Last week, I introduced you to some basic terminology you need to travel hack. Today, we’re delving into the basics of earning points and miles.
Let’s check out some of the ways you can earn free travel.
Spend money on your card
This is the simplest way to earn with a credit card and the main reason that it’s kinda crazy to use cash for anything.
Every time you use a credit card, you get something back. For a travel card, you might receive a point or mile for every dollar you spend. If it’s a cashback card you might get a percentage of your money back with each purchase.
Over time, your spending adds up, and you could have a nice little wad of points or cash to play with.
Spending bonus categories
Some cards make spending money on particular things more lucrative using bonus categories. In these instances, you might earn 2,4, or even 12 points per dollar. For example, the Amex Gold earns 4x points per dollar in restaurants, the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points per dollar on travel, and the Capital One Venture X earns 10x points per dollar on hotels and rental cars using its portal.
You can use multiple cards to maximize your daily earning. For example, use one card for groceries, one for eating out, and one for everything else. It may sound like a lot, but committing to the habit is the best way to stretch your money the furthest.
Intro bonuses
The cornerstone of travel hacking strategy is the intro bonus. These incentives offer large amounts of points after meeting a specific spending threshold. For example, this card currently offers 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening the card. There’s no other way to earn so many points with so little spending.
It’s important to use these strategically. Never spend money you wouldn’t normally spend, and avoid carrying debt. The more interest you pay, the less value your points have.
Shopping portals
Many credit companies, airlines, and banks have their own shopping portals. Most of them consist of links to popular third-party vendors (Apple, LuluLemon, Sony), where you can make your purchases in exchange for bonus points. For example, you might find a deal offering 6x points per dollar at LuluLemon. So if you buy a pair of shorts for $75 (Why would you? Why?), you’ll earn 450 points.
Always check your card’s current offers before making a purchase. You’re leaving points on the table if you don’t.
by travelers, for travelers.
