If traveling is a passion for you, there’s a way for you to enjoy it without breaking the bank at home. Did you know there’s an entire community of people who travel the globe for very little or even sometimes free? They know that collecting credit card points for miles isn’t just a little perk; it’s a potentially huge benefit that most people don’t take full advantage of. The biggest reason is often because the average person doesn’t have the time to spend digging into all the little tips and tricks. So we did all the research for you and are bringing you the best tips and strategies for getting and using credit card miles.
1. Choose Travel Credit Cards Wisely
There’s no one perfect card. Your best bet is to have three to four cards that you rely on for collecting travel points and miles. You might have one that gives you points for every dollar you spend that can be converted into flight credit. Another might give you points that you can use for hotel stays and yet another might reward you with points you can use for dining out. At least one card should be a big bank card. American Express, Chase, Citi and Capital One are all good options.
One should be an airline card. You know how flight attendants these days are always hawking airline credit cards, or you get a popup when you’re booking your flight online? Pay attention because these airline cards are great for handing out points to be used for flight credit. Choose an airline that operates near your home, or one that flies to destinations you’re interested in. If you never fly a certain airline, don’t bother getting their card. Even if you fly with them on occasion, you’d be better off using your big bank card to pay for the flight and get points that way.
2. Look For Credit Card Perks
Look for credit cards that have a welcome offer. You might have to wait to get the offer until you meet a spending minimum, but the wait will be worth it. This will give you a huge jumpstart on collecting your travel points.
Sometimes credit cards will give you a bonus if you designate a spending category. If you do this, make sure you use that particular card at places that match the category you chose. You might end up with triple points or more when you buy groceries or dine out or shop at certain retail establishments.
Look for cards with no annual fee or a low annual fee. This should be your rule even if you aren’t going for travel points.
Look for cards where you can move up tiers to get more special perks. Usually called loyalty bonuses, these are offered at higher spending thresholds. You could get yourself free checked luggage, free hotel nights, access to airline lounges and more.
Make sure your travel card has low or no foreign transaction fees. Those nickels can really add up, placing a damper on any trip you take.
3. Spend to Win
With travel credit cards, the more you spend, the more points you rack up. The more points you rack up, the more reduced or free travel you get. However, you don’t want to drown yourself in debt when you’re dreaming of floating down the Seine. Spend to win in this way when it comes to getting credit card points for miles:
Use Your Card for Everyday Purchases
Don’t overspend—just redirect your usual expenses onto your card. Groceries, gas, phone bills, streaming subscriptions and even some utility payments can earn you points without any change to your actual spending habits. It’s a simple way to collect miles steadily without added financial pressure.
Don’t Chase Points with Unnecessary Purchases
Never buy things you don’t need just to earn rewards. The whole point of travel hacking is to make your regular lifestyle work harder for you—not to inflate your expenses. Every mile you earn should be the result of spending you’d do anyway.
Pay It Off, Always
Earning travel rewards is exciting, but none of it matters if you’re losing money to interest. Paying off your credit card in full every month is the foundation of smart travel hacking. No flight deal or hotel upgrade is worth carrying debt.
Automate Your Payments
Set up automatic payments for the full statement balance each month. This removes the risk of forgetting a due date and getting hit with interest or late fees. Even the most organized person can slip up—automation protects your points and your credit score.
Avoid Carrying a Balance "Just This Once”
The temptation to leave a little unpaid “just this month” is strong—but that interest adds up fast. Even one month of interest can undo a big chunk of the points you earned. Staying disciplined is what separates smart travelers from accidental debtors.
Finally, pay attention to price changes on flights. During peak season, airlines raise prices substantially, so plan ahead and try to book flights for times that are less popular. Combined with all of these travel points hacks, you could just find yourself traveling for a lot less than you ever thought possible.
These tips and strategies should help you tuck more than one travel credit card into your wallet. The next time you’re daydreaming of a trip somewhere, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be getting a good deal thanks to your super smart spending and collecting travel points!
by Kate Supino