Travel Hacking for Dummies: Change Your Credit Card Mindset

This week’s advice is less about travel hacking and more about the mindset.

Credit cards have a bad reputation. They’re associated with debt, a lack of fiscal responsibility, and retail over-consumption. The reality is people are the problem. Many of us aren’t taught early on to form good habits and spend responsibly.

In the right hands, credit cards are a fantastic tool.  They represent incomparable value and offer far more protection than a debit card.

I use them for literally every purchase (where possible) because it makes no sense not to. Why in the world would I use a debit card or cash when I can get money back every single time? By using a debit card, you’re leaving money on the table, whether that’s in the form of actual cashback or travel miles. Unless you stumble across an excellent cash deal, don’t use it.

The card I mentioned above gets you $1400 of travel for $3,000 of spending in six months. Where else could you find that value?

Practice good habits. Don’t spend above your means. Pay off your credit cards every month. Get money back. But use your credit card for everything.