Category Archives: Travel

Closing Our Olympics Outreach

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Joshua and Alyssa at the LouvreFinal Day of Ministry

Tuesday, August 6, was our last full day of ministry with SEE, and we were placed with a few other teams near an old opera house.

Alyssa stayed back at our lodging to work on a summary video of the week’s activities. This video captured all the highlights of our outreach and was shown to the entire group that evening. It was a wonderful way to reflect on all that God had done through our team during our time in Paris.

I spent most of my time on the streets interviewing people from our team, asking them to share about their experiences with the Olympics outreach efforts. The interviews revealed amazing stories of divine appointments and Gospel conversations that happened throughout the week. Each person shared how God had worked in unique ways through their interactions with people from around the world who had gathered for the Olympics.

As our ministry time came to a close, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be part of this global outreach. We had seen God work in expected and unexpected ways, bringing people from all nations together and using our team to share His message of hope.

Even though our time in Paris was ending, we knew the impact of these Gospel booklets would continue long after we returned home. Seeds had been planted that would continue to grow in the hearts of those who received them.

SEE 2025Bittersweet Farewells

On Wednesday morning, I drove several people to the train station for their early morning flights. Later, I took our youth group kids on the train back to the airport so they could fly back home.

It was bittersweet to bid farewell to everyone, just as I had experienced in Brazil back in 2016 when I first participated in the Olympics outreach. Most of these people I may never see again on this earth. But for 10 days, we were a team with one focus and one mission, and we were a family.

For those of you who prayed for us and asked how things were going, we greatly appreciate your care and interest in our ministry there. We have since heard of at least two more people who have been saved as a result of that ministry, and we look forward to finding out about more when we get to heaven!

The 2028 Olympics are in Los Angeles, and we are already planning to participate once again. We would love it if some of you would join us, so please contact us if you have any interest, and we will tell you everything that you need to know!

We also want to give a special thank you to those of you who donated funds toward our trip. We were able to use points for our flights, but the other expenses were still significant, and many of you were a blessing to us by helping to offset our costs. You were part of the ministry that we had there, and we do not take that for granted!

What special moments have you experienced during outreach or ministry trips?

2024 Olympics Ministry Posts

Unexpected Moments in Paris

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Train in ParisA Team Member Goes Missing

Everything began normally on Saturday, August 3, as we took the train into Paris. This time, we traveled with two other groups to our designated area near the Eiffel Tower.

At our first transfer, we got off the train and started walking when one of our youth group girls exclaimed, “Mary’s not here!” (Her real name isn’t Mary, FYI.)

By that time, the train had already left, and none of us had contact information for her. We knew that she had been struggling to get her SIM card working the night before, but that didn’t matter anyway since we didn’t have a phone number for her.

Now she was on a train in Paris without us; as her team leader, I (Joshua) was responsible.

We sent messages to another group that was still on the train, but they couldn’t find her either. I told our group that we needed to proceed to our destination because we could not try to search for her on this massive train system. We hoped she would be wise enough to take the train back to the monastery and wait there until everyone returned for the day.

Alyssa and Baby Jocelyn at the Eiffel Tower

Thankfully, that’s exactly what she did, and she eventually rode back into Paris with somebody else who returned her to our group.

Meanwhile, we had a great morning and afternoon handing out booklets near the Eiffel Tower. We even met a pastor and his family from Florida who took a picture with us because they were excited about what we were doing. One of the girls in our youth group also met a Japanese lady who lived in the same town that she had visited on a missions trip last year!

Alyssa spent a lot of time pushing the kids around in the strollers, and she was a little disappointed that she didn’t get to help more with the booklets or the pictures and video. But, eventually, she had a chance to hand out booklets while I took care of the kids, and her stroller time became an unexpected blessing!

Several people asked for directions to the tower, and she was able to give them the information they needed since she had walked around the area so many times. So when people asked how to get to the tower, she would give them a booklet and answer their questions.

It was another one of those situations where God was working in the details, but we couldn’t see it until later.

That evening, we received wonderful news – someone received a booklet this week, placed their faith in Christ, and filled out the form on our organization’s website to let us know they had been saved!

A Couple Days of Rest and Exploration

Sunday, August 4, was a day for everyone to take a break, rest a little, and see the city. We took our youth group kids into Paris to see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Olympic cauldron, the Louvre museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. Of course, we didn’t pay for entrance to any of those sites, but we have the pictures to prove that we were there!

