Most people think of “Airbnb” as synonymous with vacation rentals.

Airbnb happens to be the most well-known vacation rental site, but in reality, there are plenty of reputable sites you can use to reserve vacation rentals, and yes even with points and miles.

I’ve been earning and redeeming points and miles for travel since 2015.

Although it’s possible to use them to book vacation rentals, should you?

Using your points to book vacation rentals can be a great way to save money on travel, but if you do it the right way.

In this post, we’ll talk about why you may or may not want to use your points to book vacation rentals, the types of points you can use to redeem, and how to do it.

Best Credit Card Programs for Vacation Rentals

Before diving into how to use your points and miles for vacation rentals (yes, even Airbnb), it’s important to figure out which points you should be earning.

Because you can’t redeem points that you don’t have!

Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® allow you to transfer to travel partners or get a statement credit to cover the cost. You may even find vacation rentals on Chase Travel℠.

All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

American Express Membership Rewards: The American Express® Gold Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express, give you the option to book travel through the Amex Travel or offset the cost with a statement credit.

Capital One Miles: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offer great flexibility for redemptions.

You can transfer points to travel partners or redeem miles to reimburse eligible travel purchases on your credit card statement.

Citi ThankYou® Points: The Citi Strata Premier Card allows you to book travel, including vacation rentals, through the Citi TravelSM portal, transfer to travel partners, or offset travel expenses on your statement.

How to Redeem Points for Vacation Rentals

Technically, there’s no way to go onto the Airbnb website and redeem points for a stay. They don’t have a loyalty program. But there are still ways to save money with points.

But don’t pigeonhole yourself into Airbnb.

It’s just a website to find vacation rentals, but it’s definitely not the only legit option out there.

Transferring Points

Some big hotel chains are starting to get into the vacation rental game and I’m here for it!

One of the main reasons I like flexible points with travel rewards credit cards is the option to transfer and convert into many other types of points and miles currency.

So if I have Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points, I can use those points in a variety of different programs by transferring the points to one of many transfer partners available.

Transferring points is usually how I can get the best value for my points.

But when it comes to vacation rentals, that may not be the case.

So if getting the best redemption value is important to you, I’d recommend doing the math and deciding whether it’s worth it.

Remember there’s no such thing as a bad redemption. The goal is to never pay full price.

Marriott Homes and Villas

Marriott Homes and Villas is a great option for vacation rentals if you’re a Marriott loyalist. You can earn and redeem Marriott points and there are options available around the world.

If you have a lot of Marriott points and you’re itching to get rid of them, this could be a good option for you.

Keep in mind that even though you’re booking through Marriott, you’re still dealing with a host or property management company.

Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points and American Express Membership Rewards.

Vacasa with Wyndham

Vacasa has a network of over a thousand vacation rentals in the Americas. Lucky for us, they also have a partnership with Wyndham.

Even luckier for us, you can use Capital One Venture Miles and Citi ThankYou Points to transfer to Wyndham and book rentals with Vacasa.

Important note: You can’t use Wyndham points directly with Vacasa. You’ll need to check for availability online and then call Wyndham at 800-441-1034.

I would recommend holding off before transferring any points to Wyndham until you have confirmed availability on the phone with Wyndham.

Transfer Partners: Capital One Venture Miles and Citi ThankYou Points.

Hyatt points with Hyatt Homes & Hideaways

If you’ve been around for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points. One of the things I love the most about their points is the partnership with Hyatt.

When I transfer my points to Hyatt, I’m usually guaranteed great value.

So, when I learned that Hyatt also has a site for vacation rentals I was pretty excited!

Important Note: However, it is important to note that you will not get the same redemption value for Hyatt Homes and Hideaways as you would with transferring your points for Hyatt Hotel stays.

So for me, I’d rather reserve those redemptions for hotel stays. But if you have a nice stash of points and you don’t have another way to use them, go for it!

Transfer Partners: Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points.

Bluegreen Vacations

Choice Privileges has a partnership with Bluegreen Vacations through their Ascend Collection. If you’ve never heard of Choice Hotels, think Radisson or Comfort Inn.

You can redeem Choice Privileges points for these properties directly on the website.

Transfer Partners: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.

Book Direct and Redeem for Statement Credit

If you really need to book your rental directly on the Airbnb website or other sites like VRBO. I’ve got a solution for you!

Capital One Venture Miles has a feature that makes covering your travel purchases with points pretty simple.

You can redeem miles and reimburse eligible travel purchases on your credit card statement.

However, you must do it within 90 days of the purchase.

Again, the value is likely not as great as transferring your points to a transfer partner, but if you can’t find any other vacation rental options then do what you gotta do!

Booking through a Travel Portal

This is one of the options that I like the least. When booking through a bank travel portal, you’re always redeeming at a fixed value.

That’s not so different from the other options, but what I really don’t like is that you won’t find many options within the portal as you would with other sites.

You’ll find this option with all the major travel rewards credit card companies:

• Chase Travel℠
• Amex Travel
• Citi Travel
• Capital One Travel

Keep in mind that you won’t find the same availability through a travel portal that you can on a site like Airbnb. But it is an option if you need to use your points.

Gift Cards

Ok, this is my least favorite option. Many of the travel rewards credit cards I’ve mentioned also have the option to redeem your points for gift cards and Airbnb is usually one of them.

I don’t like this option because if you’re going to redeem points for gift cards don’t waste your time applying for travel rewards credit cards like the ones I mentioned in this post.

Most rewards credit cards these days give you the option to redeem points for gift cards. You don’t need to apply for travel rewards credit cards that have annual fees for that option.

Why Vacation Rentals?

It’s no secret that the more well-known way to redeem points and miles is to do it for airfare and hotels.

But even if you use cash, there are some unique advantages to booking a vacation rental versus a traditional hotel.

Comfort of Home: Hotels can feel corporate or stale. Sometimes you want to vacation with the same comfort of home with amenities like a full kitchen, living room, pool, etc.

Yeah, you can get that sometimes with a hotel, but it’s just not the same.

More Space for Larger Groups: If you’re traveling with a large group or family it can feel disconnected to book several rooms at a hotel and also pretty expensive.

Sometimes it’s nice to have everyone under one roof and in most cases, it’s much more cost-effective and convenient.

Unique and Diverse Properties: One major perk to vacation rentals is the unique types of accommodations that you can find.

Whether you want to stay at a house on the beach, a cozy cabin in the woods or a historic home downtown, vacation rentals can provide a more unique experience.

Living Like a Local: Vacation rentals can also offer a more authentic experience, especially if you’re in a neighborhood rather than a tourist-centric area.

Privacy and Space: Vacation rentals can also feel more private and intimate than hotels.

Long-Term Stays: Hotels are great for stays from just a few nights to a week, but can get pretty expensive if you stay longer-term. Vacation rentals can a more affordable option.

Cons to booking Vacation Rentals

While vacation rentals are great, there are cons to everything.

Consistency and Standards: There’s a sense of consistency with hotels vs. vacation rentals.

If you stay with a specific hotel chain there’s a level of service and standards that you expect. Vacation rentals can be a bit of a crap shoot.

Services and Amenities: Hotels come with certain amenities that vacation rentals don’t like housekeeping, dining and room service, concierge services, etc.

