Points Talk®: Your Travel Dreams, Made Possible by Points

There are a lot of mixed feelings about Southwest and the Airline overall in 2023. But when it comes to family travel, you just can't beat Southwest, especially when you factor in the Southwest companion pass! But wait! It gets even better. In this episode, we will share our Top 5 Reasons We Love Southwest For Family Traveling on points! The perks of flying Southwest Airlines can be hard to fit into just one episode, but it can't be overstated enough that The Southwest Companion Pass is hands down one of the best deals in travel. This one tip alone can save any family hundreds to thousands of dollars annually in travel costs. This pass allows us to fly a guest for free with every single flight we take on Southwest. That means your spouse, a friend, a relative or anyone you choose can tag along for FREE! We know it sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Earning the Companion Pass is actually pretty easy - all we had to do was earn 135,000 points in one calendar year. And let us tell you, it's not as daunting as it sounds. After this episode, you'll see just how fast you can make it happen! The flexibility, convenience and savings don't stop there. Southwest also has a great cancellation policy. and if the price goes down, you can easily change your tickets and get the points redeposited into your account. Plus, you can cancel up to 10 minutes before the flight takes off and get a full refund or flight credit, which takes the stress out of traveling if things can come up unexpectedly with your busy family. That's just scratching the surface! Hit play to hear more about why we love Southwest, how to find the cheapest flights, how we travel with food for the whole family, the exact steps Jess is taking to unlock her Companion pass this year, and so much more! So, where are you heading next? We hope you take advantage of these amazing perks from Southwest Airlines! To learn more about how to get started, check out the links below! More Of What's Inside: How Southwest Airlines is a game-changer when it comes to booking flights, with their unbeatable cancellation policy. How to get the best deals of the year by booking flights How refund points work for Southwest A feature that's hard to come by in other airlines We speculate and book flights in advance and get more points How many times Alex has used her companion pass Where the Chase credit card rules come into play Why we think the best Traveling on Points Starter Kit comes from Southwest And much more! Links For This Episode: How to Get the Southwest Companion Pass: How to Get the Southwest Companion Pass 2024 All About the Southwest Airlines Credit Cards: All About the Southwest Airlines Credit Cards Links: Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Points and Miles Journey: Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy I https://travelmomsquad.teachable.com/p/thmata?coupon_code=THMWEB150 Our Website: https://travelmomsquad.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelmomsquad.com/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelmomsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@travelmomsquad Facebook group: Travel Mom Squad: Travel on Points | Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:04 What to expect from today's show 1:15 Everything you need to know about the Southwest Companion pass 2:55 Why it's so easy to accumulate points 4:06 How Jess is getting her companion pass in real-time 6:22 Where Jess plans to travel in 2023 7:32 How to add different people as your companion 8:36 Our thoughts about the Southwest boarding procedure 14:05 An easy way to get in the A 1-15 boarding class 16:30 Flight change and cancellation perks 20:33 A huge Southwest Perk for parents 22:19 Big family Momma: This will save you tons on checking luggage 25:58 Why you get so much bang for your buck with Southwest Points

Does the amount of credit card offers out there make your head spin? We have been there too! When you first start the process of Traveling on Points, it can feel a little overwhelming, and you can start to question what cards work best for you. In this episode, we go through our top cards and what makes them our favorites. There are a lot of great credit cards out there that can help you travel for nearly free. However, just because some cards work for us, doesn't mean they will work for you. Every Travel journey is as unique as the traveler themselves! We encourage you to get clear about your travel goals, where you want or need to go, when you want to go, and who is coming along for the ride. You'll be amazed how a little intentional planning and goal-setting can make your card selection a breeze! Even though we all have different situations, there are a few rules we follow and standards a card needs to have before it makes the cut and lands in our wallets. Hit play to learn our card criteria, when and why we are willing to pay an annual fee, what makes a card our favorite, plus more. If you have ever wondered about the benefits of having different cards for hotels, business, and airlines, we will explain the difference and how to leverage all three! We will also let you in on the perks and incentives that our favorite cards have to offer such as discounts at our favorite stores, exclusive access to travel lounges around the country, TSA pre-check, and bonus luggage for the whole family, just to name a few. To learn more about the cards we mentioned today, connect with us for questions or to receive a Free Credit Card Consultation, follow the links below! More Of What's Inside: A look into our luxury Airport lounge access Why we love The Chase Sapphire Preferred card Our favorite airline cards and why The difference between the United Quest and the Explorer What you need to know about The American Express Gold Card Cards that give us the most points One card most people don't use for travling on points And much more! Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: Free Credit Card Consultation: https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/credit-card-consultation Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's episode 0:55 Let's talk about our favorite cards 1:24 Pam's favorite credit card for traveling on points 7:34 Jess' favorite credit card for traveling on points 11:51 Alex's favorite credit card for traveling on points 16:52 Our favorite airline cards 26:54 Our favorite hotel cards 30:35 Our favorite business card 34:41 Cards that deserve an honorable mention

