Best Chase Ultimate Rewards Podcasts (2025)

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187 | Chase Sapphire Preferred: Hidden Perks That Make This the No. 1 Travel Card 30:27

6d ago30:27

30:27

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 …

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186 | New Rules, Same Free Perks? How to Outsmart Southwest’s Changes 32:48

16d ago32:48

32:48

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 bags free and snag a great seat without payin…

1
Partner Airline Deals for Booking Alaska & Hawaiian Flights 22:29

18d ago22:29

22:29

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to show you how to book Alaska and Hawaiian flights for less by leveraging partner airline points. We'll explore options with Finnair, Qatar, JetBlue, American, and Singapore Airlines, including tips for maximizing your savings. I’ll break down everything from usi…

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185 | Why Travel Feels So Hard — And How to Make It Much Easier 23:41

24d ago23:41

23:41

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 thro…

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184 | The Problem With Opening Too Many Travel Cards 25:51

1M ago25:51

25:51

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 m…

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Alaska and Hawaiian Miles for Domestic Award Flights 17:55

1M ago17:55

17:55

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today we're diving into two airlines perfect for trips to and from the West Coast and Pacific Northwest, or flights to Hawaii and Alaska: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines! With their merger underway, things are shifting, creating some unique opportunities, especially a cool …

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183 | London Trip Top 5 Travel Tips 39:14

1M ago39:14

39:14

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…

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Amex Points Explained: The Good, The Bad, and The Rules You Need to Know 29:04

1M ago29:04

29:04

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Let's tackle a topic I get asked about a lot: Amex Membership Rewards. Honestly, I have mixed feelings – the points themselves can be fantastic for travel, but the cards? They definitely come with extra rules and quirks, making them feel more intermediate level. Still, since you'…

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Best Avios Strategies for Domestic American Airlines Flights 23:03

2M ago23:03

23:03

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m sharing the current best strategies on how to use Avios to book American Airlines domestic flights! With these methods you can book flights to Hawaii from anywhere in the US for 30,000 points round trip – or less! It used to be that British Airways offered a great way t…

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182 | Does Costco Fit Into a Travel Rewards Strategy? Let's Break It Down 5:38

2M ago5:38

5:38

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 rewar…

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181 | Turn Your Tax Bill Into Travel Rewards 26:40

2M ago26:40

26:40

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 …

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American Airlines Miles: Best Ways to Earn & Redeem for Domestic Flights 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, we're diving into American Airlines miles. I know a lot of you want to use points for domestic travel, and American is a good option. We'll talk about the best times to use your miles on American flights, and how to earn those miles. I'll cover the pros and cons,…

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Award Flights Made Easy: My Simple Research Process 19:43

2M ago19:43

19:43

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode I'm sharing my exact process to research the best domestic award flights. I’ll walk you through the initial steps I always take before even thinking about searching for award availability. I'll show you why it's so important to understand your routing options and …

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180 | How to STILL Fly Your Southwest Bags Free + Other Questions About Southwest's Changes 23:49

2M ago23:49

23:49

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 …

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Season 3 Premiere: Unlocking Domestic Flights with Points & Miles 21:22

2M ago21:22

21:22

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Hey everyone, welcome back to Points for Normal People! I am so excited to kick off Season 3 with you today! We're going to get into all things domestic flights and points this season, which is going to be a bit of a step up, getting into some of those intermediate strategies. If…

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179 | Southwest Airlines Ends Free Checked Bags + Other MAJOR Changes: What You Need to Know... 37:56

2M ago37:56

37:56

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 rec…

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BONUS | Is Southwest's Surprise Reduction in Points Earned on Flights a Big Deal? 11:11

2M ago11:11

11:11

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 perk…

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178 | The Benefits of Banking With Chase for Travel Rewards 28:34

3M ago28:34

28:34

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 deci…

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177 | What Travel Rewards ACTUALLY Is Versus What You Think It Is 31:55

3M ago31:55

31:55

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 y…

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176 | The Latest on Southwest Airlines' Changes Coming Soon 33:20

3M ago33:20

33:20

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 kn…

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175 | The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

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 refer…

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174 | Success Story: Flying Free for Travel Sports with Amy Heffern 28:46

3M ago28:46

28:46

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 …

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173 | Shhh... 5 Things They Don't Want You to Know About Travel Rewards 28:03

4M ago28:03

28:03

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…

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172 | Dave Ramsey and Travel Rewards 22:32

4M ago22:32

22:32

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 exp…

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171 | My 2024 Travel Rewards Savings Round-Up: $11,000 on 6 Trips 44:30

4M ago44:30

44:30

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, sco…

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170 | Success Story: Prioritizing Travel Despite Reduced Finances With Michele Holmes 34:22

5M ago34:22

34:22

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…

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Listener Travel Tricks: Your Best Tips for Saving Money and Maximizing Rewards 24:11

5M ago24:11

24:11

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today is special because I’ll be sharing the tips and tricks I’ve learned from you. The Points for Normal People community is full of great information and on occasion some of you have reached out to me with resources or information that I wasn’t even aware of. I’m so thankful to…

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169 | Top 5 Things to Know About Travel in 2025 26:19

5M ago26:19

26:19

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 episo…

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168 | Aren't 2 Southwest Companion Passes Better Than 1? 21:45

6M ago21:45

21:45

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 pullin…

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Hidden Gems: Unique Ways to Use Venture Miles 28:45

