How To Travel The World For Free Using Credit Cards (Absolute Beginners Guide For Points and Miles)

[@techmentormaria]

If you typically watch credit card rewards videos and you just stumbled upon this video: Hello :) I'm Maria, new in this KZbin niche but super passionate and I'd love for you to subscribe and let me know what you'd like to see here on this channel!

[@gregmakowski6958]

Hi Maria...I make many general purchases everyday whether it be shopping, gas, groceries ect....I am only interested in travel rewards...my wife and I would love to save money on plane tickets every year...what credit card do you recommend we get? Thank you

[@Kaylasshenaniganss]

Optimizing your spend using credit cards can literally change your life! I booked international trip for free using my Amex points. It’s been great.

[@techmentormaria]

oh yay! where are you traveling?

[@Kaylasshenaniganss]

@@techmentormaria Paris!

[@CestoniTravels]

This really works, I opened up 4 different travel cards last year and got all the bonus points for each and ended up with over 260,000points. I use them all to travel to 8 countries last year.

[@moliranoheratonabi]

I did this for years and it does work. I traveled for free for basically as long as I wanted to. It is kind of a full time job keeping track of your cards and which one you should use and which ones you've already used. My problem now is I don't spend money anymore. I'm financially independent, have no debt, and very few bills. I wouldn't have 3,000 worth of expenses to put on a card now so this doesn't work for me. I think it's far easier to just pay for your plane ticket when you want to go somewhere than work this racket. But I'm old now and just want things simple.

[@kembaI.]

I’m in my 20’s my parents didn’t teach me and my siblings much about credi, credit reward points, and etc. But if I’m understanding correctly we can buy a credit rewards card from somewhere let’s just say delta or something like that, the more we spend on the card the more reward points we gain? I’m just trying to make sure I understand. And if I don’t spend money like or travel often getting a rewards card could be pointless?

[@MrGuy-vf3ky]

Saw this exact comment on Graham Stephan's video 5 years ago

[@Keelay04]

@@MrGuy-vf3ky I was about to comment that too haha

[@virasadhana8065]

I told my mom abt travel miles cc which I saw from a travel influencer then my mom replied that all my sofas, big TV meubel, our old washing machine, some of her gold jeweleries are from her cc points😮 My mom is more advanced than IG travel influencers nowdays I guess😂

[@bethanywaters6486]

Yeah, girl that’s old information so she probably learned it from her mother 😁

[@misapeach]

That's because these cards existed way before influencers lmao just not many people are educated on how to get this!

[@Jerniworld]

Credit has been around for a while your mom is just older

[@virasadhana8065]

@@bethanywaters6486did ya mean from my grandma? My grandma wasn't able to write/read hahaha. However, my mom said, pay on time, no for choosing long term tempo. Be wise with your credit card

[@virasadhana8065]

@@misapeach truuu! However, my mom said, pay on time, BIG NO for choosing long term payment tempo. Be wise with your needs and wants towards your credit card

[@rickbarrington]

Maria, i have been following you from the start and I want to say your vlogs are getting more polished and targeted. Nice job and keep the great content coming! Best from Seattle

[@techmentormaria]

I’m giving the vlogs a break for now ✨

[@rickbarrington]

@@techmentormaria bummer, so no more posts like this one?

[@AK-Star007]

I once travelled in business class using standard chartered credit card reward points 😊

[@crizdancemedia]

I love how you explained the points breakdown in this video. You’re the first one I’ve seen do the cash to points breakdown example and it really helps a lot, thank you!

[@johnchitty2804]

Loving these videos Maria! So awesome to see a fresh new face in the credit card hacking community. Im curious, are you able to did a video on how you book your award travels? Also what cards are you looking at for the rest of the year?

[@techmentormaria]

Thank you so much! I'm very passionate about the topic so I really want to film more video on it and I hope the community will welcome me (I realized there are not many women there so I hope people will watch!). I have a few videos planned for booking award travel -- I think there is not a one size fits all but more variants based on what you want to achieve so stay tuned and again thanks for being here! 💕

[@lenn55]

Thank you for this video! I learn so much watching your videos.

[@odvega76]

I just started a business and one of the goals that I have is to use the new business credit card points, that I accumulate through the business, for travel with my family. One trip in particular is a dream trip to Tokyo Japan. Please share a strategy or method to reverse engineer a particular trip using points please. Thank you for your content!

[@vickipedia3253]

I have seen multiple videos on credit cards but your video is on another level. Your way of explaining is FAR far better than others- very easy to understand!!! I swear girls do that same job better but get paid 40-50% less than men 😢

[@techmentormaria]

Thank you for saying that and supporting me 💕

[@ChrishaynaGrant]

This was super helpful! I now understand travel credits and the best way to use them. Thank you so much & God bless!

[@gsctrading7215]

Nice beginners presentation, simple and to the point. 👍

[@techmentormaria]

Glad you liked it!

[@RoseMarika]

I am so glad I watched your video! You are so inspiring, easy to listen to, I appreciate you mentioning that you legit live you what you do and you just want to share and educate us so we can all win. Thank you so much. Definitely subscribed! Love that you also dedicate time to your blog!

[@MrMyYoyo]

What's the best combination for someone with travel and restaurants/food as their main expense (lots is business related). I also have over 150,000 points with chase, but under a cashback card, which I'm willing to transfer if you have suggestions for doing so in a beneficial way.

[@MyOdette123]

OMG, thank you for this info!!

[@djwashx]

Thanks for the examples I just posted on anither video asking if they made videos explaining a sample trip still confusing but great video just subscribed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Woodzen_]

Love these videos! Thank you

[@techmentormaria]

Thank you!

[@sergiobaez603]

wow, such a clear explanation!!!! Gracias Maria!!!

[@sujatapunait3557]

Which credit card you used to transfer to AA?

[@jasminsantana6452]

I have the United Mileage Plus card- can i get points by putting my mortgage and bills on it every month?

[@chaminiwijesundera4845]

What’s the best second card to get with Amex platinum to optimise the value?

[@amakamadu8698]

Any cards for Hilton Honors Members? 😊

[@adrianasayavedra7284]

I have Amex Hilton Rewards, almost 200,000 points. Planning a nice vacation this coming year.

[@davidhalliday5991]

Hi, thank you for the great info. Is there such a thing as a points travel agent? Someone who you just pay a fixed fee and they find and show you the best way to spend your points?

[@maye_max]

Hi, I have a question, have been using my prime credit from chase to pay for my hotel and they said x4 in travel but I do not have this points. Is it only through their website ? Is there is other way?

[@RyanYoungpeters]

Nice video. Packed with info and quick. And ur very pretty

[@sharonteng3897]

Wonder if these cards are only available for the States?

[@yukidorkins986]

Question - you can only transfer the rewards points from one credit card to the transfer partner is that correct ? You can’t mix rewards points from Amex and chase together to the transfer partner ?

[@nathanzno1]

Can you guide me on how to use my Chase Preferred Points for Airfare?

[@AntonioSantos-yp4pw]

Is this applicable to people living in the eurozone?

[@ReeInvesting]

great method!

[@happylivingjacksonville5236]

Amex Platinum 175,000 miles or $1,750 8k purchases on or before 6 months expires $695 annual fee. I want to go the Greek Islands and Munich + Bavaria by July to October 2025. I’d like to find a card that allows for seat 💺 upgrades or business to 1st class tickets. Is the above a good credit card💳 ?

[@nataliajohnson9759]

Thanks for the video! I would like to use a credit card for miles to travel to Colombia maybe every two years. Which card do you recommend getting?

[@TainaMalave]

Loving all your content on credit cards! I've started collecting points and I have a lot so far but figuring out how to use them has been tricky haha

[@techmentormaria]

Stay tuned, video on that topic going live in 2 weeks :)

[@justinmccormick7586]

If I strictly want to build up miles to fly would you recommend Amex gold or Chase sapphire preferred? I know with Chase it's higher per dollar for flying but Amex gold has higher per dollar for food and other things. So I can't choose haha

[@formationflightfsx861]

good to know, thank you for sharing :)

[@kdchase]

I’m a little bit confused on the transferring points from one place to the other. Where do you go to look to see only the point value or a hotel or airfare? Do you have a link to explain that to me more? Heading to your blog now to see some more information, but thought I would ask in case I can’t find my answer!

[@michaelbradford4693]

Maria - I have a Bank of America CC. What is the easiest way to transfer points in this card to use for travel such as flights as I travel overseas and would like to take advantage of potentially getting free or inexpensive flights?

[@EduardoHernandez-vv8ey]

How was Argentina (the good, the bad?) I'm looking into maybe traveling next year to said country. Thanks for your content.

[@techmentormaria]

Personally, loved it. Great food, European flair, extremely affordable and I felt safe!

[@EduardoHernandez-vv8ey]

@@techmentormaria Awesome. Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing.

[@HolmsAwayFromHome]

Ok you said to ask: three people going on an MSC cruise out of Bari Italy November 2024. I have Delta Platinum Skymiles and Chase Sapphire Preferred. Suggestions for earning points and getting three flights from US to Bari? Is that too big or general a question? TIA.

[@techmentormaria]

It sounds like you’ll fly ITA Airways which is part of Flying Blue. Luckily they are transfer partners on most credit card platforms so should be fairly easy to find something there. I’d sign up for Flying Blue if you’re not there yet and start looking :)

[@kembaI.]

So when we buy a rewards card how do we go about spending it? Recently I just started learning about credit.

[@radad12]

I’ve used reward cards. I can tell you from my experience the airlines just increase their fares so you don’t really benefit plus theirs a fee you pay every year. To accumulate that many points also means. Your annual fee is greater. The reward you get you end up using it to pay your annual fee if you choose. I spent $5000-6000 a month and I still can’t get a free ride , paying for luggage’s and even seats.

[@mattysenpai]

The context in this doesn't really make sense but I'll make an assumption. If the annual fee for an airline credit card is the concern: You must review the credit card's benefits/statement credits value to your organic spending to see if those perks offset your annual fee for the card. For example if you only do carry on for every flight nor use Clear+ or DoorDash or something, then the fee + benefits offered by that particular card would not be of benefit to you. Chase ecosystem alone has 30 rewards cards applicable to points and travel-- don't use your prior rewards card experience as an informative decision. Sometimes we have oversight and need to understand the importance of research to follow a beneficial path of optimizing credit card spending

[@laspigroup2974]

For all people?

[@ProfessorOzone]

Currently my wife and I have a Delta Sky Miles card and it's been pretty straightforward, but we are looking to change and also do more travel. But typically how we get our points is by using the credit card for everything. I'm concerned if we get one credit card that's great for groceries and dining and use that for those things and then another card for say travel and other shopping, that we'll wind up with two cards with a mediocre amount of points not good for anything on their own. Obviously, combining the points would be best, but do they ALL combine? It sound like a complicated web of fine print to make sure that an AMEX card for buying groceries, as an example, will have points that can transfer to a Chase card for flying United. Can you elaborate?

[@bella7613]

For the American express do the points ever expire if you don't use it? I'm looking at american express gold or the capital one venture x cards so far

[@Royce-RD3]

Hello. Do you know which credit card earn points or miles when I pay day care? Thanks!

[@YanLuo]

I have multiple citi custom cashes and couple with rewards+, I am getting 5.5x on groceries/dinning/gas/ground transportation. Cash back citi points is good as is but if I find a use case I can get citi premier to transfer for travel awards. I also have chase ink cash and buy no fee gift cards for 5x everything else when I do not need protection from my credit cards and chase sapphire preferred for any purchase when travel/purchase protection is appreciated. My chase points are never redeemed for cash though

[@techmentormaria]

Nice! Good strategy it seems like

[@elmarealtor]

So these cards even gives you mileage air travel points overseas?

[@deniserogers7722]

I am travelling to Ghana with someone. I have a great credit score and a few cards already. The tickets are around $1000 dollars, and $5000 for first class. How would you suggest I go about getting cards to prepare for my trip in November? Thanks

[@MsSparkless1]

When opening a new card and using it to purchase travel tickets ( Chase sapphire.). How soon are you able to use the points? If I wanted to book my hotel to earn points. Would I be able to get the point right away? And use those points for flights?

[@sakurasophia8480]

Any specific travel cards for a student with only one credit card (discover) and only two years of credit history?

[@oncallworkflow]

I am 32M and I pretty much have zero to no such knowledge about credit cards, hence paying everything with my debit card (checking account). I always live under a fear of not being able to pay for things, so I spent very frugally and always kept a pile of cash aside and over the years, I was able to accumulate a net worth equivalent to top 3% in my age group. After watching this, I came to contemplate if I missed out on a lot of benefits I could've gotten over the years. Or would having credit cards really get me out of fear and to spend more than I need. I'm confused now whether I should start opening credit cards or not...

[@naturalbeauty9749]

But if I am in Europe? Can I use it too?

[@kidkwlify]

Can you please do more engineering or EM videos?

[@techmentormaria]

Tell me what you'd like to see :)

[@kidkwlify]

@@techmentormaria Would love to see more content on how to develop skills to prepare to become an EM and what new EMs or EM joining a new team should do on their 1st week, month, yr / how to deal with different situations etc

[@anishshrestha8146]

I do 1600 miles total round trip flight every month. Which card is best for me given my bank is chase and I use Amex Cash Magnet Card?

[@Rhael89]

Do you know if this only works in the US or does it work in Spain as well?

[@techmentormaria]

I have never lived in Spain so I'm not sure if reward credit cards are a thing there :( sorry

[@Jasmeetsinghbhela]

I don’t travel a lot did i need travel credit cards with annual fees like chase sapphire

[@taniamorales4292]

So you pay your cc in full every month? I can’t imagine interest all this per month.

[@jay_actual]

I really enjoyed this video Maria. Your channel is very helpful. Im planning my first trip to Germany soon, cant wait to visit.

[@JacobTarzi]

Hi there, I'm only interested in transferring my points to airlines. Apparently there is an American express card with a 60,000 points sign up bonus but I live in the UK, would i be able get this card? Likewise do you have any advise on a credit card that is particularly good for transferring points to airlines? All help will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[@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!!

[@mianpalo774]

I am new to creditcard as i just got my veryfirst creditcard lastweek. My question is “are travel creditcard have credit limits too? Pls help. Thankyou

[@stevebrailsford4018]

I'm just retired now but I'm a NZ citizen. What cards would you suggest for a non-US citizen to get my points journey started?

[@BernhardK91]

As far as I understand, that is only working in US and not in Germany, right?

[@techmentormaria]

Germany has some cards too! You can look into American Express or airline cards

[@BernhardK91]

@@techmentormaria I will check them out. Thank you!

[@nisanur2443]

I live in the netherlands and if you apply for an Amex card here, you can only earn 1 point per 1 euro. But in the US, you earn 3 points per 1 dollar.... why is that? and can i apply for the US card as a Dutch citizen?

[@Brookelauer141]

I’m traveling abroad for 9 months so I’m looking for a card to use as my main source of spending money while I’m away. I was thinking about the chase sapphire card but I know I will not spend $4,000 within the first 3 months… ($4,000 is my budget for the first 5 months ) will this card still be worth it if I don’t get those 60,000 points?

[@AbcdEfgh-jy2fg]

I want to take a family of 4 from San Francisco to London next July/August (2025). I have a decent credit score and will qualify for most credit cards out there. Which CC do you recommend I sign up for right away?

[@Evolving62]

What about a credit card with a $500 fee

[@pokhren1]

can i pay my mortgage with these cards and earn points

[@ianchristian3870]

New subscriber here 😊😊 you are smart and pretty!!

[@techmentormaria]

Thanks for subbing!

[@snakepler]

How long did it take to get those 50,000 points? Do you recommend waiting to collect the points to pay for a full trip or is it better to check for good offers?

[@techmentormaria]

For me it’s 1-3months depending on my expenses (e.g. it’s much easier and faster if I have a work trip coming up). My rent points helped quite a lot with that recently!

[@anumkhan3059]

thank you Maria for this video

[@charismatic9467]

Tip for anyone wondering, you have to already have excellent credit before being able to do any of this

[@rg8162]

Not necessarily.

[@charismatic9467]

@@rg8162 Yeah you do the cards she's recommending require excellent credit to be approved for.

[@zzzyyyxxx]

Well yeah lol do you think you can get these credit cards with bad credit? Fix your credit first then do stuff like this.

[@MdKabir-gh1mr]

That a good video 📷📷📷

[@ROSADIANA-DSB]

Thanks for the tips🎉

[@tarek7451]

This is all about American cards right? Not european.

[@techmentormaria]

You could do similar but not as effective things through European credit cards! I’m not too familiar with the current offerings there though

[@MaxiZee]

deutsch?

[@marcus-jb9np]

14% if youre late on your payments, not optimal

[@jeremiahbronx4523]

Where is your accent from?

[@MdKabir-gh1mr]

That a great

[@Oilofmercy]

Great thank u. I just got freedom and saphirre, they said they would switch it for the reserve if I want. The points are epic but the 500 p.y fee?

[@notNaB2024]

"spend more money when you make more money" is got to be the worst advice ever. Surprised why everyone is so comfortable with debt?

[@eboyer97]

Who the heck spends $800 a month on food and $0 on rent/mortgage?! 😂 My budget is $700 rent/utilities (I have roommates), $250 food, $100 cat, $200 gas, $150 misc... Rent is through PayPal. Idk how to get good cash back or points from my rent and utilities money because PayPal charges like 2% to use a credit card rather than a checking account.

[@tonymusicrehab]

How to bold your credit score how be a great video and how it works.

[@jamesm.3967]

You’re spending too much money on food.😂

[@matheusdallrosa4698]

Where is this accent from ? (L)

[@Luke-r1c]

1% of 2400 is 24 not 240

[@kumar0.98]

❤

[@xst-k6]

Soooo boring.... Can't keep my eyes open 👎

[@wspanialymenrzu3436]

$2000 every month spending? Lol my salary is $1000 a month.

[@evangibson8020]

First

[@techmentormaria]

👀✨

[@adriengonzales9085]

7000 points dont "turn into" 84000 points a year, they accumulate into that

[@vickipedia3253]

I subscribed because I want to support women in men’s world. At last the paymaster here will not discriminate as they do at regular workplace. Men get paid 50% more than women for the same job.

[@paulasmalley1215]

🤦🏼‍♀️

[@John1925T]

There is HUGE downsides by using your credit cards everywhere some scammer at THOSE places YOU use ur cards at can steal your cards info. And a nightmare started.. My friends had that happened anc he lost over 12k