It's official! The price of the Families Fly Free membership is going up on October 29.
That means you have until Oct. 28 at midnight ET to join at today's price and get all the SAME value.
Families Fly Free is not just information; it's a total life transformation with the support, accountability and changing information you need to be successful not just once, but year after year. Now's the time to plan your family's 2026 travels and put traveling with your family back at the top of your to-do list so you can make more priceless memories.
Got questions or want to set up a Zoom call to discuss? Email me at info@familiesflyfree.com or 844-403-2263. Learn more and join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join
Staying successful with Southwest means keeping up with nonstop change — and that’s where I come in. In this episode I break down the latest boarding scoop from the Wall Street Journal and everything else they've announced in the last few months.
I discuss the simple way to avoid paid seat headaches — lost seats on changes, messy expiring credits and poor points-plus-cash value — by booking in points and using the right Southwest card so you get an assigned seat without paying extra.
I round things out with some good news:
Plus, I share what we do and don’t know yet about the Southwest Companion Pass for next year.
Want real-time answers to change in the travel rewards industry and a plan that fits your family's travel style? Join Families Fly Free for my simple Fly Free Formula, personal support and up-to-the-minute guidance — the price increases October 29. Get started at FamiliesFlyFree.com/join 🧳✈️
Related Episodes:
The price of the Families Fly Free membership is going up very soon!
Join now at the lowest price you will ever see membership again and get all the value I added in 2025, including a brand new app so help is just a tap away, at the current price. Now's the time to plan your family's 2026 travels and put traveling with your family back at the top of your to-do list.
Learn more and join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join
❓Got questions about how Families Fly Free can help your family travel to more places using miles and points BEFORE the price goes up soon?
In this episode, I share a replay of a recent 🧑🧑🧒🧒 Families Fly Free Open House with 4 current members on hand to answer attendees' questions honestly and directly. We had a HUGE turnout and so many great questions AND answers from our amazing members.
Some of the questions included:
Dive into this episode to get all your questions answered about this life-changing membership and hear how it's about so much MORE than the information that will help your family fly free in the simplest possible way. It's the people, the real-time info, the support, the continuing knowledge you gain, the hacks and the list goes on. It's everything you need to not just learn, but take action and be successful year after year.
✅ Join Families Fly Free at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join
Want an invitation to the next Open House? Get on my email or text alert list.
👉 Join my email list at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Email
📱 Get text alerts by texting FLYFREE to 844-403-2263 (no more than 1/week)
Still have questions?
Email me at info@familiesflyfree.com
Text them to me at 844-403-2263
The price of the Families Fly Free membership is going up very soon!
Join now at the lowest price you will ever see membership again and get all the value I added in 2025, including a brand new app so help is just a tap away, at the current price. Now's the time to plan your family's 2026 travels and put traveling with your family back at the top of your to-do list.
Learn more and join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Attend our Families Fly Free Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 2pm ET, 1pm CT, Noon MT, 11am PST to learn more about membership, ask me and current members all your questions, as well as win fun travel prizes like a Hyatt Suite Upgrade, Southwest points and more!
Register --> FamiliesFlyFree.com/OpenHouse
If I had to start from zero with travel rewards today, here’s exactly what I’d do — and what I’d skip.
Fresh off a Families Fly Free member meetup in California wine country 🍷, I’m sharing the simple, real-time strategy my Families Fly Free members use to keep flying free without juggling 20 cards or chasing outdated advice. You’ll learn why narrowing your focus is the fastest win: master flying free first, stick to one flexible ecosystem (hello, Chase), fly one primary airline (yes, Southwest still works when you know how) ✈️ and skip high-fee lounge cards and hotel cards until year two.
I’ll show you how “simple equals successful” and:
If you’re overwhelmed or short on time but want to travel more for less, this is your roadmap 🎯.
Families Fly Free is where I walk beside you — with live Q&As, texting, small groups and 1:1 support — so you stay current as things change. The price is going up soon, so now’s the moment to jump in and lock it in: FamiliesFlyFree.com/join.
Booking hotels through travel portals can be a brilliant points-saver, but there are also downsides to booking this way. In this episode I break down when portals like Chase Travel and Capital One beat transferring points to Marriott, Hilton or IHG, the risks of these bookings and the simple steps I teach my Families Fly Free members to mitigate any issues. We’ll also cover the powerful Hyatt exception—why transferring Chase points to Hyatt often costs fewer points and avoids third-party headaches—plus real stories from listeners and my own trips.
