Points for Normal People by Katie&#8217;s Travel Tricks &#8211; Katie&#8217;s Travel Tricks

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Southwest Airlines: Secret Tips and Tricks Every Traveler Should Know Oct 23, 2024

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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 sure to check out the first three episodes of season two, for more Southwest tips and tricks!

ACTION STEPS:

Review the benefits you have on your Southwest cards. Specifically double check to see if you have EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding and begin to plan for how you might use them. Here is a guide to review each card: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-card-guide/
If you are new to this podcast, start with Season One for the very best foundation for your credit card points.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

How to change your Southwest flight: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-airlines-change-flight/
How does Southwest boarding work: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-boarding/
Southwest EarlyBird Check-In Guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-earlybird-checkin/
A Guide to Southwest LUV Vouchers: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-luv-vouchers/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Southwest Flight Savings: Tips and Tricks for Saving Big Oct 16, 2024

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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-step tips and tricks to save you lots of time and money.

My family has been flying Southwest regularly for over a decade and we love it! Be sure to check out all my other resources for making the most out of flying with Southwest.

ACTION STEPS:

Establish a system to check and recheck for price changes.
Keep a record (I suggest a note in your phone) of what you pay in points, the flight times, and the cash price the day you booked.
If you’re new to a Southwest Companion Pass, here is a video with booking tips: https://youtu.be/cbfIf87ktcg

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

How to change your Southwest flight: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-airlines-change-flight/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Maximize Your Rewards: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Cancellation Oct 09, 2024

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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 get the most out of your card before you cancel.

If you find yourself new to credit cards and points, I’m here to help you with all the details, keeping it as simple as possible, and making sure that you get the most out of your credit cards for what you value!

ACTION STEPS:

Begin the process of evaluating your cards, by asking the first question: Do the benefits outweigh the annual fee?
After you have answered the question above, for any card you are considering canceling, you can ask the following questions:
- Will I lose my points if I close this card?
- Can I combine these points with another card before I cancel?
- Will I lose the ability to transfer my points to travel partners if I close my card?
- If yes, am I okay with that?
- Do I want to transfer points before closing?
- Are there any benefits I can get one more time?
- Should I keep this card so I can refer other people to it?
- How will closing this card affect my relationship with this bank?
- Do I have at least one card left with this bank?
- How will closing this card affect my credit score, specifically credit utilization?
- When can I apply for this card again?
Get the free download of the above list of questions here: https://katiestraveltricks.ck.page/12questions
If you want specifics on certain banks or cards, sign up for our newsletter here and get the free guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-101-quick-start-guide/
Get the free course, which includes the Southwest Companion Pass Bootcamp module: learn.katiestraveltricks.com

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Southwest Companion Pass - Your Ticket to a Year or More of Free Flights Oct 02, 2024

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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 over three methods for earning the Companion Pass so that you can find what’s best for you, no matter your situation. This works for families, for couples, and for individuals who want to bring a companion too! Thank you so much for being here!

ACTION STEPS:

Confirm your eligibility for both the Southwest business and personal cards: https://bit.ly/swflowchart-ktt
Choose one of the three methods to follow: Traditional two card method / single player mode / two pass/three card method. Sign up for my free course here, and review the lesson for the method you’ve picked: learn.katiestraveltricks.com
Check current offers: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-companion-pass-fall-2024-timelines/

MORE RESOURCES:

How to change your Southwest flight: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-airlines-change-flight/
11 Reasons We LUV Southwest Airlines for Families: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-airlines-for-families/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Inspiring Travel Stories Using Points Aug 28, 2024

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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.

I’m thrilled that you’ve been here for season one and look forward to sharing more with you as we dive into season two, soon! I’ll be sharing about the Southwest Companion pass, which has been a game changer for our family. If you have an inspiring points story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out anytime on Instagram or send me an email at katie@katiestraveltricks.com.

ACTION STEPS:

Sign up for my Points 101 Guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-101-quick-start-guide/
Sign up for my free course: learn.katiestraveltricks.com
I would really appreciate it if you would take a minute to review the podcast.
If you have topics you would like to see covered in future episodes, email me at katie@katiestraveltricks.com.

