It's that time of the year. Time to look for holiday flights. Whether you are looking to take a holiday trip or bring a child home for the holidays, you may be searching for a cheap flight or at least a travel deal.
Twice in the last week, clients have asked me for help finding discounts on holiday flights. So here is your guide to finding those cheap flights or at least cheaper:
1. Start with google.com/flights to see what's available and the going rate. Try various airports, days, times etc. to see if you can move the needle. We are going to search for flights from New York to LAX. Look at the difference just by flying from JFK or Newark.
Try using the date grid to check out different combinations of days to get a lower price.
2. Be flexible - You may want to travel on certain days, but if you stay an extra day or leave a day early, you could save a lot of money. For example, over Thanksgiving, if you can stay an extra day and travel on Monday, December 2nd, the price for the flight may drop in half. A hack is using the flexible calendar on google flights.
3. Check travel portals like Chase or Capital One. - Will the portals offer you a deal if you use points? And if you end up having to buy the flight, at least, you will earn 5x points on the purchase. Be sure to check the flexible dates calendar here too.
Even if the prices aren't lower, this is one of the times, flexible points come in handy. You get a discount if you use your Chase Ultimate Rewards points because they are worth 1.5:1 with the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and 1.25:1 with the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card. You can see with my Reserve card, I could pick up this $697 flight for 46,438 points. Still painful, but at least there is a discount.
Worse comes to worse, you buy this flight through the portal and earn 5x points. You can also set an alert through google.com/flights or in the travel portal to let you know if the price drops. It's unlikely, but you never know.
The bottom line is that the more flexible you can be on your dates and times, the more you can save. And remember, most people plan their travel about six weeks out. In the case of travel deals around the holidays, the early bird gets the worm.
Global Entry is now FREE for kids under 18. Bad news, the membership price just went up to $120.
So what is Global Entry? It is a program to expedite your journey through customs when you return to the United States. There is a separate Global Entry line with kiosks at 75 airports. You snap your photo, scan your passport and breeze right through the gate.
If you have ever spent hours waiting in the customs line, you will appreciate the ease of this service. If you take 4+ international trips in 5 years, this is worth it especially if it's FREE. We will tell you how to get Global Entry for FREE in a bit.
Global Entry includes TSA Precheck which will help you breeze through security for flights inside the US. You can also keep your shoes on and your laptop and toiletries in your bag which is a huge plus!
Trusted Traveler has two other similar programs, NEXUS (expedited entry for Canada) and SENTRI (expedited entry for Mexico).
Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control, and CLEAR are all US government programs that can help travelers move through the airport faster.
It's easy to apply through the Trusted Traveler website. You will need to complete your application with passport and driver's license information and then complete a second application for your child using their email address. At the prompt, you will enter your application ID and then click exempt from the fee for your child.
You will still need to complete an interview as part of the process. Once you are conditionally approved, you will be prompted to schedule an interview. You may be able to schedule this process upon international arrival back into the US at the airport. If not, you will need to schedule the interview BEFORE you depart on your international trip.
Global Entry Is now FREE for kids
Besides saving money on Global Entry for kids, you can also get yours for FREE by using the right credit card to pay for it. Some of our favorite cards that include a Global Entry credit are:
Get ready for some fantastic news, family travelers! The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card just sweetened the deal, and we couldn't be more excited to share it with you!
Now, let's talk strategy. This card opens up a world of possibilities with its transfer partners. You can move your points to various airlines and hotel chains, giving you ultimate flexibility for your family's travel dreams.
Don't let this opportunity slip away – we never know how long these amazing offers will last. Let's start planning your next almost-free family adventure today!
It's the countdown towards earning the Southwest Companion Pass for 2025-26, yep, almost two full years. And I have challenged myself to help 25 people earn the pass. If you are ready, sign up here! There is no cost to you, my coaching is totally FREE.
Just in case you don't know what the pass is all about, here's a quick summary:
The Southwest Companion Pass is a BOGO flight pass for any flight, anywhere, anytime for you and one companion. No blackout dates, no restrictions.
American Airlines, British Airways, Aer Lingus and Delta Airlines offer a slightly different variation on the companion pass, but again it's just valid for one flight per year and costs up to $99.
Southwest is the ONLY airline that offers a companion pass for unlimited flights for up to two full years, it's an incredible deal.
I have had the pass for 8 years and I estimate it has saved me thousands of dollars. I have used it to fly to Cuba, Costa Rica, Washington DC, New York, Puerto Rico, Florida, North Carolina, Washington State, Nashville, Chicago and so much more.
Southwest allows you to change your companion three times per calendar year. And your companion can be a partner, child, friend, family member or anyone else you would like to bring with you.
Step #1 Towards Earning Your Southwest Companion Pass For 2025-26
In very simple terms, in order to get the pass, we need to earn 135,000 Southwest points in a single calendar year. Once you earn the points, the companion pass will show up in your Southwest account and you can start using it immediately. The pass is good for the calendar year you earn it and the following year. Which means that if you earn the pass in January 2025, it is good for the rest of 2025 and 2026.
That's the reason why we try to earn the pass as early in the year as possible.
But if you are earning the pass for a second or third time or if you have received a Southwest credit card bonus before, you need to check a few things before you get started.
1. IMPORTANT - Check the date that you last earned a Southwest point bonus. You can do that by logging into your Southwest account and checking your reward activity. You can see when I check my account, I earned a business card bonus in January 2023 and a personal card bonus in February 2023. You can't apply for a new card until after those dates. So in my case, I cannot apply for another a Southwest Performance Business credit card until January 12th 2025 and I can't apply for another Southwest personal credit card until February 9th 2025.
2. You earn 10,000 points on January 1st if you hold a Southwest Credit Card. These points are not valid for flights, but do count towards the companion pass.
3.You can only hold ONE personal Southwest credit card at a time and you need to allow 30 days between closing the card you have and applying for another one. So now would be the right time to close your personal Southwest credit card if you plan to apply for another one in November. You can hold more than one Southwest Business credit card at a time so that's not an issue.
4. Check your 5/24 status. Chase will only approve you for 5 credit cards every 24 months so confirm that you will eligible for a Southwest personal credit card. The business cards do not count towards 5/24.
Step #1 Towards Earning Your Southwest Companion Pass For 2025-26
This city used to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world, now it is a cultural mecca for tourists and digital nomads. Medellin, Colombia should be on everyone's bucket list for travel. Recently, I visited this vibrant city and I have to share my top 5 must see sights.
First, a few tips and tricks to get to Colombia using points and miles. There are several airlines that fly to Medellin including Copa, United, American and even Spirit. As always, be sure to check prices on several websites including airlines and travel portals.
No problem ordering vegetarian meals in advance, but choosing seats on Copa Airlines was tricky. If you don't want to buy seats, you are assigned at check in. They assign seats based on when you check in and start assigning from the back of the plane to the front.
So on the way to Medellin, I checked in 24 hours in advance and ended up in the back row. However, on the way home, I delayed check in about 5 hours and ended up in row 9. Woohoo!
Copa Airlines was very pleasant. Seats were adequate. Service was fine. I had heard they were strict with luggage, but no one checked either way and we were able to carry on a bag and a personal item. They did require us to check in at the desk before going through security even though we had checked in online to confirm our passports.
Arriving in MedellÃn? Navigate the transportation scene like a pro. Either pre-arrange a driver or master the art of Uber meetups. While Uber operates in a grey area, it's widely used and budget-friendly. For the ultimate local experience, dare to try an Uber Moto!
U.S. travelers will find Colombia refreshingly affordable. Savor local cuisine for pocket change, rest your head in comfortable accommodations for around $50 a night, and zip around the city in Ubers for less than the price of a latte back home.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant street art of Comuna 13 - Tour this neighborhood with a local who talks about the history, the graffiti, the art and famous escalators. Besides seeing the sights, taste local food like mango ice cream and empanadas. This tour is a winner and it only costs $20 per person.
Escape to nature in Parque Arvà - The journey is part of the fun to reach this ecological nature reserve. Take the metro to the end of the line Santo Domingo and then two funiculars to the top of the mountain. It should cost you approximately 3,000 pesos to reach Santo Domingo and 12,500 pesos to ride up on the funicular. You will feel like you are spending the day in the mountains here. Besides hiking or walking the trails, you can shop at local vendors. Guided tours cost 50,000 pesos, but you can also just walk the trails on your own.
Delve into history with a Pablo Escobar tour - This tour was a highlight of our trip. Guide Juan met Pablo Escobar and tells a lot of personal stories about the crime boss. He also walks you through this important part of city history from the memorial to Escobar's grave.
Discover the heart of the city in Downtown MedellÃn with a FREE walking tour - I love FREE walking tours! The guides are local and not only talk about the sights and history, but share personal stories about what life is like in their country and city. Take a half day to walk through the crowded streets of downtown, look at the giant bronze statues in Plaza Botero, art in Centro Cultura and the beautiful National Palace Shopping Center.
Don't forget to wander through El Poblado, indulging in mouthwatering empanadas and arepas along the way.
This is the highest offer we have seen in a long time.
$3,000 minimum spend
$69 annual fee
85,000 bonus points
What can you buy for 85,000 Southwest points? A lot. Take a look at the points you would need for this one way flight from San Diego to New Orleans in November. You could go to New Orleans six times.
And how about just 3,000 points to travel from San Diego to San Francisco. Well, you could make that trip, uh, a lot.
You might be wondering, "How could 85,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points possibly be bad?" It's not about the number of points, but the timing of the Southwest credit card offer. This lucrative deal ends on October 9th, creating a tight window for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass for 2025-2026.
Why the Southwest Companion Pass is the Ultimate Travel Hack
The Southwest Companion Pass is arguably the best travel perk in the airline industry.
It offers BOGO (Buy One Get One) flights for up to two years.
Valid for travel anywhere Southwest Airlines flies.
Use your Rapid Rewards points to book your flight and add a companion for FREE.
Southwest's new online tool allows you to change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year.
The Hidden Catch in the 85,000 Bonus Offer
While the bonus seems attractive, here's why it could be problematic for Companion Pass aspirants:
You have three months from card application to reach the $3,000 minimum spend.
Once you hit this threshold, it triggers the bonus point award.
To earn the Companion Pass for 2025-2026, you must reach the $3,000 spend:
After January 1st, 2025, OR
After your credit card statement closes for 2024 (typically mid to late December)
My goal is to help 25 people, including myself, earn the Southwest Companion Pass for 2025-2026. With the right strategy, you could be flying 2-for-1 for two full years!
Remember: Timing is everything when it comes to maximizing your Southwest Rapid Rewards and earning the Companion Pass. Don't let a hasty decision cost you thousands in potential travel savings!
Are you looking to boost your credit card rewards? One of the most effective ways to earn 5X points from Chase is by taking advantage of the rotating bonus categories offered by theChase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom cards. Each quarter, Chase selects four purchase categories that earn 5X points instead of the standard 1X or 1.5X points.
Historical Bonus Categories
In previous quarters, Chase has featured categories such as:
Amazon purchases
Warehouse club stores
Gas stations
EV charging stations
Q4 2024 Bonus Categories Revealed
Chase has just announced the exciting bonus categories for the fourth quarter of 2024:
McDonald's
PayPal
Pet shops and veterinary services
Select charities
Maximizing Your Rewards
While dining at McDonald's frequently might not yield significant points, the other categories present excellent opportunities to boost your rewards:
Pet Expenses: With many people investing heavily in their furry friends, pet shops and vet services could lead to substantial bonus points.
Charitable Giving: The fourth quarter aligns perfectly with end-of-year donations, making the charity category particularly valuable.
PayPal Purchases: This category is a true winner! Use PayPal for most of your online shopping, especially holiday gifts, and watch your bonus points stack up.
Important Reminders
Activation Required: Don't forget to activate your credit card by December 14th. You can do this by clicking here or logging into your online account.
Earning Cap: There's a maximum of $1,500 in combined purchases across these categories that are eligible for 5X points.
Start planning your Q4 spending strategy now to make the most of these lucrative bonus categories!
If you don't have a Chase FREEDOM FLEX card yet, it might be a good addition to your wallet. It's a no annual fee card with a small bonus offer of just $150 for a $500 spend.
But just a reminder, we never want to apply for the cards without a plan, join my Travel Coaching Program so we can design a custom plan for you to reach your travel goals.
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