Families Fly Free With Lyn Mettler

Lyn Mettler
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Travel rewards doesn't have to be overwhelming and it can work for entire families! In the Families Fly Free podcast, hosted by longtime travel journalist Lyn Mettler, you'll learn how to simply and easily fly your whole family for free using travel rewards and with minimal cards in your wallet. Lyn has taught nearly 1,000 families a simple, repeatable process to always have enough miles to fly wherever you'd like, so you can make more memories with your family before your kids or grandkids leave home.

  1. 195 | 😱 Is This the End of Travel Rewards as We Know It? 5 Things You Need to Know

    6天前

    195 | 😱 Is This the End of Travel Rewards as We Know It? 5 Things You Need to Know

    Is this the end of travel rewards as we know it? 😱 Staying successful with miles and points in 2025 means keeping up with nonstop change — and that’s where I come in. In this episode I break down the biggest shifts I’m seeing right now from banks tightening approvals to pricey lounge access to Southwest’s new complexities — and offer 5 things you need to know as a result to keep flying free. I’ve spent 10+ years in this space and coach hundreds of families day in and day out, so you’ll hear the simple, real-time strategies that are actually working today 🔄. Listen in to learn: How to adjust when banks tighten, bonuses become limited and fees increaseWhich cards to keep vs cutHow to shift your strategy so continual card bonuses aren't necessary (because that's no longer going to work!)If you want ongoing, up-to-the-minute guidance you can trust — plus monthly live Q&As, real-time community-tested tips, and my step-by-step Fly Free Formula™ — join my Families Fly Free membership. I stay on top of the changes so you don’t have to 🧠. Ready to simplify and always travel free? Join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/join. Related Episodes: 193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My! 68 | Stop Applying for Too Many Travel Cards! There's a Much Simpler Way...

    41 分钟
  2. 194 | 🎃 Haunted USA: Fall Trips with a Spooky Twist

    8月27日

    194 | 🎃 Haunted USA: Fall Trips with a Spooky Twist

    Ready to add a little spooky fun to your travels this fall? 🎃 In this episode of the Families Fly Free podcast, I’m joined by Heather Alexander, author of Haunted USA, to uncover eerie—and family-friendly—ghost stories from all 50 states.  From haunted hotels and mysterious lighthouses to tap-dancing ghosts and legendary pirates, you’ll discover plenty of places to explore this Halloween season without the gore.  Whether you’re planning a fall getaway, looking for unique history lessons for the kids, or just love a good ghost story, this episode will spark ideas for memorable (and slightly spooky!) adventures. Want to fly free to haunted hotels or pumpkin-filled fall destinations? Join Families Fly Free and I’ll show you my simple formula to make it happen: FamiliesFlyFree.com/join Related Podcast Episodes: Episode 42: My Favorite Family Halloween Travel "Treat": Disneyland at HalloweenEpisode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 76: 5 Fun Halloween Getaways for the Spookiest Season⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thanks for leaving me a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this podcast episode! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    26 分钟
  3. 193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My!

    8月13日

    193 | 🎯 Southwest Changes Simplified: New Fares, Assigned Seats, Bag Fees - Oh My!

    Southwest has made a flurry of changes in 2025 — from charging for bags and introducing assigned seats to rolling out brand-new fare types and tweaking credit card perks, including increasing their annual fees. And they’ve managed to make things very complicated. But here’s the good news: I’ve cut through the clutter to get to the heart of what actually matters in my trademark "keep it simple stupid" approach 😉. In this episode, I’ll show you the few simple adjustments you need to make so you can: Keep flying Southwest for the same cost (or less) as before (yes, really!)Make only slight changes to the way we’ve always flown Southwest for free Understand how to KEEP getting free bags, as well as free assigned seating and navigate the new fare rulesYou’ll walk away knowing exactly what to do to keep your Southwest travel FREE, easy and smooth. 💡 Free Bonus: Get my one-page cheat sheet that explains all the changes in plain English — plus the exact tweaks you need to make to your own Southwest strategy, including how to change a Basic Fare (yes, it's possible!): 👉 SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Changes Join Families Fly FreeSouthwest — and travel rewards in general — can get complicated fast. But inside Families Fly Free, I show you how to skip the confusion, ignore the noise and use my simple Fly Free Formula™ to get maximum travel with the minimum number of cards. I’ve been flying my family of 4 free 6x a year on Southwest (and beyond) since 2015, and I’ve boiled it down to a clear, repeatable plan that anyone can follow. Whether you’re traveling with kids, a spouse, friends or solo, this formula works. Let me make it simple for you. 👉 Join Families Fly Free: FamiliesFlyFree.com