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Don’t Miss These Card Perks and Benefits Aug 18, 2024

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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 from season one, so be sure to follow along and join me as we unlock these secrets of travel points, together!

ACTION STEPS:

If you have one of the cards I mentioned, be sure to sign up for the DoorDash benefit. Here is my referral link for DoorDash: https://drd.sh/6grMGaBgsN3HXeLh. And here’s a guide if you need help with the steps: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-doordash-benefit/
Just one time this week, check in with https://www.cashbackmonitor.com/ if you’re doing online shopping to see if you can earn some extra points on purchases you’re already making.
If you’re planning a trip, check out https://experiences.hyatt.com/ to see if there’s an experience that goes well with your trip.

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Your Points Questions Answered Aug 14, 2024

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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 this season has been helpful for you, leave a comment and let me know about your journey with points.

MORE RESOURCES:

You can always check this page for the best credit card offers available: https://katiestraveltricks.com/bestoffers/
Here’s the guide for my favorite points: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ultimate-rewards-guide/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Earning A Million (Valuable) Points on Autopilot Aug 07, 2024

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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 get started without a strategy, simply applying for the highest welcome offers. While it might be good for the short-term, if you really want to maximize welcome offers, there are a few simple ways to make sure you are getting the most points on autopilot.

ACTION STEPS:

Jot down a few ideas of the next few cards you want to open. Reference my three year plan here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/easy-three-year-plan-for-points/

MORE RESOURCES:

Venture X - How to Get the Most Value: https://youtu.be/UQ5exKUm3Lg?si=bj8v4XakKNs-PEoC
Flight guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/category/redeeming-points/flightswithpoints/
Maps for Redeeming Points: https://katiestraveltricks.com/category/redeeming-points/maps/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

How (Almost) Anyone Can Get a Business Credit Card Jul 24, 2024

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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 it simple for you. I want to see you make the most of everyday expenses and credit card welcome offers to help you supercharge your travel points so that you can pay for entire family vacations every year.

ACTION STEPS:

If you’ve never opened a business card, begin to brainstorm if this might be a possibility for you.
If you’re ready to apply, start here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/businesscards/

MORE RESOURCES:

Guide to Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ink-guide/
Chase Ink Business Preferred Guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ink-preferred-guide/
VIDEO: Business Credit Card Application Made Easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JxB8-z-y44
Chase Ink Approval Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ejy_0qlB2o

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Sweet Spots for Booking Flights with Ultimate Rewards Jul 17, 2024

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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 your points.

If you’re worried that it will be too overwhelming, don’t worry. After you’re finished with the episode, I have a guide that includes a chart where you can easily see the breakdown of each Chase Ultimate Rewards airline partner.

ACTION STEPS:

Download the Ultimate Rewards Guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ultimate-rewards-guide/
Download the Travel Points 201 Guide (a guide to transfer partners): https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-201-all-about-transfer-partners/

MORE RESOURCES:

Regional Guides to Book Flights: https://katiestraveltricks.com/category/redeeming-points/flightswithpoints/
Notification for Transfer Bonuses: https://yourbestcreditcards.com/current-transfer-bonuses/?ccid=katiestravel

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Avoid These Mistakes Booking Flights with Points Jul 10, 2024

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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 lots of free resources to tell you about that will do a lot of the work for you.

ACTION STEPS:

If you have a trip goal, take some time to make notes of your options.
- TIP: If it is one of the areas we have a guide on, our guides will make it a lot easier for you. Check out our guides here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/category/redeeming-points/flightswithpoints/
- Run a few searches on PointsYeah.com or Google Flights.
- Try searching for different seasons to see if there are any major differences.
Download my free Travel 201 Guide for more information on transferring points from a bank to airlines or hotels: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-201-all-about-transfer-partners/
For more in depth information, check out my free course at learn.katiestraveltricks.com.

