Travel for FREE with Points and Miles: Credit Card Travel Hacking 101 (Part 1)

Travel Hacking with Credit Card Points and Miles. Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure
How to Travel for FREE with Points and Miles. Welcome to Travel Rewards for Beginners. In this guide, we unlock the secrets of Credit Card Travel Hacking 101. Learn how my wife and I amassed over 1.7 million points and miles to travel six months through Europe and Asia without draining our life savings. From how to earn points and miles, to ways you could redeem them, this is your ultimate guide to flying first class and staying in 5-star hotels without breaking the bank.
List of My Favorite Travel Credit Cards: milevalue.com/best-credit-car...
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card : bit.ly/3VCzONe
Credit Card Consultations have been suspended for the time being.
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 How to Travel Free with Points and Miles
1:33 Disclaimer
2:07 Travel Rewards for Beginners
2:53 The 4 Major Types of Points and Miles
2:59 #1 Airline Miles Explained
3:16 #2 Hotel Points Explained
3:25 #3 Transferable Credit Card Points Explained
3:37 Chase Sapphire Preferred Transfer Partners
4:07 #4 Fixed Value Points Explained
4:24 Capital One Venture X Overview
5:02 How to Earn Points and Miles
5:08 Method #1: Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
5:36 What is a Minimum Spending Requirement?
6:12 How to Meet a Minimum Spending Requirement
6:32 Method #2: Spending
6:50 Credit Card Bonus Categories
7:30 Method #3: Credit Card Travel Portal
7:58 Method #4: Credit Card Shopping Portal
8:33 Creative Strategies to Maximize Travel Rewards
8:40 Creative Strategy #1: Large Purchases
9:25 Creative Strategy #2: Add an Authorized User
10:02 Creative Strategy #3: Pay for Work Travel
10:30 Ways to Use Points and Miles
10:58 Epic Travel Hacking Example
11:43 Get Clear on Your Goal
12:30 Useful Links and Resources
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This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Away Together is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Milevalue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. Away Together does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
#travelhacks #creditcards #freetravel

[@awaytogether]

Hi all, I've suspended the free credit card consultation program. However, you can still get free personalized credit card offers from CardMatch here: milevalue.com/cardmatch/?aff=at

[@beachestoranchesrealestate2798]

Great advice. I label my credit cards with a label machine that tells me what the point values are so I can quickly look at the top of the card and see that information.

[@awaytogether]

Love that idea!

[@valerie8320]

I make a document on my computer credit card size with my credit cards and the points so I can see it at a glance and keep it with my cards. Almost the same as you do, but a little different. I also label my cards😂

[@indigosahara]

This is so smart!!

[@toddwarnke7719]

I rarely comment on videos, but I have to say both your method of presentation and the thoroughness with you describe things are truly wonderful. Please keep it up!

[@checkeredflagfilms]

discipline by all means. there are various interest rates associated with all these cards. why haven't you commented on this potentially hazardous aspect?

[@nowucit6346]

Amazing presentation! I'm very visual, so I appreciated the exemples. Well done!

[@kmcphotographytx6396]

Excellent advice here! Thanks for sharing!

[@elena_a-2023]

As always, excellent information well explained. Thank you so much!

[@LeannaRuthJensen]

Having a bank of points is extremely helpful for covering unexpected travel expenses, like family illnesses or funerals. It is one less worry at a time when you already are on overload. I have used several of the methods you recommend and learned a few more thanks.

[@susandiekmann]

Awesome intro! Can't wait for the next video in the series! I have two excellent travel rewards credit cards, but am still learning how to use them for maximum benefits.

[@awaytogether]

Here is a List of My Favorite Travel Credit Cards🔥 milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=at

[@sandrairick7942]

I would never book with Chase travel again. Ended up costing us $1500.00 lost to a flight credit.

