Points for Normal People by Katie&#x27;s Travel Tricks – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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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...

S2E10: Southwest is Changing - Here's What to Do!

Season 2 · Episode 10

mercredi 29 octobre 2025 • Duration 29:10

10/29/25 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

Southwest Airlines feels unrecognizable with all the changes in 2025 and 2026, and while new policies have lost my trust, I'm not abandoning the airline yet. Instead, I'm tweaking my strategy to adapt, and I want to help you do the same.

In this episode, I'm digging into all the changes, from the new baggage and assigned seating policies to the breakdown of "Basic" vs. "Choice" fares. I discuss the current loopholes for extending flight credits that are expiring. We'll also do a deep dive on all five Southwest credit cards and I'll give you clear action steps to take right now to keep getting the best value.

ACTION STEPS:

Check Your Card: Log in to your Chase account and use my Southwest Card Guide to see which benefits (like EarlyBird or upgraded boarding credits) you have.
USE BENEFITS NOW: You must use any EarlyBird check-in, upgraded boarding, and the $75 Priority Card travel credit before they are discontinued on December 31st, 2025.
Update Booking Strategy:
- If paying with points, book Basic fares as one-way tickets for easier repricing.
- If paying with cash, book Choice fares to get flexibility and seat selection.
Family/Group Baggage: To get the 1 free checked bag, your entire group (up to 9 people) must be on the same reservation, and that reservation must have the cardholder's Rapid Rewards number attached.
Companion Pass Seating (for 2026): For flights with assigned seating, you must book your ticket and then immediately add your companion and select the seat next to you.
Family Seating (for 2026): Do not rely on Southwest to seat you with your children. Either book "Choice" fares or hold the "Priority" or "Performance Business" cards to select your seats at booking.
Expiring LUV Vouchers: If you have a LUV Voucher expiring, call Southwest before it expires and ask for a 6-month extension.
Expiring Flight Credits: If you have an expiring flight credit, it is currently possible to book a Choice Preferred fare and use your flight credit + pay for the rest with a Southwest gift card, and then cancel it if you want to receive a new flight credit with no expiration date.
Household Card Review: Re-evaluate if both you and your partner need a Southwest card. Since benefits no longer stack well, you may be able to save on annua

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

S3E1: Season 3 Premiere: Unlocking Domestic Flights with Points & Miles

Season 3 · Episode 1

mercredi 12 mars 2025 • Duration 21:22

3/12/25 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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

Download the free Travel Points 201 Guide.
Take stock of your points across different programs.
New to the podcast? Start with Season 1, Episode 1.

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

S2E9: Listener Travel Tricks: Your Best Tips for Saving Money and Maximizing Rewards

Season 2 · Episode 9

mercredi 18 décembre 2024 • Duration 22:14

12/18/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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

Best Credit Card for Lounge Access (by Airport):

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

S2E8: Hidden Gems: Unique Ways to Use Venture Miles

Season 2 · Episode 8

mercredi 20 novembre 2024 • Duration 28:45

11/20/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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

Sign up for my newsletter so that you don’t miss out on the best offers and latest resources: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-101-quick-start-guide/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Venture X Card Guide: https://katiestraveltricks.com/venturex/
Travel Points 201 - All About Transfer Partners: https://katiestraveltricks.com/travel-points-201-all-about-transfer-partners/
Best U.S. Choice Privileges Hotels for Families: 1+ Bedroom Suites [Map]: https://katiestraveltricks.com/choiceprivileges/
Best Hotels for Families of 4 in Europe to Book with Points [Map]: https://katiestraveltricks.com/map-best-hotels-for-families-of-4-in-europe/
Preferred Hotels with Choice Points [Map]: https://katiestraveltricks.com/preferred-hotels-with-choice-points-map/
Sweet Spot: Round trip to Europe for 25,000 points (or less!) + $227: https://katiestraveltricks.com/flyingbluesweetspot/
Booking Virgin Voyages on Points: https://katiest

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

S2E7: The Venture X Card: A Deep Dive into Perks and Benefits

Season 2 · Episode 7

mercredi 13 novembre 2024 • Duration 24:44

11/13/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

NEW: Starting Feb 2026 — Venture X will no longer have access for any guests in lounges. Read more here https://katiestraveltricks.com/venture-x-lounge-benefits-destroyed-strategy-tips/

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!

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

If you have a Venture X, download my Venture X checklist here: https://katiestraveltricks.com/credit-card-checklists-landing-page/
If you have a Venture X, be sure you are signed up for Priority Pass and Hertz Presidents Circle.
Everyone: Make a plan for which card you’re going to use for shopping benefits.
If you have a Venture X, watch this video about how to get on the waiting list for Capital One lounges: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6WInTJOBBA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Hertz Presidents Circle: https://katiestraveltricks.com/hertz_presidents_circle/

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

S2E6: Best 2024 Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access

Season 2 · Episode 6

mercredi 6 novembre 2024 • Duration 25:48

11/6/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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. For up to date lounge info, check out these links to our guides:

Guide to Chase Sapphire Reserve: https://katiestraveltricks.com/sapphirereserve/
Guide to Venture X: https://katiestraveltricks.com/venturex/
Guide to airport lounge access for families: https://katiestraveltricks.com/guide-to-airport-lounge-access-for-families/

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:

Figure out which card matches your travel style and patterns. Use our latest blog post to view our card recommendations by airport: https://katiestraveltricks.com/best-credit-card-for-lounge-access-by-airport/
Visit prioritypass.com to see if they have lounges in airports you frequent.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Guide to airport lounge access for families: https://katiestraveltricks.com/guide-to-airport-lounge-access-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. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone...

S2E5: Skip the Lines: Your Ultimate Guide to Save Time at the Airport

Season 2 · Episode 5

mercredi 30 octobre 2024 • Duration 22:23

10/30/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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

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

S2E3: Southwest Flight Savings: Tips and Tricks for Saving Big

Season 2 · Episode 3

mercredi 16 octobre 2024 • Duration 21:49

10/16/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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

S2E2: Maximize Your Rewards: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Cancellation

Season 2 · Episode 2

mercredi 9 octobre 2024 • Duration 21:46

10/9/24 Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

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!

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