MORE RESOURCES:

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Best (and most underrated) Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards to Book Any Flight, Hotel, or Cruise Jul 03, 2024

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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 trying to get the most cents per point and navigating your way through content that only promotes using your points for luxury travel feels exhausting, you’ve come to the right place. I’m here to show you how to get the most out of your points for what you value.

ACTION STEPS:

Offset a big upcoming travel expense by doing one of the following:
- See if the Aeroplan card will fit into your card strategy: https://katiestraveltricks.com/aeroplan-pay-yourself-back/
- Venture X may also be a good option: https://katiestraveltricks.com/venturex/
- Consider other Venture cards
Take some time to set a few goals:
- How do you want to use your points in the next one to two years?
- Would offsetting some more of these general travel expenses help you lower your travel line item on your budget and free up money for other things?

MORE RESOURCES:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/travel-credit-card-rewards-points-tiktok/
Best Bank Account Bonuses: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-bank-account-bonuses/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Strategy Tips to Keep Earning Chase Points Forever Jun 26, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!
Today I’m going to introduce you to the three different families of cards within the Chase Ultimate Rewards universe. I’ll show you how to earn the most points over the long run and how to do this in single player or two player households.
There are a lot of Chase cards available, but don’t worry, I’m going to give you thoughts on how to manage your cards and points in a way that keeps it simple.
ACTION STEPS:
Take stock of all the Chase cards that you currently have.
If you have a Sapphire card, find out when you last earned a bonus so that you know when you’ll become eligible again. (If you signed up for Travel Freely, you should be able to easily view the information).
Write down in your calendar or in a note when you’re eligible to earn each bonus.
Review this guide with helpful screenshots on Chase Ultimate Rewards, going over all the cards we covered today: https://katiestraveltricks.com/chase-ultimate-rewards-guide/
MORE RESOURCES:
Business Cards: https://katiestraveltricks.com/businesscards/
YouTube Playlist for Unlocking More Points with Business Cards: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOsrZ9n0VdHxpjr8Ahv3o_PX3I_OJQdtI
Complete Guide to Chase Sapphire Preferred: https://katiestraveltricks.com/sapphirepreferred/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Tips to Use Your Points for Hyatt (our favorite use for Chase points) May 22, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

Today I want to show you how I use my Chase Ultimate Rewards for Hyatt. I book Hyatt regularly to simplify my decision making process and to save me a lot of time! So let me introduce you to all the ways you can make the most of your points with Hyatt.

If you’re worried about Hyatt reservations that don’t seem to be available with points, I also want to show you some special tips on how to book those hard-to-get reservations. Be sure to stay tuned for the action steps at the end!

ACTION STEPS:

Download my free Hyatt guide as a reference: https://katiestraveltricks.ck.page/hyattguide
Sign up for a free World of Hyatt Account: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/member/enroll

MORE RESOURCES:

Max My Points: https://maxmypoint.com/ref?code=pvhu2

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Best and Worst Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards Points for Hotels May 15, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

Today I’ll be introducing you to the easiest way to use your Ultimate Rewards points! I’ll be talking about how to use points for hotels, how my family has used it, and how you can get the most out of your points.

Remember that using points is most rewarding when you get to use it for things that you value. Be sure to subscribe and join me next week, when we cover part 2 of how to use points for hotels.

ACTION STEPS:

Set a goal for how you want to use your points. If you don’t have a specific goal for how you would like to use points in the next year, begin to think about that today.
Check out the Trip Reports from my blog for inspiration: https://katiestraveltricks.com/category/redeeming-points/trip_reports/

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Don't Ignore These Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits (Part 2: Travel Benefits) May 08, 2024

