Tips and Tricks for Traveling with Points
What is Travel Hacking?
Travel hacking is just a way of using methods to make the most of travel perks while keeping costs to a minimum. By making use of loyalty programs, credit card rewards and points, and wise booking practices, you can significantly reduce the cost of traveling (and even book travel for free using earned points).
Let’s be honest, family travel can put a dent in your wallet. So, how do we travel hack and see the world on a budget? The answer is straightforward: we accumulate points! Flying our family of six to Hawaii cost us just a few hundred dollars, and believe it or not, I jetted off to Paris for absolutely nothing, all thanks to points! Check out my guide on how to travel hack and see how we’ve flown around the world for little to no money.
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How to Earn Points for Travel
Unveiling the Ultimate Travel Companion: The Top Credit Cards for Earning Travel Points
My favorite Credit Card for Travel Hacking
Capital One Venture Card
Utilizing a points credit card, we successfully redeemed travel points to fly our family of six to Hawaii. The Capital One Venture card, known for its extensive travel perks, played a key role in this endeavor. The total point value required for our Hawaii trip amounted to 361,000. While accumulating such a substantial number of points did take several years, a noteworthy travel hack involves applying for new credit cards that offer lucrative new member point bonuses. These types of travel programs can make travel affordable and cover expenses such as hotels and airfare.
Engaging in travel hacks proves beneficial for individuals who conscientiously manage their finances and comprehend the terms and conditions associated with their credit cards. The concept involves enrolling in new credit card programs, fulfilling the specified spending criteria to attain the sign-up bonus, and leveraging the accrued points or miles for travel purposes.
Below are some of the perks offered by the Venture card:
- 75,000 miles points for new members
- 2X miles per dollar on every purchase
- 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- TSA Pre-check or Global Entry Credit
- Access to airport lounges
This is the card we use and we’ve been able to offset a lot of travel costs using this method. My husband and I put all of our day-to-day purchases on this card. In doing this, you must make sure to pay it off every month.
Below are things to look out for when trying to travel hack:
- Make sure the card has a sign-on bonus
- Only apply for a card where you can meet the minimum spending limit
- Look for travel perks (access to airport lounges, TSA Pre-check credit)
- If there are annual fees, make sure the benefits outweigh the cost
There are many other great cards out there for points. Click here to see the best travel cards right now
Top 5 Hotel Rewards Programs
Travel Hack to Start Earning Hotel Points
Another tip to learning how to travel hack is to make sure you are earning hotel points. Many top-brand hotels offer loyalty programs. This provides an excellent opportunity to accrue points for your stays by remaining faithful to a couple of favored brands. Joining hotel rewards programs is just the start. Many hotels offer cards that give you bonus points for free stays after you’ve spent a minimum amount.
Thanks to the Marriott points, I enjoyed a complimentary stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Paris Gare de Lyon. Additionally, my husband and I experienced a fantastic free stay at the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf. Both locations provided exceptional accommodations and memorable experiences.
My top choices are Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and IHG rewards programs for booking and accumulating points. These programs extend various benefits, including discounts, perks, and reward points. The rewards from these programs often encompass complimentary night stays, upgrades, and discounted rates at participating hotels. Below are the benefits of some of the top travel programs:
- Benefits: Hilton Honors offers a wide range of benefits. These include points that can be used for free nights, room upgrades, and various travel experiences. Members also enjoy exclusive discounts, and the program has a large portfolio of hotels worldwide, ranging from budget to luxury.
- Hilton also has credit card options where you can earn 170,000 points for signing on. Click here for options
- Sign up for Hilton Honors
- Benefits: Marriott Bonvoy provides a diverse array of hotels across different brands, from budget-friendly to luxury accommodations. Members can earn points for free nights, receive room upgrades, and access exclusive member rates. The program also allows points to be converted to airline miles.
- Marriott Bonvoy has credit cards where you can get free nights and bonus points for signing on. These rewards come after you’ve spent a certain amount on purchases, so read the fine print. Click here for options
- Benefits: World of Hyatt focuses on quality over quantity, offering a portfolio of well-regarded hotels. Also, members earn points for free nights, room upgrades, and access to exclusive experiences. The program is known for its elite status perks and partnerships with luxury brands.
- World of Hyatt offers credit cards with bonus points after you reach a set spending limit. See options here
- Benefits: Wyndham has over 50,000 places to stay including hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals. Perks include free nights, and the lowest rates and you can earn status at Avis and Budget rental cars.
- Wyndham also has a rewards Visa card where you can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Click here for credit card options
- Benefits: IHG has 19 different brands and one can be found in almost any location. Members can enjoy low rates, earn points on every stay, redeem points for free nights, free wifi, and much more.
When selecting a loyalty program, take into account your travel preferences, frequented locations, and preferred accommodation types. Additionally, check whether the program has affiliations with airlines or other travel-related services to enhance flexibility in your rewards and benefits.