The Ultimate Guide To Travel Hacking

Have you ever wondered what travel hacking is and whether you could benefit from it? If you’re a frequent traveler, travel hacking is something you should consider. Travel hacking involves using credit card bonuses, loyalty programs, rewards credit cards, hotel programs, and other similar strategies to get free flights, flight upgrades, airline miles, priority boarding, and much more.

People who fly regularly benefit from taking advantage of these things. In this article, we will look at how you can use travel hacking methods to give yourself travel rewards that will make traveling more enjoyable and affordable. It may seem daunting initially, but taking the right approach will help you maximize your rewards.

Travel Hacking 101: How Does Travel Hacking Work?

Travel hacking can seem complicated, but it is quite straightforward.

It really boils down to being clever about signing up for credit card rewards programs, meeting minimum spending requirements, earning frequent flyer miles, and selecting valuable services. After you get your new credit card and use the points, you close the account, then apply for the card again to earn more points. Closing and re-opening an account is known as credit card churning, and some card companies have begun to crack down on it.

Many now consider a new card member, which you need to be to earn the card welcome bonuses, someone who has not had an account in the previous two years. It is essential to keep this in mind when beginning to travel hack. Travel hacking can work for anyone; you don’t have to be a big spender to earn a free trip.

However, you must look into rewards and loyalty programs that earn you travel bonus points and plan your trips accordingly. You’ll then begin redeeming points for free flights and other travel benefits. That might sound very attractive, but how do you get started?

Let’s find out!

How Do You Begin Travel Hacking?

Step 1: Figure Out Your Goals

Don’t rush out and sign up for a credit card immediately, no matter what anybody tells you. The first thing to do is to figure out what you want most from your travel hacks. Are you looking to earn points for free airfare?

Free nights in a luxury hotel? Knowing this upfront will make determining which cards offer you the best travel hack value easier.

Step 2: Get a Travel Credit Card

Once you’ve figured out your goals, start looking at credit cards with rewards that align with them. Additionally, consider cards that offer a generous welcome bonus, as this is the fastest way towards a free or heavily discounted trip.

You should also think about who you fly with most frequently. For example, if you’re an American Airlines customer, choose a credit card affiliated with American Airlines. This will allow you to earn points faster and offer other perks too.

You might get priority boarding, free checked bags, and more if your credit card is associated with the airline you fly with. This can help you save money on flights, too. So a branded credit card is worth considering if you’re loyal to one airline.

Similarly, if you consistently stay with a particular hotel chain, check out whether they have a credit card you can use for travel hacking. This will give you hotel points and the option of free nights or upgrades. Some hotels also offer a loyalty program.

Consider whether the credit cards you are considering offer transferable rewards. Some will allow you to swap extra points into other categories, like free gift cards. In contrast, others will only allow you to redeem points in specific ways.

Choose a credit card that is as flexible as possible.

What Should You Consider When Looking at Credit Cards?

While you need a credit card to optimize traveling cheaply before you apply for one, make sure you have considered the following:

  • Look at how high the annual fees are and ensure you’ll get sufficient rewards to make this worthwhile. There are plenty of options out there that do not charge this fee.
  • Check whether the card has a foreign transaction fee, as this will make it expensive to use it abroad.
  • Look for a good welcome bonus to earn a free trip quickly.

Note that if your card does have an annual fee, you can sometimes get this waived. For example, many credit card companies will waive the annual fee for the first year.

In addition, you can sometimes get it reduced in future years if you call your credit card issuer and say you are considering canceling your card. Make sure you also pay attention to other credit card fees that may be relevant to you. Finally, always pay your balance in full each month.

No matter how many credit card points you earn, if you are paying interest on your debt, you aren’t saving any money.

What Is a Welcome Bonus?

In terms of credit card signup bonuses, a welcome bonus is simply an incentive the credit card company offers you to sign up for their card. For example, you earn 30,000 reward points after you spend £5,000 in the first three months. Make it a point to look for the highest bonus paired with a solid rewards credit card.

For example, sometimes a travel rewards credit card will offer a points bonus as high as 100,000, which is a great way to earn many rewards points without spending much of your money. In many cases, welcome bonuses represent the ultimate rewards that credit cards offer – and having a good credit report will often give you access to better welcome bonuses. Note that many of these cards have a minimum spending requirement to earn bonus points, which you must ensure you can meet.

You may lose the bonus points if you can’t meet the minimum spend. Things like shopping online can help you meet the spending requirement of your travel credit card but don’t get a credit card if you can’t meet the minimum spend reliably. It’s not worth the hassle.

Which Credit Cards Should You Consider?

There are lots of great rewards credit cards out there, but a few of the most popular options include:

  • Capital One Venture Card
  • Chase Sapphire Preferred
  • American Express Platinum Card
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards

Consider hotel and airline cards if you frequently fly a specific airline or stay at a hotel chain.

