunday. The $5 rate is only for the first month.
Use my link and you may get a discount on the following months too.
Sling TV offers two different packages, blue and orange. You choose depending which channels you want to watch. There is DVR too for an extra fee.
Check it out and if you have been thinking about cutting the cord, now may be the time. Then put that extra money away for your next trip! That's how we do it at almostFREEfamilytravel.com



Thursday, February 6, 2020

How To Sign Up For Lyft Pink With Your Chase Sapphire Reserve


One of the new perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card is a Lyft Pink membership. Why am I excited about Lyft Pink, I'll tell you. But first, let me show you why the Sapphire Reserve is my new favorite travel card. Even though the annual fee just increased from $450 to $550, I'm probably going to hang on to this one. Here's why. 

The Sapphire Reserve comes with the following benefits:
  • Flexibility with Ultimate Reward Points 
  • 1.5 value in the travel portal 
  • $300 travel credit 
  • $100 global entry credit 
  • Priority Pass Lounge membership 
  • FREE Lyft Pink membership
  • FREE Doordash Pass 





I don't know about you, but the 3 FREE bikes and scooter rides per month is pretty fun! If you ride with Lyft often or travel often, 15% off every ride will add to big savings. 

To activate your Lyft Pink membership:
  • Open the payment tab in the Lyft app
  • Tap add card 
  • Enter your Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred credit card information 
  • You will be prompted to start your one-year membership in Lyft Pink 

If you don't have a Sapphire Reserve or Preferred credit card yet, this is my favorite card. Please use my referral link if you decide to go for it. You will get 60,000 Ultimate Reward Points and I will get 10,000 points for referring you. Thank you and keep traveling! 



Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Hurry, Southwest 75,000 point bonus offer ends Feb. 10th




Southwest 75,000 point bonus offer is ending on February 10th so if you have been thinking about this one, you better jump on it now. 

Why would you want to jump on this offer?

Southwest Airlines is one of the best airlines out there with an easy cancellation and change policy, relatively inexpensive flights, two FREE checked bags and more. It's one of my favorite airlines. 
And Southwest offers one of the best perks in the business, the companion pass. The pass is good for FREE travel for your companion for two years. You can read more about the companion pass here. The 75,000 point bonus offer puts you very close to the 125,000 points needed to earn the companion pass.

There are three credit cards that currently offer the 75,000 bonus offer. Which one is right for you?

You have three choices on personal cards. The differences between the Plus, Premier and Priority are: 

  • $69 annual fee
  • 3,000 anniversary bonus 


  • $99 annual fee
  • 6,000 anniversary bonus


  • $149 annual fee
  • $75 Southwest credit 
  • 4 upgraded boardings 
  • 7,500 anniversary bonus


I believe the Priority card is the best value because though the annual fee is higher, you also get a credit on Southwest. If you apply for one of these personal cards, you will earn 75,000 bonus points plus 5,000 points for your purchases. So you are looking at 80,000 points with one card. 
You need 125,000 points to earn the companion pass. You are only allowed to hold one personal card at a time. But you can hold a personal card and a business card at the same time. 

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Why You Can't Earn American Miles With Hotel Stays Anymore


It's getting harder and harder to earn award miles and convert points without flying. The latest announcement comes from American Airlines. The company is breaking off its partnerships with Hilton, Best Western, and Choice Hotels. The change goes into effect March 31, 2020. 

According to the email from the airline: 


Thank you for being a member of the AAdvantage® program. We know you value the ability to earn AAdvantage miles through many of our partnerships, and we want to let you know about changes with some partners. Effective April 1st, AAdvantage members will no longer be able to earn miles or convert points to miles with Best Western® Hotels and Resorts, Choice Hotels® or Hilton. Members can still earn miles or convert points to miles through March 31, 2020.

But never fear, there are workarounds. Here are a couple of ideas:

1. Use a credit card with lots of transfer partners like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve. Then you can collect points and transfer them to dozens of airlines and hotels OR use the travel portal. 
2. Use Rocketmiles when you book a hotel and get miles on whichever airline you select.

Even though this partnership is ending, there are still ways to earn and convert points so we can enjoy almost FREE family travel. 