The "omg, pinch me, is this really happening?" Type moments of life are not just reserved for Disney characters and fairytale stories. Surreal and once-in-a-lifetime moments are possible for everyone traveling on points! Seeing pictures and videos on the internet is one thing, but living it is something different. All three of us can look back at moments and memories we have been able to create because of Traveling On Points that still take our breath away. The best part is we never experienced these moments alone; taking our friends and family along for the journey is what makes it all worth it. Things and items fade, but memories last a lifetime. If you want to leave a lasting legacy and give your kids the gift of travel, this episode is for you! One of our go-to spots for family vacations is the beautiful islands of Hawaii! Most people assume that a trip like this would take years to save points for. However, with the tips and tricks we have picked up over the years, we have found that a trip to Hawaii is one of the best and simplest trips to pay for with points and miles! Some of us even capitalize on a Hawaiian vacation every year. (Almost totally free!) Maybe you are more of a mountain climber or city thrill seeker than a beach babe! Either way, we want to help get you there. In this episode, we share everything you need to know about the best destinations to take the kids, what trips we have planned for 2023 and how we are making them happen, the most magical pool in the USA, the best locations we have been to so far, and more! If you are new to the world of Traveling On Points, you'll also learn our top pick for hotel credit cards and advice on getting started! What's your dream destination? Let us know by reaching out to us via the links below! More Of What's Inside: Marriott or Hilton? Our top pick and why How to get to Hawaii on Southwest Jaw-dropping views we will never forget How we book our flights and hotels with points A British Airways trick all the pros use The benefits of having your parents with you on a trip How we travel to Hawaii for almost to free Why Hawaii is so special for Alex and her family The moments we could have only experienced through Traveling On Points When we saw celebrities in our hotel And much more! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: Access all our posts about Hawaii on the blog Hawaii Archives Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's episode 1:46 The best hotels in Hawaii that take points 5:11 The best places we have stayed in Hawaii 13:24 Best place to take to the kids 18:16 The flights we take to get to Hawaii 22:01 One of Pam's top tips for Traveling On Points 27:34 The different ways to book your trip 34:57 Why we recommend Hyatt for beginners

Traveling on points has completely changed the way we approach travel. After years of accumulating points and miles, we've been able to take trips that we never could have afforded otherwise. However, it hasn't been all jet-setting and checking trips off our bucket list. After 6+ years, it's safe to say that we have made our fair share of mistakes… In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our journey and let you know some of the most important lessons you can learn. Even though we have made a few mistakes along the way, the feeling of getting to travel without breaking the bank is absolutely amazing and worth the trial and error process and we wouldn't change our journey for anything. Hiccups and bumps in the road aside, we must admit the scale leans heavily in the success department. That's why we will also share our biggest wins! Get a look at our first trips, that made us believers in Traveling on credit card points, why we feel spoiled every time we travel and why we are never going back to our old ways. Once you start collecting points and taking trips for nearly free, you'll discover that it's much easier than you think. Not only that, Traveling on points is more practical than you think as well! Even though we all dream about luxury vacations and flying first class, sometimes life events happen and you need to get somewhere ASAP. In some cases, getting where you want to be, when you need to be there is priceless. Especially if your kids are in sports that require you to travel, or when someone in your family has to see a specialist for a medical issue in another state. These are the types of moments that take Traveling on Points from a hobby to a lifestyle. You may have heard us say before that "Traveling on points is for everyone!" By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly what we mean. Hit play to find your points path! More Of What's Inside: Mistakes we made with credit cards Our sign-up Bonus mistakes Pam's first trip with points and miles Specific cards that unlock hotel stays You can do whatever you want with traveling on points One surprising thing Alex spent her points on What it feels like traveling for nearly FREE There is a path for everyone in traveling on points Making the process work for your life and goals And much more! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's episode 1:00 Pam's biggest mistake traveling on points 5:05 Jess' biggest mistakes traveling on points 7:08 Alex's biggest mistake traveling on points 11:58 Our biggest wins and first free trips 16:48 You can go at your own pace 18:17 Perks of traveling to Asia 21:09 Why Jess Feels Spoiled by traveling on points 28:54 It still feels surreal when we travel for free