    31 分钟
  4. 192 | 🎨 Wander in Wonder: How to Better Appreciate Art on Your Travels

    7月29日

    192 | 🎨 Wander in Wonder: How to Better Appreciate Art on Your Travels

    Ever stood in front of a famous painting and wondered, “What am I supposed to do here?” In this first episode of my new Wander in Wonder series, I dive into how to truly appreciate art — even if you don’t consider yourself an expert (I certainly don’t!). Inspired by a class I took at Notre Dame on Theology, Art and Beauty and my professor Dr. Sarah Maple (https://sarahelizabethmaple.academia.edu/), I share simple, thoughtful ways to engage with a work of art beyond just snapping a photo and moving on. You’ll learn: A powerful question to ask beauty itselfHow to slow down and see a painting (including what to look for)The difference between what the artist intended and what the piece says to youHow to turn a museum visit into a deeper, more meaningful experience — solo or with your kidsMy favorite immersive art experience and why you should try one near youPlus, I walk you through how I’ve put these tips into practice — from the Louvre to my local museum with my 21-year-old son — and how it changed the way we both see art. RELATED: VIDEO: THE LUME Indianapolis at Newfields: Van Gogh Starry Night Immersive Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dq9MF9JL7YEpisode 176 | How I'm Learning Italian Inspired by My Travels 👉 Grab my free checklist of what to look for the next time you visit a museum: SecretsOfATravelJournalist.com/art ✨ Join me inside my Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, where I’m pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences for less. 👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club ✈️ Want even more travel tips? Visit SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com for guides, resources and insider advice. Got questions about the Club? Text me at 844-403-2263.

    25 分钟
  5. 191 | 🎮 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 2): Dark Universe, Super Mario, Berk and Food Finds

    7月22日

    191 | 🎮 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 2): Dark Universe, Super Mario, Berk and Food Finds

    In Part 2 of my conversation with Chad Pennycuff (My DVC Points Podcast), we’re diving deeper into Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe — and there’s so much more to explore! After attending the Grand Opening event for media, I share my insight on the parks along with Chad's an Orlando local and "theme park junkie." This episode covers: 🍕 The best food in the park (hello, truffle pizza, mango cornbread & that Frankenstein pretzel)🧛‍♂️ The incredible Dark Universe land featuring Universal Monsters — and why Monsters Unchained might be the most underrated ride in the park🐉 Chad's favorite land, Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon), plus the family-friendly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and must-see live show🎢 What we thought of Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and whether Yoshi’s Adventure is worth the wait🧢 Why the Power-Up Bands matter — and how Universal turns Super Nintendo World into a real-life video gameWe also share final thoughts on: Express Pass strategyTouring tips for different agesWhy this park truly is epic — and may even deserve an entire trip on its own🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic Resources:  My DVC Points PodcastRelated Episodes: Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

    48 分钟
  6. 190 | 🎢 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 1): Hotels, Harry Potter, Celestial Park + Line Tips

    7月15日

    190 | 🎢 Epic Universe Insider Guide (Part 1): Hotels, Harry Potter, Celestial Park + Line Tips

