Travel Using Points

Free flights, hotel stays, and other amenities! You hear about people doing this, but is it true? Is it really possible? The answer is yes; it’s true and very doable. The key is to find a good reward program or frequent flyer program. Most people do this through a credit card. These types of programs can really be beneficial for avid travelers. The different programs can save a consumer tremendous amounts of money on vacations or travel in the long run. Options There are many options, but each person can narrow down the best ones by considering the most important criteria. The key to finding the right reward program is asking yourself;

What’s most important to you (hotel card, airline miles, general travel rewards)?
Does the reward program fit your life?
Are there annual fees, and are they worth it?

Most major credit card brands have a rewards card that accumulates points toward just about anything related to travel.

American Express has reward cards for Marriott, Hilton, and Delta Airlines
Barclay has reward cards for American Airlines, Carnival, and Wyndham.
Chase and Capital One have flexible cards that earn points that you can redeem on any travel purchase.

How to Earn Points The best part is many of these credit cards also start the consumer off with a certain amount of bonus points just for opening an account and using the card. It is pretty common for a consumer to start an account with a deal such as “spend $2,000 in the first three months of purchases and get 25,000 miles in return”. So, for example, if you sign up for an account and use your card to purchase a $2,000 vacation package to activate the account, you have already earned the bonus points they were offering. Most programs deposit bonus points/miles in 30-60 days. After your bonus offer, you can still continue to earn points. Most programs offer extra points for specific purchases. For example, you may earn 4 points per dollar on dining and grocery, 2 points per dollar on gas, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. How to Use Points As a consumer uses credit on everyday purchases, the rewards miles just deposit into a points account. When the time comes for a consumer to fly or book a vacation, they can simply check how many points they have. The number of points/miles could translate to a free flight, hotel stay, or at the very least, the accumulated points are applied to the overall cost of your travel details and can act as a “cash discount.” So, using points/miles will lessen the cost of the flight and/or accommodations. Credit card miles are also transferable so that if you wanted to use your points to help someone else pay for a flight, that is very doable. Sounds too Good to be True As Americans generally struggle with credit card debt, it’s essential to remember this is a credit card, and if it gets out of control, the points may not be worth it. Try to keep these few points in mind while accumulating points.

Do not carry a balance. Doing so incurs interest that will eventually cost you more than the points ever will.
Use your card for things you would typically use your debit card to purchase. Gas and groceries are good examples. If you already have the cash for it, you can simply pay it off immediately and collect your points.
If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it.

Suppose you travel frequently and are also a regular credit card user. A frequent flyer program would suit you very well. It would take minimal effort on your part to gain points and save on flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. Just remember to use your cards responsibly.

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