(Click MORE to see Ad disclosure) Welcome to Points for Normal People!
Thanks for joining me again for Part 2 as I share about all of the great travel benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. I’ve read all of the details so that you don’t have to! Let me fill you in and help you get the most out of your card.
If you missed Part 1, be sure to subscribe and then go back to hear all of the shopping benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred.
ACTION STEPS:
- Take advantage of the $50 hotel credit. And remember, if you cancel a refundable hotel reservation, generally the hotel credit toward your bill will still apply. Log into your Chase account to check the date that yours will reset. You can make a reminder in your calendar for about two months before this date, to remind yourself to use this benefit.
- In order to be covered by travel protections, make sure you’re paying taxes and fees for airline tickets with your Sapphire Preferred. Remember: The person going on the trip, needs to be the one with the card.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Check out my best offers if you are looking for a credit card to earn more points: katiestraveltricks.com/bestoffers/
- Sapphire Benefits Guide: https://static.chasecdn.com/content/services/structured-document/document.en.pdf/card/benefits-center/product-benefits-guide-pdf/BGC10979_SapphirePreferred_VisaSignature.pdf
- Cardpointers — https://cardpointers.com/partner/katiestravel/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Don't Ignore These Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits! (Part 1: Shopping Benefits) May 01, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

Join me today for a conversation about the shopping and purchase benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. It offers so much more than points, and I have all the details to help you make the most of your card.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on next week’s episode, where I cover the travel benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred.

ACTION STEPS:

Decide on a time that you will begin checking for Chase offers every week. If it will help you, reach out on Facebook or Instagram to let me know when you’ll be checking each week.
Pick one card that you’re going to use for extended warranty and purchase protection. You can start an email or file folder for receipts to make it easy if you ever need to file a claim.
If you’re listening before Jul 31, 2024, you can still get two more Instacart $15 credit benefits. If you’ve never used Instacart before, you can use my referral link here and should receive $10 off your first purchase: https://inst.cr/t/f9bcc87a5 or use code KFB0412132 at check out

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Sapphire Benefits Guide: https://static.chasecdn.com/content/services/structured-document/document.en.pdf/card/benefits-center/product-benefits-guide-pdf/BGC10979_SapphirePreferred_VisaSignature.pdf

Cardpointers — https://cardpointers.com/partner/katiestravel/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Mistake: Not staying organized (these tools help!) Apr 24, 2024

(Click MORE to see Ad Disclosures) Welcome to Points for Normal People!

In this episode, I’ll share mistakes I’ve made when I didn’t have a system to track my credit cards and points. Then I’ll give you the information and resources you need to stay organized, getting the most out of your points.

ACTION STEPS:

Set up a system to track your credit cards. To do this best, you'll need to know every credit card you’ve opened in the last 24 to 48 months. List the card name, open date, and close date (if applicable).
Set up a system to track your points, including hotel, airline, and bank programs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Travel Freely: https://my.travelfreely.net/signup?bref=ktw
Award Wallet: https://awardwallet.com/?refCode=ksck3elvjg
My Simple Credit Card Tracking Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F7vX5in26_BNG4IiYGbIwMaEjZJcMybByTvqiArP23M/edit?usp=sharing

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Planning Trips with Points is Different: 3 Mindset Shifts to Make it Easier Apr 17, 2024

(Click "MORE" to see Ad Disclosure) Welcome to Points for Normal People!

Today we're diving into mindset around booking trips. We'll explore the switch from cash bookings to points--and how some shifts in the way you think can help you plan your points trips with less stress. We'll also discuss how valuable tools like transfer partners and sweet spots can unlock amazing deals.

ACTION STEPS:

Look into a few sweet spots and pick one or two as a small goal to get started: https://katiestraveltricks.com/ultimate-rewards-redemptions/
Download my free guide for Six Ways to Slash Travel Costs with Points: https://bit.ly/ktt-getstarted

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Guide: Fly to Europe with Points: https://katiestraveltricks.com/guide-to-flying-to-europe-on-points
Guide: Fly to Japan with Points: https://katiestraveltricks.com/flying-to-japan-with-points-guide/
10 TIPS FROM POINTS FRIENDS ON INSTAGRAM: https://katiestraveltricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/10-Tips-From-Points-Friends-on-Instagram.pdf

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Navigating the Chase 5/24 Rule: Tips and Strategies Apr 10, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

In this episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about the Chase 5/24 rule, and teach you all the best tips on how to navigate it.