Also, if you have an account at a local bank, talk to them about their credit cards. They might offer a great card that others overlook. As you can see, credit cards can be one of the best ways to start your travel hacking journey, but bear in mind that your credit history will affect how well this goes.

If you don’t have a strong credit score, you may struggle to get a good signup bonus, which makes travel hacking a slower and more challenging process.

Is Travel Hacking Legal?

Although the name makes travel hacking sound illegal, it is perfectly fine. It’s simply about utilizing loyalty programs to ensure you earn points you can put toward your travel expenses. As long as you comply with the terms and conditions of your credit card and earn points in legitimate ways, travel hacking is perfectly legal.

In this case, the word “hack” refers to a trick you can use to make traveling cheaper. For example, getting a free flight paid for by your credit card’s annual fee is entirely legal – it’s just a travel hack. Many individuals have been travel hacking for over a decade.

They have enjoyed great benefits using airline programs, credit cards, points and miles, and more.

Can Travel Hacking Give You Free Travel?

Travel hacking can occasionally give you a free or even a round-trip flight. Still, it’s about more than just getting free travel. For example, although many suggest you can see the world at no cost to yourself, this isn’t true – even with the best credit card.

You will end up paying somewhere, even if you make the most of welcome bonuses to get a free flight, upgrade to business class, or enjoy cheap car rental options. Unfortunately, credit cards come at a cost and usually have a minimum spending requirement, so you will still have to outlay money to earn miles or points. That and annual fees mean you will not travel for free.

However, if you do spend the money anyway, being able to redeem points is a great way to reduce your travel expenditure. So, technically, you aren’t traveling for free, but you are racking up airline miles that you can use on free flights.

What Other Travel Hacking Tips Are There?

Travel hacking isn’t just about hitting the minimum spend on your credit card to earn a free flight or extra rewards points. There are a few other ways to get rewards.

For example, sometimes airlines will publish incredibly low-price fares by mistake. Being on the lookout for these fares is a great way to fly cheaply and earn more points simultaneously. Look out for free loyalty programs when you’re traveling.

Many places offer programs that don’t have an annual fee, which is worth joining even if you only use the company occasionally. Some airlines offer bonuses for the more miles you fly with the carrier. For example, if you accrue enough points in a year, your status will move from basic to elite, which unlocks additional perks, like waived checked bag fees or no change fees.

Another option is to look at travel booking sites like Expedia. They often offer great last-minute deals as hotels and airlines would instead earn money than let a room or seat go unused. The only downside here is you need to travel last minute, and you cannot be picky.

Finally, another way to save money on travel is by staying with friends or sleeping in a hostel instead of renting a hotel room. Most major cities also offer tourist cards that provide discounts on certain attractions in the city.

Final Thoughts

The most crucial travel hacking trick is using credit cards where you can meet the minimum spend requirement. So pick a credit card with bonus miles, a low annual fee, and minimum spend, and you’ll hit the ground running.

When you first start, travel hacking can be complicated, but with an organized, determined approach and good credit history, you’ll succeed quickly! This article was produced by Wealth of Geeks. Jon is the founder of MoneySmartGuides, which helps people dig out of debt and start building wealth so they can achieve their dreams.

He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and 20 years of investing in the stock market.

He has both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Finance and is FINRA Series 65 licensed, and has a Certificate in Financial Planning.

