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: 🍕 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...
Jul 22, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 191
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: Hotel op...
Jul 15, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 190
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 ...
Jul 08, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 189
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 i...
Jun 14, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 188
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 ...
May 12, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 187
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 bag s free and snag a great seat without paying extra. We’ll cover: ✈️ How to navigate the new bag fee rules 🧳 The trick to keeping your checked bags FREE 💺 What assigned seating really means...
May 02, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 186
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 journ...
Apr 24, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 185
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. Want to travel more—without the stress, the endless Googling or overpaying for flights and hotels? Join ...
Apr 17, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 184
Fresh off my family’s trip to London, I’m sharing 5 travel insights you can use on your next international adventure. These simple but powerful tips helped make our trip smoother, more memorable — and more fun! You’ll learn: My #1 strategy to beat jet lag Why flexibility can be your travel superpower How to stay on top of major travel news (and why it matters!) When it’s worth splurging — and how to do it guilt-free The mindset shift that will help you savor every moment Join me inside my Secret...
Apr 10, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 183
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. ✨ 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 h...
Apr 01, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 182
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. ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club , where I’m pulling back th...
Mar 26, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 181
We continue our discussion with more information now available about Southwest's big changes announced on March 11, 2025. We discuss the answers to questions like: Is there an easy way to still get my checked bags free? Yes! Do these changes affect flights I've already booked or will book before May 28? Should I stop booking the cheapest Southwest fare? Would I get points back if I canceled a Basic fare booked with points since it’s nonrefundable? What does "variable points pricing" mean? And mo...
Mar 18, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 180
Southwest ends free checked bags and announced other MAJOR changes recently, including a new "Basic" fare. While much of these changes are very disappointing, in reality, they only requires a few minor adjustments for those of us flying Southwest using travel rewards. I explain the changes and what shifts you need to make in this episode. After recording this podcast, Southwest did confirm that they will "introduce variable redemption rates across higher-demand and lower-demand flights." My best...
Mar 11, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 179
Is Southwest's surprise reduction in the number of points you can earn on certain fares when you book paid flights a big deal? It's not, trust me. I explain in this episode... ✨ 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.co...
Mar 05, 2025•11 min
If you follow my simple system to use travel rewards to fly for free, you know that Chase cards are some of my favorite travel cards. That makes doing all, or most of, your banking at Chase a no-brainer. As a longtime Chase banker, I explain some of the benefits of banking with Chase, especially if you use travel rewards on the regular. If you decide to open a checking account at Chase, you can use my referral link to earn $300 after making a direct deposit of $500 or more within the first 90 da...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 178
A lot of people have mistaken assumptions about travel rewards that simply aren’t true. In this episode, Lyn lays out what you “think” travel rewards involves, versus the reality of what is actually the case. ✨ 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://...
Feb 26, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 177
Lyn shares the latest about the changes coming to Southwest Airlines this year and next year, including assigned and extra legroom seating, their partnership with Icelandair, credit card changes, hotel partnerships and more. ✨ 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 tr...
Feb 19, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 176
When you start flying more because you're using miles and points, having access to airport lounges can be a nice perk of traveling! In this episode, Lyn shares the easiest way to get access to airport lounges - by holding the right travel cards - and her favorite card options to help you do so most affordably. Resources: Capital One Venture X referral link - https://familiestravelfree.com/capitalonepodcast Chase Sapphire Reserve affiliate link - https://familiestravelfree.com/ReservePodcast Capi...
Feb 11, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 175
Learn how Amy Heffern, a mom of 2, has used travel rewards and Southwest Airlines specifically to not only save on the cost of flights for travel sports for her son's travel lacrosse tournaments, but also how flying Southwest is a more flexible and convenient option for her family. ✨ 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...
Feb 06, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 174
Here are 5 things that banks, airlines, hotels and others DON’T want you to know about travel rewards because it’s not in their best interest for you to know. In this episode, I’m sharing the straight truth to help you fly and travel for free in the most efficient, effective and easiest possible way that’s in YOUR best interest. ✨ 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 luxur...
Jan 29, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 173
Lyn shares how aficionados of Dave Ramsey can still follow his advice and remain debt free, while responsibly taking advantage of travel rewards. ✨ 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 trave...
Jan 14, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 172
Lyn shares how her family saved $11,000+ on free flights, hotel and vacation rental stays across six trips in 2024. This included trips to Orlando, Costa Rica, Austin, New Orleans and more. ✨ 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.secretsofatrave...
Jan 07, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 172
Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club member Michele Holmes shares how she went from never using miles and points to save thousands with travel rewards and prioritizing remaining a member despite a job loss to ensure her family can continue to travel affordably. Hear more travel rewards success stories on YouTube.com/FamiliesFlyFree . ✨ 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 l...
Dec 24, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 170
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/googleflights ✨ Join me ins...
Dec 11, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 171
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. ✨ 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....
Nov 21, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 168
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/join Get on our email list to get trav...
Nov 05, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 167
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 ...
Oct 29, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 166
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 im...
Sep 27, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 165
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
Aug 30, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 164
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 appreciat...
Aug 19, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 163