[@wd1598]

Also be careful not to apply for too many cards - it will impact your credit status

[@jj-bu6yb]

Yas, such an amazing video! I sub

[@brownell.landrum]

Love your videos! So helpful! Do you have any with tips on insurance? Is there a way to protect your valuables while you're on the road?

[@tonycollins1278]

This is what I've been waiting for, nice job. Excellent video😅

[@tonycollins1278]

Do you know have any way of checking the status.

[@PipinhoSnow]

tks!

[@keningilbert]

Since the travel adapter you recommend only supports USB-A, and many newer devices have switched to USB-C, you should update your recommendation to one that supports both.

[@silaswaidande8105]

can you recommend similar for UK ppl?

[@Emzwatches]

I am loving y’all’s videos so far! They have been incredibly helpful for helping me prepare for my first international trip. Am I missing the part 2 to this video? I’ve struggled to find it. Hoping to hear y’all’s thoughts on specific cards to choose!

[@awaytogether]

Part 2 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKTIpoJ7jbKEmNk Part 3 coming soon!

[@Emzwatches]

Ahh! I saw that one but wasn't exactly sure if that was the actual part 2 or not, even though it says part 2 lol, I figured I would ask. Will you guys be talking about the pro's and con's of specific cards (AMEX vs Chase vs Capital One, etc) in the part 3 video? That would be much appreciated if so.@@awaytogether

[@artteacher71]

Re the roofer example: I wanted to use my travel cc for a bathroom remodel recently, but the company has a 3% surcharge for cc payments. Sometimes you might get lucky, but I've noticed more places doing the surcharge recently, even restaurants.

[@awaytogether]

In the example I gave, I negotiated with the roofing company that they would eat the surcharge. In the hailstorm example, most roofers tend to conveniently charge whatever the insurance company ends up providing. In my instance, I told him he could have my business only if I could pay CC and only if he eats the fees. Always negotiate. Okay... at restaurants it won't be negotiable, lol

[@keningilbert]

Why don’t you have a playlist link to the other 4 parts of this series in the description?

[@veritasca24]

Hi, I couldn't find a video you made about using the WISE online money transfer option when traveling. Would you give me the link to it? Thank you for all the helpful info you've posted. I am using the links you posted to support your channel and letting my family and friends know about you.

[@mralbe]

We recently switch to Chase sapphire preferred but we had been accumulating Chase Southwest points (200,000+), unfortunately we can't transffer the southwest niles/point, can you do a video about the best ways to use the soutwest points?

[@ChasingCharisma]

Thanks! We plan on using our points for our Summer Thailand and European Christmas market trips to Get Travel Content for our Channel, Chasing Charisma. We will let you know how it goes!!

[@zo62]

Travel portal are more expensive than the regular price

[@TravelingToday-yu9gv]

Excellent video - like always! Thanks! We've been full-time nomads for about 4 years almost all in the US and Canada until earlier this year and now getting around Europe. Juts got my first points card with Venture X. A quick (maybe) question for you. You said you had 1.7 MILLION points! May I ask how? Even with sign-up bonuses, did you ever get off a plane to accumulate that many points?!

[@awaytogether]

That's amazing! Thanks for sharing and watching. Quick answer - we accumulated 100% of those points through travel rewards credit cards. I built that balance without taking a single flight. We slowly, methodically, and strategically signed up for multiple credit cards in a very specific order in the 18 months or so preparing for our full-time travels. Simply using our actual life expenses (purchases we were already going to make) as a way to hit minimum spends. We also put some large life purchases that we had cash to pay for (like buying a new roof) on credit cards and then paid off the cards immediately.

[@TravelingToday-yu9gv]

Thanks for the quick reply! I'd love to hear some more details later. In a quick calculation I figure if you got 10 credit cards and 70,000 bonus points each, that;s 700,000. To get another 1,000,000 over 18 months that's 55,555 per month. Even if you got 3x points for everything that's 18,518 you'd need to spend per month. Surely, I'm missing something (and, I know, don't call you Shirley). Without getting too deep into your personal spending, I'd love some more details. Thanks again!@@awaytogether

[@nutrivitabrasil]

video for beginners. HOW did pay $275 using miles and which credit card

[@FrugalFam1]

Don't forget about the annual *credit card fees* ! 😜

[@indigosahara]

The key is to open a card during a "no annual fee for the first year" promotion, and redeem your opening bonus points and close the card account before the next annual fee is due 😜

[@donnamartino4066]

How does frequently switching credit cards effect one's credit score?

[@nonamegivenatbirth]

Negatively

[@mgwatl1]

I would add DONT go apply for a bunch of credit at once as your credit score will crater and the party might end just as your starting. Watch your credit score and wait some months before each new card. Also you can cancel the card just before the annual fee starts, usually in 11-12 months and not pay it. Your miles are still yours until expiration. Several, but not all deals can be done a second time. If you want to try again wait 2 years plus 1 day from the day your benefit (miles or whatever) came to you.

[@lpmama1196]

I was charged the annual fee up front upon opening a new Chase Sapphire Preferred card earlier this year. The banks may be onto that trick.

[@scottkelly6325]

We have 700,000 reward miles with Capital One Venture X. Would love to book 4 biz class seats on a flight from DC to Spain or Italy but can’t seem to find a travel partner - any thoughts?

[@KathyinKentuckyUSA]

my clear goal is to earn United Airline miles for an international trip. What is the advantage of using chase card vs. a United credit card?

[@awaytogether]

Hi Kathy - the biggest advantage of using a Card from Chase like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card would be the flexibility you have to transfer the points you earn to a number of different airlines, not just United. If you are only interested in signing up for ONE card in the foreseeable future, I tend to recommend a card w/ transferrable points over an airline specific card.

[@KathyinKentuckyUSA]

@@awaytogether thanks Nik, I’ll will open the Chase card.

[@awaytogether]

@@KathyinKentuckyUSA My pleasure! If willing, consider using the links provided w/ this video, as it helps fund our channel at no extra cost to you!

[@nancyweber3618]

It seems like the Venture X is not available in Canada?

[@awaytogether]

@@nancyweber3618 Check this out: princeoftravel.com/news/the-new-capital-one-venture-x-card/#:~:text=The%20Capital%20One%20Venture%20X%20card%20is%20a%20US%20credit,are%20still%20eligible%20to%20apply.

[@maxinef6654]

The problem for me is trying to spend $4000 in three months to get the bonus points. Does paying rent using the card count?

[@nonamegivenatbirth]

If your landlord accepts credit cards. I pay my monthly medical insurance with my card.

[@Oksana-1024]

The problem is, you have to spend a lot. Yes, you probably can buy a ticket to Europe with your bonus points. But most of us have partners. Unless you plan to fly along, you have to spend tens of thousands of dollars untill you earn enough points for the 2nd ticket. The problem multiplies if you have kids

[@HughesyTech]

Lol what? Spend tens of thousands of dollars to get points? Boy oh boy you are dead wrong and don't know how points/miles work. You sign up for big points bonuses on credit cards, then rinse and repeat

[@scubasteve1555]

Definitely not true if you do it right.

[@antnazer]

You did not mention, in order to get a lot of points - you should have a big credit limit. It is possible to have 1000$ credit limit and transfer from debit card, for example, 3000$ to the credit card. However, it will harm your credit score. IT IS RECOMMENDED to use NO MORE than 30% of your credit limit to keep your credit score in good standing.

[@kukanagirl]

I respectfully disagree. As long as you continue paying your balance off, earning many points are possible.

[@scubasteve1555]

If you pay the card off every month, as you should, this is a non-issue.

[@antnazer]

@@kukanagirl not everyone can get Amex (United, Marriot or Aeroplan Air Canada) credit cards with big credit limit…

[@Elisabeth-gs2lj]

You can use more it’s effected if you keep 30% or more as a balance

[@Beamerboy967]

Remember it’s $1000* & $3000*. Dollar sign before.