Point Me To First Class

We’re almost at the end of 2024, which means it’s the season to start laying the foundation for earning one of the most extraordinary perks in points travel: the Southwest Companion Pass. With that in mind, it’s time to revisit a conversation from this time last year with Southwest expert Lyn Mettler. A longtime travel journalist, Lyn has been writing about travel and interviewing experts for years. She now teaches hundreds of families this same simple system through her Families Fly Free membership, where her mission is to bring families together through travel.   Discover how to qualify for unlimited flights through the Southwest Companion Pass. We discuss how to decide if the Southwest Companion Pass should be part of your award travel strategy for the upcoming year, and you’ll learn about all the mistakes you need to avoid if you want to qualify for your own Southwest Companion Pass.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/snagging-southwest-companion-pass-lyn-mettler   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy          

Kevin Zanes, The Points Analyst, is here to share his expert take on the highlights and lowlights, the winners and losers, and the key developments that defined award travel in 2024. Together, we'll be unpacking the most significant events and digging into what these changes mean for points enthusiasts moving forward.   From major devaluations that stung to exciting new partnerships that opened up opportunities, this episode covers all the need-to-know news in the points and miles space. We share our predictions for 2025, our wish lists for the future of award travel, and our ratings for the overall state of the points and miles game.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/2024-points-miles-winners-losers-key-trends-kevin-zanes   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

I'm joined by Dr. Michelle Walther, who has been leveraging the Southwest Companion Pass to save money and make unforgettable memories with her family. Michelle is an emergency medicine physician, mom to two amazing girls, and wife to a retired army medic. When she's not saving lives, she's saving miles, turning her love for travel into a family adventure fueled by points and miles. Michelle first earned the Companion Pass five years ago and has been strategically qualifying for it ever since.   Learn everything you need to know about getting great deals with the Southwest Companion Pass. She also shares her tips for earning the pass through organic spend and referrals, finding great deals on Southwest flights, and avoiding common mistakes. If you've been on the fence about going for the Companion Pass, this episode will give you the inspiration and practical advice you need to make it happen.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/maximizing-southwest-companion-pass-dr-michelle-walther   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

Kelsi Sullivan grew up in Puerto Rico and Mexico City and has lived in way too many places, but her favorite was when she lived in Sri Lanka for 3 years! Traveling for Kelsi is about connection to people, food, culture, and history. In the travel rewards space, she is a solo traveler who loves a bougie last minute business class deal!   Learn how to take advantage of Mexico City’s strategic location for your next award trip. Kelsi explains why Mexico City is not only an amazing destination for a memorable stopover, as well as a key hub for unlocking unique award redemptions that most people overlook. She even shares her top recommendations for must-see attractions in the city and practical tips for navigating the airport’s hidden gems.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/unlocking-mexico-city-hidden-potential-kelsi-sullivan   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Ona Utuama, founder and creative director of Tribal Eyes, shares her journey from family medicine to fashion. She highlights the challenges of finding stylish eyewear for diverse facial features and cultural identities. Dr. Ona explains how her brand revolutionizes eyewear by marrying cultural designs with a perfect fit. Tune in for valuable tips on selecting the right glasses and learn about Tribal Eyes' exciting future plans, including a special holiday sale celebrating their growth!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the travel lover in your life this holiday season? Whether you're shopping for friends, family, or just treating yourself, I've got you covered with 10 fantastic travel-related gift ideas that are sure to delight. From products that make travel easier to subscription boxes that bring the flavors of the world right to your doorstep, there's something for every type of traveler on this list.   Tune in this week as I walk you through each of my 10 travel gift recommendations. Learn about handy travel accessories, artisanal food subscriptions, kid-friendly educational boxes, and even a special service that can help you book a bucket list worthy around-the-world trip on points.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/10-wanderlust-worthy-travel-gifts   Cincha travel belt Cincha Shark Tank episode Klipsta flex clip Tribal Eyes eyewear Kolkata chai Bokksu snack box subscription Global experiences gift card KiwiCo geography gift box Little passports gift box PointSisters award booking service

Have you been searching for a tool to simplify your award travel bookings? In this bonus episode, I'm joined by Megan Johnston, Community Manager at Daily Drop, to discuss their recently launched all-in-one software: Daily Drop Pro. This innovative platform combines an award search engine, cash flight deal finder, and points community all in one place.   Megan walks us through the key features of Daily Drop Pro, including its powerful award search capabilities for flights and hotels, cash deal notifications, and the supportive community space called the Pro Lounge. She also shares insider tips on how to maximize the platform's free and paid membership options and how to make the most of their search function.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/bonus-daily-drop-pro-megan-johnston   Don't miss out on the Daily Drop Pro Black Friday promo (starting November 25) and get an annual Pro subscription for just $99 here.   Grab your discounted Daily Drop Pro membership here to take advantage of $50 off an annual membership plan during the Black Friday sale!

Join Kevin Zanes, a points and miles expert, Dr. Sujatha Murali, an award travel strategist, Kelly from The Points and Miles Doc, and Dr. Andrea Mabry, another award travel expert, for a lively discussion. They dive into a fun game of 'Would You Rather,' tackling valuable points and miles choices. Expect spirited debates on loyalty points versus sign-up bonuses and insights into airline loyalty programs. Learn their quirky preferences and strategies to maximize travel rewards, transforming expenses into unforgettable experiences!

In this engaging discussion, Kamree Price, the founder of Our Family Passport and an Amex points guru, dives into the world of maximizing American Express points for family travel. With her experience traveling to over 50 countries, she shares her top tips for earning a million points annually. Kamree reveals how to navigate the Amex landscape, including welcome bonuses and maximizing redemptions. Listeners will learn about strategies to avoid the 'pop-up jail' and discover the best usage of points to create unforgettable travel experiences.

Lyn Mettler is a longtime travel journalist who has cracked the code on flying her family of four for free, going from one car trip a year to six free flights annually. Through her Families Fly Free podcast and membership, she teaches others her simple system for maximizing Southwest Rapid Rewards.   In this episode, Lyn breaks down the recently announced changes to the Rapid Rewards program, including the introduction of assigned seating and new international partnerships. She shares her predictions on how these updates will impact the travel experience and offers tips for making the most of your points under the new system.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://points.pointmetofirstclass.com/blog/southwest-rapid-rewards-lyn-mettler   Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy