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Secrets to Flying: Fly Free Formula Inside
Lyn's Fly Free Formula:
Introduction and Step 1: Earning Miles Without Flying
- Introduction
- Step 1: Earning Miles Without Flying
- Step 2: How and Why to Always Book Southwest in Points
- Step 2 Lesson 2: What If I Don't Want to or Can't Fly Southwest?
- Step 2 Lesson 3: Set up Your Southwest Account
- Step 2 Lesson 4: Our Insider Southwest Phone Number
- Step 3: Always Have a Southwest Companion Pass (Video, 30 minutes)
- Step 3 Lesson 2: Yes! You Can Get a Small Business Card
- Step 3 Lesson 3: How 1 Person Can Re-Earn the Pass)
- BONUS for Step 3: Getting 2 Southwest Companion Passes (Not Recommended)
- Step 4: Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards for Personal Spending
- Step 4 Lesson 2: Choosing an Everyday Business Spending Card
- Step 4 Lesson 3: Should I Close Any Cards?
- Step 5: Stretching Your Points (Video, 21 minutes)
- Step 5 Lesson 2: The Hack 101: Saving Even More Southwest Points
- Step 5 Lesson 3: The Hack 102: Hack 102: An Additional Way to Play the "Hack"
- Step 6: Going Beyond - Flying to Europe, Free Hotels, Luxury Travel Perks & Events (Video, 17 minutes)
- Step 6 Lesson 2: The Simple Way to Fly to Europe Using Miles & Points
- Families Fly Free Formula Quiz
Europe Flights
- VIDEO: How Lyn Booked Flights to London
- WEBINAR and ARTICLE: How to Find the Best Flights to Europe
- WEBINAR: 3 Families' Strategies to Fly Free and Stay Free in Europe Using Points
Southwest Hacks
- VIDEO: The "Hack" 101: How to Pay the Cheapest Fares for the BEST Flights
- VIDEO: Using the Southwest Hack to Change to Nearby Airports + How to Check for the Option on the Southwest App
- VIDEO: The Latest on "The Hack" Option to Change Twice
- VIDEO: How Lyn Saved 70,000 Points Over Thanksgiving Using the Hack
- VIDEO: HOT TIP! Why to Purchase Southwest Points Instead of Paying a Cash Fare
- VIDEO: The "Same-Day Standby Hack" Explained
- VIDEO: How to Add Your Companion Later to More Easily Check for Price Drops
- How to Use Southwest Stand-by and Same-Day Change for Better Flights
Southwest Updates: Sales, Flight Releases and Point Sales
- Southwest Card Changes July 24, 2025
- VIDEO: Southwest New Fare Types + Detailed Status/Cardholder Benefits (April 29, 2025
- VIDEO: Southwest Changes March 11, 2025
- Next Southwest Flight Release
- Southwest Points Sale
- Southwest Investment Day Updates September 2024
Southwest Companion Pass
- WEBINAR: How to Correctly Time Your Southwest Companion Pass for 2026-2027
- WEBINAR: Maximizing Your Southwest Companion Pass to Take More Free Flights
- Webinar: How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass for 2024-2025
- Webinar: Southwest Companion Pass 2023-2024 Emergency Help
Rapid Rewards Points
- Southwest Points Calculator
- VIDEO: How to Use the Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping Portal
- VIDEO: Tips for Using SouthwestHotels.com to Get the Most Southwest Points
- ARTICLE: How to Use Southwest Points to Participate in AMAZING Events!