If you’re getting started, understanding the Chase 5/24 rule will help you develop the best strategy to travel more with points.

ACTION STEPS:

Find your 5/24 Status: Get a copy of your credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com and add up all new cards in the past 24 months. Don’t forget to add up cards that have been closed.
Remove Authorized User Cards: If you find you are an authorized user on a lot of accounts that were opened in the last 24 months, I recommend you begin the process of taking those off of your credit report.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Removing Authorized User Accounts from Your Credit Report: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/removing-authorized-user-accounts-credit-report/
Annual Credit Report: www.annualcreditreport.com
How to Open Business Credit Cards: https://katiestraveltricks.com/businesscards/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

How to pick the right cards Apr 10, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

If you’re wondering where to begin when it comes to picking the right credit cards for travel points, I am here to be your guide. In this episode, I help show you how to choose the right cards, tune out the marketing noise, and let you know exactly where to start.

Choosing the right credit cards and following a proven plan will help you get the most out of travel points!

ACTION STEPS:

Pick one new card to open. This is the easiest way to earn points quickly.
My top recommendation is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: If you already have one, refer your partner or spouse: More here (and my affiliate link if you decide to apply) https://katiestraveltricks.com/sapphirepreferred/
Three Year Plan: If you have already completed the steps above, read my three year plan: https://katiestraveltricks.com/easy-three-year-plan-for-points/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

How Airlines Boost Revenue with Co-Branded Credit Cards: https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2023/10/24/how-airlines-boost-revenue-with-co-branded-credit-cards/
Nine Ways to Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards: https://katiestraveltricks.com/ultimate-rewards-redemptions/
US Credit Card Guide: https://www.uscreditcardguide.com/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

https://www.aarp.org/money/credit-loans-debt/info-2024/credit-score-ruined-lessons.html

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Myth: Opening credit cards will ruin your credit score Apr 10, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

This episode has everything you need to know about credit scores and points. I share my credit scores, lay out key habits to keep your score high while opening cards for points, and help you understand the factors that influence your credit score.

Enjoying the benefits of travel points does not have to negatively impact your credit score. Let me show you how to keep your credit score high as you grow your travel points.

ACTION STEPS:

Sign up to monitor your credit: https://www.creditkarma.com/
Freeze your credit bureau reports at Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax to further protect your identity

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

The easy shift than can 10x your points Apr 10, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!

In today’s episode, I share the benefits of opening multiple credit cards each year. I help you understand the time investment and I’ll give you an overall strategy to earn points the easy way.

Opening multiple cards doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I’m here to be your guide. Let’s unlock the secret of travel points, together!

ACTION STEPS:

Figure out your average monthly credit card spend. This will help you choose cards with minimum spending requirements you can easily meet.
Plan for big expenses. Think about upcoming costs like taxes or daycare. You can use these to hit card minimums in a strategic way.
Stay tuned! There's more to come! Keep listening for even more travel-hacking tips.
Grab my *brand new* Free Beginners Guide {download} - https://bit.ly/ktt-getstarted
Check out my easy 3-Year plan for points: https://katiestraveltricks.com/easy-three-year-plan-for-points/

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

What is "Points for Normal People"? Apr 10, 2024

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Welcome to Points for Normal People!
In this very first episode, I'll be sharing more about what exactly I mean by "Points for Normal People," and some of the methodology I've developed in my past 13 years in the travel points and miles hobby.
Points and miles isn't just for people flying business class -- it's for anyone who wants to slash travel costs to travel more.
ACTION STEPS:

Subscribe to this podcast
Grab my *brand new* Free Beginners Guide {download} - https://bit.ly/ktt-getstarted

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Trailer Mar 30, 2024

Welcome to Points for Normal People!
This podcast aims to teach you the easiest ways to earn and redeem points for travel.
Because travel isn't just for the rich. And travel points can be used by normal people who just want to devote a few hours a month to this hobby -- and still pay for entire vacations every year.

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.

More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

💻 Free Course