Baby Jadon at Lego Store in ParisThe next day was also a day of relaxation. We brought our youth group kids to a water polo event and then went to visit some of Alyssa’s relatives in another part of the city. We decided not to attend the water polo event ourselves because we would have had to pay full price for each of our kids, and we knew they wouldn’t enjoy it enough to justify the cost.

After seeing Alyssa’s relatives, we spent some time at a Lego store that Alyssa found, a big hit with our little ones (and us adults)!

When we go on these missions trips, we usually spend most of our time working hard, but it’s also important to take a break, and you want to enjoy your destinations when you travel internationally. So these two days were perfect, and they prepared us for the final push to the end.

2024 Olympics Ministry Posts

God’s Plans Are Better Than Ours

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Roommate Speaking to LocalsDistribution at the Seine

On Thursday, August 1, our group ventured to a location along the historic Seine River and teamed up with a couple of other groups. Alyssa decided to keep the kids back at the monastery where our team was staying because one of the kids was sick, and we had not slept much for a couple of nights.

We positioned ourselves at the end of a bridge, across the street from the park that housed the iconic Olympic cauldron. This was a great location because many people would cross the river there before entering the park.

As I (Joshua) walked around and took pictures and video of my teammates, I particularly enjoyed watching my first college roommate, Tyler Betz. He and his wife are now missionaries in France, and he did what he’s good at doing- talking to people. But it was fun to watch because he did it in French, something I never imagined him doing many years ago.

Eventually, we ran out of all our English and French booklets; most tourists in the area were English and French speakers, so our booklets in the other languages were less useful. One lady in our group started to hand out Chinese and Arabic booklets to everyone, and shortly thereafter, we decided it was just best to pack up for the day.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de MontmartreA Reminder from God

The next day, God had a great lesson to teach us!

We went to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre on Friday after another group told us that it was a great spot for handing out the booklets; I didn’t realize until we arrived that this was such a popular tourist destination! The walk to get there was quite long, and we opted for a route that avoided the famous flights of stairs leading up to the basilica since we had a couple of strollers.

When we arrived, we struggled mightily to find people interested in taking booklets or engaging in conversations. Most visitors seemed focused on touring the basilica and taking pictures.

Eventually, Alyssa and I found a promising spot partway down the hill, while our youth group kids positioned themselves at the top of the stairs.

But a couple of hours later, one of the ladies in our group told us in a distraught tone of voice, “We have to leave.”

She told us that a police officer asked her to put away her booklets, so she closed the suitcase that had all of the booklets in it.

But the officer returned later and also asked for her ID, telling her to leave.

In France, we had the freedom to distribute literature, and we were not doing it on private property. But for her sake, I told everyone that we needed to leave before something else happened.

Joshua Handing Out BookletsWe were a bit discouraged as we walked back toward the train station, especially since we had not had the success that the other groups reported earlier in the week.

But God had better plans! As we walked back, I started handing out booklets to local French people along the way. Two blocks before the train station, I told everyone, “Let’s stop here on the sidewalk for half an hour and see how many booklets we can distribute.”

We ended up staying for over 45 minutes because almost everyone who walked by reached out to take a booklet from us! Before long, we ran out of all our French booklets and several of our English ones.

It was one of those moments when God reminded us that His plans are different from ours, and His plans are always better.

What had started as a discouraging trip turned into an exciting one!

2024 Olympics Ministry Posts

It’s Time for the Olympics!

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Huangs with Eiffel Tower Behind Them We are in Paris! It is such a surreal experience to be in the city of the 2024 Olympic Games. The city is full of visitors from all over the world, with spectators and Olympians and their family members.

We are part of a team of 65 people from around the world who are here to share the Gospel as part of Sports Event Evangelism (SEE).

On Tuesday (July 30), we handed out booklets near the newscaster base, up the hill from the Eiffel Tower, and Joshua and Jadon were part of the crowd for NBC’s “Today Show” (you can spy them on the left side in this video: https://www.today.com/video/team-usa-skateboarders-fencers-swimmer-talk-medals-in-paris-215976005828).

In between video segments, Jadon happily handed out Gospel booklets to the other American crowd members (and who can refuse a booklet from a cute two-year-old?). One of our team members gave a booklet to one of the show hosts, and he accepted it! Please pray that people will read these booklets and that seeds will begin to take root.

