Hotel & Airline Travel on the Cheap

One of the biggest keys to our road trips is the fact that we are able to get lodging and airline tickets at drastically discounted rates (typically no cost at all). The secret to that is taking full advantage of credit card points. 

BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER PLEASE READ MY DISCLAIMER

*The key to maximizing credit card points is you HAVE TO pay your credit card off on a monthly basis! If you carry your balance over, even just one month, you lose. If you have trouble budgeting then please ignore this entire post. I’m honestly terrified to write this because I don’t want people to get into credit card debt trying to save a few dollars on lodging. 

So now that I have explained that, back to the discounts. Credit card companies have excellent incentives to get you to sign up for them. I use several different cards just to maximize the points. I have a couple hotel and an airline card. 
These cards typically also have great promotions to sign up. I’ve included a few links below for you to check out. Most of these cards charge an annual fee, but they also provide things like 1 free night, or a free companion airline ticket and often times those make the annual fee worthwhile. 
We earn enough points in a year that I never pay for a night of lodging. Most people assume that since I travel for work most of our points come from that. That’s not true. I do earn some points through travel but 75% of my points come through credit cards.

Check out the links to see if any of these match your needs. These are my two favorite that earn the most points. Full Disclosure. These links are my referral links. If you are interested in signing up, I would love if you would use them so we both get rewards. I don’t want you to feel that I am trying to persuade you for my advantage. These are truly the cards I use and love.

Delta – 90,000 mile sign up bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.

• EARN 3X MILES ON DELTA PURCHASES
• EARN 2X MILES AT RESTAURANTS AND U.S SUPERMARKETSEarn
• FIRST CHECKED BAG FREE ($60 value)
• PRIORITY BOARDING
• ANNUAL COMPANION CERTIFICATE
• NEW – FEE CREDIT FOR GLOBAL ENTRY AND TSA PRE✓^® ($100 value)

Marriott – 2 options 1 free night after you spend $1000 (no annual fee)
3 free nights after you spend $3000 ($95 annual fee)

• Earn 6 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Additionally, you earn:

• Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary, valid for a one night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points
• Guaranteed Silver Elite Status and an exclusive path to Gold Status by spending $35,000 each anniversary year

Another trick is I am on a constant search to find new cards that offer bonus points when you sign up. One thing to know is you can “requalify” for the sign up bonus every two year. But you have to cancel your existing card and start over. If you are married, you can literally get sign up points every year by alternating back and forth between you and your spouse. Remember you can always cancel the card after you take advantage of the sign on bonus.

*If you struggle with keeping your credit score in the “excellent” range, this is not for you. Every time you apply there will be a temporary hit on your credit report. If you have good or excellent credit it’s no big deal.

A couple other cards that I switch to:

Hyatt – 50,000 Bonus Points when you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months

Hilton – 125,000 Bonus Points when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months (UNBELIEVABLE BONUS!)

I’d love to hear any other credit card travel tips you have. Feel free to drop a line.