Thursday, January 30, 2020

How You Can Get 50% Off San Diego Tourist Attractions In Feb


If you live in San Diego or are headed there anytime in the month of February, you can score 50% off a lot of the museums. It's called Museum Month and this year it will last from Feb. 1st through Feb. 29th. Some of the museums participating include the USS Midway, The Natural HIstory Museum, The Air And Space Museum, The Contemporary Art Museum (downtown), and The Birch Aquarium. 

Museum Month 50% Off 

Here's how it works:
  • Drop by a San Diego city or county library after Jan. 31, 2020
  • Pick up the FREE special pass 
  • Pass is good for up to 4 tickets
  • Pass is good for multiple visits

Note the pass is not good for special exhibits, IMAX, traveling exhibits and there may be some blackout dates. 
If you are staying at any of the 40 Hilton properties in San Diego, you will get a FREE pass included with your room. The passes are also available for pickup at Macy's. 
Click here to see the complete list of participating museums and to see the list of libraries where you can pick up your pass. Fun and almost FREE. Woohoo! 

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Earn 1,000 Southwest Points For Doing Your Taxes!



Southwest is teaming up with Turbotax this year to give you a gift when you file your taxes. At least it makes the process a bit better. 
Southwest is offering 1,000 Southwest points if you file your 2019 taxes with Turbotax. Turbotax is the nation's #1 DIY tax filing software program. 

To take advantage of the offer:
Turbotax costs $0-$90 depending on which version you would like to use. If you have been using the Turbotax desktop version (CD), you can switch to the online version, however, you can only import 2018 taxes and you MUST import before you start the process for 2019. 

Yes, these points should count towards the companion pass. The points will post about 6-8 weeks after you file. 




Thursday, January 23, 2020

5 US Cities That Should Top Your Bucket List In 2020


Niagara Falls

I have to be honest, I love traveling internationally. I love experiencing different cultures, and learning about the history and traditions of other countries. However, the US is so diverse that it offers amazing opportunities to explore different too. Sometimes you just have to look a bit harder and get out of your comfort zone. Here are my top 5 US cities/places that should be on your list:

1. Niagara Falls - It's one of the seven natural wonders of the world and it is indeed amazing. Just 45 minutes from Buffalo, NY, it's an easy destination. Southwest flies to Buffalo so you can use points and your companion pass. Once you reach Niagara, you can experience the falls from the park above, on a boat, walking behind the falls and from Toronto. I highly recommend the view from the park and the Cave Of The Winds.  which starts with an interactive museum tour. 


Red Rock outside of Denver, CO



2. Denver, CO - I went to Denver for a girl's weekend. We chose Denver just because it was geographically desirable for everyone. But wow, the city offers amazing hiking with Red Rock just an hour away and dozens of farm to table restaurants for dining. I highly recommend taking the Seven Falls Hike from the Broadmoor Hotel. First, the hotel grounds are amazing to walk through and then the falls are so impressive. The hotel provides a FREE shuttle to the falls. Beware, there are a lot of steps! 


In New Orleans, you have to stop at Cafe Du Monde for beignets


3. New Orleans, LA - When you are in New Orleans, you could easily be in another country where the culture is a mix between France, Africa, and the US. It's an incredible feast for the eyes, ears, and mouth. The food, the music, the architecture, and beauty is like nothing else.  With a new airport, lots of hotels, and Southwest Airlines, it is highly affordable and easy to navigate. Some of my favorites are Cafe Du Monde, Pat O'Briens and the riding the streetcar down St. Charles Avenue. 

4. Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks - You don't have to go to Alaska to see amazing natural beauty. Try Glacier National Park in Montana and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.  Lots of hikes, glaciers, animals and more plus you can try Huckleberry jam. 

5. San Diego - I have to admit, I live here so I must think it's great, right? Whenever people come to visit and I show them around, I realize San Diego is really a great travel destination. From the usual sights of the SD Zoo, Balboa Park, the USS Midway, Torrey Pines State Park, and the Gaslamp to the more off the beaten path of Chicano Park, Borderfield State Park, yoga on the beach and Annie's Canyon Trail. 

Other notables that didn't make the top 5, but that I love include Charleston, SC, Portland, Oregon, Washington DC and Seattle, Washington. What will make your list this year? Tell us in the comments below. And if you decide to open a Southwest credit card, please consider using our referral link.  You will get 75,000 points and we will get 10,000 for referring you. Thank you for your support.