Yesterday we were at Gare du Nord, a large train station in the city. We handed out all of the French booklets that we brought and almost all of the English booklets. We have met people from Jamaica, Japan, Poland, Denmark, the Philippines, and even families from Bloomington and St. Paul in Minnesota!

Please pray with us that God would continue working in the hearts of the people here in Paris!

Have you ever been part of a ministry like this? We’d love to hear about it!

Praying with Our Team at Gare du Nord

2024 Olympics Ministry Posts

Take a Look at What We’re Giving People in France!

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In just over one week, we will be in France with our family and a few young people from our church!

We have begun the process of packing, and we are actually almost finished! For those who are interested, we will share some blog posts showing what we are packing, how we are doing it, and how we plan for trips like this for a family of four.

Handing out Booklets at the OlympicsFor right now, we wanted to show you the amazing booklets that we are going to hand out in France! If you have a few moments, take a look to read them and then pray for those strangers who we will meet that God would give them receptive hearts to the Gospel.

Some have asked about obtaining these booklets for themselves. We’re not sure if we can get some for you, but we are looking into that possibility because it is one of the most thorough gospel booklets we have ever seen, especially for people who have no understanding of biblical concepts. If you’re interested, please let us know!

Partner with Us

If you would like to partner with us financially as we take the Gospel to the 2024 Olympics, our expenses are going to be about $6,600. This includes our flights, our lodging, our meals, and our travel insurance. Thank you so much to those who have already donated generously to this ministry!

Instructions on how to donate to our summer ministry can be found at the following link: Donate to Huangs’ Summer 2024 Missions Trip

Praises and Prayer Requests

Praises

  • God has opened the door for our whole family to participate in this ministry together
  • All the details have come together smoothly for our trip

Prayer Requests

  • All of the funds to cover our expenses as this is not part of our regular church ministry
  • Ease of travel for our kids, especially when they miss naps
  • Preparation of the hearts of those in France who we will meet and share the Gospel with

2024 Olympics Ministry Posts

How To Earn Multiple Free Flights on Southwest Right Now

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Disclosures: This article includes links to credit cards. If you choose to apply for a credit card through our links, we may or may not receive a referral bonus. Credit cards are not suitable for everyone, however. If you have credit card debt of any kind, are irresponsible with your past or current use of credit cards, are unaware of the risks of using credit cards, or are conscientiously opposed to the use of credit cards, please do not apply for the credit cards mentioned in this article. You are 100% responsible for your own choices regarding the use of any credit cards mentioned here.

We love to fly, and we love to get the most value possible out of our flights. Sometimes this means getting the cheapest flight possible, but not at the expense of comfort and taking our belongings with us (which is why we avoid Spirit, Frontier, and other airlines that have really cheap tickets).

Southwest Plane on the TarmacOne of the ways we do this is by using credit cards offered by airlines. When it comes to travel rewards and benefits, few airline credit cards compare to the Southwest consumer credit cards.

With three distinct options tailored to different travel needs, Southwest offers some of the best credit cards for anyone looking to maximize their travel experiences. For a limited time, these cards are even better because of the incredible sign-up bonuses that are available.

Right now, each of the three Southwest consumer credit cards has an offer for 85,000 bonus points if you spend $3,000 on the card within three months of being approved. This offer is good until June 26, 2024.

With 85,000 points, you can typically book between 2-4 roundtrip award flights within the US. The taxes and fees on award flights are $5.60 per one-way flight ($11.20 for a roundtrip). This does not make award flights 100% free, but that is pretty close!

So why would you want a Southwest credit card?  Let’s take a look at the three consumer cards and why we think these cards are excellent choices for travelers seeking value, flexibility, and exclusive perks.

1. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Annual Fee: $69

Key Benefits:

  • Sign-Up Bonus (until June 26, 2024): Earn 85,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 2X Points: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • 1X Points: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • 3,000 Anniversary Points: Receive 3,000 points each year on your cardmember anniversary (worth approximately $42).
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: Travel abroad without worrying about extra fees.

Why It’s Great for Travel: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card offers a solid sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards that make earning points easy and straightforward. With no foreign transaction fees, this card is ideal for international travelers. The anniversary points add extra value, helping offset some of the annual fee. Good option if you book one or two roundtrip tickets on Southwest every year.

2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Annual Fee: $99

Key Benefits:

  • Sign-Up Bonus (until June 26, 2024): Earn 85,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 6,000 Anniversary Points: Receive 6,000 points each year on your cardmember anniversary (worth approximately $84).
  • 2X Points: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • 1X Points: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: Enjoy fee-free spending abroad.
  • Tier Qualifying Points: Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for every $10,000 spent on the card, up to 15,000 TQPs annually.

Why It’s Great for Travel: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card provides more anniversary points than the Plus version, helping offset most of the annual fee. The ability to earn tier qualifying points makes this card an excellent choice for frequent flyers looking to achieve A-List status with Southwest. This is another good option if you book one or two roundtrip tickets on Southwest every year.

3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Annual Fee: $149

Key Benefits:

  • Sign-Up Bonus (until June 26, 2024): Earn 85,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 7,500 Anniversary Points: Receive 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary (worth approximately $105).
  • 2X Points: Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • 1X Points: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • $75 Southwest Travel Credit: Get an annual $75 credit for Southwest travel purchases.
  • Four Upgraded Boardings: Enjoy four upgraded boardings per year, when available.
  • 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Get 20% back on in-flight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies.

Why It’s Great for Travel: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers the most comprehensive set of benefits among the three cards. The anniversary points, travel credit, and upgraded boarding passes provide significant value for frequent travelers and more than offset the annual fee. This is a great option if you fly with Southwest at least twice a year. Both of us have this card because we fly Southwest so often.

Why Southwest Credit Cards Stand Out for Travel

1. Companion Pass Eligibility: All three Southwest credit cards offer points that count toward earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, which allows you to choose one person to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight.

If you can get one of Southwest’s business cards and get the signup bonus this year in addition to the 85,000-point offer on one of these consumer cards, you will automatically qualify for the Companion Pass. You can read more about the Companion Pass in this article: The One Travel Deal That Has Saved Us Thousands of Dollars

2. Generous Rewards and Sign-Up Bonuses: As already mentioned, the sign-up bonuses alone can cover multiple flights, providing immediate value.

3. Flexible Redemption Options: Southwest points can be redeemed for flights with no blackout dates, giving you the flexibility to travel when it suits you best. Furthermore, Southwest points never expire, so you don’t have to worry about losing them.

4. No Foreign Transaction Fees: All three cards allow for fee-free spending abroad, making them ideal for international travelers.

5. Annual Benefits: The anniversary points, travel credits, and upgraded boardings provide ongoing value that can easily offset the annual fees.

If you have ever had a Southwest card before, one thing you should remember is that you cannot hold more than one Southwest consumer credit card at a time in your Chase account, and you cannot get a signup bonus on a card if you received a signup bonus on that same card within the last 24 months (even if you have closed the account since then).

Summary

The Southwest consumer credit cards offer a range of benefits that cater to different travel needs and preferences. Whether you choose the Plus, Premier, or Priority card, you can enjoy valuable rewards, exclusive perks, and flexibility that enhance your travel experience.

Right now with the 85,000-point signup bonus, this makes the card a no-brainer for people like us who love to fly. I wish we could take advantage of this offer, but we cannot since we both already have the Priority card. But if you are interested in flying with Southwest and normally spend about $1,000 a month already on a debit card or another credit card, this might be the perfect offer for you!

IHG Premier: How We Get an Annual Hotel Night for Only $99

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Disclosures: This article includes links to credit cards. If you choose to apply for a credit card through our links, we may or may not receive a referral bonus. Credit cards are not suitable for everyone, however. If you have credit card debt of any kind, are irresponsible with your past or current use of credit cards, are unaware of the risks of using credit cards, or are conscientiously opposed to the use of credit cards, please do not apply for the credit cards mentioned in this article. You are 100% responsible for your own choices regarding the use of any credit cards mentioned here.

Noah Surf House in PortugalAs frequent travelers, finding ways to maximize the value of our travel budget is essential for us. A few times a year, we have to stay in hotels, but hotel stays are some of the most significant expenses while traveling.

Fortunately, over the last few years, we have been able to stay in some really nice places for the cost of staying in a budget hotel.

How do we do it? By owning a credit card that we don’t even use!

The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card provides us immense value just by sitting and doing nothing. The card has many benefits, but the annual free hotel night offered by this card for only a $99 annual fee has become a game-changer in how we plan and enjoy our travels.

If you need a hotel night at least once a year, we believe the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is a must-have for any savvy traveler who wants a comfortable (and sometimes luxurious) room at an affordable cost.

About the Anniversary Night Certificate

Here is a quick rundown of this specific credit card benefit:

$99 Annual Fee
Each year, upon renewal of the card, we receive a complimentary night at any eligible IHG® hotel worldwide. This benefit alone more than offsets the $99 annual fee because most hotels exceed this cost per night.

Flexibility and Choice
The beauty of the annual free hotel night certificate is its flexibility and choice. With thousands of IHG® properties around the globe spanning various brands such as InterContinental, Kimpton, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, we have the ability to redeem our certificate at a destination of my choice on any room that has an award rate of 40,000 points or less.

Atlantic Ocean Bungalow in PortugalUnlocking Luxury Experiences
The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card allows us to indulge in luxury experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. From iconic city center hotels to beachfront resorts and boutique properties, the annual free hotel night certificate opens the door to unforgettable stays at some of the world’s most renowned destinations.

We have used this certificate to stay in downtown Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, a beachfront bungalow overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, and a hotel in downtown Seattle. The stay in Portugal was absolutely amazing and definitely nothing that I could have paid cash for.

Maximizing Value and Savings
By taking advantage of the annual free hotel night benefit, I’m able to maximize the value of my IHG® Rewards points and stretch my travel budget further. Whether I’m traveling solo, with family, or for a special occasion, the savings from the complimentary night enhance my overall travel experience and allow me to explore new destinations with peace of mind.

Potential Complimentary Upgrade
In addition to the annual free hotel night benefit, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card offers a range of other valuable perks, including IHG® Rewards Platinum Elite status. With Platinum Status we are often able to get complimentary upgrades on our free room. For example, when we stayed at a hotel during a layover in Miami last year, we were upgraded to a 2-bedroom suite at no charge! This perk is especially nice for families.

As mentioned, this credit card has an annual $99 fee, and you receive your first free hotel night certificate upon the first anniversary of holding the card. But there is usually a nice signup bonus with this credit card, so the points that you receive from that bonus can also be used for free nights at IHG® hotels during your first year.

Another unspoken benefit of this anniversary hotel night perk is that it can save you money in case of an emergency. If you’re traveling somewhere and your other lodging plan falls through, or if you need to book a last-minute trip, this hotel night can potentially save you a lot of money in those situations. We have had to do this a couple times!

Summary

For anyone who travels on a fairly regular basis, the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card is a game-changer.  Its annual free hotel night benefit offers unmatched value for a modest $99 annual fee. The rewards for spending on the card itself are not spectacular, so we only keep the card for the annual free night certificate that it provides.

We get so much value from this card that we own two of them!

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a dream vacation, this credit card can help you make the most of your travel adventures and perhaps even unlock unforgettable stays around the US or around the world.

Do you have a credit card with an annual fee that you don’t even use but you keep simply because of its benefits?

Google Flights: The Best Way to Start Your Airfare Search

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Google Flights MapUntil you get into the points and miles game as we have been for several years, booking airfare can be one of the most significant expenses when planning a trip. Once in a while we still have to book flights with cash, and we have several tools and strategies for finding great deals and making the best use of our money.

Along with the Southwest website, Google Flights is always my first stop when searching for flights, and it should be yours too. Whenever people ask me to look for flights for them, we start here.

Harnessing their internet search expertise, Google Flights is a powerful search engine that helps users find and compare airfare prices from various airlines.

So we want to show you how to use this platform effectively to score the best deals on airfare and why you should use it as you plan your next trip.

Using Google Flights

Website/App
To begin your airfare search, go to the Google Flights website. You can also download the Google Flights app on your mobile device, but I wouldn’t recommend doing this unless you fly often. The website is simple and works great on your phone.

Once you are there, you can enter your departure city, destination, travel dates, and other preferences to customize your search.

Google Flights DatesFlexible Date and Destination Options
One of the key features of Google Flights is its flexibility in searching for airfare deals. You can view prices for specific dates or use the flexible dates option to see prices for a range of dates, allowing you to find the cheapest travel options. Additionally, you can explore “Explore Destinations” to discover flight prices to various destinations based on your budget and interests.