all-bar-one listed on couponmatrix.uklibrio listed on couponmatrix.uklouis-copeland listed on couponmatrix.ukoppo listed on couponmatrix.uksingapore-airlines listed on couponmatrix.uktimberland listed on couponmatrix.uk
all-bar-one listed on couponmatrix.ukWhether you’re popping in for a quick brunch or enjoying a cocktail evening with the girls, All Bar One will make every social occasion a special celebration. From classic beef burgers to tasty vegan nachos, All Bar One has delicious delicacies suited to every taste. Dine in style for less with an exclusive All Bar One voucher and enjoy a beverage (or two) on us. With a wide variety of drinks, including handcrafted cocktails and house wines, your trip to All Bar One will be one to savour.
librio listed on couponmatrix.ukBring the world and its many wonders to life with a personally crafted children’s book from Librio. As experts in introducing children ages one through nine to the many different topics both fictional and informative, a Librio discount code is all you’ll need to give your child their first pieces to read for even less. With the ability to customise each item to look exactly like your child, your kid can get more easily immersed in reading material that appears written exclusively for them. We work hard to find the best discount codes and vouchers for our customers. We search high and low to make sure you're getting the best possible deal on all of your favourite book series. Whether you're looking for children's books or a personalised art print, we've got you covered. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some lovely bespoke literature with your child without worrying about the price. If you’d like something timeless to commemorate the birth of your baby, look no further than Librio’s personalised art print for newborns. Pick the perfect cuddly animal to feature for your kid, then use the best Librio vouchers we have on hand to reduce the cost of this lovely item of decoration. Made from 100% recycled paper, these prints also make great gifts for any eco-conscious parents you know and love.
louis-copeland listed on couponmatrix.ukFounded in 1933, Louis Copeland is one of Ireland's leading menswear retailers. With a focus on quality and style, the brand offers a wide range of classic and contemporary clothing to suit any occasion. And with a Louis Copeland discount code, you can enjoy even greater savings on your next purchase. So whether you're looking for a new suit for work or a stylish new outfit for a night out, be sure to check out Louis Copeland. Here at Groupon, we pride ourselves on finding the best discount codes and vouchers to help you save money on your favourite fashion brands. For Louis Copeland, we have a range of codes that can be used to get money off your next purchase, along with highlights on seasonal promotions and flash sales. So whether you're looking for a new suit or just some stylish new clothes, be sure to check out our Louis Copeland deals before you buy. Equal parts suave and sophisticated, Louis Copeland suits are a marvel to both wear and admire. Select between hues of rich blue, timeless silver or charcoal black before putting a Louis Copeland voucher code to good use and securing easy savings on some quality threads. Woven from the finest fabric, these soft suits can handle a full wedding ceremony and dinner and still feel snug enough to handle the night of partying to follow.
oppo listed on couponmatrix.ukWith a constant finger on the pulse of the techno-world, OPPO has gradually carved its place in the mobile market through an ever-increasing slew of sleek and intuitive smartphones. Bolstered by a comprehensive selection of earbuds, smartwatches and accessories, there’s plenty of trending tech just waiting to be reduced with an OPPO discount code. Offering the perfect balance between sophisticated software and an accessible interface, you’ll quickly see why so many choose to opt with OPPO.
singapore-airlines listed on couponmatrix.ukEscape with Singapore Airlines and let one of the world’s youngest fleets fly you to more than 60 cities in more than 30 countries across the globe, from Australia to Vietnam to Houston from Manchester. Connect seamlessly to more of Asia with its regional carrier SilkAir. The world is yours. Since its beginnings in 1947, Singapore Airlines has always strived to be at the top of its game. The history of Singapore Airlines tells a tale of reinvention and innovation that makes it the world’s most awarded airline. The story began back in 1947, when Malayan Airways Limited commenced the weekly Airspeed Consul twin-engine airliner flights from Singapore Kallang Airport to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. At the height of the golden Jet Age in 1966 the airline was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines and in 1968 the custom-made sarong kebaya uniforms by French couture-designer Pierre Balmain – became the calling card of the brand. From 1972 the airline was known as Singapore Airlines and had launched its first transcontinental flights (the same year that the famous Singapore Girl came into existence). In 1977, British Airways and Singapore Airlines shared a Concorde for flights between London and Singapore International Airport. It delivered another first when it flew a commercial B747-400 aircraft across the Pacific in 1989 and once again when it broke its own world record for the longest non-stop commercial flight from Singapore to New York. Then, of course, there was the first commercial flight of an A380 in 2007. The airline continues to revolutionise itself with the philosophy of offering the best service in the air and on the ground. It has unveiled new cabin classes, invested in its lounges and introduced new mobile offerings, making it a great way to fly. Begin your next adventure to Asia, Australia and New Zealand in style with 5-Star Skytrax rated Singapore Airlines, the world’s most awarded airline. Recent accolades have included gongs for ‘Best Long-Haul Airline’ and ‘Most Recommended’ from the Guardian in 2016. Relax and enjoy the hospitality of our renowned cabin crew onboard one of the most modern, comfortable and spacious fleets in the skies. There are four daily flights from London Heathrow to Singapore, or you can hop on the direct daily flight from Manchester. From 31st October 2016 Singapore Airlines will operate its inaugural transatlantic flight connecting Manchester with Houston. In addition, you can travel to Heathrow from more than 25 cities in the South-West, Wales and Midlands using Coach-Fly and Rail-Fly. Why not break up the journey to Asia, Australia and New Zealand in vibrant Singapore. The Singapore Stopover Holiday includes exclusive discounts on hotels, return airport transfers and access to over 15 top attractions. You’ll also get a Changi Dollar Voucher (CDV) worth S$40 when you transit through Singapore to spend on whatever you want.
timberland listed on couponmatrix.ukWhen it comes to boots that are sturdy, hardwearing, great quality, timeless and of course look great too, Timberland is one of the names at the very top of the list. Designed for comfort, practicality and made to last, with a pair of Timberland boots you’ll never be stuck for effortless casual style again. Take advantage and use a Timberland discount code that we have here at Groupon, and enjoy that cool rugged look for far less.