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

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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. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone...

S2E5: Skip the Lines: Your Ultimate Guide to Save Time at the Airport Oct 30, 2024

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10/30/24 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 airport, tune in to this episode. I’ve also put together a lot of resources below to help you make the most of your airport experience.

ACTION STEPS:

Check to see if any of your credit cards have a Trusted Traveler credit that you haven’t used. Best card options for this credit: https://katiestraveltricks.com/tsaprecheck/
Bookmark the Reserve by Clear page and check to see if they have any destinations that you might be traveling to: https://www.clearme.com/reserve
If you will be traveling soon, set up an alert for seven days prior to departure to book your Reserve by Clear appointment for the security line.
If you have Global Entry and have kids, open accounts for them and get the process started of getting them approved, now that it’s free for them: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
Download the Mobile Passport Control App so that you have another option to skip lines when you arrive back in the US: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control
If you have any upcoming car rentals, be sure that you have downloaded their app, joined their loyalty program, have added your driver's license and credit card, and have connected your loyalty number to your reservation.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

TSA Cares: https://www.tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares
Trusted Traveler Programs: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs

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S2E3: Southwest Flight Savings: Tips and Tricks for Saving Big Oct 16, 2024

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10/16/24 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-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/

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S2E2: Maximize Your Rewards: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Cancellation Oct 09, 2024

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10/9/24 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 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

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S2E1: (Update: Rules change Jan 2027 - See S3 E21) Southwest Companion Pass - Your Ticket to a Year or More of Free Flights Oct 02, 2024

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10/2/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

Update, October 2026: Southwest is changing how the Companion Pass is earned, starting January 1, 2027. The strategy in this episode still works for 2026: earn your pass by December 31, 2026 and it's good through December 31, 2027. For what's changing and what to do now, listen to Season 3, Episode 21: [link]All information was accurate at time of recording, however benefits and credit card details can and do change. Please always review the links in the show notes and check our blog for the most up-to-date info.

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
Grab this Google Sheet with the detailed timelines for earning a Companion Pass https://katiestraveltricks.kit.com/swcp-sheet
Overview of Fall 2025 Timelines:
https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-companion-pass-fall-2025-timelines/

MORE RESOURCES:

How to change your Southwest flight: https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-airlines-change-flight/
If you have had a Companion Pass and want to re-earn one, find specific tips here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/how-to-re-earn-a-companion-pass/

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S1E20: Inspiring Travel Stories Using Points Aug 28, 2024

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8/28/24 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.

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.

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S1E19: Don’t Miss These Card Perks and Benefits Aug 18, 2024

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8/18/24 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 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.

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S1E18: Your Points Questions Answered Aug 14, 2024

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8/14/24 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 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/

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S1E17: Earning A Million (Valuable) Points on Autopilot Aug 07, 2024

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8/7/24 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 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/

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