Travel Anywhere for Next to Nothing | Travel Hacking

Many times my family and I have traveled by airplane and stayed in hotels for almost free. Recently, our family of six flew around the US and to Asia for our vacation with free tickets + taxes. It allowed us to do more and see more places together for less than what we would have spent with no free flights. This is one of the benefits of travel hacking; it allows you to travel anywhere for next to nothing.

So what is travel hacking?

How do you travel anywhere for next to nothing?

Travel hacking is the strategy of signing up for travel credit cards and collecting credit card points, hotel points, and/or airline miles that you can cash in for free flights, flight upgrades, hotel stays, transportation, and much, much more. It’s a way to get travel for a low cost, sometimes even for free. By strategically earning and redeeming reward points and airline miles, you can unlock free or significantly discounted travel experiences.

Some common travel hacking techniques include:

• Signing up for credit cards with generous welcome bonuses: Many credit cards offer substantial points or miles as a sign-up bonus when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.
• Maximizing everyday spending: Use credit cards that offer bonus points for specific categories like dining, groceries, or travel.
• Taking advantage of promotions: Keep an eye out for special promotions from airlines, hotels, and credit card companies that offer extra points or miles.
• Joining loyalty programs: Enroll in airline and hotel loyalty programs to earn points for every flight or stay, and take advantage of member-only deals and benefits.
• Transferring points: Some credit card programs allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, often at favorable rates.

By strategically using these methods, you can significantly reduce travel expenses and enjoy more trips for less money.

If you’re interested in travel hacking, you can start by:

• Figuring out your travel goals and then
• Selecting the right credit card(s) that align with your goals.

Travel hacking is a lot easier than it seems. By just tweaking how you pay for groceries, gas, and dining out, you’ll be able to start earning points and miles toward free travel.

Is it Legal?

Travel hacking is a legal and ethical way to save money on travel expenses, but it’s important to do it responsibly and within the guidelines of the credit card issuer or loyalty program.

Is it risky? Travel hacking can be a great way to save money on travel, but it does come with some risks. Here are a few to be aware of:

1. Credit Card Debt: One of the biggest risks is accumulating debt. Always pay off your credit card balances in full each month, so the interest charges can’t quickly outweigh any travel rewards you earn.
2. Impact on Credit Score: Opening multiple credit cards in a short period can negatively affect your credit score. It’s important to manage your credit responsibly and avoid applying for too many cards at once, but in the grand scheme of things, unless you are applying for a mortgage, credit score is just a number that will bounce up and down.
3. Account Closures: Misusing or abusing loyalty programs and credit card rewards can lead to account closures and loss of points. So it is advised to always follow the terms and conditions of these credit card programs.
4. Fees and Surcharges: Even when using points or miles, you may still have to pay fees, such as airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and resort fees. These costs can add up. However, taxes and fees are a small amount compared to the cash price of the tickets, depending on which airline you fly.

There are many travel credit cards available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

The best beginner travel cards.

The first one we got since starting travel hacking is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Once you have the card, you will set up all your bills and utilities to charge on the card. That way, you will meet the sign up bonus term within three months of account opening. You pay the card after closing statement every month.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is great for beginners who are new to travel hacking. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel credit card that offers a variety of benefits to its users. Here are some of the benefits of the card:

• Generous sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 (with what you are already spending already anyway) on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. The points will be deposited in your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
• High rewards rate: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining out, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 2 points per dollar on all other travel. All other spending earns 1 point per dollar.
• Flexible redemption options: Redeem your points for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.
• Travel protections and benefits: The card comes with a suite of travel protections and benefits, including trip cancellation insurance, primary rental car coverage, and more.
• Annual fee: The card has an annual fee of $95.

Some More Travel Credit Cards

Here are some more of the best travel credit cards as of January 2024, according to travel points enthusiasts that will be a vehicle to Travel Anywhere for Next to Nothing:

1. Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: This card offers a generous sign-up bonus and a high rewards rate on travel and business expenses. It also comes with a suite of travel protections and benefits, including trip cancellation insurance and primary rental car coverage.
2. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is ideal for frequent travelers who prefer Marriott hotels. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a high rewards rate on hotel stays, and a free night award every year on your card anniversary.
   
3. American Express® Gold Card: This card is ideal for foodies who love to travel. It offers a high rewards rate on dining and groceries, as well as a generous sign-up bonus and a variety of travel benefits.
4. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card is great for those who want a simple and straightforward rewards program. It offers a flat rewards rate on all purchases, as well as a generous sign-up bonus and flexible redemption options.
   

Please note that these are just a few of the many travel credit cards available. It’s important to do your own research and choose a card that allows you to travel anywhere for next to nothing, and aligns with your travel goals and spending habits.

Tips to help you manage your finances responsibly:

Avoiding credit card debt while travel hacking is crucial to ensure that the benefits outweigh the costs. I’m not a financial advisor yet, but here are some tips to help you manage your finances responsibly:

1. Pay Off Balances in Full: Always pay your credit card balances in full each month to avoid interest charges. This is the most effective way to prevent debt accumulation.
2. Track Your Spending: Keep a close eye on your spending to ensure you don’t exceed your budget. Many credit card issuers offer tools and apps to help you monitor your expenses.
3. Limit the Number of Cards: Start with one or two travel rewards cards and get comfortable managing them before considering additional cards. This reduces the complexity and risk of overspending.
4. Take Advantage of Introductory Offers: Many cards offer 0% APR for an introductory period. Use this time to pay off any large purchases without accruing interest, but be sure to pay off the balance before the regular interest rate kicks in.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the benefits of travel hacking without falling into the trap of credit card debt. If you have any other questions or need more specific advice, feel free to ask!

The ideal strategy is to continually earn as many points & miles as you possibly can, even if you don’t have an immediate trip in mind. Because these points/miles have significant value and can be used to book a substantial amount of travel for next to nothing.