If you hear "two-player mode" and "Chase 5/24" and think we are talking about video games, you may need to brush up on your Traveling on Points terminology. If you don't know the lingo, it can feel like everyone speaks a different language in the points and miles world. Never fear; we are here to help! In this episode, we will give you the rundown of all the common terms and lingo you need to know before diving into the deep end of applying for credit cards to earn points. After years of trial and error, we have found some of the best options on the market that can help you earn faster than you thought possible. We aim to help you understand which of the three card options for points works best for you. By the end of the show, you'll know the basics about traveling on points and be ready to start building a strong foundation of cards that fund your dream vacations. After you know how to start, you also need to know how to end things. During this conversation, we will give you a look into our wallets and share our decision making process for when we close a credit card, when we downgrade our cards and let you know what cards we plan never to stop using. We also share our top picks for business cards, what you need to know before making someone an authorized user on your card, how many cards you can apply for a year and more! PS: Don't forget to check out the links below to find all the cards we mentioned if you want to start applying today! More Of What's Inside: The Chase 5/24 Rule and why it matters What we use to track our 5/24 status How we manage the annual fees Why we always keep our cards for at least a year The benefits of the Hyatt card Why Pam loves her American Express card When and why we cancel a card What it takes to keep an account active The benefits of having a business card Cards that will never leave our wallets How you and your spouse can open cards to earn more And much more! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: Travel Freely App: https://my.travelfreely.com/app_store?bref=hmyt How to Qualify for a Business Credit Card: http://travelmomsquad.com/how-to-qualify-for-a-business-credit-card/ Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's conversation 0:44 Let's talk about the traveling on points Basics 1:43 The 3 types of cards for traveling on points 4:18 The perks of having transferable points 5:45 Understanding the Chase 5/24 Rule 11:02 Two-player mode and what you need to know 14:42 Think about this before make someone an authorized user 17:42 One card that doesn't have annual fees 20:27 When and why we close or cancel a card 24:48 Cards we will probably never cancel

Are you interested in Traveling On Points but… In the back of your mind, do you worry about the impact on your credit score? Or the time and money required to see results? You're not alone! When we first started with points and miles, we had similar questions! These are common concerns for people just starting out. But here's the thing: award travel is a skill, and like any other skill, the more you practice and understand the process, the better you'll get at it. In this episode, we'll address some of the most common misconceptions about award travel and answer frequently asked questions like: How much money do you need to spend to earn points? How do you maintain a high credit score while collecting points? How much time does it take? How many credit cards do you need to use? We'll also share our #1 tip for keeping your cards organized, and an app you can use as a travel tool to track your points, miles, and credit card offers. This will help you stay on top of your progress and make the most of your Travel experience and make your next trip a breeze! It may sound overwhelming at first, but don't psych yourself out. If we can do it, anyone can! By understanding the common misconceptions and frequently asked questions and by staying organized and consistent, you can become a points and miles pro and enjoy the benefits of free or discounted travel. More Of What's Inside: How does collecting points impact your credit? The misconception is that you just get one card The power of sign-up bonuses How to use credit cards to break up your expenses Planning your card applications around life events How it's easier than ever to get started Our favorite app for traveling Everyone can make time for this (even the busiest moms) And much more! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's episode 0:38 Traveling on points misconceptions 1:02 Will this ruin your Credit Score? 2:27 What makes up your credit score 5:22 Why Alex doesn't look at cards APRs 6:17 The power of sign-up bonuses 8:58 How many credit cards Pam opens within a year 10:26 Why you DON'T have to spend a crazy amount of money to earn points 14:31 How Alex earned points from paying medical bills 16:35 Why this lifestyle can fit into even the busiest schedules 18:34 Age isn't a limit! Pam is a grandma of 21 grandkids and still does it. 20:42 The best and easiest way to stay organized

Welcome to the FIRST ever Points Talk with the Travel Mom Squad! We are Alex, Pam, and Jess! A trio of Moms who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Now we are on a mission to help you and your family do the same! (Without spending more money.) Maybe you may have seen us on a viral clip on TikTok or Instagram with a quick tip or maybe this is the first time you've heard of us! Either way, we are so glad you are here. We've earned millions of credit card points that allowed us to travel the world and take our families on amazing vacations. As you can imagine, there is only so much you can share during a quick video on social media versus a deep-dive conversation. That's why we started this show! This podcast has been a long time in the works, and we couldn't be more excited to share even more tips and tricks you need to know. We believe that anyone and everyone (not just moms) can Travel On Points. To start things off right, we want to debunk the myth that you must be collecting points for years or spend a bunch of money to earn points before going on one of your dream trips. This is 100% a myth and we will prove it! In this episode, we share what traveling on points means, how we got started, and our favorite trips using points and miles. By the end of the episode, you'll be ready to bust out a vision board and start planning all the trips you never thought you could go on. We will give you a look into our favorite trips to Scotland, Greece, Italy, Hawaii, and other amazing places. The best part? Some of these trips cost less out of pocket than a meal at a fast-food restaurant…not even joking. What are you waiting for? Hit play to learn more! PS: Check out the links below to connect with us! More Of What's Inside: How we got started traveling on points and miles Why you need to experience business class A look into the Marriott's overwater bungalow in the Maldives Our favorite trips using points and miles The only thing that makes award travel even more fun Interesting facts about the Singapore economy Why Alex goes to Hawaii every year Pam's couponing blog in the early days of the internet How Jess took her kids across the EU And much more! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 0:02 What's inside today's conversation 0:48 Our definition of traveling on points 1:35 How we all started traveling on points 3:36 How Alex sold her mom Pam on the idea 7:38 We started the Travel Mom Squad 9:19 Our favorite trips we've taken on points and miles 23:27 Bonus Tip: How we save even more money on food while traveling 24:12 This isn't too good to be true, you can do it too!