Families Fly Free

Want to make more family travel memories without breaking the bank? Longtime travel journalist Lyn Mettler shares her top tips to help families quickly and easily travel for less using rewards points and inspires you with ideas of where to travel on your next vacation.

169 | Top 5 Things to Know About Travel in 2025

What are some trends I'm seeing in travel among my Families Fly Free members? In this episode, I share not silly, made up travel trends like "multi-generational" travel or "babymoons" but real, on-the-ground things that I've seen in 2024 regarding flights, hotels, vacation rentals and more that you need to prepare for in 2025. Don't miss this episode if you'll be traveling in the coming year!Download my free Google Flights Tip Sheet at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/googleflightsTo get your personal travel rewards plan that includes my SIMPLE strategy to always have ONE Companion Pass per family, come join us in Families Fly Free for 2025 where you'll have personal support, be part of a vibrant community, learn all the latest tricks and tips to pay fewer points for every flight and get access to a library of travel saving content. Learn more at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join.Are you on my email list? If not, join to get free travel saving tips sent to your inbox every week at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Email

12-11
26:19

168 | Aren't 2 Southwest Companion Passes Better Than 1?

Lots of people are under the mistaken assumption that because the Southwest Companion Pass is such a great deal that having 2 would be better than having 1! But that is NOT the case. I explain why a) it's not necessary to fly for free and b) why it overcomplicates everything. To get your personal travel rewards plan that includes my SIMPLE strategy to always have ONE Companion Pass per family, come join us in Families Fly Free for 2025 where you'll have personal support, be part of a vibrant community, learn all the latest tricks and tips to pay fewer points for every flight and get access to a library of travel saving content. Learn more at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join.Are you on my email list? If not, join to get free travel saving tips sent to your inbox every week at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Email

11-21
21:45

167 | Maximizing Travel Rewards Efficiency With Jon Gombola

In this podcast episode, travel rewards user Jon Gombola shares how learning not just how to collect miles and points but understanding how to use them most efficiently, paying the fewest possible points, has allowed his family to save more on travel than they could have ever imagined, enjoying trips to Grand Cayman, Hawaii, Aruba and more.Get access to Jon's secret of success: the Families Fly Free membership. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/joinGet on our email list to get travel-saving tips every week at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/email Hear more travel rewards success stories on YouTube.com/FamiliesFlyFree.

11-05
41:16

166 | How My Motto "Just Keep Checking" Can Help You Save & Travel Better

One of my travel mottos is: Just Keep Checking. Whether it's hotels, dining reservations, flights or car rentals, this motto can save you a lot of points and money and score you the reservations you dreamed of. I explain how in this episode. 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

10-29
16:52

165 | Southwest Just Announced These BIG Changes: My Thoughts and Analysis

Southwest announced lots of BIG news at its Investor Day on September 26, 2024. These big changes include partnerships with Icelandair, the ability to fly to Europe through new airline partnerships, more details about how their assigned seating will work, elite status changes and more. In this episode, I share my thoughts and analysis as someone who has followed Southwest for the last 10 years and worked with hundreds of families flying the airline many times each year, offering how this will impact flying for free on Southwest.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

09-27
28:50

164 | No More Assigned Seats? My Thoughts on Southwest's Big Change

Southwest announced this summer that they will be ending their no assigned seats policy in 2025. What will this look like? How will it change flying for free? I break it all down in this episode.Join Families Fly Free by Sept. 4 and get access to my Fly Free Formula classes which I'll be teaching live over 4 weeks! Learn more --> https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join

08-30
29:16

163 | Highest Ever Offer for Chase Ink Business Preferred

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card, which earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, one of my favorite flexible travel points, currently has its HIGHEST EVER bonus for a limited time (there is no end date, meaning it could end at any time). This is ALSO highest bonus currently available to earn Chase points. In this episode, I explain why this is such a great card and include a replay of episode 138 about why I love Chase Ink Business cards. If you decide to apply for this card, I super appreciate you using my affiliate link found in the post below to support this podcast and my small business! It will also ensure you are on the correct 120,000-point offer.Chase Ink Business Preferred Review - https://familiestravelfree.com/chase-ink-business-preferred/

08-19
27:20

162 | All About Chase Sapphire Preferred

Learn all about my favorite travel card, Chase Sapphire Preferred. I explain the offer, the card's features, how you can earn $1100+ in FREE travel, why it's my favorite travel card and walk you through how to fill out the card application. Thanks for using my affiliate link if you decide to apply in support of my small business and free podcast: https://www.familiestravelfree.com/chasesapphirepreferred 

06-06
58:50

161 | Teachers Can Fly Free Too With Monica Marino

Monica Marino shares how implementing a simple system to use miles and points enabled her to visit her son as much as she wanted, as well as enjoy some vacations. She also explains how teachers can fly for free using travel rewards despite being on a traditional school schedule.Learn how to fly for free like Monica by joining Families Fly Free. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/join