I also don’t like how most vacation rentals make you pay a cleaning fee and then ask you to take out the trash, start the laundry, and run the dishwasher.

Location: While vacation rentals can be located in unique or residential areas that offer a local experience, if you’re looking to stay more central or in touristy areas you may have a hard time.

Cancellation Policies: I highly value flexibility and I find that vacation rentals can be more strict with cancellation policies. They sometimes require expensive cash deposits and I don’t like to deal with that.

Hidden Costs: Another reason that I don’t like vacation rentals is the hidden fees that you don’t see until you’re ready to book.

Sure, the rate per night could be cheap, but once they tack on service or cleaning fees you may as well stay in a hotel.

Support and Problem Resolution: This varies greatly. I’ve had hosts be very responsive with issues and some that are just rude or don’t respond.

At least with a hotel, there’s staff on hand to handle anything that could come up.

Should you use your Points for Vacation Rentals?

Here’s the thing, do I think that your points are better spent elsewhere?

Yes.

Does it matter what I think?

Not really.

I just want to give you all of the information so that you can make an informed decision that works best for you and your travel goals.

Personally, I would use booking a vacation rental as an opportunity to earn points rather than burn them. This way, I can then use those points for more lucrative redemptions in the future.

But, I also fully believe that there is no such thing as a “bad redemption” because as long as you are saving money on travel you are always winning!

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As a points and miles enthusiast since 2015, I’m on a mission to ensure that I’m always maximizing spending to get the most points with as little effort as possible.

And I can’t think of a better opportunity than holiday shopping. You’re already spending the money, so let’s get those travel rewards!

In this post, I’ll teach you the best strategies to maximize your rewards during the most wonderful (and often the most expensive) time of the year.

From choosing the right credit card to navigating online shopping portals, I’ll guide you through practical tips to not only save money but also travel more—for less.

Choose the Right Credit Card

The first step to maximizing your holiday shopping is choosing the right credit card to swipe while you shop. Remember, you don’t want to use a debit card for everyday purchases, especially on your holiday shopping.

Don’t do it!

Credit cards are not only safer and more rewarding, but you may also get some valuable purchase protection or extended warranty options.

But the main reason is because you want to earn the maximum amount of rewards possible.

However, not all credit cards are created equal, especially when it comes to earning travel rewards.

So let’s take a look at the factors you should consider when planning your holiday shopping.

Earn a New Welcome Bonus

Probably, the easiest way to take advantage of the money spent on holiday shopping is by applying for a new credit card for a welcome bonus.

All the travel rewards credit cards I recommend always have great welcome bonus offers. These are my current favorites:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
• Or check out CardMatch for the best offers personally for you!

Advertiser Disclosure:
All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

One welcome bonus offer could get you business-class flights for less than $300 or roundtrip economy flights to Europe.

If that’s not your speed, what about booking an all-inclusive luxury ranch for $0?

I also love business credit cards for this!

Business credit cards usually have higher minimum spending requirements but with very lucrative welcome bonus offers.

Applying for business credit cards can be intimidating especially if you feel that you don’t have a “legitimate business”.

But honestly, you may be surprised to learn that you are eligible for business credit cards.

Here are some of my favorites that always have great welcome bonus offers:

• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The bonus will be deposited into your account as 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: Earn up to $750 bonus cash back intro offer. Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Capital One Venture X Business: Earn 150,000 bonus miles after you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.

Advertiser Disclosure:
All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

And what about those annoying annual fees? Well, although they may be annoying, they may also be worth it.

The credit cards with the best welcome offers will likely come with annual fees.

So think of it this way, if someone came to you and said “I’ll give you $1,000, but you need to give me $95 first.” what would you say?

I would say, hell yea! Sign me up.

Hence the reason I have so many great credit cards that continue to bring me value year after year.

Should you get a new credit card?

If you know that you have a significant amount of holiday spending coming your way it can be a good idea to apply for a new credit card and snag a lucrative welcome bonus.

If you can meet the minimum spending requirement easily, it’s a no-brainer, seeing as that’s one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to applying for new credit cards.

The next biggest hurdle is the impact on your credit score, but the short answer is that as long as you’re being responsible the number of credit cards you have alone is of little impact to your score.

With that being said, you don’t need to go crazy applying for credit cards!

You just need to be strategic about which ones you get and how you use them.

Bonus Categories

Now, if you decide that getting a new credit card welcome bonus is not the right move for you, that is totally ok!

One of the major don’ts about applying for a new credit card is doing it without a plan to meet the minimum spend.

But even if you just don’t feel comfortable with applying for a new credit card right now, there is nothing wrong with that.

If you already have a core group of credit cards, then the next best thing to a welcome bonus is to maximize your bonus categories.

Many credit cards offer bonus points or cash back for specific types of purchases. So during the holidays, you want to use the cards that offer increased rewards on categories like department stores, online shopping, or even groceries.

Here’s why maximizing bonus categories is so important:

• Let’s say you plan to spend $1,000 at a specific store.
• If you use a credit card that earns you 1% or 1x then you’ll earn $10 or 1,000 points on that one purchase.
• Now, if instead, you used a credit card that earns you 2% or 2x, then you’ll earn $20 or 2,000 points on that same purchase.

2,000 points may not seem like a lot, but trust me it all adds up.

You could book a domestic one-way flight for as little as 6,000 points with some airline miles currencies.

For some credit cards, the bonus categories can change quarterly or the same all year round. I like to earn at least 1.5 or 2x (depending on the type of points currency) for every $1 I spend.

So, if I can’t earn that with a credit card bonus category then I’ll use a credit card that gives me a flat earning rate for all purchases.

I like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card because not only do they earn 2x on every purchase, every day but they also earn flexible points that can be used for travel!

Important Note: If you applied for a new credit card to earn a welcome bonus you should disregard bonus categories.

Your priority is to hit the minimum spending requirement first. Once you do that, you can maximize bonus categories.

And hey, maybe your new credit has the best earning rate for that purchase anyway!

The welcome bonus is just a bonus after all. You’ll still get the normal earning rates for the credit card.

Redeem Credit Card Offers

Another way to earn more with your core group of credit cards is to redeem credit card offers.

Many credit cards partner with retailers to provide special promotions, such as extra cash back or bonus points when you spend a certain amount.

You can find these offers on the banking app.

The thing about these offers is that you have to manually activate them before you make a purchase. Otherwise, you’d miss out.

Some people like to browse these offers and plan their shopping around what is offered.

But, I like to be lazy about it.

I use a tool like Cardpointers to auto-add these offers so that I don’t have to browse through each one and activate them myself. You’ll need the browser extension for this feature.

Cardpointers also help me to figure out which of my cards is the best one for each purchase I make. I think it’s a great tool for the lazy budget traveler!

Don’t fall for the Store Credit Cards

This is a big trap really any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season!

Do not waste your time with store credit cards.

I know that it’s tempting to sign up for store credit cards when you’re promised a significant discount on your holiday purchases, but this is what holds you back from amazing rewards.

While saving 10%, 20%, or even 30% on a large purchase might sound appealing, these cards are not as rewarding as they may seem.

The biggest mistake that people can make in the points and miles world is not realizing that not all rewards are created equal.

I mean, sure if you’re spending $100 at the store and you can get 50% off that purchase by applying for the store credit card that sounds like a great deal.

But when you consider that earning a new welcome bonus with that same purchase could give you $1,000 in value, it’s small potatoes.

Things to consider:

Yes, they are real credit cards – this means that you will get dinged on your credit report.

Counts towards 5/24 – for some reason, people don’t realize that a store credit card will count toward your 5/24 status. If the credit card shows up on your personal credit report then it counts toward 5/24.

You miss out on a lucrative Welcome Bonus: Don’t waste a hard inquiry for a lame discount. If I’m going to have a hard inquiry on my report, I want to make sure I’m getting great bang for my buck.

The fact is that the welcome bonus offers from travel rewards credit cards are way better than store credit cards.

Limited Usability and Rewards: I think the best types of rewards are for travel, but they need to be flexible. Travel Rewards credit cards with banks like Chase, Capital One, or American Express give you many opportunities for redemptions. But store credit cards limit you to their specific store.

Higher Interest Rates: Since we pay offer our credit card statement balance in full and on time, this doesn’t really matter, but it’s still a ding against them.

Fewer Additional Benefits: The benefits I get from travel rewards credit cards far outweigh anything I could get with store credit cards. My credit cards give me benefits like travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, airport lounge access, and more.

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Use Online Shopping Portals

Online shopping portals can be a goldmine for earning extra points, miles, or cash back over and above what you’d earn from your regular spending.

Here’s how you can use these portals to your advantage:

What is a Shopping Portal?

Shopping portals are websites that partner with retailers to bring them shoppers.

The shopping portal earns a commission for each shopper they bring to the stores and they share that with the consumer (you).

Using a shopping portal is at no cost to you and using them can offer you valuable rewards in the form of cashback, points, or miles.

The best part? All you do is click from the shopping portal, you still make your purchase direct through the retailer!

Here are just a few examples of shopping portals:

• Airlines: American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, etc.
• Hotels: Wyndham Rewards Shopping
• Non Travel: Rakuten, BeFrugal, TopCashback, etc.
• Credit Cards: Shop Through Chase^® (must be a current cardholder)

When you choose a shopping portal, you’ll be earning the reward currency for that specific portal. So as with anything, be selective about which shopping portals you use.

You don’t want a lot of money in all different types of currencies. It’s like if you have $10 in Canadian and $10 in USD. You don’t have $20.

It’s the same logic with rewards. You don’t want a little in a lot of different types of currencies. You want a lot in very few types of currencies.

How Shopping Portals Work

Log In to the shopping portal you want to use or use their browser extension.

Select a Retailer: Choose a store and activate the offer. If you’re already on the store website, make sure you are using the browser extension for the shopping portal and you activate the offer.

Keep in mind that each offer may have certain terms and conditions so you’ll want to review that when activating.

Shop as Usual: Once the offer is activated, you’ll just shop and check out as usual!

Earn Extra Rewards: Once you make the purchase, you can track it within the shopping portal and wait for your rewards!

Don’t Forget to Stack!

The real trick to stacking is combining all these strategies together.

Here’s an example:

1. You use a credit card that earns you a new welcome bonus.
2. That same credit card may earn bonus points in your spending category.
3. You activate a credit card offer that is eligible for this purchase.
4. You use a shopping portal to earn money on your purchases.

That’s a 4-way stack!

Add in deals like Black Friday or Cyber Monday and you’d make that a 5-way stack!

Here’s are some more apps that you can stack with:

• Fetch
• United MileagePlus X
• Fluz
• Dosh

Remembering to stack ensures that every dollar you spend works harder for you!

Common Objections

Before you go shopping, I wanted to address some common thoughts and objections I’ve heard from people who may be hesitant to maximize their points and miles earnings this way.

I Don’t Spend Enough

You might be thinking, “I don’t spend enough to make rewards or points worthwhile.” But here’s the thing—earning points and miles doesn’t have to mean spending beyond your means.

• Focus on Bonus Categories: Use a card that offers extra points on everyday spending like groceries or gas.
• Capitalize on Holiday Spending: Even limited holiday expenses—gifts, meals—can give your points a boost.
• Stack Small Wins: Shopping portals and credit card offers can add extra points on routine purchases.
• Think Long-Term: Points add up over time, and some redemptions (like domestic flights) require only a few thousand points.

I Don’t Want to Open New Credit Cards

You don’t need multiple cards to maximize rewards.

With even a single card, you can make strategic purchases in bonus categories, use shopping portals, or leverage cashback offers to add value to your spending.

If you have existing cards, review them for any bonus categories and seasonal offers – many credit cards offer spending bonuses without a new application.

I’m Worried About Overspending

The goal is to earn rewards on purchases you’re already making.

Don’t ever spend more just to earn points. Set a holiday shopping budget, and use your credit card strategically to reach it without overspending.

If you don’t have the discipline to use a credit card without overspending, then you should take a pause on anymore credit cards until you can get that under control.

Let’s work smarter!

I Don’t Travel Enough to Justify Points

Points and Miles are not only for the frequent traveler.

In fact, if you are a frequent traveler using points for travel is much harder than if you’re not. If you don’t travel often, then you don’t need as many points to make a dream trip come true!

Let’s go shopping!

Yes, it’s a bummer that you have spent so much money on holiday shopping, but it doesn’t have to be!

Let’s turn that around and think about how many opportunities to make the most of that spending by getting us closer to an almost free trip!

So before you do your shopping answer these questions:

• How much do I plan to spend?
• Is that enough to meet a new minimum spend?
• Am I ready for a new credit card?
• If not, which credit cards will earn me the most on my shopping?
• Can I stack on these purchases?

If you do that, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your holiday shopping with points and miles!

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Who doesn’t love booking all-inclusive resorts, right? What’s even better is booking all-inclusive resorts with points!

You don’t have to think about anything like, where you’re staying, food, drinks, and many times even activities. It’s all waiting for you!

One of my favorite ways to travel on a budget is with points and miles. And Hyatt is probably the best value out there when it comes to points redemptions.

In this post, I’m going to give you all the details about my stay at Rawah Ranch in Colorado.

We spent 3 amazing nights at this guest ranch and didn’t spend 1 cent. Yup, we paid a grand total of $0 for the stay all thanks to points and miles!

If you like this post, then check out these 7 resorts that you can book with points.

Important Note: In this post, I mention how I was able to book Rawah Ranch with Hyatt points. Unfortunately, this is no longer available but it is still possible to book this property with a different loyalty program!

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Benefits of Booking All Inclusive Resorts with Points

There are many benefits to booking all-inclusive resorts with points!

• Cost Savings
• Enhanced Value for Points
• Inclusive Amenities
• Simplified Budgeting
• VIP Treatment
• Access to Premium Properties
• Peace of Mind

Cost Savings: When you are using points and miles to pay for an all-inclusive resort you’re significantly reducing your out-of-pocket costs.

The key is to earn these points and miles through your everyday spending so that you’re never spending more than you normally would.

You’ll then get rewards with points and miles that you can use to travel the world for less!

Want to learn more about how to earn points and miles? Grab the Free Budget Travel 101 course!

Enhanced Value for Points: In some loyalty programs, the redemption value of points for all-inclusive stays can be higher than for other types of accommodations, maximizing the value of your points.

For example, I booked Rawah Ranch with 35,000 Hyatt points per night.

Those same points could be used for another Hyatt Resort of the same category but may not also include food, activities, etc.

Check out this post to find out if traveling with points and miles is right for you!

Inclusive Amenities: All-inclusive packages often cover meals, beverages, entertainment, and activities! It’s one of my favorite ways to vacation because you don’t have to worry about anything!

Simplified Budgeting: With most of the expenses prepaid through points, budgeting for your trip becomes a lot more straightforward.

VIP Treatment: Not in the case of our stay because they treated everyone like VIPs, but sometimes if you’re a loyalty program member or have elite status you’ll also get some special perks or upgrades!

That’s why a lot of people like to pay the base standard points rate because with their status they know they’ll likely get upgraded for free.

Access to Premium Properties: Just like with Rawah Ranch and Small Luxury Hotels partnered with Hyatt, other programs give you access to high-end hotel and resort chains.

The American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program is available to Platinum members for example.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that the major components of your trip are covered through points can offer peace of mind, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your vacation without financial stress.

Now, you don’t always have to use points. Check out these other all inclusive resorts.

Small Luxury Hotels and Hyatt Partnership

Redeeming Hyatt points for a 3-night stay at Rawah Ranch would not have been possible if it not for the collaboration between Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and Hyatt.

The partnership has been in place since 2018, but unfortunately, they announced that it would be ending in 2023.

Hyatt is a great hotel chain, but compared to hotel chains like Hilton or Marriott, its footprint is quite small. So with this type of strategic alliance, Hyatt can give its guests access to a curated collection of unique hotels.

What this means for me, is that I can book these amazing boutique properties with Hyatt points!

So it goes to show that it’s important to be aware of these types of partnerships when you’re earning and redeeming points.

Update! Sadly, Hyatt is no longer partners with Small Luxury Hotels. This is why you want to always be in the loop like when you join my email list!

Discovering Rawah Ranch

Every year, we like to plan a special wedding anniversary trip. It’s usually one of our biggest points redemption opportunities and I always like to try something different and exciting.

Our anniversary is in October, but I’m very flexible with travel dates because that’s the number one way to find travel deals.

I was aware of Hyatt’s partnership with Small Luxury Hotels and I had a nice stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

Hyatt happens to be a travel transfer partner, so I knew that I could transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards® points and convert them into Hyatt points.

In the points and miles world, Hyatt points are very valuable so I wanted to start there.

I was also flexible with my destination, so I just went to the Hyatt map and started browsing the locations where there were properties.

I zeroed in on Colorado and that’s how I discovered Rawah Ranch!

Using Hyatt Points for Rawah Ranch

When booking Rawah Ranch with points, the first thing I looked at was the points calendar.

The points calendar gives me a good idea as to which dates are off-peak and therefore the least amount of points needed.

I looked at the Rawah Ranch website and noticed that they had a 3-night minimum and they only did check-ins on certain days. So I kept this in mind when I was checking dates.

They also are only open 3 months out of the year. Luckily they are open around the time of our anniversary so it worked out!

The lowest rate I found was 35,000 Hyatt points per night.

This covered 2 guests and we chose the more secluded Cowboy Cabins which are located the furthest from the lodge and have the best view of the ranch (in my humble opinion).

The cash price at the time was $1,700 per night.

So that’s almost 5 cents point which is a great redemption value. There were also no additional fees which made the stay after paying with points $0. Win!

Important Note: In this post, I mention how I was able to book Rawah Ranch with Hyatt points. Unfortunately, this is no longer available but it is still possible to book this property with a different loyalty program!

How to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®

Chase Ultimate Rewards® is my favorite points currency because earning them is easy and perfect for a lazy budget traveler like myself!

The Chase credit card ecosystem is pretty straightforward.

I needed 105,000 points in total for our 3-night stay which I was able to earn almost entirely from one credit card welcome bonus.

At the time, both the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card had elevated cash-back welcome offers.

However, the cashback is issued as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points.

Since I also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, I was able to combine points from the Chase Ink Business credit cards and transfer points to travel partners.

All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

You can also check out the latest best credit card offers.

When you get approved for a new credit card there are some do’s and don’ts to be aware of.

You should also download these free mobile apps.

But you also don’t need credit cards to earn points and miles, many strategies don’t require credit cards.

Important Note: In this post, I mention how I was able to book Rawah Ranch with Hyatt points. Unfortunately, this is no longer available but it is still possible to book this property with a different loyalty program!

The Rawah Ranch Experience

First off, we loved everything about our experience at Rawah Ranch. We decided to fly into Denver and drive about 3 hours up to the Rawah Ranch.

I would suggest stopping and having lunch in Fort Collins on the way.

The drive was very scenic and we loved it.

I would recommend that you download Google Maps prior since there will not be any cell service once you get closer to the ranch.

We rented an SUV with four-wheel drive. I found a great price on the car rental through AutoSlash.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the General Manager and offered a beverage and snacks. He gave us a little tour of the area as he drove us to our cabin.

Every evening they delivered firewood to to our cabin and had turned down service. Every morning we had coffee and tea delivered to our door.

All meals and snacks were served at the lodge, and we used the golf carts we were given to get there.

Breakfast was always a feast, where there was a special of the day and then you could order eggs any way you wanted and there was always freshly baked goods, granola, and yogurt.

Lunch and dinner were also very good.

If you have any dietary restrictions or special requests, they were very accommodating as long as they were given some notice.

The ranch is very secluded so you can’t just go out to the corner market and grab something or order Uber Eats.

Every evening around 5 pm was Happy Hour where they brought our appetizers and snacks.

You could also order drinks from the bar (you can order drinks at any time of day if you want).

There was always a drink of the day (seriously the best cosmos I’ve ever had), but it was a full bar so they could make you pretty much anything you wanted if they had it.

If they did not have it, then they would make sure to go out and grab it and have it for you the next day.

Every evening after dinner there was an activity.

The first night, there we just relaxed outside by the fire with drinks because it had been a long travel day. The second night we had live entertainment just for us.

The third night they had an astronomer come out with a very impressive telescope to show us planets and stars. It was amazing!

They also have their very own little saloon with a bunch of games and music.

As far as activities, they were offered in the mornings after breakfast and later in the afternoon. So we did 2 activities each day.

In the mornings we did fly fishing or horseback riding. In the afternoons it was skeet and target shooting, archery, or axe throwing.

They let you pick whatever activities you wanted to do and they were also very accommodating if you changed your mind.

After our stay at Rawah Ranch, we spend 2 days in Laramie Wyoming!

We were right on the border of Colorado and Wyoming so we took that opportunity to explore further. Highly recommend!

Rawah Ranch FAQs

What makes Rawah Ranch unique among all-inclusive resorts?

What makes Rawah Ranch stand out among all-inclusive resorts is its exceptional blend of rugged wilderness and curated experiences in the heart of Colorado.

For our honeymoon, we stayed at a similar property in Colorado Springs called The Ranch at Emerald Valley which is part of the Broadmoor.

Rawah Ranch was a much more rustic experience, but still very luxurious. We loved it!

The ranch is also very quaint which makes it a much more intimate and tailored experience that you may not find at other all-inclusive resorts.

Are there any additional fees or considerations when booking Rawah Ranch with points?

Nope! We did not have to worry about any additional fees when we booked Rawah Ranch with Hyatt points.

The only thing we had to book separately was our transportation to and from the Ranch.

Once we were on property everything was taken care of.

Are there limitations on the availability of rooms when using points for Rawah Ranch?

Yes, any time you are booking with points it is dependent on the award availability. This means, that they only release a certain number of rooms that are available to be booked with points.

This can change at any time. So you may see availability one day and then it’s gone the next, just like if you were paying with cash.

However, they may also release more availability.

Your best bet is to book as soon as possible.

Rawah Ranch in particular is only open 3 months out of the year and the number of cabins is very limited, so the earlier you book the better.

What amenities and experiences does Rawah Ranch offer that are included in the all-inclusive package?

During our stay, the accommodations, all food, most beverages, evening entertainment, and all activities (with very few exceptions) were all included.

We did not have to pay anything additional once we checked out.

How far in advance should I plan to book my stay at Rawah Ranch using points?

I booked in April for our stay that took place at the end of September.

It was the last week of the season and it happened to be off-peak nights so there were only 6 guests including us during our stay.

How can I ensure a smooth check-in process when using points for my Rawah Ranch reservation?

My biggest advice is to download the Google map and directions before heading to the ranch. They are not kidding when they say there is absolutely zero cell service out there.

The only wifi available is at the lodge.

I would not recommend getting there too late on check-in day.

You miss half a day of relaxing and taking it all in. For our stay, they let us check in at any time after noon but they only had snacks and dinner so don’t show up hungry unless it’s closer to dinner time.

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What if I told you that you could fly to Spain roundtrip in business class for less than $300 out of pocket?

Well, it’s possible with points and miles award travel!

I’ve been using travel rewards credit cards to earn points and miles for free travel since 2015.

What I love about travel rewards credit cards is that they allow me to earn points on purchases that I was going to make anyway.

That’s exactly how I was able to earn enough Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points to book roundtrip business class flights to Spain on Iberia Airlines.

You can do this too!

In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to find and book business-class flights to Spain by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points to Iberia.

So if you’re looking to travel to Spain in the lap of luxury but on a budget, you’re in the right place!

Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Iberia Airlines?

I don’t always fly to Europe in business class, but when looking for redemption options I always like to search the sweet spots for the type of points that I have.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® are my favorite because of the flexibility that they provide.

If you have the right credit card, these points are flexible and transferrable to several travel partners at a 1:1 ratio.

• Aer Lingus AerClub
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• British Airways Executive Club
• Emirates Skywards
• Iberia Plus
• JetBlue
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

In my research, I realized that Iberia Airlines, an airline operating out of Spain, offered business class flights from the east coast to Madrid for as little as 34,000 points + tax for one way.

In comparison to my flight the year prior from Miami to Paris on Air France in business class for 70,000 points + tax one way this was an amazing deal.

For a roundtrip flight from Miami to Madrid I spent 85,000 points +$277 per person. The cash price for this exact roundtrip flight was $4,164 per person. This was a steal!

Follow the deal, not the destination

Whenever I’m redeeming points, I like to come in without a specific destination in mind. This opens me up to more opportunities for really great redemption deals like this one with Iberia.

I let this redemption determine that our next trip to Europe would be to Spain and we would start and end in Madrid.

From there I planned our trip around that.

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The best credit cards for earning Iberia Avios

I had already racked up a good amount of Chase Ultimate Rewards® so I was prepared to transfer my points to Iberia to book my roundtrip business-class flight.

Here are the credit cards that I would recommend apply for if you’re looking to do the same:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card– can transfer to travel partners
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – can transfer to travel partners
• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – can transfer to travel partners

If you don’t think you are eligible for business credit cards, you may be surprised.

All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

How to Book Iberia Business Class for Under $300

Once I had settled on a trip to Madrid, the next step was to find the award availability.

The key to finding award availability is to be flexible on your dates and sometimes even the airports that you fly in and out of.

Flexibility is the key to saving money on travel.

I’m fortunate that one of my home airports is Miami and I’ve found some great award availability.

This is really convenient for me because I don’t have to book a positioning flight. I can spend less time traveling and more time enjoying my destination.

Finding Award Availability with Iberia

Before we start looking for award availability with Iberia, you’ll want to make sure that you have signed up for an Iberia Plus loyalty rewards account.

It’s free to join and you’ll need this for when you’re ready to transfer points.

I always recommend creating an account as soon as possible because some loyalty programs have rules for how long your account needs to be open before you can transfer points.

Once logged into Iberia Plus, input your travel dates and search for availability.

Don’t forget to select “Pay with Avios” (Iberia’s loyalty currency).

Iberia provides an option to view flexible dates, which can help you find the best award flights.

For a round-trip business class flight, you might find options around 42,500 Avios plus taxes and fees, which is a great deal compared to the $4,200 cash price for one person.

Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points to Iberia

Once you’ve found the flight you want, it’s time to transfer your points!

You’ll want to log in to your Chase account:

• Select Chase Ultimate Rewards®
• Select “Travel” from the main menu
• Select “Transfer points to partners”

Once you see a list of transfer partners, select Iberia Plus and follow the steps to transfer points to Iberia.

Input the number of points you need.

The transfer often happens almost instantly, but Chase advises it could take up to seven days.

Once your transfer has been confirmed make sure you’ve logged out of your Iberia Plus account and log back in to see your updated balance.

You can then proceed with booking your award flight just like you would with a cash booking.

Booking Tip

I was not able to select our seats during the checkout process. I think it was because it was close to a year out. I waited a couple of months before trying again and I was able to select our seats online without challenges.

Final Tips

• Always check award availability before transferring points.
• Once points are transferred to a loyalty program, they cannot be transferred back.
• Plan and join loyalty programs in advance.
• Book as soon as you find award availability to avoid missing out.

Important Note: Navigating the Iberia website can be a bit of an adventure in itself! It’s not exactly the smoothest experience and can be a bit glitchy.

For example, when selecting the country the United States wasn’t immediately visible in the country list. After a bit of detective work, I discovered you have to select “USES” first, which then magically transforms into “U.S.”

FAQs

How far in advance should I book to find the best award availability? I recommend checking for award availability about a year in advance or last minute. If you’re looking last minute you’ll need to be very flexible.

Are there any additional fees for baggage in Iberia Business Class? You should check the Iberia website, but we were able to bring 2 hand luggage on board. They also included 2 checked bags, but we did not need them.

Can I use my frequent flyer miles to upgrade to Business Class? I recommend booking the class that you intend to fly. Ther is no guarantee that you will be able to upgrade to business class whether its with cash or points.

What are the lounge options available at Miami International Airport for Iberia Business Class passengers? Iberia does not have an airport lounge at MIA, but since they are part of the One World alliance we were able to access both the Admirals Club and the Flagship lounge.

How early should I arrive at the airport for an Iberia Business Class flight? You should arrive at least 3 hours early for an international flight. Our tickets did not include fast-track service through security at MIA but did in Madrid. At the time, Iberia did not participate in TSA Precheck.

Can I transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards to Iberia Plus? Yes, Iberia Plus is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards.

Also, since the currency for the Iberia Plus loyalty program is Avios, it is possible to book flights with Iberia with other airlines that also use Avios.

Can you avoid paying taxes and fees with award flights? This depends on the individual airline and the country you are flying to or from. Some airlines pass these fees to the consumer and others do not. So be sure to check with other airline alliance partners for the combination of award points and cash that works best for you.

Are there blackout dates for booking Iberia Business Class with points? Although there are no explicit blackout dates, award availability is always limited. There are only so many award flights available. So I recommend staying away from major holidays and being flexible with your flight dates and times.

Ready for your Business Class Flight to Spain?

As you can see from this post, you don’t have to spend over $4,000 on a business-class flight to Spain.

With a bit of strategic planning and savvy point usage, you can stretch your travel budget to include those plush lie-flat seats and gourmet meals in the sky.

And our experience with Iberia Business Class from Miami to Madrid and Madrid to Miami was great!

When you’re ready to plan, make sure you read these essential tips for traveling internationally.

Check out these posts about Spain:

• How to Get a VAT Refund in Spain
• Seville to Barcelona: Flying on Vueling
• Ultimate Guide: Booking the Iryo Train from Barcelona to Madrid
• Top 10 Free Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain
• 4 Days in Barcelona on a Budget Itinerary
• Highspeed Train from Madrid to Seville

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Loyalty Rewards Points and miles can save you a lot of money on travel expenses.

The most popular method to earn is by using travel rewards credit cards to earn welcome bonuses, points, or miles for every dollar spent on travel and everyday purchases.

These rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel expenses, which can save you a significant amount of money over time.

But applying for 40 credit cards is not the only way to earn points and miles.

I’ve been doing this since 2015 and I know how exhausting and overwhelming it can be.

That’s why I think it’s so important to learn non-credit card strategies so you can build the foundational knowledge you need to stick with this hobby for the long term.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think debit cards are the answer. But too many people get caught up with the credit card churning game and don’t develop a strategy that will help them for years to come.

Give it to me!

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Sometimes tech happens. But that shouldn’t keep you from traveling more for less! Go to your inbox and look for an email with the subject line “Confirmation Email (FREEBIE)”.

If you check your promotions tab and spam folder and still don’t see it, please reach out to me at support@travelingfranklins.com so I can help you find it!

Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

7 Ways to Earn Points that Do Not Require a Credit Card

Sign up for loyalty programs

Loyalty programs are the greatest invention! Almost every major airline, hotel, and rental car company offers a loyalty program that allows you to earn points or miles when you use their services.

Signing up for these programs is easy, usually free, and can be done online in just a few minutes. Once you’re signed up, you can start earning rewards every time you book a flight, stay at a hotel, rent a car, etc.

Loyalty programs can offer perks like early check-in, late check-out, free upgrades, and access to exclusive lounges. Some programs also offer elite status tiers that come with additional benefits like priority boarding, free baggage check, and bonus rewards.

Now, joining loyalty programs alone will not get you enough rewards to earn free travel in the short term. It can be a slow process and it depends on how often you are utilizing their services. But establishing a relationship with the company as early as possible will only help you in the long run!

Take advantage of promotions

Travel rewards bonus promotions are a great way to earn extra points, miles, or other rewards on top of what you already earn from your credit card (if you have one) or loyalty program.

These promotions can come in a variety of forms, such as bonus points for meeting spending requirements, bonus miles for booking and traveling on specific dates or staying at certain brands to achieve elite status.

For example, Marriott was running a promotion where you could earn 40,000 bonus points per 4+ night stay when you booked a property through Marriott Homes & Villas. That’s nuts!

One catch is that these promotions usually come with a short booking window (not always), so it can feel like you need to drastically adjust your plans just for a specific bonus. But you really don’t. Promotions come and go and if they fit within your plans or only take a slight adjustment then you should definitely go for it!

To stay up to date on these bonus promotions, keep an eye out for emails. Many credit card companies and loyalty programs will send out emails or notifications to their members when a new promotion is available.

Another way to find travel rewards bonus promotions is to do some research online. There are many websites and forums dedicated to travel rewards programs (like my Facebook group!) that can provide information about the latest promotions and how to take advantage of them.

Just remember, that you don’t need to chase every single promotion that becomes available. If it works with your travel plans great! But if it doesn’t, don’t worry another one will come along. Don’t stress about it!

Dining programs

Who doesn’t love going out to eat?! Dining programs allow you to earn bonus points or miles for a variety of travel rewards programs simply by dining at participating restaurants and paying with a linked credit or debit card.

To get started with a dining program, you’ll typically need to sign up online and link any credit card or debit card. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to search for participating restaurants in your area and view their rewards offers.

When you dine at a participating restaurant, simply pay with your linked card and the bonus rewards will automatically be credited to your rewards account. Easy! Some dining programs even offer additional rewards for writing a review or taking a survey about your dining experience.

If you don’t use credit cards for dining (but why?), don’t worry – a debit card works just as well. Just make sure that every card you actively use is connected to a dining program. Don’t add cards you don’t use, as it won’t benefit you.

You can’t connect the same credit card to multiple dining programs simultaneously, as they all pretty much use the same system and will catch on. If you do, you’ll receive an email notifying you that the card has been transferred to a different program.

Just make sure that one active card is always attached to one dining program. If you want you can add multiple cards to one dining program, but sometimes it’s good to diversify if you have more than one loyalty program that you’re trying to collect points for.

But how do you find dining programs? You can use Google and search “(Insert Airline or Hotel Chain) Dining Program” or you can grab my free cheat sheet and I have a list of some great ones!

Shopping Portals

Shopping portals are an excellent tool to make your everyday purchases count! These websites allow you to earn cash back, points, or miles on purchases made through their portal at a variety of retailers, including many popular travel booking sites.

Before you shop online go to Cashback Monitor or Evreward to find out which shopping portals have the best offers for your selected retailer.

Probably the most popular shopping portals if you’re not looking for travel credit card rewards are Airline shopping portals.

Airline Shopping portals such as American Airlines AAdvantage Shopping or United MileagePlus Shopping, offer bonus miles for making purchases at certain retailers through their portal and can be a great way to earn extra rewards while doing your regular shopping.

To use airline shopping portals, simply sign up for an account and log in before making a purchase. Search for the retailer you want to shop at and click through to their website. When you make a purchase, the bonus miles will be automatically credited to your rewards account.

Using airline shopping portals is a simple and effective way to earn extra rewards and save money on everyday purchases. By taking advantage of these tools and being strategic about your purchases, you can maximize your rewards and make the most of your everyday spending!

But how do you find shopping portals? You can use Google and search “(Insert Airline or Hotel Chain) Shopping Portal” or you can grab my free cheat sheet and I have a list of some great ones!

Answer Surveys

Answering surveys is a simple and often overlooked way to earn extra rewards. Some companies, including travel and hospitality brands, offer rewards for completing surveys about various products and services. One great example is the Guest Opinion Rewards program, which offers Hilton Honors points for completing surveys.

To get started with the Guest Opinion Rewards program, you’ll sign up for an account using your Hilton Honors loyalty number and complete your profile. You’ll then receive survey invitations via email and for each survey you complete, you’ll earn a certain number of Hilton Honors points, which can be redeemed for Hilton hotel stays.

One of the great things about survey rewards is that they can be a low-effort way to earn extra points or miles. Surveys can be completed on your own time and from the comfort of your own home.

It’s important to note that not all survey rewards programs are created equal, and some may offer more valuable rewards than others. Before signing up for a survey rewards program, do some research to make sure it’s a reputable program with rewards that are worth your time and effort.

Linking Partner Apps

Many travel brands offer partnerships with other companies, allowing you to earn rewards for using their services.

For example, Delta Airlines and Starbucks have a partnership that allows you to earn Delta SkyMiles for purchases made at Starbucks. You’ll need to link your Delta SkyMiles account to your Starbucks Rewards account and you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks and Double Stars on Delta travel days.

Another example is Lyft or Uber partners with different airlines and hotel programs. For instance, you can link your Lyft account with Delta or Hilton and you can link your Uber account with Marriott.

There are many other partnerships out there, the best way to find them is to do some Googling. Remember that linking partner apps can be a simple and effective way to earn extra travel rewards to help you save on travel!

Use Travel Reward Apps

Travel rewards apps can earn you points and miles without using a travel rewards credit card. A great one is the United MileagePlus X app which allows you to earn United miles when you shop at participating retailers.

You would simply link your United MileagePlus account and a credit or debit card to the app, and then use the app to make purchases at participating retailers (it’s essentially paying with a gift card). You can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent, and sometimes even more during special promotions.

But the United MileagePlus X app isn’t the only travel rewards app out there. Like the Bilt Rewards app, which allows you to earn points toward rent payments when using their Bilt Mastercard.

The Bilt app also lets you earn points for tasks, and games and offers promotions for a variety of loyalty programs without requiring that you have the credit card. Bilt points can be transferred to a large number of travel partners, making it an intriguing program.

But the key to using these apps effectively is by using them in conjunction with your other travel rewards strategies. For example, you could use the United MileagePlus X app to earn extra miles on purchases (that you would make anyway) and also earn more points by connecting a rewards credit card instead of a debit card.

Combining multiple strategies like this can help you earn points and miles faster, which means you can start traveling more for less!

Check out my post on points and miles apps that you need to download today to help you get organized!

Can you earn enough points this way?

A common question is, “Can you earn enough points this way?” The answer is yes, but it will take you longer than if you were using travel rewards credit cards.

The good news is that it’s definitely possible to earn enough points for significant travel redemptions. By taking advantage of bonus promotions, maximizing everyday spending, and sticking to a few loyalty programs, you can accumulate a substantial amount of points.

The key is to avoid spreading your efforts too thin across too many loyalty programs. Instead, focus on a few programs that align with your travel goals and maximize your earnings there. This way, you’ll be able to earn a lot of points with a few programs rather than a little with a lot of programs.

You may be surprised at how few points you actually need for a good redemption. For example, a one-way domestic flight could be redeemed for as little as 6,000 miles + $5.60, and a weekday hotel stay could be redeemed for around 25,000 points per night off peak.

So, while it may take some patience and strategy, it’s definitely possible to earn enough points for significant travel rewards without relying solely on travel rewards credit cards. You got this!

And if you do have travel rewards credit cards, but just don’t want to apply for more you can still use all of these strategies and stack on those rewards!

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Who doesn’t love a luxurious vacation?

The thought of relaxing in a stunning resort, surrounded by beautiful scenery, while indulging in delicious food and drinks is a traveler’s dream.

But these luxury vacations can often come with a hefty price tag, making them out of reach for many of us. So what’s the answer?

Thankfully, there is a way to enjoy an amazing vacation without going into debt or sacrificing comfort and luxury. With the right points strategy, you can stay at some of the world’s most incredible resorts for a fraction of the cost.

I’ve been researching and practicing award travel techniques since 2015. I’ve booked business class, economy class, activities, and many hotels with points and its saved me thousands of dollars on travel.

In this post, I’m giving you 7 incredible resorts that can be booked with points.

Don’t let the price tag push you away from an amazing resort experience.

You deserve it and you can do it without paying full price!

Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

7 Incredible Resorts You Can Book with Points

The Boulders Resort and Spa – Scottsdale, Arizona

The Boulders Resort and Spa is a luxurious retreat located in the Sonoran Desert of Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s also part of the Curio Collection by Hilton which means you can book it with Hilton points!

You can expect to see it going for 70,000 – 100,000 Hilton points per night, depending on the season. We were able to book this with bonus points earned with a welcome bonus on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

We got lucky and found a redemption for their Casita room type at 60,0000 points per night and with the 5th night free (for using points) our 7-night stay was 360,000 points. We already had a good stash of Hilton points so we didn’t need to transfer any points for this redemption.

If you’re planning to go, check out my post on our trip to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Rawah Ranch – Jelm, Colorado

Rawah Ranch is a stunning all-inclusive ranch located in the Laramie River Valley in Jelm, Colorado. You can experience the great outdoors while enjoying the comfort of a five-star resort.

This experience is all-inclusive of food, drinks, and a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, and more.

When we stayed at Rawah Ranch, it was bookable through the World of Hyatt loyalty program through the Small Luxury Hotels of the World program.

Unfortunately, the partnership between Hyatt and Small Luxury Hotels is no longer available.

However, Small Luxury Hotels has recently partnered with Hilton so there is still hope that this amazing resort can still be booked with points!

We transferred points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to World of Hyatt for this redemption.

The ranch is only open 3 months out of the year and I was able to book their final week in September for 35,000 points per night for two people.

The cash rate is usually $1,700 per night all-inclusive with a 3-night minimum stay so this was a great redemption!

Want more info about Rawah Ranch? Check out my post about how I booked Rawah Ranch with Hyatt points!

Advertiser Disclosure:
All information about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin – Orlando, Florida

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is one of the few resorts that you can book with points on Disney resort property and still get most of the benefits of staying at a Disney-owned resort.

The Swan and Dolphin Resort can be booked with Marriott Bonvoy points directly from the Marriott website. You can expect to see anywhere from 80,000 to over 200,000 Marriott points per night.

If you can find availability that is, definitely look several months in advance.

Just like Hilton, Marriott also offers the 5th-night free benefit when booking with points.

This means that if you book a five-night stay, you’ll only need to use points for four nights.

It’s perfect for your Disney getaway!

Grand Wailea Resort – Wailea, Hawaii

The Grand Wailea Resort is a stunning resort in Hawaii!

It’s a Waldorf Astoria resort which means Hilton points! You’ll find award nights starting at 80,000 points per night and up to over 300,000.

So be flexible and check in advance for off-peak dates.

It’s a beautiful resort and did I mention it’s in Hawaii?!

Carmel Valley Ranch – Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

Carmel Valley Ranch is a beautiful property with views of the Santa Lucia Mountains, a world-class golf course, a spa, and tons of outdoor activities.

What makes it even more amazing is that it is part of the Unbound Collection which means Hyatt points!

