Is The Southwest Companion Pass Next On The Chopping Block?

With all the changes Southwest Airlines is making next year like reserved seats, it makes me wonder if the Southwest Companion Pass is on the chopping block? 

No one has mentioned anything yet, I'm just thinking out loud here. And wondering if this January may be the last time we can earn the companion pass for a full two years. 

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of the best travel perks around since you can literally BOGO on any Southwest Airlines flight for up to two years. All you pay is $5.60 in taxes for the flight. 

You can change your companion three times in a calendar year and your companion can be a family member, neighbor, friend or anyone else you would like to fly with you. They must fly with you on the same flight. 

Is The Southwest Companion Pass Next On The Chopping Block?

The pass has saved me thousands of dollars. We have used it to fly to the East Coast dozens of times to places like Washington DC, New York, Florida, Nashville, Boston, Baltimore. We have flown to Cabo San Lucas, Cuba, Costa Rica, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Hawaii and so many more places. 

Usually, you get the pass by earning 135,000 points in a single calendar year, but there are hacks to do this faster and way easier. I teach these hacks in my travel coaching program. 

Is The Southwest Companion Pass Next On The Chopping Block?

The new cohort launches in September which is the perfect time to lay the groundwork for earning the Southwest Companion Pass for 2025-26. That's two years of BOGO flights! 

In honor of 2025, my goal is to help 25 people earn the Southwest Companion Pass this January just in case this is the last chance. Consider joining this cohort if you are planning to travel to Hawaii or Disney or Costa Rica in the next two years. Enroll now in the Travel Coaching Program. The cohort launches Sept. 15th! 

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. 

Exciting News: Southwest's Mini Companion Pass is Here!

Get ready for an incredible travel opportunity, jet-setters! Southwest Airlines has just unveiled their new mini companion pass offer, and it's a game-changer for budget-savvy explorers!

The Ultimate Travel Hack: Southwest Companion Pass

Buckle up, because the Southwest Companion Pass is truly one of the most amazing travel deals out there. Picture this: bringing a friend or family member along on ANY Southwest flight to ANYWHERE the airline flies, for FREE (just pay the $5.60 taxes)! And the best part? This dream can last for up to two years!

Normally, you'd need to rack up 135,000 Southwest points in a single calendar year to snag this pass. Sounds daunting, right? But don't worry! We've got some insider tricks up our sleeves to make it happen faster and easier than you'd think. Our travel coaching program is packed with these golden nuggets of wisdom!

Is the Southwest Airlines Mini Companion Pass Your Ticket to Adventure?

Let's dive into this exciting offer:

1. Book a round trip or two one-way flights by September 5th for travel by November 20th. Use cash, points, or mix it up – the choice is yours! Pro tip: Already booked? No problem! Just cancel, register, and rebook to qualify.

2. Voila! A mini companion pass will appear in your account, letting you enjoy buy-one-get-one flights from January 6th to March 6th, 2025. Hello, winter getaway!

Why This Offer is a Travel Game-Changer

For most wanderlusters, this deal is a no-brainer! Here's why:

• Bridge the gap until you earn the full companion pass
• Perfect for family vacations in early 2025
• Ideal if you're short on time or points for the full pass
• Great for spontaneous weekend escapes

How to Snag Your Mini Companion Pass

1. Already have a flight? Try the cancel-and-rebook strategy. Check out the Wanna Get Away Plus fare for extra flexibility!

2. Planning a trip anyway? Register and book by September 5th and you will qualify for the mini companion pass!

3. Feeling adventurous? Book a super cheap round-trip from your hometown for a quick day or overnight trip. It's like a travel hack within a travel hack!

Ready to Elevate Your Travel Game?

If you're excited about the mini companion pass but want expert guidance, or if you're aiming for the full Southwest Companion Pass, I'm here to help so you don't make the #1 mistake. Join my travel coaching program launching September 15th. I'm on a mission to help 25 savvy travelers earn the Southwest Companion Pass for 2025-26 and save a collective $100,000 on future adventures!

Don't let this opportunity fly by – let's make your travel dreams take off together!

#TravelHacks #SouthwestAirlines #CompanionPass #BudgetTravel #WanderlustWednesday #TravelTips #AdventureAwaits #ExploreMore

Dreaming About A Trip To Italy? Check This Out

Are you dreaming about a trip to Italy for next summer? I just helped clients Mackenzie and Michael plan a dream honeymoon in Italy for almost FREE. Yep! That's right. 

As soon as they return, they will share the details about how they used points and miles to pay for this trip in our monthly group coaching meet. Yay! 

