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Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks (Katie's Travel Tricks)

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
10 Apr 2024What is "Points for Normal People"?00:15:55

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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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

30 Mar 2024Trailer00:01:28

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

10 Apr 2024The easy shift than can 10x your points00:13:28

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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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

10 Apr 2024Myth: Opening credit cards will ruin your credit score00:18:41

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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: 

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



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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

10 Apr 2024How to pick the right cards00:19:39

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

10 Apr 2024Navigating the Chase 5/24 Rule: Tips and Strategies00:19:59

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

17 Apr 2024Planning Trips with Points is Different: 3 Mindset Shifts to Make it Easier00:23:57

(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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

24 Apr 2024Mistake: Not staying organized (these tools help!)00:19:14

(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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

01 May 2024Don't Ignore These Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits! (Part 1: Shopping Benefits)00:20:03

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

08 May 2024Don't Ignore These Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits (Part 2: Travel Benefits)00:23:36

(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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

15 May 2024Best and Worst Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards Points for Hotels00:23:38

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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:

MORE INSPIRING STORIES:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

22 May 2024Tips to Use Your Points for Hyatt (our favorite use for Chase points)00:30:05

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

26 Jun 2024Strategy Tips to Keep Earning Chase Points Forever00:28:19

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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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

03 Jul 2024Best (and most underrated) Ways to Use Ultimate Rewards to Book Any Flight, Hotel, or Cruise00:22:38

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

10 Jul 2024Avoid These Mistakes Booking Flights with Points00:28:35

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

17 Jul 2024Sweet Spots for Booking Flights with Ultimate Rewards00:27:19

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

24 Jul 2024How (Almost) Anyone Can Get a Business Credit Card00:24:49

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

07 Aug 2024Earning A Million (Valuable) Points on Autopilot00:24:37

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

14 Aug 2024Your Points Questions Answered00:28:33

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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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

18 Aug 2024Don’t Miss These Card Perks and Benefits00:19:37

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

28 Aug 2024Inspiring Travel Stories Using Points00:26:34

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

02 Oct 2024Southwest Companion Pass - Your Ticket to a Year or More of Free Flights00:32:00

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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:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

09 Oct 2024Maximize Your Rewards: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Cancellation00:21:46

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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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

16 Oct 2024Southwest Flight Savings: Tips and Tricks for Saving Big00:21:49

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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

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

23 Oct 2024Southwest Airlines: Secret Tips and Tricks Every Traveler Should Know00:22:17

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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

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

30 Oct 2024Skip the Lines: Your Ultimate Guide to Save Time at the Airport00:22:23

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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

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

06 Nov 2024Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access00:25:48

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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 various cards with different lounge benefits. Today, I’ll be giving you all of the best information you need to know, to make sure that you get the best credit card lounge experience for you!

If you’ve never been to an airport lounge before, they can offer a variety of experiences, many with free food and drinks, wifi access, and so much more. Whether you’re traveling with a family or traveling solo, stick around for all the details!

ACTION STEPS:

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

13 Nov 2024The Venture X Card: A Deep Dive into Perks and Benefits00:25:10

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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 you already have this card, I’ll give you resources for how to get the most value out of it.  

Next week I’ll be back with part two about the Venture X card, so be sure to subscribe. I’m excited to introduce you to all the ways you can use this card to save, upgrade your experience, and give you protections for free!

ACTION STEPS

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

20 Nov 2024Hidden Gems: Unique Ways to Use Venture Miles00:28:45

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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 of Venture miles. 

We cover a lot in this episode, but don’t worry, you don’t have to remember everything! We have a lot of resources below to help you as you navigate the ways to use your miles that bring the most value to you. 

ACTION STEPS

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

18 Dec 2024Listener Travel Tricks: Your Best Tips for Saving Money and Maximizing Rewards00:24:11

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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 each of you who reached out to me and excited to share that information today. 

One CORRECTION: You don’t earn 4 points per dollar with every Southwest card – just with the higher $199 annual fee business card. You earn 3 points per dollar with the other Southwest business card. 

Season three is coming soon and I’d love to hear from you! Do you have any specific topics you’d like to see me cover? Send me an email at katie@katiestraveltricks.com

ACTION STEPS

  • If you have a Southwest credit card, use this trick to check Southwest credits:  https://katiestraveltricks.com/southwest-upgraded-boarding/ 
  • If you want to try the Southwest schedule change trick, try it with round trip flights for an even better chance at being able to change to a better flight. 
  • If you are working toward a Southwest Companion Pass and you need a few extra points, transfer points from your Southwest account to another person – pay the fee with your business card to earn up to $500 in reimbursement – and you’ll earn 2,000 extra points. 
  • Verizon customers: To keep your autopay discount, but pay your bill with a credit card that offers cell phone protections, keep your autopay setup, but pay your bill in the store at a kiosk before the due date. 
  • Don’t forget to sign up for my free newsletter! Sign up for this beginner’s guide and we’ll also send you our Saturday morning newsletter: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-101-quick-start-guide/

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

12 Mar 2025Season 3 Premiere: Unlocking Domestic Flights with Points & Miles00:21:22

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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 you're just joining us, welcome! But if you ever feel lost, definitely pop back to Season 1, Episode 1, because that’s where we build a foundation. Think of Season 3 as your guide to mastering domestic award flights – we're going way beyond Southwest this time!