You’ll learn:
Want my swipe files, step-by-step Stay Free Formula™ and real-time help and community support as things keep changing? Join Families Fly Free to stretch your points further with fewer cards and less hassle, so your family can make more travel memories together: https://www.FamiliesFlyFree.com/join
Capital One Venture X is changing this popular perk that made it one of my favorite travel cards! Find out what's changing and WHEN and my strategy for what to do next...
To stay on top of the lastest and ever-changing strategies in the world of travel rewards + learn my simple Fly Free Formula, join me inside of my hallmark Families Fly Free membership. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join
RELATED EPISODES:
87 | The Chase 5/24 Rule Explained
86 | All About Capital One Venture X
Is this the end of travel rewards as we know it? 😱 Staying successful with miles and points in 2025 means keeping up with nonstop change — and that’s where I come in. In this episode I break down the biggest shifts I’m seeing right now from banks tightening approvals to pricey lounge access to Southwest’s new complexities — and what to do next so you keep flying free without juggling 20 cards. I’ve spent 10+ years in this space and coach hundreds of families every month, so you’ll hear the simple, real-time strategies that are actually working today 🔄.
Listen in to learn:
If you want ongoing, up-to-the-minute guidance you can trust — plus monthly live Q&As, community tips tested in real bookings, and my step-by-step Fly Free Formula — join my Families Fly Free membership. I stay on top of the changes so you don’t have to 🧠.
Ready to simplify and always travel free? Join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/join.
Related Episodes:
193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My!
68 | Stop Applying for Too Many Travel Cards! There's a Much Simpler Way...
Ready to add a little spooky fun to your travels this fall? 🎃 In this episode of the Families Fly Free podcast, I’m joined by Heather Alexander, author of Haunted USA, to uncover eerie—and family-friendly—ghost stories from all 50 states.
From haunted hotels and mysterious lighthouses to tap-dancing ghosts and legendary pirates, you’ll discover plenty of places to explore this Halloween season without the gore.
Whether you’re planning a fall getaway, looking for unique history lessons for the kids, or just love a good ghost story, this episode will spark ideas for memorable (and slightly spooky!) adventures.
Want to fly free to haunted hotels or pumpkin-filled fall destinations? Join Families Fly Free and I’ll show you my simple formula to make it happen: FamiliesFlyFree.com/join
Related Podcast Episodes:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thanks for leaving me a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this podcast episode! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Southwest has made a flurry of changes in 2025 — from charging for bags and introducing assigned seats to rolling out brand-new fare types and tweaking credit card perks, including increasing their annual fees. And they’ve managed to make things very complicated. But here’s the good news: I’ve cut through the clutter to get to the heart of what actually matters in my trademark "keep it simple stupid" approach 😉.
In this episode, I’ll show you the few simple adjustments you need to make so you can:
You’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do to keep your Southwest travel FREE, easy and smooth.
💡 Free Bonus: Get my one-page cheat sheet that explains all the changes in plain English — plus the exact tweaks you need to make to your own Southwest strategy, including how to change a Basic Fare (yes, it's possible!):
👉 SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Changes
Join Families Fly Free
Southwest — and travel rewards in general — can get complicated fast. But inside Families Fly Free, I show you how to skip the confusion, ignore the noise and use my simple Fly Free Formula™ to get maximum travel with the minimum number of cards.
I’ve been flying my family of 4 free 6x a year on Southwest (and beyond) since 2015, and I’ve boiled it down to a clear, repeatable plan that anyone can follow. Whether you’re traveling with kids, a spouse, friends or solo, this formula works. Let me make it simple for you.
👉 Join Families Fly Free: FamiliesFlyFree.com
Ever stood in front of a famous painting and wondered, “What am I supposed to do here?”
In this first episode of my new Wander in Wonder series, I dive into how to truly appreciate art — even if you don’t consider yourself an expert (I certainly don’t!). Inspired by a class I took at Notre Dame on Theology, Art and Beauty and my professor Dr. Sarah Maple (https://sarahelizabethmaple.academia.edu/), I share simple, thoughtful ways to engage with a work of art beyond just snapping a photo and moving on.
You’ll learn:
Plus, I walk you through how I’ve put these tips into practice — from the Louvre to my local museum with my 21-year-old son — and how it changed the way we both see art.
RELATED:
👉 Grab my free checklist of what to look for the next time you visit a museum: SecretsOfATravelJournalist.com/art
✨ 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.
