Deals to jump on
TLDR: Going finds you the flights deals, Chase Sapphire Card perks pays for them.
DEAL #1: Going.com
Planning an international trip sometime in 2025-2026? There's a lot of options out there for booking, and it can be hard to know if you're finding the best deal, how and where to search, etc.
This is why I'm such a big fan of Going.com. I have followed them on social media for the past 10 years (they were previously named "Scott's Cheap Flights") and have been consistently impressed with their deals. Here are some of the things they will do:
1. Track prices and alert you when they change.
2. Find the best deals - they alert you on big price drops and mistake fares (aka ridiculously cheap fares the airline didn't mean to post)
They are running a sale through July 6ths with 45% off on their memberships.
Premium memberships are available for just $29 (normally $49) - Access all domestic and international economy deals. Plus, custom destination alerts.
Elite memberships are priced at $119 (normally $199)Get everything from Premium, plus premium economy, business, and first class deals.
Here's an example of an email they just sent me.
Don't sleep on this deal, give one of their memberships a spin this year! Go to Going.com now to sign up!
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DEAL #2 Chase Sapphire Credit Card Bonus
Chase has two credit cards that offer incredible travel benefits. If you have been trying to plan a big international trip and are able to open a new credit card, the sign up bonus can essentially pay for a whole ticket!
In 2020 we were supposed to go to Italy and Switzerland, and then Covid (boo). We got flight credit to use, and in 2021 we went to Switzerland. We opened our Chase Sapphire Preferred card and got an 80,000 point bonus for spending $4000 in the first several months. As a result, our food and drinks for our trip were covered!
Chase has upped the ante, and their deal is better than ever. Here's the breakdown.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Spend $5000 in the first 3 months and get 75,000 bonus points (in addition to the points you earn for the $5000 you spent!). Also you get an annual $50 hotel credit, automatic trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, etc. You can learn more here.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve: If you travel more than 2 times a year, this is the card I would recommend. We upgraded our preferred card this year and have been so pleased with the Reserve. They're currently adding in a TON of promotions and benefits for sign-ups now until August. I have listed them in order of impressiveness.
🌟 100,000 bonus points and $500 Chase Travel Promo credit. That means over $1000 towards your next trip!
🌟 Priority Pass membership, aka access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This is by far our favorite perk of the card! Imagine never having to pay for airport food again, AND having a safe and quiet place to go with your kids to rest and wait for flights.
Pictured: My beautiful sparkly and *free* cocktail at the JFK Sapphire lounge this past February.
🌟 $300 annual travel credit
🌟 $120 reimbursement for TSA precheck or Global Entry.
Other perks:
$500 towards hotel stays with The Edit
Apple TV: Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music
Door Dash: Complimentary DashPass membership, a $120 value for 12 months.
Stubhub: Get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December for a maximum of $300 annually for StubHub and viagogo purchases through 12/31/27
Lyft: Members get access to up to $10 in monthly in-app credits, up to $120 annually, to use on rides through 9/30/27.
Peloton: 10x points on eligible equipment and accessory purchases, plus $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships
Chase Sapphire Reserve does have a higher annual fee, so it's important to calculate if the rewards you'd earn make up for it. For our family, they definitely do.
Sign up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve here.
My links for Chase and Going are both affiliate links, meaning I get a benefit if you use them. However, I personally vouch for and use both, so my conscious is clear on that.