ACTION STEPS

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

19 Mar 2025Award Flights Made Easy: My Simple Research Process00:19:43

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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 get a feel for cash prices first, and I'll tell you about the tools I use to build a solid foundation for successful award travel planning.

I also cover some outdated advice you might have heard. Plus, I'll touch on the sometimes confusing world of booking partner airline awards and give you a sneak peek into future episodes where I'll be diving into specific sweet spots and strategies to help you get the absolute most out of your points.

ACTION STEPS

  1. Do a test run of the initial flight search process for a route you'd like to fly.
  2. Go to FlightConnections.com to find nonstop routes for your chosen route.
  3. Go to Google Flights to gauge cash prices and check connecting flight options.
  4. Make notes on your findings, including nonstop and connecting options, and cash prices.
  5. Check the distance of your flight.
  6. Save this information for when we look at specific sweet spots in future episodes.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

  • Watch me walk through the process: katiestraveltricks.com/how-to-book-domestic-flights-with-points-video-guide/
  • Flight Connections: FlightConnections.com
  • Google Flights: https://www.google.com/travel/flights
  • Download my free course: 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

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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 autho...

26 Mar 2025American Airlines Miles: Best Ways to Earn & Redeem for Domestic Flights00:25:27

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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, and give you some tips to maximize your points. We'll also look at some tools to find the best deals, and I'll share a few tricks I've learned about booking with American.

For a video guide of navigating the American Airlines website, watch here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/navigating-the-american-airlines-website-video-guide/ 

ACTION STEPS

  • Consider opening a Barclay Aviator card
  • Sign up for Simply Miles: https://www.simplymiles.com 
  • Enroll a card in the American Airlines Dining Program
  • Get logged into American's eShopping portal
  • Consider browsing Loyalty Point Hunters (or joining their Facebook group): https://loyaltypointhunters.com 

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

02 Apr 2025Best Avios Strategies for Domestic American Airlines Flights00:23:03

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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 to do this, but now Qatar, and Finnair are the best option to book those same American Airlines flights, often for fewer points than using American's own miles.

It might sound a little complicated at first, but we’ll take you step by step. Avios are actually some of the easiest airline miles to earn thanks to all the credit card transfer partners out there. We'll break it all down for you so that you understand each step. 

ACTION STEPS

  • Check out the Seats.Aero webinar. Video in my free course: learn.katiestraveltricks.com
  • Sign up for a Finnair loyalty account
  • Consider signing up for a British Airways account

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

09 Apr 2025Amex Points Explained: The Good, The Bad, and The Rules You Need to Know00:29:04

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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're asking and the points can be super useful, this episode is your essential overview.

We'll cover the must-knows for earning these points (like navigating those tricky welcome offers!), the key application strategies you can't ignore, and super important: how to create an exit plan to keep your points without paying those high annual fees long-term. Consider this your guide to deciding if Amex is right for you!

ACTION STEPS

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

16 Apr 2025Alaska and Hawaiian Miles for Domestic Award Flights00:17:55

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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 loophole involving Amex points that gets them over to Alaska. We'll cover earning and using miles from both programs for domestic flights. 

ACTION STEPS

  • Consider applying for the Hawaiian Business card before it's discontinued (check offer details).
  • Look at personal Hawaiian cards if you have 5/24 space available.
  • If you have any Bank of America card (credit or debit), check out the Museums on Us program.
  • Consider adding kids as authorized users on BofA cards for museum access (no minimum age).
  • Next time you fly Alaska and check bags, time the delivery (under 20 mins?) and claim miles if they're late.
  • If focusing on Alaska miles, sign up for/use the Mileage Plan Shopping portal and link cards for in-store offers.

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

30 Apr 2025Partner Airline Deals for Booking Alaska & Hawaiian Flights00:22:29

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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 using Avios sweet spots to booking nonstop flights from the East Coast to Hawaii. Plus, I'll give you a heads-up on the upcoming changes with the Alaska/Hawaiian merger and how that might impact your booking strategies. Thanks so much for listening!

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

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

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 autho...

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