Families Fly Free With Lyn Mettler

The travel rewards landscape is shifting, and 2026 requires a new approach. In this episode, I'm walking you through 6 specific changes you need to make to keep flying your family for free—whether these are strategies you've clung to for years or adjustments necessitated by recent bank and airline policy changes.What you'll learn:Why constantly opening new cards needs to stop (especially with Chase's new restrictions)To pay attention to the cards that earn you the most points in every categoryTo stop wasting your spending on airline cardsHow to stop paying the listed points price for both flights and hotelsThe uncomfortable truth about lounge access for families in 2026How to simplify your approach while still meeting all your free travel goals✨ Learn my simple, step-by-step Fly Free Formula™ for how to maximize your miles to always fly your whole family free and beyond with personal support, a customized plan and live content, along with travel inspiration in my Families Fly Free membership:👉 Join: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/joinGot questions about Families Fly Free? Text me at 844-403-2263.Music Credit:Inspiring Optimistic Upbeat Energetic Guitar Rhythm by Free Music | https://soundcloud.com/fm_freemusicMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Ever wonder if you can really cover an entire international vacation with points—not just flights, but hotels, vacation rentals and more? In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I took 3 of us to Costa Rica and saved more than $10,000 strategically using miles and points.Here's what you'll learn:How breaking Southwest flights into segments can save you thousands of pointsThe incredible Hyatt Andaz redemption that delivered 7 cents per point in value—my best points redemption everHow to use Capital One or Chase points to cover vacation rentals and other expensesReal numbers of points paid and cash savedCritical car rental warnings for Costa Rica that could save you hundreds and major headachesIf Costa Rica is on your bucket list or you want to see exactly how to maximize multiple points currencies for a trip step by step, this episode breaks it all down.Bottom line: $10,000+ saved for an unforgettable family adventure!

Did you accidentally earn your Southwest credit card bonus too early this year? You're not alone! Every year, people reach out who've made timing mistakes with their Companion Pass strategy—and it's happened more than usual in 2025 thanks to those amazing 100K+ credit card offers. In this episode, I break down exactly what went wrong, why timing matters so much at year-end, and most importantly—what you can do about it. You'll learn:Why earning your pass in December 2025 vs. January 2026 costs you a whole year of benefitsQuick ways to finish earning the remaining points before year-end (if that makes sense for you)How to pivot your strategy to card combinations for 2026-2027Why this mistake isn't the end of the world—just a detour to Plan BIf you've been stressing about your Companion Pass timing, take a deep breath. I've got you covered!

In this week's episode, I share with you all my best tips for maximizing the number of miles and points you can earn on your holiday shopping. You'll learn how to:Earn airline AND flexible points inside shopping portalsHow to earn points IN storeHow to stack points-earningHow to get EXTRA discounts on top of earning pointsHow to earn points at Amazon and TargetUse all the points you earn for your family's free travels in 2026! Happy shopping!Ready to stop wasting points and perks and make travel rewards EASY? Join Families Fly Free, my popular travel membership where I teach you my Fly Free Formula and show you a simple system to fly your whole family for free for life with the support you need for success. Stop doing it alone and join hundreds of families just like you who've saved $6 million+. Learn more at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join.

Forgetting travel credits, letting points expire, missing credit card bonuses—sound familiar? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing 1 simple strategy to stop leaving money on the table and start maximizing every mile and perk you already have: simplify by conducting a card audit.I'll walk you through how to decide what cards to keep, to close and to set aside, so you can take a big sigh of relief!Plus, I'm giving you my free "5 Ways to Simplify Your Travel Rewards Strategy" guide. Text SIMPLIFY to 844-403-2263 to grab it. If you're tired of DIY-ing this alone and want a proven system that takes the guesswork out of flying free, join hundreds of families inside Families Fly Free at familiesflyfree.com/join.Because you can't recall the memories you never make...

This week I’m chatting with Families Fly Free member Dave Banks—a dad of 4 from rural Oregon—who went from “credit cards are only for emergencies” to saving $2,367 on just 2 trips using my simple system. Dave shares how he and his wife flew to the Florida Keys for as low as 5,000 points each way with the Companion Pass, why the Families Fly Free Community has been the biggest surprise, and how the support inside Families Fly Free helped him go from skeptical to all-in.You’ll learn:Dave’s weekly habit that keeps spending responsible yet rewardingHow he pushed through a points hiccup and why it was worth itWhy smaller airports like Boise can still unlock big winsThe quote that guides his travel: “You can’t recall the memories you never make”Ready to make those memories with ease like Dave? Join Families Fly Free to start using miles and points with ease so you can make more family memories by flying free forever. 👉 Start here: https://www.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: free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members starting today!new aircraft featuresnew routes like Alaska and the CaribbeanPlus, 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:199 |❓Your Families Fly Free & Travel Rewards Questions Answered by Members: Open House Replay193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My!186 | New Rules, Same Free Perks? How to Outsmart Southwest’s Changes