6M ago28:45

28:45

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today in part two about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, I’ll be showing you a lot of unique ways to use your Venture miles. We’ll cover ways for the average person to get the most out of their miles, and I’ll also show you some tricks for how to boost your earnings…

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The Venture X Card: A Deep Dive into Perks and Benefits 25:10

6M ago25:10

25:10

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! This episode is part one of a deep dive into the perks and benefits of the Venture X credit card from Capital One. There are a lot of reasons this is one of my top two credit cards! Today I’ll show you why I love this card and help you identify if it is a good card for you. If yo…

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Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access 25:48

6M ago25:48

25:48

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Have you ever been to an airport lounge? After my first experience, I was hooked! And the best part is, it was a benefit of my credit card! Over the years, I’ve been to a lot of different lounges, learned about the different programs and their restrictions, and have opened variou…

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167 | Maximizing Travel Rewards Efficiency With Jon Gombola 41:16

6M ago41:16

41:16

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 acc…

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Skip the Lines: Your Ultimate Guide to Save Time at the Airport 22:23

7M ago22:23

22:23

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know about how to skip airport lines. We’ll cover security, immigration, food, and rental car lines. You may be surprised how many easy ways there are to save time! So, if you're tired of waiting in long lines at the airp…

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166 | How My Motto "Just Keep Checking" Can Help You Save & Travel Better 16:52

7M ago16:52

16:52

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 Fre…

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Southwest Airlines: Secret Tips and Tricks Every Traveler Should Know 22:17

7M ago22:17

22:17

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’ll be covering tips that I believe every Southwest Airlines traveler should know. These will save you time, money, and make sure that you’re using all of the credit card benefits available to you. If you are new to this podcast and love Southwest Airlines like I do, be su…

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Southwest Flight Savings: Tips and Tricks for Saving Big 21:49

7M ago21:49

21:49

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I’ll be going over all of my favorite ways to save money when booking flights with Southwest Airlines. I’ll give you background information on the Southwest booking process, explain what makes their ticketing different from other airlines, and give you step-by-st…

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Maximize Your Rewards: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Cancellation 21:46

7M ago21:46

21:46

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I’ll be sharing about the most requested topic for this podcast; when to close your credit cards for maximum value. I’ll break down the various reasons that you may want to cancel a card and then give you a list of questions to ask yourself, to make sure that you…

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Southwest Companion Pass - Your Ticket to a Year or More of Free Flights 32:00

8M ago32:00

32:00

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! I’m so excited to be here with you again for season two, where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about the Southwest Companion Pass. My family has earned these for years and this is one of the best ways I can help you to save money on travel. In this episode, I’ll go ove…

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165 | Southwest Just Announced These BIG Changes: My Thoughts and Analysis 28:50

8M ago28:50

28:50

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 wh…

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164 | No More Assigned Seats? My Thoughts on Southwest's Big Change 29:16

9M ago29:16

29:16

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.famil…

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Inspiring Travel Stories Using Points 26:34

9M ago26:34

26:34

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I’ll be wrapping up season one by sharing five stories from individuals who have made the most of points and miles in ways that they value. You won’t believe some of the savings, and more importantly, the experiences they’ve been able to plan for their families. …

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163 | Highest Ever Offer for Chase Ink Business Preferred 27:20

9M ago27:20

27:20

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 su…

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Don’t Miss These Card Perks and Benefits 19:37

9M ago19:37

19:37

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to cover perks and benefits that belong to some of my favorite cards, including a new DoorDash benefit, how to use your points to book experiences like Broadway shows, and a great way to maximize your online shopping. Next week I’m excited to share success stories…

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Your Points Questions Answered 28:33

9M ago28:33

28:33

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to be answering your questions about season one of Points for Normal People. We’ll cover flights, hotels, benefits, and more! I’m so thankful that you’ve been on this journey with me and I know that your questions will be helpful for others, too! ACTION STEPS: If …

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Earning A Million (Valuable) Points on Autopilot 24:37

9M ago24:37

24:37

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’ll be sharing a big picture strategy for your first few years in points. I’ll go over my three year plan and take you through some common scenarios that will help you determine what’s best for you so that you can meet your specific goals. One common mistake is when people…

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How (Almost) Anyone Can Get a Business Credit Card 24:49

10M ago24:49

24:49

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to show you how doing something as small as selling a single item on Facebook Marketplace each year can qualify you for business credit cards (and the awesome welcome bonuses that come with them). If you’re feeling intimidated by the process, I’m here to help keep…

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Sweet Spots for Booking Flights with Ultimate Rewards 27:19

10M ago27:19

27:19

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! In this episode, I am going to walk you through each airline partner that is available for you to transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to. I’ll explain the benefits of each one, point out any downsides, and tell you about a few sweet spots so that you can get the most out of you…

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Avoid These Mistakes Booking Flights with Points 28:35

10M ago28:35

28:35

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to take the complicated topic of booking flights with points and give you ways to keep it simple, save you time, and help you use your points for the things you value most. In addition to helping you understand the world of booking flights with points, I also have…

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Best (and most underrated) Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards to Book Any Flight, Hotel, or Cruise 22:38

11M ago22:38

22:38

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures Welcome to Points for Normal People! Today I’m going to cover some of the best and most underrated ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The exciting news is that there is a lot of flexibility, allowing you to book all kinds of travel options including, flights, hotels, cruises, Disney tickets, or Airbnb. If tr…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chase Ultimate Rewards Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen