Have you ever heard of the time period “journey hacking”? If not, you’re not alone. I used to be launched to the idea of journey hacking over a 12 months in the past by a Journey Rewards Coach (and sure, these exist). For those who take heed to episode 12 of the CGS podcast: An Introduction to Journey-Hacking, you may get the entire juicy particulars. Now, I need to share methods to use bank cards to fund your journey, a newbie’s technique to journey hack!
Primarily, journey hacking is utilizing bank card rewards that can assist you journey without cost. There’s a whole technique behind it that you could study within the podcast episode. Nevertheless, to get began, you’ll be able to preserve studying to study good methods to make use of bank cards to fund your journey. This isn’t as superior as travel-hacking, but it surely’s an ideal place to start!
6 Sensible Methods to Use Credit score Playing cards to Fund Your Journey
#1 Use factors from journey playing cards to e-book journey
One of many best methods to make use of bank cards to fund your journey is to leverage bank cards that include journey rewards. Anytime you utilize your card, you’re accumulating factors or rewards. When the time involves e-book a visit, you’ll be able to pay along with your factors or rewards! That approach you’re not popping out of pocket for the journey.
Me personally, I take advantage of the American Categorical Bonvoy card for almost all my spending. I pay my card in full each month as a result of I’m solely spending cash on issues in my funds. Over time, my factors add up and I take advantage of the factors to pay for resort visits once I journey.
#2 Reap the benefits of gross sales provided by your bank card firm
If in case you have a bank card that focuses on journey rewards, you’ll be able to preserve a watch out for gross sales provided by the cardboard. It may very well be a sale on journey rewards, a sale on reserving sure motels or rental automotive corporations, or a sale on flights. This could come in useful if you happen to’re to start with phases of journey planning.
#3 Use a money rewards card to e-book journey, then redeem the rewards
That is barely superior, so stick with me. While you go to e-book and pay to your journey plans, use a bank card that has cash-back rewards. That means, each time you spend cash on a selected merchandise or class, you get a share of the acquisition again within the type of money. Then, when it’s time to pay the invoice, money within the rewards as a press release credit score! It will cut back the quantity you spend on journey to start with.
Sure cashback playing cards include classes as excessive as 5% for cashback! I like to recommend the Financial institution of America Money Rewards Card or the Uncover It Card. I’ve each of those they usually come in useful once I spend cash on particular issues (not essentially journey).
#4 Redeem factors for present playing cards to make use of earlier than or throughout your journey
Do you could have a bank card that doesn’t provide journey rewards? Properly, they doubtless provide factors that may be redeemed for present playing cards. Use the present playing cards to pay for issues in preparation or throughout your journey. You will get present playing cards for retailers that can assist you store for garments for the journey. You will get present playing cards for eating places to strive whereas on the journey. It is a good way that can assist you cowl prices related along with your journey through the use of the bank card rewards accessible to you.
#5 Use a bank card throughout your journey, then redeem factors or money for future journeys
All of us have to begin someplace! For those who’re new to bank card rewards and you’ve got a visit within the works, take into account signing up for a journey bank card! Use that card to fund your journey and begin accumulating the factors for future journeys.
You may as well leverage one other kind of rewards card and use the cashback or rewards for future journeys as nicely. The purpose is to get extra bang to your buck. You’re already spending cash on the journey, so you could as nicely get one thing again for it – even when the financial savings solely applies to future journeys.
#6 Strategically open new playing cards throughout main journey factors bonuses
That is one other superior technique. If you understand you’ll be beginning the trip planning course of, preserve a watch out for any promotions or specials from journey bank cards. You’ll usually see issues like “earn 125,000 bonus factors whenever you spend $3,000 in 3 months of opening your card.” Once more, you’re already spending the cash, so you could as nicely get one thing again for it!
Chase, American Categorical, and Capital One all have nice journey rewards choices. Additionally, when you’ve got a selected airline or resort chain you want, you may get a card from these manufacturers as nicely. That gives you additional factors and reductions whenever you e-book future journey with them too!
Associated: 5 Sensible Methods to Use Credit score Playing cards for Rewards
I need to stress that the one stipulation to this whole article is that this: pay your bank card balances in full every month. For those who’re carrying balances and accruing curiosity, you’re dropping cash in the long term. It could really feel good to get the factors and rewards however you’re spending a lot extra in curiosity – it’s not value it. Now that I’ve made that disclaimer, leveraging bank cards to fund your journey will be a good way to save cash whereas exploring new locations! Have you ever tried any of the methods above? How do you utilize bank cards to fund your journeys? Share your methods or questions within the feedback part beneath!
-Raya
The CGS Crew