Flying Southwest
- Southwest Co-Terminals (Sister Airports) List
- SOUTHWEST INSIDER PHONE NUMBER: Get Through to Southwest Faster Using This Number
- VIDEO: How to Change a Basic Fare on Southwest + Fare Booking Strategies
- WEBINAR: Achieving Southwest A-List Status for 2025-2026
- ARTICLE: How to Request a LUV Voucher for a Southwest Flight Delay
- VIDEO: How to Combine LUV Vouchers & Flight Credits into One Transferable Flight Credit
- WEBINAR: Everything You Need to Know About Booking Southwest Flights for 2025 & Beyond
- VIDEO: How to Use a Southwest LUV Voucher
- ARTICLE: How to Live Chat With Southwest Online
- WEBINAR: Early Boarding Options on Southwest: EarlyBird, A1-15, Elite Status and More
- VIDEO: How to Snag the Best Seat on a Southwest Flight
Other Airlines
Secrets to Accommodations
- WEBINAR: How to Find the Best Deals on Hotels
- WEBINAR: Why You Should Consider KOA/YMCA Resorts Webinar With Heather & Cami
- WEBINAR: Top Tips for Booking Vrbo Vacation Rentals With Vrbo Staff
Lyn's Stay Free Formula
- Introduction: What You Need to Know First
- Step 1: Use the Right Card for Everyday Spending
- Step 2: Focus on Hyatt & Chase Travel Portal Hotel Bookings
- Step 3: How to Build Your Points Balance for Free Hotels
- Step 4: How & Why to Book Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts
- Step 5: Why & How to Get Hyatt Elite Status
- Step 6: Booking Airbnbs, Vrbos and Vacation Rentals
- Step 7: Booking Other Hotel Chains
- Step 8: Book Luxury Hotels with Capital One + Choice Privileges
Hyatt 101
- How to Sign up for a Free World of Hyatt Account
- How to Book Hyatt Using Points
- How to Combine Hyatt Points Between Accounts
- How to Contact Hyatt for Support
- WEBINAR: Hyatt All-Inclusive Resorts
Renting Timeshares
Secrets to Where to Travel (Destinations)
Destination Itineraries
- Banff National Park 6-Day Itinerary
- Portland and Oregon Coast 5-Day Itinerary With Eastern Oregon Add On
- Grand Cayman 5- to 8-Day Itinerary
- Austin 4-Day Itinerary
- Historic Chesapeake Bay Circle Tour 12-Day Itinerary
- Costa Rica 9-Day Itinerary
- Shenandoah & New River Gorge 7-Day Itinerary
- London 7-Day Itinerary
- Sonoma 4-Day Itinerary
- Florida Keys 7-Day Itinerary
- Hawaii The Big Island 7-Day Itinerary
- Paris 7-Day Itinerary
- Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg & Great Smoky Mountains National Park 7-Day Itinerary
- Sedona 6-Day Itinerary
- Maui 7-Day Itinerary
- Rocky Mountain National Park 7-Day Itinerary
- Glacier National Park 7-Day Itinerary
- Grand Teton National Park 4-Day Itinerary
- Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks (Utah) 8-Day Itinerary
- Colorado Springs 5-Day Itinerary
- San Diego 7-Day Itinerary
- Dublin 2 Day Itinerary
Destinations: US
- ARTICLE: ✨ Secrets of San Diego: The Ultimate SoCal Escape
- Webinar: The Wonders of Oregon with Jerry Quinn
- Webinar: Exploring Las Vegas with Lyn
- Webinar: Exploring New Mexico with Amylee Udell
- Webinar: Explore the Florida Keys with Cami
- Webinar: Exploring Branson with Diane Francis
- Webinar: Exploring Maine with Lisa
- Webinar: Our Favorite State Parks Panel
- Video: Austin with Lisa
- Video: Wisconsin Dells with George
- Video: New York City with Lyn
- Video: Sedona: What to See & Do & Where to Stay with Cami
- WEBINAR: Exploring Top Florida Beaches Panel
Destination Hawaii
- Aulani, Disney's Hawaii Resort
- Exploring the Big Island with George and Jerry
- Webinar: Your Guide to Kauai
- Video: Inside Tips for Visiting Oahu with Amylee Udell
- Video: What to See and Do in Maui with Lyn and Cami
- Itinerary: Maui 7-Day
- Flying Free to Hawaii on Southwest
- Booking Free Hotels in Hawaii
- What to See and Do in Hawaii and How to Save
Destination Disney
- Webinar: How to DVC for Free
- Webinar: Disney Vacation Club Explained - DVC Owners Member Panel
- Webinar: Your Guide to Disneyland
- Webinar: Hacking Your Way to Disney World with Leah Althiser and Lyn
- Webinar: How to Fly Free to Disney
- Webinar: Affordable Off Property Accommodations at Disney
- Webinar: “Buying” Disney Vacation Club Points for Cheap Stays + Q&A with Disney Expert Leah Althiser
- Webinar: Disney Member Panel: Top Tips from Disney Regulars!
