Families Fly Free

Well everyone. Southwest has finally cut out the last thing that I think was keeping its loyal followers hanging on: the Southwest Companion Pass, something I have said was the best deal in travel for the last 10 years.As of January 1, they are changing how you earn it, and I’m here to tell you that with those changes: the Southwest Companion Pass is NO LONGER A GOOD DEAL.Yes, I said it and it’s a sad day indeed: Synonara Southwest Companion Pass.I detail everything in the live video above and answer many, many questions from viewers about Southwest’s October 15 announcement, which Southwest plays as “great news” and “much simpler” when in fact it’s a huge devaluing and WAY more complicated.I also share clarification on some confusing wording on their page announcing the changes that I was able to confirm DIRECTLY with Southwest Airlines via my sources there.Essentially, you have to spend $140,000 on a Southwest card in one year in order to get the same unlimited, 2-year Companion Pass they offer today.I will never recommend anyone do that. A Southwest card is not a good place to put your spending, and even IF you could spend that much (I could not!), it would take you the better part of a year, leaving you with a Companion Pass that’s only good until the following year. And to keep it ongoing, you’d need to spend that amount EVERY year.No thanks, Southwest. I’m moving on. And I’m hugely disappointed in this change. I know how to play the miles and points game, and I’m just going to start paying points for my Companion after I no longer have my current Companion Pass.Southwest wants you to spend on their card. I’m too smart for that and I want to make sure you are too.I’m putting my spend on a flexible card.I’m also going to start looking at other airlines and comparing their points prices. Without the Companion Pass, other airlines are now fair game.All that said, there IS still time to get a Companion Pass in hand the CURRENT, MUCH EASIER WAY by only spending $4,000-$5,000 of your everyday spend instead of $140,000.You’ll need to open 2 Southwest cards by year’s end, meet the minimum spends on both BEFORE your December close date, in order to get 2 points bonuses that together accrue 135,000+ Companion Pass qualifying points and enough to secure a Companion Pass good through Dec. 31, 2027.Yes, it’s possible; you just need to know what you’re doing!While this is MUCH simpler, it’s still complicated with the timing and Southwest’s many rules and regulations.You need someone to make sure you get this right because it’s the LAST TIME TO EVER GET THIS A COMPANION PASS WITH SO LITTLE SPEND.Did you hear that? This is the LAST GREAT COMPANION PASS.Get one and make the most of it in 2027!I currently have availability to help 10 (and only 10!) additional people within my small, private Families Fly Free Elite Travel Club, which I closed earlier this year.In the Club:* You work directly with me on your miles and points strategy, including earning the Southwest Companion Pass, via live Q&As, webinars, direct email and text and private Zoom consults* You are part of a small private travel community who helps one another via our Community forum and real-time group texting* You can attend exclusive members-only trips in the US using miles and points for flights and accommodations (we just went to Portland, Oregon in September)* Get all the latest travel news you need to know like how to best execute on getting a Southwest Companion Pass through 2027 in light of the changes* Learn how to maximize flying Southwest Airlines, fly free to Europe and stay free at hotels and Airbnbs* You can access my on-demand travel content library and destination itinerariesI keep this club private and small so I personally know, and can work with, everyone. I can only take 10 people, and I don’t know when or if I will be able to open it again based on availability.If you want to be sure you get the LAST EVER Southwest Companion Pass (which I value at more than $6,000), navigate card declines, etc., I encourage you to grab a spot ASAP so I can help you. Securing a Companion Pass by itself is worth the cost to join, not to mention all the other benefits.If spots remain on Monday, I will be opening it to my tens of thousands of followers.Stay tuned for additional insight and analysis of Southwest's changes. Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe

Rachel says "I found my thing" when it comes to travel rewards and suggests "you can't go wrong investing in memories." Learn how this mother of grown kids has upgraded her travel rewards skills to take her family on a trip not "if" but "when" and "where" ever they want. She's even been able to fly to California for "lunch" and to take her daughter on a flight just to try on a wedding dress. What's her secret sauce? Listen to the episode to find out. Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe

Are you waiting to travel "someday" when you have more time or money? Portland realtor Bret Crawford shares how he went from barely earning enough Southwest points to flying free multiple times a year – and why the book Die with Zero convinced him to stop waiting. In his 60s, Bret's embracing the "go-go years," traveling as much as he can before he gets to the "slow-go" and then "no-go" years. Whether you're in your go-go years or approaching your no-go years, this episode is your reminder that tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Start using those points and making those memories NOW.In this episode, Bret shares:Booking 10-13 free trips annually (New Orleans, Los Cabos, Palm Springs, Hawaii and more!)Leveraging Hyatt points for stays in prime locationsPlanning a dream family Hawaii trip for his adult kids – paying for everyone's flights with pointsHis strategy for booking multiple options, then choosing what works best for his wife's teacher scheduleAbout Families Fly Free: Ready to stop waiting and start traveling? Families Fly Free teaches families a simple system to fly for free using travel rewards. Join our community at FamiliesFlyFree.com. Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe

Think transferring Chase Sapphire points to Southwest will get you closer to Companion Pass? Think again. In this episode, I'm clearing up the biggest confusion around earning the Southwest Companion Pass—because the rules aren't what most people assume. I'll walk you through:The major mistakes people make (including that Chase transfer trap)Why "bonus points" don't always mean what you thinkThe smartest, simplest path to earning the Pass—without cobbling together points from a dozen different placesHow to have a Southwest Companion Pass for nearly 2 full years (yes, really)If you've been piecing together your Companion Pass strategy through Google searches and forum posts, this episode will save you from costly mistakes and wasted time.Ready to master the full system? Join Families Fly Free to get the complete roadmap, perfect timing strategies and step-by-step personalized guidance so you never miss out on this valuable perk: 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 Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe

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 Get full access to Secrets of a Travel Journalist at lynmettler.substack.com/subscribe