87. Points & Miles Mistakes: Learn from Our Goofs

Welcome back to another episode with the Travel Mom Squad! Today, we're pulling back the curtain on our own points and miles blunders. Yes, even the pros goof up sometimes! We’re sharing our mishaps not just to entertain you (though some of these stories are pretty amusing), but to help you learn from our experiences so you can navigate the points and miles world more smoothly. Real Mistakes from Real Travelers First up, Alex talks about the time she accidentally set her credit card payment to the minimum due instead of the full statement balance. It’s a simple checkbox mistake that led to unnecessary interest charges. It’s a crucial reminder to double-check your autopay settings, ensuring you’re not paying more than you should. Pam, often nicknamed 'Quick Start Pam,' dives into several of her own memorable mistakes, from overlooking important details like the Chase 5/24 rule to booking a hotel for the wrong date. She highlights the importance of slowing down and double-checking every detail, especially when dealing with bookings across different time zones. Learning the Hard Way Hear about Jess’s adventure of nearly leaving her companion behind on a flight to Costa Rica because she delayed adding a companion to her Southwest flight. This story underscores the importance of managing travel bookings proactively, especially when using features like the Southwest Companion Pass. Takeaways to Make You a Better Traveler Through these tales, we underline a universal truth: mistakes happen, but they don’t have to define your travel experience. With each slip-up, we’ve learned valuable lessons about paying attention to details, the importance of confirmation checks, and the benefits of being meticulously organized. Don’t Let Errors Discourage You In closing, remember that every error provides a chance to learn and improve. Whether it's setting up payment reminders or thoroughly reviewing your travel itineraries, these lessons are priceless for making your future travel both smoother and more rewarding. So, ready to learn from our faux pas and make your points and miles journey foolproof? Hit play to dive into the full episode for all the juicy details and key tips to keep you savvy on the road!   Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 - Kickoff: We dive into why even seasoned travelers like us still make mistakes with points and miles. 1:15 - Alex's Autopay Alert: Hear how a simple checkbox error cost Alex more than just money. 3:30 - Pam's Planning Pitfalls: Discover the chain reaction of errors that started with one rushed decision. 6:00 - Jess's Companion Pass Cautionary Tale: A nearly disastrous oversight with the Southwest Companion Pass—avoid this at your next booking! 8:25 - Lessons Learned: We share key strategies to prevent these common errors in your travels. 10:45 - Wrap-Up: Summing up our stories with a reminder of how each mistake has a lesson and encouraging listeners to share their own blunders.