- Video: Disney Visa Card Review + Alternative Options
Destination Universal Studios
National Parks
- National Park Reservations Needed for 2025
- ARTICLE: Planning Your Yellowstone National Park Getaway
- Webinar: Bryce Canyon National Park Panel
- Video: Cami’s Utah Trip to Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon
- Video: Visiting Channel Islands National Park
- Webinar: General Tips for Visiting Any National Park
- Webinar: Tips for Visiting Zion, Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite National Parks
- Webinar: How to Fly Free to National Parks
- Webinar: How to Stay Free at National Parks
- Video Q&A: Inside Tips for National Parks with Ash Nudd of dirtinmyshoes.com
- Audio Only: National Parks to Visit in Winter with Ash Nudd
- Video: Joshua Tree National Park 2-Minute Overview
- Video: Getting a National Parks Annual Pass Cheaply and Quickly
- Itinerary: Glacier National Park 7 Days
- Itinerary: Grand Teton National Park 4 Days
- Itinerary: Rocky Mountain National Park 7 Days
Caribbean
- Costa Rica With Lyn: Liberia to La Fortuna
- WEBINAR: Exploring the Virgin Islands With Cami and Amylee
- WEBINAR: Exploring Belize With Heather Royer
- Exploring Costa Rica with Cheryl Frank
- Exploring Puerto Rico with Heather Royer
- WEBINAR: Booking All-Inclusive Hyatt Resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Jamaica
- Turks & Caicos
- Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman Tour
- Cruising the Bahamas: Best Ports + What to See & Do with Cami
- VIDEO: Hilton La Romana All-Inclusive Dominican Republic Review
- Grand Cayman: What to See & Do and Where to Stay
Europe
- Your Guide to London with Lyn
- Webinar: Exploring Scotland with Michele Holmes
- WEBINAR: European Holiday Markets River Cruise: Member Experiences
- Webinar: Exploring Dublin with Cami and Heather Hill
- Webinar: Exploring Iceland with Jen Fiore
- Webinar: Paris Part 2 - Trip Report, Off-the-Radar Things To Do + A Day Trip to the Loire Valley
- Webinar: Your Guide to London
- Webinar: Your Guide to Rome
- Webinar: Your Guide to Paris
- WEBINAR: Tips for Traveling to Ireland with Cami
- Webinar: Accommodations in Europe with Cami and Stephanie
- Webinar: Train Travel in Europe with Stephanie and Chris
- Overcoming Your Europe Travel Fears: What First-Timers Need to Know Before Hopping Across the Pond
- Webinar: Team Roundtable: Top Tips for Europe Travel
Destination: Member Trip Reports
- Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour
- Anaheim, CA
- Arizona - Saguaro and Petrified Forest National Parks
- Asheville, NC - Jenny A.
- Asheville, NC - Katie P.
- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas - Lyn M.
- Austin, Texas - Lisa W.
- Bahamas Cruise
- Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon
- Belize
- Bellingham, Washington
- Big Island, Hawaii - Chris P.
- Big Island, Hawaii - Heather R.
- Big Island, Hawaii - Jenni C.
- Big Island, Hawaii - Jerry Q.
- Boston, NYC & Chicago
- Branson
- Cabo San Lucas
- California - North of Napa
- Cancun
- Cancun - Dreams Riviera Hyatt All-Inclusive
- Cancun - Impression Moxche Hyatt All Inclusive
- Cancun - Playa del Carmen and Secrets Playa Mujeres
- Cancun - Zilara Riviera Maya Hyatt All Inclusive
- Caribbean Cruise
- Chesapeake Bay, Maryland and DC
- Chicago
- Colorado Springs
- Costa Rica
- Cruise on Celebrity
- Curacao
- Dahlonega, Georgia
- Death Valley National Park & Las Vegas Outdoor Attractions
- Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm
- Disneyland & Universal Hollywood
- Disneyland VIP Tour
- Dominican Republic - Dreams Macao Beach
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Europe: Ireland and Norway
- Europe: London - Heather H.
