Top 10 Rules for Traveling with Credit Card Points Like a Pro!
Hey there, points enthusiasts! Philip here, and today we're diving deep into the other side of the credit card points game: redemption! We all love racking up those points with our Amex Gold for food, Venture X for everything else, or maybe even a Mesa card for home improvement hauls. But what about actually using those points to travel the world?
Forget the earning frenzy for a moment. I'm not going to get into specific redemptions today. Let's talk general strategies. I’m going to share my top 10 rules for making the most of your credit card points when you hit the road (or the skies!).
10. Flexibility is Your Superpower
Want to unlock the best travel deals? Then embrace flexibility! This applies to your travel dates, class of travel, and even your departure and arrival airports.
A little flexibility can make a HUGE difference.
Example Time: When my wife and I were planning a trip to England, we initially focused on direct flights from Orlando to Heathrow. But by being open to flying from Atlanta instead, we snagged premium economy seats on Virgin Atlantic for a mere 13,000 points per person! That's 26,000 total, a far cry from the 70,000 points it would have cost us for a direct flight. Heated seats, fancy dinners, all-you-can-eat snacks...worth the slight detour!
I also used Air France B for business class flight on my way back from our first trip to Europe last year. I was flexible with dates and times and how the rest of the trips worked. I knew that I wanted to travel business class on our way back from Europe. And so we took a wide range. We knew that we wanted to go sometime in the months of November and December. I found a December 14th trip from Charl to JFK for 50,000 points per seat and then two a little bit over $200 in fees per person. We honestly jumped on that seat.
9. Do Your Research (Yes, Really!)
I know, I know, you've heard it before. But seriously, research is key! Start by identifying your ideal flight. Where do you want to go? Who flies there directly?
For example, if I want to fly direct from Orlando to Paris, Air France is the only option, and only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Knowing that, I can focus my search for reward availability with Air France or their partners like Delta or Virgin Atlantic.
If a direct flight isn't in the cards (or the points aren't aligning!), then figure out which airlines service your destination the most. Also, consider their refund policies and the class of service you're interested in.
8. Go on Easy Mode: Use the Tools Available
You could spend hours manually searching for award space, but why would you? Embrace the power of technology! Tools like Points.me and Point Hound can save you tons of time and effort. I also use points to search specific dates, specific routes. That is how I found my Air France business flight deal.
Points allow you to search for months at a time, for countries at a time. Like for example, on points, you can search from the United States to Europe for a two-month period of time, and it will show you the best deals from those two countries.
7. Maximize Hotel Sign-Up Bonuses
Hotel credit cards can be a goldmine, especially if you time your applications right. Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless often come with enticing sign-up bonuses, like three free night awards.
Just be mindful of expiration dates! IHG, Marriott, and Hilton free night certificates typically expire after a year, so don't sign up too early.
My booking hierarchy: High-value airline tickets, low-value airline tickets, then hotels.
6. Book Things in the Right Order
Timing is everything! Award flight space usually opens up about a year in advance, so start there. Hotels might not be available that far out, unless you're after a specific view (like a front-row seat to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!).
The Order of Operations:
High-value airfare (first/business class)
Positioning flights (using Alaska, Delta, or Southwest miles)
Hotels
Intermediary travel (like the Eurostar – book about 6 months out for the best fares)
5. Have a Plan for Getting Cash in Your Target Country
Don't get stuck with exorbitant exchange rates! I swear by the Charles Schwab debit card. It has no foreign transaction fees and reimburses all ATM fees worldwide. This is a lifesaver, especially in countries where cash is still king.
4. Come Prepared for Anything
Pack for all types of weather, even if the forecast looks clear. Bring shoes that can handle rain, and always be prepared for pickpockets.
My Anti-Pickpocket Strategy:
Primary wallet in a buttoned-up jacket pocket.
Backup wallet in my suitcase with a second form of government ID and travel cards with no foreign transaction fees.
Passport in a zippered, hidden pocket in my backpack with an AirTag.
5. Have a travel wallet for when you get there.
Make sure you have a travel wallet stocked with cards that don’t charge fees for foreign purchases. So, no foreign transaction fees, but also make sure that you have Visa and Mastercard. Capital One cards work very well for me for this because, well, none of them have foreign transaction fees, but they also essentially are Mastercard or Visa.
2. Use Whatever Local Transit is Best
Uber isn't always the answer! Research the best transportation options in your destination.
Examples:
In Paris, the G7 taxi app is often better than Uber because taxis can use bus lanes.
In New York, taxis from JFK to central NYC can sometimes be cheaper than Ubers.
In London, consider the Elizabeth Line or Heathrow Express for getting from Heathrow Airport to the city center.
1. Pay Off Your Phone Well in Advance
This is crucial! Most carriers require you to unlock your phone before you can use an e-SIM, and you usually can't unlock it if you're on a payment plan. Plus, some carriers require your phone to be active for at least 3 months before unlocking.
Why unlock your phone? e-SIMs can drastically reduce your cellular data costs while traveling.
My Strategy: I have Spectrum Mobile, which offers unlimited talk and text in any country. I then get data-only e-SIMs for each of our phones to back up photos to iCloud without burning through our regular data.
So there you have it! My top 10 rules for traveling with credit card points like a seasoned pro. Got any other tips or tricks? Share them in the comments below! Safe travels, and happy point-redeeming!