Lynn Mettler's family has taken over 30 trips using points and miles—most costing less than $100 out of pocket. In this refresher, she walks through the 2022 landscape for travel hacking, from signup bonuses that dwarf everyday spending rewards to the Southwest Companion Pass that cuts flight costs in half.
Key Topics:
-
Smart Credit Card Habits & Signup Bonuses
- Signup bonuses often deliver more value than months of regular spending; strategic card applications amplify rewards quickly.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- 60,000-point bonus and flexible redemption options make it a top choice for beginners and veterans alike.
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Southwest Companion Pass
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- Earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year to unlock a pass that lets a companion fly free on all Southwest flights for the rest of that year and the entire next year.
2022 Travel Landscape
- Staffing shortages cause delays and cancellations; flexibility in booking accommodations and backup flight options matter more than ever.
Ready to take the next step?
Put what you heard into action with these tools and community.
Rental Car Strategies
- Turo offers an alternative to traditional rental counters, often with better availability and convenience.
Book Flights First
- When using points, secure flights before committing to accommodations—award availability changes faster than hotel inventory.
Timestamps:
- Introduction
- Travel rewards overview
- How travel rewards work for families
- Credit card habits and signup bonuses
- Chase Sapphire Preferred details
- Southwest Companion Pass
- Current state of travel in 2022
- Rental cars and accommodation strategies
- Final thoughts and resources
Resources:
Notable Quotes:
Top Travel Card
Ready to unlock a world of free travel? Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
$95 annual fee | Earn 75,000 bonus points
Best Card for Side Hustlers and Business Owners
Side hustlers! With the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card you can earn free travel from your business expenses.
$95 annual fee | Earn 100,000 bonus points
Most Flexible Travel Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card can be used to offset almost any travel expense.
$95 annual fee | Earn more than $1,000 in Travel Bonuses with a limited-time $300 Capital One Travel stays credit, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening—that's more than $1,000 in travel value
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- "Financial independence is about enhancing life enjoyment, not deprivation."
- "Leverage points with companions for doubled travel value."