❓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:Do I have to have a Southwest Companion Pass to get my value from the membership? (Answer: No ;-) - 2 of our panelists don't even have one!)Do I have to spend a lot of money on credit cards to earn all these points?Does it involve closing and opening a lot of credit cards?Does it work for international travel?Do I always have to fly Southwest?Is it worth it to pay the annual fees on travel cards?Is this a one-time fee or does it renew every year?And TONS more!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/JoinWant 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.comText them to me at 844-403-2263

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:Which cards to actually put your spending onHow to adapt to airline changes without paying moreWhy you can stop nickel-and-diming every little credit. If you’re overwhelmed or short on time but want to travel more for less, this is your roadmap 🎯.Interested in Families Fly Free? Attend my Open House on Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 2pm ET, 1pm CT, Noon MT 11am PST and hear from current members, learn more about membership and ask your questions live! Register at FamiliesFlyFree.com/OpenHouse.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:Why to compare portal prices vs. transfers in 2 minutes and pick the cheaper optionThe biggest pitfalls with third-party hotel bookings and how to avoid themMy confirm-confirm-confirm, validate-validate-validate strategyWhy Hyatt is the go-to sweet spot for fewer points and direct-booking peace of mindWant 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/joinRELATED EPISODES:87 | The Chase 5/24 Rule Explained86 | 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 offer 5 things you need to know as a result to keep flying free. I’ve spent 10+ years in this space and coach hundreds of families day in and day out, so you’ll hear the simple, real-time strategies that are actually working today 🔄.Listen in to learn:How to adjust when banks tighten, bonuses become limited and fees increaseWhich cards to keep vs cutHow to shift your strategy so continual card bonuses aren't necessary (because that's no longer going to work!)If you want ongoing, up-to-the-minute guidance you can trust — plus monthly live Q&As, real-time community-tested tips, 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/joinRelated Podcast Episodes:Episode 42: My Favorite Family Halloween Travel "Treat": Disneyland at HalloweenEpisode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 76: 5 Fun Halloween Getaways for the Spookiest Season⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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:Keep flying Southwest for the same cost (or less) as before (yes, really!)Make only slight changes to the way we’ve always flown Southwest for free Understand how to KEEP getting free bags, as well as free assigned seating and navigate the new fare rulesYou’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/ChangesJoin Families Fly FreeSouthwest — 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:A powerful question to ask beauty itselfHow to slow down and see a painting (including what to look for)The difference between what the artist intended and what the piece says to youHow to turn a museum visit into a deeper, more meaningful experience — solo or with your kidsMy favorite immersive art experience and why you should try one near youPlus, 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:VIDEO: THE LUME Indianapolis at Newfields: Van Gogh Starry Night Immersive Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dq9MF9JL7YEpisode 176 | How I'm Learning Italian Inspired by My Travels👉 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! After attending the Grand Opening event for media, I share my insight on the parks along with Chad's an Orlando local and "theme park junkie."This episode covers:🍕 The best food in the park (hello, truffle pizza, mango cornbread & that Frankenstein pretzel)🧛‍♂️ The incredible Dark Universe land featuring Universal Monsters — and why Monsters Unchained might be the most underrated ride in the park🐉 Chad's favorite land, Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon), plus the family-friendly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and must-see live show🎢 What we thought of Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and whether Yoshi’s Adventure is worth the wait🧢 Why the Power-Up Bands matter — and how Universal turns Super Nintendo World into a real-life video gameWe also share final thoughts on:Express Pass strategyTouring tips for different agesWhy this park truly is epic — and may even deserve an entire trip on its own🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epicResources: My DVC Points PodcastRelated Episodes:Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

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. I share my experiences attending the Grand Opening event for media.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:Hotel options at Epic (including pros/cons of Stella Nova, Terra Luna & the ultra-pricey Helios Grand)A deep dive into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic — the ride, the land, the queue and the details you don’t want to missTips on wait times, Express Pass strategy, early entry and how to use points to cover your Universal tripWhat we loved (and didn’t) about Celestial Park and its headline coaster, Stardust Racers🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epicWant the full Epic Universe breakdown (plus my photos + member Q&A)? It’s inside the Club. Join --> SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club Resources: My DVC Points PodcastMy Video Tour: Stella Nova Resort - https://youtu.be/BvQIJ3Vjs9gMy Video Tour: Cabana Bay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJOUCSLx1gRelated Episodes:Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

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/joinJoin the my email list at https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/emailGot questions about Families Fly Free? Email info AT secretsofatraveljournalist.com or text 844-403-2263Resources:Episode 183: London Trip - Top 5 Tips - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/183-london-trip-top-5-travel-tips/id1540642046?i=1000703049415Living 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 PassWhy flying kids home from college — even on short notice — can be stress-freeHow I used points to fly my son to UCLA for a summer program and internshipA smart strategy to erase campus hotel costs using a Chase transfer bonusThe emotional (and financial) payoff of having points ready when college travel callsIf 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-cardBut 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-changerTravel insurance protections that could save you thousandsThe overlooked bonuses you earn just for keeping the cardThanks again for using my affiliate link to apply for this card to support the podcast & my small business: https://www.familiesflyfree.com/favorite-cardGot 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_freemusicMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US