Make the best memories by maximizing travel points
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Love making memories with your loved ones? Me too! In the last 5 years, I’ve made unforgettable memories with my family and friends by learning how to maximize travel points. During this time, our family of six has traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, New York, Colorado, California, Orlando, Hawaii, and more while maximizing points and paying a fraction of the cost. Now I’m sharing what I’ve learned along the way so you can make memories (on points) with the ones you love the most, too!
– Erin
You can do this!
Planning trips (and considering the cost) is overwhelming - but it doesn’t have to be. You can make amazing memories for a fraction of the cost. I’m sharing my very best tips with you in the video below. Earning travel points from our regular, everyday spending on my strategic reward cards enabled my family to take trips we never could have afforded otherwise. If you’ve ever struggled with paying off credit cards, I don’t recommend this method. If that’s you, checkout resources like Scott’s Cheap Flights to find other ways to travel on a budget!
Follow These Steps
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1. Calculate your monthly spending
Look back at your month-to-month spending so that you know about how much you could put on a credit card. Never spend more than your budget and pay your cards off every month!
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2. Choose the right card
Start with one of the cards that transfers to multiple travel partners under “Our Favorites” here. If you’ve applied for less than 5 cards in the last 24 months, I recommend starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
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3. Charge all spending on your new card
Once you get your card, use that card exclusively to hit that minimum spend. Store it in your (and your partner’s) Apple Wallet, add it as a preferred Amazon payment, etc.
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4. Earn your travel point bonus!
Be sure you’re aware of the minimum spend amount and time period you need to hit it in (i.e. spend $3,000 in the first 3 months to for a 60,000 point bonus).
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5. Stick with the same brand for your next card
Once you’ve hit the minimum spend on your first card (step 4), now it’s time open a second card with the same brand! You can also have your significant other sign-up for the same card (to combine points) or choose another card with a large sign-up bonus from the same brand.
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6. Redeem your points to make travel memories!
Once you’ve built up a good number of points (100,000+ is easy to hit with two cards), redeem your points by transferring to a travel partner. Don’t use a credit card’s travel portal! Hyatt and Southwest are two of the best transfers to maximize points.