- Europe: London - Diane F.
- Europe: London and Ireland
- Europe: London, Paris, Normandy
- Europe: London, Paris and Rome
- Europe: Paris & Italy
- Florida Keys
- Fort Myers, FL and Disney World
- French Lick, Indiana
- Grand Cayman - Jon G.
- Grand Cayman - Lisa W.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Hocking Hills, Ohio
- Hollywood
- Hot Springs National Park
- Houston Space Center
- Japan and Singapore
- Kauai, Hawaii
- Lake Tahoe
- Las Vegas
- London and Ireland
- Long Beach, CA
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Maui
- Maui and Kauai
- Magnolia Silos - Waco, TX
- Mediterranean Cruise
- Miami
- Milwaukee/Madison, Wisconsin
- Nashville
- New Bedford, MA
- New Orleans - Amylee U.
- New Orleans - Katie P.
- New Orleans - Lyn M.
- New Orleans and Chicago via Amtrak
- New York City
- Newport, Rhode Island June 2024
- Newport, Rhode Island June 2025
- Niagara Falls
- Oahu
- Oahu - Hale KOA Hotel
- Oregon Coast and Redwoods
- Orlando 23-Member Family Trip
- Orlando - Conrad Orlando Resort
- Panama City Beach, FL
- Panama City Beach, FL - 2025
- Reno & Lake Tahoe
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio - Heather H.
- San Antonio - Katie P.
- San Diego - Cami S.
- San Diego - Jerry Q.
- San Diego - Lisa W.
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Sedona Cami S.
- Sedona Lisa W.
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Shenandoah and New River Gorge National Parks
- Sonoma, CA - July 2024
- Sonoma, CA - July 2023
- South Carolina
- Southwest US National Parks
- Sweden
- Texas and New Mexico National Parks
- Universal Studios Orlando - Katie B.
- Universal Studios Orlando - Andrea P.
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Washington, DC
- Washington National Parks
- Williamsburg, Virginia
- Yosemite National Park
Secrets to Travel Credit Cards
Chase Credit Cards
- Chase Feature: Pay Yourself Back
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Card Offers
- Southwest Personal Card Offers (Updated 7/30/25)
- Southwest Business Card Offers (Updated 7/30/25)
- Chase Reconsideration Line Phone Number
- How to Find Your Annual $50 Chase Sapphire Preferred Hotel Travel Credit
- WEBINAR: Chase Ink Business Preferred Deep Dive
- VIDEO: Everything You Wanted to Know About Chase Sapphire Preferred
- How to Find Your Southwest EarlyBird and A 1-15 Credits on Chase
- How to Find How Many Points You're Going to Get on Your Next Statement
- VIDEO: How to Add Your Chase Card to Apple Pay
- VIDEO: All About the 5/24 Chase Rule With Zac Hood of Travel Freely
- VIDEO: How to Find Your Chase Ultimate Rewards Refer-a-Friend Bonus Points
- VIDEO: How to Find Opening and Close Dates on a Credit Card Statement
Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Introduction to Chase Ultimate Rewards
- How to Use the Chase Travel Portal to Pay Less
- How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Airline and Hotel Partners
- How to Combine and Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Points Between Different Cards
- How to Use Google Flights to Find a Flight & Book in the Chase Travel Portal
- How to Resolve an Issue With a Hotel Booked Through the Chase Travel Portal
Capital One Credit Cards
- Capital One Venture X card
- WEBINAR: Everything You Need to Know About Capital One Venture X
- ARTICLE: Using Capital One Offers to Earn Miles on Shopping
- ARTICLE: How to Use Capital One Rewards Miles to Fly Free to Europe
Small Business Cards
- Ultimate Guide to Getting a Small Business Card ebook
- Small Business Card Application Video Walk-Through & Tip Sheet
General Topics
- VIDEO: How to Pick Your Next Travel Credit Card
- Webinar: How to Earn Free Travels With Your Holiday Shopping
- Webinar: Help Your Teen Get Started with Credit Cards and Travel Rewards with Heather Hill
- VIDEO: How Do I Decide if I Should Use a Credit Card to Pay for a Purchase?
