Travel Rewards Refresher 2022 | Lyn Mettler

Lynn Mettler's family has taken over 30 trips using points and miles—most costing less than $100 out of pocket. In this refresher, she walks through the 2022 landscape for travel hacking, from signup bonuses that dwarf everyday spending rewards to the Southwest Companion Pass that cuts flight costs in half.

Key Topics:

• Smart Credit Card Habits & Signup Bonuses [00:04:45]

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

• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card [00:08:35]

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

• Southwest Companion Pass [00:14:42]

  • Earn 125,000 qualifying points in a calendar year to unlock a pass that lets a companion fly free on all Southwest flights for the rest of that year and the entire next year.

• 2022 Travel Landscape [00:23:48]

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

• Rental Car Strategies [00:41:52]

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

• Book Flights First [00:42:21]

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

Timestamps:

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

Resources:

• Families Fly Free
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Review

Notable Quotes:

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

---

Join the Community
Connect with thousands on the path to financial independence. Share wins, ask questions, and stay accountable. Join ChooseFI.

---

New to ChooseFI?
Start with our most popular episodes, hand-picked to give you the foundation of financial independence. Listen to the essentials.

---

Run Your Numbers
Find out when you could reach financial independence with our free calculators and planning tools. Try the FI Calculator.

---

Support the Show
We work hard to keep ChooseFI ad-free for a clean listening experience. The easiest way to support us is to use our Top Recommended Cards page when signing up for your next travel rewards credit card.

---

Get the Weekly Roundup
The best FI content, deals, and community highlights delivered to your inbox every week. Subscribe free.