One of my favourite features is its live pricing as you select your dates. When you open the calendar view, it gives you a general idea of the lowest price you can expect to pay on any given day of departure. Then, as you select your return date, it gives you the lowest price you can expect to pay for your entire trip, depending on the date you choose. So handy!

Price Tracking and Alerts
Google Flights offers price tracking and alerts to help you monitor airfare changes and receive notifications when prices drop or increase for your desired flights. After you select the airports, the dates, and the airline that you want to fly, simply enable price tracking for that specific flights or route, and Google Flights will notify you via email or push notification when prices change significantly.

Filter and Sort Options
To narrow down your search results, Google Flights provides various filter and sort options. You can filter by airline, number of stops, departure/arrival times, and more to find flights that meet your preferences and requirements. Sorting options allow you to prioritize results based on price, duration, departure time, or other factors.

Explore Map View
The map view feature in Google Flights allows users to visualize flight prices on a map, making it easier to compare prices for different destinations and airports. This feature is especially useful for travelers with flexible travel plans who are open to exploring new destinations based on price.

We don’t use this feature very often, but I have found it helpful a few times when we are going to a place that is somewhat central to two or more larger airports. This is especially true for destinations east of the Mississippi where large airports are not as spread out as they are out west. Also useful for international destinations in Europe.

Book Directly or through Partners
Once you’ve found a flight that meets your criteria and budget, you can choose to book directly through the airline’s website or through a third-party booking platform. Google Flights provides direct links and shows the prices to book flights with airlines or travel partners, streamlining the booking process and ensuring a seamless experience.

Google Flights Vs. Other Travel Portals

So why would we use Google Flights instead of other travel portals like Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Kayak, etc.?

The main reason is just that Google Flights is a platform dedicated to flights, whereas the others are designed to help you also find hotels, rental cars, and even experiences. The other ones also help you find travel packages. But Google Flights is strictly flights, so it is free of the distractions of other platforms.

Google Flights is also extremely fast and doesn’t have all the ads that you find on the other web portals.

As mentioned above, when you are ready to book, Google Flights will give you links so that you can book with those other travel portals if you would like, but it’s much easier to find those flights on Google Flights first.

Google Flights also does a better job of providing the most comprehensive selection of flights. Sometimes other travel portals don’t provide all of the options available.

One thing to note is that Southwest does not allow Google Flights to display its flights. So we always still go to Southwest.com to compare their options to the results that we find on Google Flights. You should do the same because Southwest has an extensive flight network, they allow free checked bags, and their prices rival the other airlines (not to mention Southwest’s amazing Companion Pass which allows two people to fly for the price of one).

Summary

Google Flights is a valuable tool for travelers seeking to find the best deals on airfare and save money on their next trip. If you are not already using it, we suggest that you make it your new primary airfare search tool

By utilizing its flexible search options, price tracking features, and comprehensive filter and sort options, you can streamline the booking process and ensure you are finding the best prices.

But someday you will want to start booking more flights with points and miles because that is way more fun!

Do you have any airfare search tools that you like better than Google Flights? If so, why?

How to Save Up to 20% on Southwest Flights

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Southwest AirplaneMost of our domestic travel is done with Southwest Airlines.

Living 18 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, we have access to dozens of Southwest flights on a daily basis. The fares are really competitive with Delta (our favourite airline), but they also offer two free checked bags per person and open seating (you choose your seat when you board). Now that we travel as a family of four, these benefits of Southwest make it our top choice for most of our flights here in the US.

Thankfully, most of our travel on Southwest is booked with points. Someday I will explain more about how we do that, and you are welcome to send us a private message if you would like to find out sooner.

But for those of you who usually have to pay cash for flights, I wanted to write a quick post about how to do that at a discounted rate.

About the Deal

If you have a membership with Sam’s Club or Costco, you can periodically buy $500 Southwest gift cards from them for only $450.

If you don’t have a membership with either of these wholesale clubs, maybe you can ask a friend to get you a gift card with their membership 🙂

In fact, at the time of this posting (April 5, 2024), Sam’s Club is offering this exact deal: https://www.samsclub.com/p/southwest-airlines-egift-card/prod26712432?xid=plp_product_1

That represents a 20% savings on a great airline!

