MileValue is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer be available. You can view current offers here.
This giveway is over. Congratulations to the lucky winner, Lanita J. Williams!
I have two exciting bits of news:
#1: Today is my 30th birthday 🙂

#2: We are running a $100 Southwest Giveaway!
This week one lucky reader will win a $100 Southwest gift card. Southwest gift cards are fully transferable and don’t expire.
There are three ways to enter:
- Comment on this post.
- Follow us on Facebook.
- Follow us on Twitter and retweet this tweet:
GIVING AWAY A $100 GIFT CARD ON SOUTHWEST AIRLINES. FOLLOW AND RETWEET TO WIN. Then enjoy periodic tweets about traveling more, better, and cheaper! pic.twitter.com/4lenBMMM83
— MileValue (@MileValue) May 7, 2019
Some reasons why Southwest is awesome:
- You always get to fly with two checked bags for free. No other US carrier has that lenient of a domestic baggage policy.
- Flights booked with enough anticipation (or during frequent sales) can be super cheap, with points as well as cash.
- They have one of the best and most flexible change and cancellation policies.
- In general they tend to put customers first more than other US carriers.
- The Companion Pass offered by Southwest is one of the best deals in travel.
Each person can enter all three ways to triple their chances of winning. Make sure I can tell who you are across all platforms you decide to enter through. I’ll choose one winner from the entries this Friday, May 10, and notify the winner via email.
In a couple weeks I’m taking the ferry from Buenos Aires to Uruguay for a little happy 30th getaway with my boyfriend. Check out the Nido Treehouses (1, 2) on Airbnb. We’ll be staying in #1. These cute little houses overlooking a vineyard are just a 15 minute drive from the charming town of Colonia and fairly priced. The coast of the river is only a half hour walk.

I’ve been eyeing this property for a while as a potential easy weekend jaunt from the city. The owner makes his own bread, cheese, and jam and stocks the cozy casita with it. That’s my kind of celebration! Tranquility and good food. I’ll write a trip report when I’m back as I think these houses would be an ideal addition to a Buenos Aires trip for just about anybody.
Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.
With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.
The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.
Thanks for the chance!
Im commenting in hopes of getting the gift card . . .
Happy Birthday…I hope to share in your celebration if I win the SW gift card. Pick me!!!
Happy 30th birthday!
Happy birthday! May all of your wishes come true. My wish is that you pick me as the winner!
Southwest has great benefits and I would love to win !!
Happy birthday!
I never win things like this, but I always try… I’d love this! 🙂
Happy Birthday and many more
Happy 30th bday! Mmmm…chocolate 🙂
happy birthday and another year of travel!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Thanks for your great info.
I loves me some Southwest!
Happy 30th birthday. Thank you for providing us with so much useful information. I hope I’m the winner of the Southwest gift card. I love that airline and it’s customer friendly policies.
Hope you have a great 30th !! The 30’s are great : )
I NEED a vacation! The gift card wb a kick start.
A big Happy Birthday to you!
Enjoy your day.
I’m anxious to hear about your stay in this new find!
Thanks for the giveaway, it has been awhile.
Happy 30th. I just had my 55th! Time flies!
Happy Birthday, thanks for thinking of your readers with the giftcard! 😛
Happy Birthday! Your upcoming trip sounds amazing.
Happy birthday, and have an amazing time on your getaway!
Happy 30th!
Little known companion pass rule…
you can change your companion up to three times = four people vying for your selection = smile!
Service to Hawaii.
I’m commenting to say happy birthday, and ask if that’s a Smith Island Cake that you’re eating? I’ve never seen someone aside from another Marylander eat one…
My grandmother made it, who was from South Carolina. Who knows though, perhaps she was influenced by the Maryland-style cake.
Happy 30! Thank you for the offer!
Happy Birthday!! Thank you for the nice giveaway!
Pick Me I never Win this Thing and I’m Twice your age.
Happy B Day !!
CHEERs
Happy Birthday Sarah!
Now you can really start living!
All fears cast aside.
Aloha and happy birthday! How I would love to be 30 again…but then my children would all be older than I am since I’m almost 70! My birthday advice to you: Enjoy your life, take one day at a time, and keep on traveling.
Feliz Cumple, Sarah!! Enjoy that fantastic trip to Uruguay, and thanks for a fun contest!!
Happy birthday. I don’t feel right entering, but I am here reading thru clicking your main banner after an article.
happy birthday!
Happy.birthday
Happy Birthday! And thanks for the travel inspiration!
Happy Birthday Sarah!
Would love to win!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Sarah! Thx for the giveaway!
Hope I win 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win. Enjoy your trip!
i walked the AT twice and the PCT once and cycled around the globe for 6 years. stoked to read about your walk across the usa. go!
Happy 30 and enjoy your trip! The treehouse is adorable! I’ve always wanted to stay in one.
I’m soooo excited to have won! I’m thinking to use the gift to visit a good friend for her birthday coming. I haven’t had the chance to visit her in about 5 years.
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday and thanks for the giveaway
We share the same Birthday. I am a bit older than you. Enjoy your trip and thanks for a chance for the giveaway.
Bon anniversaire! Thank you for your generosity ????! Hope you have an amazing trip!
Happy Birthday! I wish SWA would start their San to HNL flights so we could celebrate in Hawaii!!
Happy Birthday and congrats!
Happy Birthday ! Southwest is my favorite airline so id be in your debt if you pick me to win!
Happy birthday!
I love flying Southwest – even when I have to bring my kids, lol!
Happiest of birthdays!!
Happy Birthday! Hope to win it!
Thank you!
nice
Happy (now belated) birthday, Sarah! Best wishes from your devoted readers.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for giving away $100 on SWA, hope to win!
Happy Birhday!
A very happy birthday to you! Thanks!
Happy birthday and hope you have a great getaway!
Sarah Page, I’m finally getting it – that is, what you do, and I love it. You have helped me tremendously on two trips now, and I look forward to working with you to maximize the power of my credit cards to earn pts/etc. Many thanks
So glad to hear that Sue!
Happy birthday!!!
I hope you have a great time!
Happy belated Birthday! You are doing a great job!
Happy birthday!