    In this episode, I’m joined by Chad Pennycuff of the My DVC Points podcast to break down everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s brand-new theme park, Epic Universe — starting with where to stay, what to skip and how to save. I share my experiences attending the Grand Opening event for media. We also recap Chad’s incredible theme park tour across Asia, including Shanghai Disney, Universal Beijing, Tokyo Disney and more. Hear what Disney is doing next level overseas and how it compares to the new Epic Universe experience. Then we shift to: Hotel options at Epic (including pros/cons of Stella Nova, Terra Luna & the ultra-pricey Helios Grand)A deep dive into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic — the ride, the land, the queue and the details you don’t want to missTips on wait times, Express Pass strategy, early entry and how to use points to cover your Universal tripWhat we loved (and didn’t) about Celestial Park and its headline coaster, Stardust Racers🎁 Grab my free Epic Universe ride + dining guide: secretsofatraveljournalist.com/epic Want the full Epic Universe breakdown (plus my photos + member Q&A)? It’s inside the Club. Join --> SecretsofaTravelJournalist.com/Club Resources:  My DVC Points PodcastMy Video Tour: Stella Nova Resort - https://youtu.be/BvQIJ3Vjs9gMy Video Tour: Cabana Bay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJOUCSLx1gRelated Episodes: Episode 43: Yikes! Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights: Your Guide From a Mom's PerspectiveEpisode 111: Universal Studios Orlando 101Episode 116: How Katie Blumhorst Saved $4,000+ With Travel Rewards at Universal Studios Orlando

    46 分钟
  7. 189 | Secrets of London: A Travel Journalist’s Best Tips

    7月8日

    189 | Secrets of London: A Travel Journalist’s Best Tips

    Join me for an insider’s journey to London as I share my favorite travel tips, hidden gems and even a few things I wish I’d done differently. In this episode, you’ll hear how I flew to London for (almost) free, where we stayed (and why it mattered), the must-see spots I recommend and how to get around the city stress-free — all from the perspective of a professional travel journalist. From Big Ben to Oxford, Harry Potter to historic pubs, I’ll walk you through the highlights of our trip and the lessons learned along the way. 🎧 Want the full London webinar replay, a detailed itinerary and a member-led London webinar and guide? They’re all waiting for you inside the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club --> https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club Inside my exclusive Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club, I’m not only sharing my Fly Free and Stay Free Formulas, but I'm pulling back the curtain on 25+ years of insider travel know-how to help you fly smarter, score luxury perks and unlock unforgettable experiences. 👉 Grab your spot + start planning your smartest and most affordable trip yet: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club  Join the my email list at https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/email Got questions about the Club? Email info AT secretsofatraveljournalist.com or text 844-403-2263 Resources: Episode 183: London Trip - Top 5 Tips - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/183-london-trip-top-5-travel-tips/id1540642046?i=1000703049415Living Rooms UK - https://www.living-rooms.co.uk/The Tour Guy Tower of London Legends & Lore Tour - https://secretsofatraveljournalist.com/tourguylondon (this is an affiliate link, but they are my favorite tour company!)

    45 分钟
  8. 188 | How to Visit Colleges on Points — Without Blowing Your Travel Budget

    6月14日

    188 | How to Visit Colleges on Points — Without Blowing Your Travel Budget

    College visits, auditions, move-in weekends and campus drop-offs — they’re all part of the college journey… and they can get really expensive, really fast. But what if you didn’t have to stress about the cost? In this episode, I share how I recently visited Notre Dame using points and stayed right on campus without spending a dime — plus how Club members like Heather, Amylee and Yolanda have used my system to fly their kids to and from college, tour campuses across the country and show up when it matters most — all without blowing their budget. You’ll hear: How one mom booked 7 college audition trips using her Companion PassWhy flying kids home from college — even on short notice — can be stress-freeHow I used points to fly my son to UCLA for a summer program and internshipA smart strategy to erase campus hotel costs using a Chase transfer bonusThe emotional (and financial) payoff of having points ready when college travel callsIf college is anywhere on your family’s horizon, this is one of the smartest ways to use your miles — and I’ll show you how to make it happen. 👉 Ready to plan smarter travel for college and beyond? Join the Secrets of a Travel Journalist Club: https://www.secretsofatraveljournalist.com/club

    24 分钟
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Travel rewards doesn't have to be overwhelming and it can work for entire families! In the Families Fly Free podcast, hosted by longtime travel journalist Lyn Mettler, you'll learn how to simply and easily fly your whole family for free using travel rewards and with minimal cards in your wallet. Lyn has taught nearly 1,000 families a simple, repeatable process to always have enough miles to fly wherever you'd like, so you can make more memories with your family before your kids or grandkids leave home.

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