We don’t have a Costco membership, so I don’t know how many of those gift cards you can buy at a time from them, but right now Sam’s Club has a maximum of 5 (which is a lot of travel).

Southwest also offers fare deals about once a month, so if you create a Rapid Rewards account with them and subscribe to their emails, you can find out when they happen.

These wholesale clubs might also offer discounts on other airline gift cards from time to time, but I have never seen them discounted as much as the Southwest gift cards.

Summary

Obviously, you need to do a little planning ahead to know whether or not you plan to fly Southwest for a specific trip, but when comparing airfare, we usually find Southwest to be one of the most inexpensive options, especially if you plan to bring checked bags with you.

Unless you are deep into the points and miles game like we are, this is a great way to save 20% on Southwest airfare when paying cash.

Did you know about this deal, and do you plan to take advantage of it sometime?

The Luggage Set That We Use

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Some people have asked about the suitcases that we use when we travel, so here is a quick description of our luggage set.

Luggage at the AirportWe have a Coolife 3-Piece Luggage Set that we purchased with money from our wedding almost five years ago. Prior to these suitcases, we already owned a few older pieces of baggage, but we wanted something with the spinner wheels so that we could roll them around more easily.

Since buying this set, we have taken it all over the US and to several countries overseas. To say that these suitcases are well-used and well-loved would be an understatement.

Here are some key features and benefits of this luggage set.

  1. Durable Construction: The luggage is made of 1680D Oxford cloth, which is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. The material provides better protection for your belongings compared to traditional polyester luggage. As mentioned earlier, this luggage has been through a lot, and each piece is still in great condition. Coolife also includes a 2-year warranty with the set in case something unexpectedly breaks.
  2. Optimal Organization: The set includes a variety of sizes to suit different travel needs, including a 20-inch carry-on, 24-inch medium luggage, and a 28-inch large luggage. The set also has a nice 15-inch tote bag, something that was not included when we purchased the set in 2019. This nice variety of sizes makes it possible to pack efficiently either for short trips or extended vacations.
  3. Easy Mobility: Each piece of luggage is equipped with four multi-directional spinner wheels and a telescopic handle, allowing for smooth and effortless maneuverability through airports, train stations, and other travel environments. This is one of the main reasons we bought them.
  4. TSA-Approved Lock: This is something else new that was not available on our luggage when we bought it. For added security and peace of mind, each piece of luggage in the set has a built-in TSA-approved lock. This allows TSA agents to open and inspect your luggage without damaging the lock, keeping your belongings safe during travel. If you’re someone who likes to lock your luggage, you might find this handy. Perhaps this would also keep your zippers from gettting caught and damaged by other luggage.
  5. Compliance with Airline Standards: The carry-on luggage in the set is suitable for US airline cabin luggage according to IATA standards. This means you can confidently bring it on board with you as a carry-on item, avoiding the need to check luggage and potentially saving time and hassle at the airport. Even when fully loaded and bulging, the 20-inch carry-on still fits nicely in the overhead bins.
  6. Ergonomic Design: The luggage features a sturdy ergonomic aluminum telescoping handle, providing comfortable handling for travelers of all heights. Whether you’re pulling the luggage behind you or pushing it alongside you, the handle ensures a comfortable grip and easy navigation.

One downsides of the suitcases is that they sometimes get wet when it’s raining. If you suspect that you will be in that situation often, maybe you would cosider a hard case luggage set instead of a soft case like these.

The reason we opted for soft cases is two-fold. First, we assumed (whether rightly or wrongly) that hard cases would be more susceptible to scratching and looking worn. Second, we tend to pack our suitcases as tightly as possible, and it’s easier to stuff a soft case suitcase than a hard case one. As far as protection of belongings is concerned, we think that has more to do with how you pack things inside. Even a hard case won’t protect fragile items if they were poorly packed.

One final note about appearance. We recommend choosing a colour other than black if you want to make it easier for yourself to find your bags at the luggage carousel when you fly. Because we chose a pleasant blue colour, we can locate our bags easily most of the time, and Baby Jadon even recognizes our bags now. If you want your bags to blend in with the others though, yeah, go with black!

Summary

Overall, the Coolife Luggage Set offers a combination of durability, functionality, and convenience at a great price, making it our personal #1 choice of luggage for traveling. If we had to buy them all over again, we definitely would!

What do you prefer for bags or suitcases when you travel?