Perhaps you are next! Dreaming About A Trip To Italy? Check This Out

The September cohort of the Travel Coaching Program is launching soon! There are only 10 spots available so don't wait to check it out and get started. We will be having two challenges coming up this fall as well, details coming soon! 

Right now, though, there are two bonus offers that are ending soon that played a part in Mackenzie and Michael's strategy. 

• Capital One Venture card offering a bonus $250 travel credit right now and 75,000 bonus points, all for just $95 annual fee and $4,000 minimum spend. 
• Chase Ink Business Preferred offering 100,000 bonus points. $95 annual fee with an $8,000 minimum spend. Offer ends Sept 3rd

If you aren't sure which card is right for you or how you will use the points, join my Travel Coaching program September cohort and I'll help you come up with a personal strategy to reach your travel goals. 

5 Reasons Why You Might Want To Visit Tahiti Instead Of Hawaii

Crystal clear water, colorful fish, over the water bungalows, lots of seafood, yep, Tahiti is gorgeous. And I'll let you in on a secret. I actually liked it better than Hawaii. Yep, I said it. 

And if you want to take a big trip next summer, now is the time to plan. 

Did you have FOMO watching your friends post photos from Hawaii, well, starting planning now for next summer and you can vacation in an even better location for almost FREE. 

First, let me tell you why I like Tahiti more than Hawaii. 

5 Reasons Why You Might Want To Visit Tahiti Instead Of Hawaii

#5 International Travel - this can be both a pro and a con. But for me, I love to travel internationally, it's really my jam. Tahiti is located in French Polynesia which is a French territory. What that means is that yes, you will need a passport and Global Entry is helpful, but it also means French wine, French cheese and fresh baguettes. Yum! It also means you can practice your French. For some, just leaving the country is a con, but this may be an easy way to start travelling internationally. It's safe, easy to navigate, direct flight from the West Coast, simple to use points and miles to snag flights, the people are friendly and helpful, English is used everywhere, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere and you can rent a car and driving here is also easy. Picture one road around the island. Easy! 

#4 Easy to use points and miles for flights and hotels - It takes a lot of points and miles to travel to Hawaii and Tahiti for almost FREE, but both are doable. I think there is actually more availability on flights to Tahiti just because it is less popular and less crowded. You can read here about how I used points and miles to save $15,000 on our family trip to Tahiti and Moorea. There are also inexpensive food trucks with huge portions on Tahiti and on Moorea, you can find local "Snack" restaurants with fresh fish for about what you would pay in the US. There are also grocery stores on both islands. For our family of 5, all of the meals we ate out cost about $20-$25 per person including one alcoholic drink. 

#3 Over the water bungalows - This is the bucket list dream for a lot of people and you can do this in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. And the best part is that you can use points and miles to pay for it, woohoo! We stayed at the Sofitel Resort on Moorea using Chase Ultimate Rewards and it was fantastic. Our stay included breakfast always a plus. Because we are family of 5 and the over the water bungalows allow a max of 3 people, we also booked a garden room. Booked both rooms on points and miles and shhhh, we all stayed in the OWB bungalow. 

The OWB bungalows are everything you think they are going to be

• Lounge chairs sitting on the deck over crystal blue water. 
• A ladder connected to your personal deck so you can snorkel and swim right off your bungalow. 
• Rays and colorful fish swimming below. 

Other hotels with OWB include The Hilton Moorea, Manava Resort in Moorea, Intercontinental in Tahiti and the St. Regis, Four Seasons and The Conrad in Bora Bora. 

#2 Rays, Sharks, Turtles and colorful fish - Yes, in Hawaii, you can see rays, turtles, sharks and colorful fish, but in Tahiti, I would argue that there are just more and the water is so crystal clear, you can see everything with your naked eye. The water is also warm and the islands are surrounded by reefs so the water is very calm and great for kids. My favorite tour was a 6 hour Sharks and Rays Lagoon Tour With Lunch by Moorea Miti tours. The tour includes a cooking lesson to learn how to make Poison Cru with real salt water and fresh coconut. You can book this through our partner Viator. 

 5 Reasons Why You Might Want To Visit Tahiti Instead Of Hawaii

#1 Stunning scenery and crystal blue waters - Besides the wildlife, the scenery is stunning just like in Hawaii, but it's not crowded and more accessible. You can drive to the black sand beaches, waterfalls, scenic views and mountain hikes. To me, Tahiti felt like what Hawaii was probably like fifty years ago. Very local, very calm and tranquil. Though there are tours and hotels, it's just not crowded. There are very few lines and nothing seemed sold out. 

If you would like help planning your Tahiti adventure or using points and miles to take this bucket list vacation, check out our website for travel advising and our new Travel Coaching Program. We would love to help you and your family make memories! 

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!