05-07
17:57

160 | Success Story: Free Flights for Life with Andrew and Kiana Joyner

Andrew and Kiana Joyner share their journey from travel rewards beginners to getting free flights for life! The couple share their best tips, including what to watch out for when booking with third-party vendors and why you need TSA PreCheck, as well as how they use travel rewards to fly for free.Check out their YouTube channel at:https://www.youtube.com/@SoulJourneyProjectWant to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...https://www.familiesflyfree.com Download Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravelfree.com/7hacks

05-01
46:34

159 | Tips for Choosing the Right Tour Company for Your Family With Christine Sarkis

Have you ever considered traveling with a tour company to a particular destination? Christine Sarkis, with TourScoop.com and FamilyVacationist.com, gives us some tips for how to decide if a tour is a good fit for your family and if so, how to choose among the many tour companies like Backroads, Road Scholar, Go Adventures, Intrepid, Wilderness Travel and more.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...https://www.familiesflyfree.com Download Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

04-18
36:44

158 | Success Story: The 80/20 Rule Applied to Travel With Jesse Brown

The value of focusing on the most impactful travel rewards strategies to not only save you money, but tons of time, as well from someone who once flew free as an airline employee. Plus, he shares many great travel tips that we all should take to heart. Resources:Email Jesse about his Lake Tahoe vacation rental at bobalinresort AT outlook.comWant to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...https://www.familiesflyfree.com Download Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

04-09
36:08

157 | Tips for Traveling to Hawaii With Young Kids With Marcie Cheung

Planning a trip to Hawaii but not sure about bringing young kids? Marcie Cheung of HawaiiTravelWithKids.com has taken her children, now 7 and 10, at least 10 times and shares how it's doable, along with some of her best tips to navigate Hawaii with kids. Check out Marcie's Hawaii Travel Guides: https://www.familiestravelfree.com/hawaii-travel-guides (thanks for using our affiliate links here to purchase the Hawaii travel guides)HawaiiTravelWithKids.comWant to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...https://www.familiesflyfree.com Download Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

04-02
36:41

156 | 10 Romantic Getaways for Couples

It's a great idea for all couples to get away together without the kids from time to time. Here are 10 recommendations for fun romantic getaways for a couple's getaway.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

03-26
31:14

155 | Why You Should NOT Buy Discounted Southwest Gift Cards

While discounted Southwest gift cards SEEM like a good deal, they're actually not. Here's why...Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacksResources:Southwest Gift Card Terms & ConditionsArticle: Why You Should NOT Buy Discounted Southwest Gift Cards

03-19
10:34

154 | Feeling Alone in Your Miles & Points Hobby? I've Got Some Tips

Do you ever feel alone in your love of collecting miles and points and scoring a great travel deal? Lyn sees this a lot and shares some quick advice.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

03-05
11:45

153 | Listener Questions Part 2: Companion Pass Southwest Card Offer & Timing, Costco, Devaluing Points & More

In Part 2 of listener questions answered, Lyn explains why the current Southwest personal card offer is NOT good, when and how you should use a Costco card, if devaluation of airline points is a problem, if shopping portals are key to her strategy and if it's too late to get a Southwest Companion Pass now. Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacksLearn More:VIDEO: When Is the Best Time to Get a Southwest Companion Pass?How to Correctly Time Your Southwest Companion PassEpisode 152: Listener Questions - Chase Freedom Unlimited, Having Enough Points, Flying From a Non-Hub Southwest Airport 

02-27
20:49

152 | Listener Questions Answered: Flying Southwest From a Non-Hub Airport, Having Enough Points, Chase Freedom Unlimited

Lyn answers some great questions from listener Jamie about options if you don't want to fly Southwest out of your home airport, how you really can pay 7,500-10,000 points per flight and if you should use Chase Freedom Unlimited for your everyday spend. Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacksSee More...My DVC Points Podcast Episode 265: Why Lyn Was RightBONUS Episode: $7000+ Saved Flying Free as a Single Parent to College Visits, Hawaii, Yoga Retreats & More Send your questions to info AT familiestravelfree.com

02-20
32:53

151 | Success Story: Traveling to All 50 States With Amanda Sanfilippo

Amanda's family of 4 has a goal to visit all 50 states before her daughters graduate high school. She shares how learning how to earn and use travel rewards has saved them thousands on trips to places like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Utah, Niagara Falls and more.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacks

02-13
32:44

150 | Why You Should Not Be Intimidated to Visit US National Parks with Bryanna Royal

Don't be intimidated to visit our National Parks for any reason, including crowds, knowledge, equipment or planning. Bryanna Royal of Crazy Family Adventure explains how you can enjoy the National Parks this year without overwhelm and make memories in some of America's most amazing landscapes. She shares some of her favorites and tips for making the most of your experience.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacksResources:Crazy Family Adventure BlogCrazy Family Adventure National Park ItinerariesFamilies Travel Free National Parks Articles and Videos

02-06
44:42

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