In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we’re diving deeper into Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there’s so much more to explore!
This episode covers:
We also share final thoughts on:
Resources:
In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Pennycuff of the My DVC Points podcast to break down everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe — starting with where to stay, what to skip, and how to save.
We also recap Chad’s incredible theme park tour across Asia, including Shanghai Disney, Universal Beijing, Tokyo Disney and more. Hear what Disney is doing next level overseas and how it compares to the new Epic Universe experience.
Then we shift to:
🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic
Want the full Epic Universe breakdown (plus my photos + member Q&A)? It’s inside the Club. Join --> SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club
Resources:
In celebration of our 5th anniversary, join the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club at HALF OFF Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9 ONLY at SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club with code PODCAST50.
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 Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club --> https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club
Inside my exclusive Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, I’m not only sharing my Fly Free and Stay Free Formulas, but 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.
👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest and most affordable trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club
Join the my email list at https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/email
Got questions about the Club? Email info AT secretsofatraveljournalist.com or text 844-403-2263
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:
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
🚨 ENDING May 15 9am ET: 100,000 Points! 🚨
Right now, my #1 recommended travel credit card—the Chase Sapphire Preferred®—is offering an incredible 100,000-point sign-up bonus. That’s the highest we’ve seen since 2021, the highest of the year—and it likely won’t be back for another year.
If officially ends May 15 at 9am ET (though I recommend applying by May 14).
👉 Thanks for using my personal affiliate link if you decide to apply - https://www.familiesflyfree.com/CSP - it helps support the podcast and my small business at no extra cost to you.
If you’re ready to start flying free and traveling more for way less, this is your golden opportunity.
✨ Why I Love It:
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to dive into travel rewards, this is it.
👉 Thanks for using my personal affiliate link if you decide to apply - https://www.familiesflyfree.com/CSP - it helps support the podcast and my small business at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 💙
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:
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:
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
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/
🚨 LIMITED-TIME Travel Deal: Get 100,000 Points! 🚨
Right now, my #1 recommended travel credit card—the Chase Sapphire Preferred®—is offering an incredible 100,000-point sign-up bonus. That’s the highest we’ve seen since 2021, the highest of the year—and it likely won’t be back for another year.
If you’re ready to start flying free and traveling more for way less, this is your golden opportunity.
✨ Why I Love It:
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to dive into travel rewards, this is it.
👉 Apply here using my affiliate link - https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-card - to support the podcast and my small business at no extra cost to you. Thank you! 💙
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 you’ll learn my proven travel system, access real-time support and finally travel the way you’ve always wanted — with clarity, confidence and ease.
Learn more at get started at --> https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/podcast
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.
✈️ NEW! Early Enrollment Is Open 🎉
Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels?
Join me inside the brand-new 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.
🎟️ Early access is open for a short time only for podcast listeners — join now at my lowest-ever price before the public launch!
👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/podcast
After just returning from London, I'm sharing 5 key things I learned about travel that can help you on your next international trip.
They include:
1) Avoiding jetlag
2) Leaving room for flexibility in your itinerary
3) Having a system for knowing the top travel news
4) Allowing yourself to splurge where it matters, knowing you saved on flights
5) Take time to soak it all in
Want to learn my simple system to use miles and points to always fly for free? Come join my Families Fly Free membership, where you'll learn my expert process, receive personal support and get access to lots of great travel content and regular live webinars and Q&As. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join
Join the Families Fly Free email list at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/email
Got questions about Families Fly Free? Email info AT familiestravelfree.com or text 844-403-2263
RELATED EPISODES:
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.
✨ Want to learn my simple, proven system to always fly for free with miles and points — without overwhelm?
Inside the Families Fly Free membership, I’ll guide you step by step, with expert help, live Q&As, and all the travel tips you need.
✈️ Join now at FamiliesFlyFree.com/join
📬 Get my free travel tips at FamiliesFlyFree.com/email
Have questions? Email info@familiestravelfree.com or text 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.
✨ Ready to learn the full system I use to fly my family free again and again?
Join the Families Fly Free membership and get step-by-step training, personal support, exclusive travel content, and live Q&As.
✈️ Enroll now at FamiliesFlyFree.com/join
📬 Grab my free tips at FamiliesFlyFree.com/email
❓Questions? Email info@familiestravelfree.com or text 844-403-2263
CARD AFFILIATE LINKS:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Capital One Venture X
IHG Business Premier
Southwest Personal Cards
RESOURCES:
RELATED EPISODES:
