Ep. 393 — Travel Rewards Refresher 2022 | Lyn Mettler

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 00:04:45

  • Signup bonuses often deliver more value than months of regular spending; strategic card applications amplify rewards quickly.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 00:08:35

  • 60,000-point bonus and flexible redemption options make it a top choice for beginners and veterans alike.

• Southwest Companion Pass 00:14:42

  • 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 00:23:48

  • Staffing shortages cause delays and cancellations; flexibility in booking accommodations and backup flight options matter more than ever.

• Rental Car Strategies 00:41:52

  • Turo offers an alternative to traditional rental counters, often with better availability and convenience.

• Book Flights First 00:42:21

  • When using points, secure flights before committing to accommodations—award availability changes faster than hotel inventory.

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Introduction
• 00:01:34 Travel rewards overview
• 00:02:08 How travel rewards work for families
• 00:04:45 Credit card habits and signup bonuses
• 00:08:35 Chase Sapphire Preferred details
• 00:14:42 Southwest Companion Pass
• 00:23:48 Current state of travel in 2022
• 00:41:52 Rental cars and accommodation strategies
• 00:49:10 Final thoughts and resources

Resources:

• Families Fly Free
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review

Notable Quotes:

• "Financial independence is about enhancing life enjoyment, not deprivation." 00:03:33
• "Leverage points with companions for doubled travel value." 00:14:52