Families Fly Free

Join me for an insider’s journey to London as I share my favorite travel tips, hidden gems and even a few things I wish I’d done differently. In this episode, you’ll hear how I flew to London for (almost) free, where we stayed (and why it mattered), the must-see spots I recommend and how to get around the city stress-free — all from the perspective of a professional travel journalist.

From Big Ben to Oxford, Harry Potter to historic pubs, I’ll walk you through the highlights of our trip and the lessons learned along the way.

🎧 Want the full London webinar replay, a detailed itinerary and a member-led London webinar and guide? They’re all waiting for you inside the Families Fly Free --> https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join

Join the my email list at https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/email

Got questions about Families Fly Free? Email info AT secretsofatraveljournalist.com or text 844-403-2263

Resources:

• Episode 183: London Trip - Top 5 Tips - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/183-london-trip-top-5-travel-tips/id1540642046?i=1000703049415
• Living Rooms UK - https://www.living-rooms.co.uk/
• The Tour Guy Tower of London Legends & Lore Tour - https://secretsofatraveljournalist.com/tourguylondon (this is an affiliate link, but they are my favorite tour company!)

College visits, auditions, move-in weekends and campus drop-offs — they’re all part of the college journey… and they can get really expensive, really fast. But what if you didn’t have to stress about the cost?

In this episode, I share how I recently visited Notre Dame using points and stayed right on campus without spending a dime — plus how Club members like Heather, Amylee and Yolanda have used my system to fly their kids to and from college, tour campuses across the country and show up when it matters most — all without blowing their budget.

You’ll hear:

• How one mom booked 7 college audition trips using her Companion Pass
• Why flying kids home from college — even on short notice — can be stress-free
• How I used points to fly my son to UCLA for a summer program and internship
• A smart strategy to erase campus hotel costs using a Chase transfer bonus
• The emotional (and financial) payoff of having points ready when college travel calls

If college is anywhere on your family’s horizon, this is one of the smartest ways to use your miles — and I’ll show you how to make it happen.

👉 Ready to plan smarter travel for college and beyond? Join the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club:
 https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

Chase Sapphire Preferred is my FAVORITE Travel card — and right now, it’s offering a limited-time 100,000-point bonus (worth at least $1,250 in free travel) that ends May 15 at 9am ET. Thanks for using my personal affiliate link to support the podcast if you decide to apply for the card:
https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card

But beyond the big bonus, this card quietly packs in some powerful perks that most people overlook.

In this episode, I’ll break down the lesser-known features that make this my #1 recommended travel card — including a $50 hotel credit, hidden travel protections, a way to “erase” any purchase with your points and more. Whether you already have the card or are thinking of applying before the offer ends Thursday at 9am ET, you’ll learn how to get the most value from every benefit it offers.

🎧 Tune in to find out:

• How to use the $50 hotel credit (most people forget this!)
• What Chase Pay Yourself Back REALLY is — and why it’s a game-changer
• Travel insurance protections that could save you thousands
• The overlooked bonuses you earn just for keeping the card

Thanks again for using my affiliate link to apply for this card to support the podcast & my small business: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card

Got a question about it? Text it to me at 844-403-2263.
 

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

Music Credit:

Inspiring Optimistic Upbeat Energetic Guitar Rhythm by Free Music | 

https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic

Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Southwest Airlines is shaking things up—starting with assigned seating in January 2026 and a new policy that could mean paying for checked bags. 😲

But don’t panic! In this episode, I’ll walk you through exactly what’s changing, what’s not changing, and most importantly—how you can still get your checked bags free and snag a great seat without paying extra.

We’ll cover:

• ✈️ How to navigate the new bag fee rules
• 🧳 The trick to keeping your checked bags FREE
• 💺 What assigned seating really means—and how to get the best spot
• 💡 My insider tips to make the most of Southwest’s evolving policies

If you love flying Southwest (like I do!) and want to keep the perks you’ve always enjoyed, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels?

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

RESOURCES:
See the complete list of Southwest's changes here: https://www.southwest.com/customer-enhancements/assigned-seating/

Ever feel like travel is more stressful than it should be? You’re not alone — and you’re not imagining it.

In this episode, I unpack the real reason travel feels overwhelming: No one ever taught us how to do it well. From not knowing if you passport will pass muster to panicking when a flight gets canceled, most of us are just guessing our way through trips — and that leads to stress, wasted money and missed experiences.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

I share how 25+ years as a travel journalist led me to create a simple system to help you plan confidently, avoid costly mistakes and actually enjoy your travels. You’ll discover the tools, tips and insider strategies that take you from confused to confident — no matter your destination. If you’re ready to stop winging it and start traveling smarter, it’s time to go behind the curtain.

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

Unfortunately, it's commonly recommended to open a lot of travel cards in order to earn the "sign up bonus" (SUB), but this can quickly lead to overwhelm, getting banned by banks and cause you to miss out on the truly great deals and a simpler system that could save you thousands on travel. In this episode, I outline the problems with opening too many travel cards and what the alternative is.

 Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels?

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

Fresh off my family’s trip to London, I’m sharing 5 travel insights you can use on your next international adventure. These simple but powerful tips helped make our trip smoother, more memorable — and more fun!

You’ll learn:

1. My #1 strategy to beat jet lag
2. Why flexibility can be your travel superpower
3. How to stay on top of major travel news (and why it matters!)
4. When it’s worth splurging — and how to do it guilt-free
5. The mindset shift that will help you savor every moment

Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

RELATED EPISODES:

• Episode 28 | Oh the Places We've Gone! My Family's Top 15 Bucket List Adventures Flying Free
• Episode 32 | The Quickest Way to Learn a Language Slowly: How I'm Learning Italian Inspired By My Travels
• Episode 67 | First-Timer's Guide to Europe: Everything You Need to Know for a Smooth 1st Trip Across the Pond
• Episode 106 | Don't Make These Passport Mistakes
• Episode 117 | Europe Is Bonkers This Summer: What You Need to Know With The Tour Guy's Sean Finelli

If you love shopping at Costco (who doesn’t?), you might be missing out on a hidden travel perk. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to make your Costco spending — and even your Costco credit card — work harder for your travel goals.

Whether you’re earning points or planning your next trip, I’ll show you how Costco fits into a smart travel rewards strategy.

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

No one loves writing a check to the IRS — but what if it could help fund your next vacation? With the tax deadline approaching, I’m sharing smart ways to earn valuable travel points when paying your taxes. If you owe money this year, don’t miss this chance to turn a painful payment into free flights!

💡 It’s one of my favorite creative ways to rack up rewards — and it might just change how you look at tax season.

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

CARD AFFILIATE LINKS:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Capital One Venture X
IHG Business Premier
Southwest Personal Cards

RESOURCES:

IRS Card Payment Options

RELATED EPISODES:

• 4 | You Can Earn Free Travel While Holiday Shopping! Here's How...
• 86  | All About Capital One Venture X
• 178 | The Benefits of Banking With Chase for Travel Rewards

We continue our discussion with more information now available about Southwest's big changes announced on March 11, 2025. We discuss the answers to questions like:

• Is there an easy way to still get my checked bags free? Yes!
• Do these changes affect flights I've already booked or will book before May 28?
• Should I stop booking the cheapest Southwest fare?
• Would I get points back if I canceled a Basic fare booked with points since it’s nonrefundable?
• What does "variable points pricing" mean?
• And more!

Here is the link to Southwest's page with additional information on the changes:
https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/policy-changes

Here is a link to a YouTube video Southwest shared March 20, addressing several of these questions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SUkyTdvWT8

✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less.

👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice.

Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

Music Credit:
Inspiring Optimistic Upbeat Energetic Guitar Rhythm by Free Music | 
https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusic
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US