- VIDEO: Maximizing Travel Rewards by Organizing Your Credit Cards With Zac Hood of Travel Freely
Advanced
Secrets to Traveling Better
Organization
- WEBINAR: Packing a Carry-on for a 7+ Day Trip With Trish Harpring
- VIDEO: How to Pack Light: Tips for Your Carry-On Suitcase
- Webinar: Take Better Travel Photos With Your Phone Part 1
- Webinar: How to Take Travel Photos on Your Phone Take Two with Krista Payne
- WEBINAR: Get Your Travel Rewards Organized Workshop with Cami
- Webinar: How To Organize Your Travel Cards & Rewards Programs
- Webinar: Tools To Organize Travel Rewards & Cards
- VIDEO: Top Travel Apps for Your Next Trip
Cruising
- ARTICLE: 🚢 How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise + Planning Tips
- ARTICLE: ✨ Tips for Taking a Disney Cruise on the Disney Wish
- A Christmas Markets River Cruise on Viking With Cathy Branch Stebbins
- First Time Cruise Planning: Lessons Learned
- Cruising Basics With Cami
- Cruising The Mediterranean On Sky Princess With Lyn
- Q&A With Travel Journalist And Cruising Expert Candyce Stapen
Car Rentals
Monetizing Your Travels
- How to Monetize Your Travels With a Side Hustle
- WEBINAR: How to Monetize the Club by Referring Others
- Create Your Affiliate Business Cards Using Our Template in Canva
- How to Monetize Your Timeshare with George
RV Travel
Travel Planning
- Webinar: How to Decide Where to Travel Next
- Using Digital Planners for Travel With Amylee
- Maximizing Uber & Lyft to Pay Less and Earn Travel Rewards
- Tips for Flying With Your Pet With Jerry Quinn
- WEBINAR: How to Get Organized for a Trip With Cami
- Webinar: Using Points & Miles to Plan a Group Trip with George Toops
- VIDEO: How to Save & Earn Points on Airport Parking
- Webinar: How to Get Expedited Airport Security and Customs: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR
- Using AI to Make Traveling Easier
Travel Insurance
- What to do if You Get Sick While Traveling
- Webinar: Travel Insurance 101
- Allianz Insurance Claim Tip Sheet
- Travel Insurance Case Study #1: Flight Cancellation
- Travel Insurance Case Study #2: Natural Disaster
- Travel Insurance Case Study #3: Medical Emergency
- VIDEO: What You Need to Know About Travel Insurance
Secrets to Luxury Travel
Travelers Toolkit
Credit Cards
- PDF: List of Credit Cards That Reimburse for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry & Clear
- Travel Credit Cards Worksheet
- Merchant Category Lookup Tool
Organization
- Get Organized: Miles & Points Digital Toolkit (Spreadsheets)
- How to Use the How Much I Saved Using Points & Miles This Year Spreadsheet
- How to Use the Monthly Points & Miles Spreadsheet
Packing Lists
- PACKING LIST: Europe
- PACKING LIST: Beach
- PACKING LIST: Carry-On Suitcase
- PACKING LIST: Cruise
- PACKING LIST: National Park
- PACKING LIST: Disney
Travel Planning
Ask Lyn Anything Q&As
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- January 2024
- December 2023
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- December 2022
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- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
Using The Program
- Welcome & Introduction
- Get an Updated Travel Rewards Plan
- Subscribing to the Private FAMILIES FLY FREE Podcast Feed
- Downloading The Families Fly Free App
- How To Set Up Real-Time Alerts For Phone Or Email
- Updating Your Credit Card Or Canceling Your Subscription
Ask A Travel Question