You’ll find redemptions starting at 40,000 points per night for a standard room reward which is a Vineyard Oak Studio with King and Outdoor Tub.

Yes, please! Or starting 60,000 points per night for a suite that has a private deck with a fireplace, and a separate living room. Definitely worth it!

The Diplomat Beach Resort – Hollywood, Florida

The Diplomat Beach Resort is another Curio Collection by Hilton which means you can pay with Hilton points. During our 1st wedding anniversary, we decided to stay here and used a standard room reward which was reasonably priced (sorry, I can’t recall the exact number of points).

Before we arrived, the concierge contacted us and I mentioned that it was our 1st wedding anniversary.

They ended up upgrading us to an oceanview junior suite and decorated our room with flowers, champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries.

We had a great time celebrating our anniversary, we didn’t leave the resort, we just had drinks by the beach, went to the spa, and ate dinner at the steakhouse restaurant.

It was amazing, thanks to points!

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf Resort – Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf Resort is a beachfront resort nestled in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful island, be sure to check out my Puerto Rico itinerary post for more tips.

If you’re like me and not a loyal Wyndham guest, but you still want to experience a luxury stay at this resort, you can transfer points from Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points to Wyndham Rewards.

The Citi Premier® Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card are all great options for this.

With just 30,000 points per night, you can book a standard room and get to experience the beauty of Puerto Rico!

Is there a reason I shouldn’t always book with points?

If using points will save you money and you have enough points to cover the stay, there’s really no reason not to use them.

However, there may be times when you want to save some points for future redemptions but still want to make your current stay more affordable.

In these cases, you may want to consider using a combination of points and cash to make your stay more affordable, rather than using all of your points.

On the other hand, if the cash rate for the hotel is particularly low, it may make more sense to save your points for something you really need them for.

Budget Travelers pay cash too!

Don’t let the internet fool you, budget travelers use cash for travel all the time. It’s all about finding what works best for you and your travel needs.

But let me tell you, when you score that amazing redemption that makes your dream trip possible, it feels amazing!

Benefits of Booking Resorts with Points

Booking resorts with points is an amazing way to plan your dream vacation. I still remember the first time I booked a free stay with points, and I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I start doing this sooner?” The benefits are incredible, and the best part is that it’s not difficult to get started.

• Free Accommodation
• Luxury and Comfort
• More Value for Your Points
• Flexibility
• Rewarding Loyalty

Free Accommodation

The most obvious benefit of booking resorts with points is that you can stay for free (or almost free).

Depending on the resort and the loyalty program, you may be able to book a room or suite entirely with points, or you may need to pay a resort fee.

Either way, using points can significantly reduce the cost of your vacation and free up more budget for other activities, meals, or whatever you want!

Luxury and Comfort

Booking resorts with points can give you access to aspirational properties that you may not be able to afford otherwise. With the points, you may be able to upgrade to a nicer room or suite and access exclusive amenities.

Of course, you can stretch out your points to stay at more affordable places, but let’s be real: there’s nothing like a stay at a fancy hotel, right?

Personally, I’m a sucker for a luxurious hotel experience, and if I can book one for free or at a more affordable rate, you better believe I’m gonna do it.

Give it to me!

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More Value for Your Points

Using rewards points for resort bookings can provide a high return on investment compared to options like cash back or gift cards.

For example, let’s say you have 90,000 credit card points that are worth $900 in cash back. This would be a redemption value of 1 cent per point.

However, if you transfer points to a travel partner and book a resort stay worth $900, you may only need to use 75,000 points, giving you a redemption value of 1.2 cents per point (completely hypothetical example, but you get the point).

Transferring flexible points to travel partners can sometimes come with a transfer bonus, which can increase the redemption value of your points even more!

This means you can stretch your points further and potentially save a ton on your travel expenses. Just keep in mind that redemption values and point requirements can vary, so it’s best to do the math before making any redemptions.

BUT as far as redemptions go, there’s no such thing as a bad redemption. If you’re saving money on travel, then that’s a win every single time. So don’t stress too much over the math!

Flexibility

One of the best benefits of using points for resort bookings is the flexibility it offers.

Unlike other redemption options like cash back or gift cards, which have a fixed value, points can often be redeemed for different amounts depending on the property and the time of year.

For example, during off-peak season, you may be able to book a resort stay for fewer points than during peak season.

Plus some hotel loyalty programs may offer promotions or discounted rates on certain properties, which can further increase the value of your points.

You can often change or cancel your reservation without penalties as long as you comply with the hotel’s cancellation policy.

This level of flexibility is helpful when you need the freedom to adjust plans. Flexibility gives you more confidence in making travel plans that work best for you!

Rewarding Loyalty

Booking resorts with points can help you earn even more benefits in the future.

For example, let’s say you’re a member of a hotel loyalty program.

When you use points to book a resort stay, not only do you save money on the cost of the room, but you may also be earning nights towards elite status which can unlock even more benefits.

Most hotel loyalty programs offer perks to elites like free breakfast, late checkout, or room upgrades. These perks can make your resort stay even better and can add value to your overall experience.

How to Earn Points

If you want to book incredible resorts with points, you need to earn those points first. Duh Here’s some tips on how to get started:

• Sign up for the hotel loyalty programs
• Choose the right credit card
• Take advantage of promotions and offers
• Book directly with the hotel
• Use shopping portals

Sign Up for Hotel Loyalty Programs

To start earning points for resort bookings, the first step is to enroll in hotel loyalty programs. Every major hotel chain offers a free loyalty program that rewards you with points for your stays. Although each program is different, joining is simple and usually only takes a few seconds.

*Some hotel loyalty programs require that you be a member of their program for some length of time (usually 30 days) before you can transfer points from partners. So the earlier you join the program the better to take advantage of potential promotions without any delays.

Choose the Right Credit Card

Another way and probably the quickest way to earn points for resort bookings is to use a travel rewards credit card and earn a welcome bonus.

These cards will offer bonus points or miles for travel-related expenses, like hotel bookings, flights, rental cars, etc.

Look for a card that offers generous rewards for hotel stays or flexible points that you can use for travel.

Just make sure you have good credit and pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

I have a list of travel credit cards so that you can find the one that is right for you. If you’re interested in the cards that I’m currently using to save on travel, check out my favorite cards.

Take Advantage of Promotions and Offers

Hotel loyalty programs often offer promotions or special bonus offers that can help you earn more points faster. For example, you may earn bonus points for booking a certain number of nights or staying at a new property. Keep an eye on your email or the loyalty program website for these opportunities!

Book Directly with the Hotel

Booking directly with the hotel can score you more points! Usually, if you’re using a third-party site to book your stay, you won’t be able to earn any loyalty points.

So booking directly is usually the best option.

Plus, if you do find a cheaper deal on some other website, most hotels will match it if you book directly with them (as long as it’s the exact same room).

Also, booking directly may give you more flexibility regarding room selection, cancellation policies, or loyalty program benefits.

Use Shopping Portals

Don’t forget to stack your credit card points by using shopping portals. It’s seriously so easy and convenient. Many big hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, or IHG will be available for cash back on these sites.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, check on Cashback Monitor or install Chrome extensions for your favorite shopping portals.

Rakuten is a favorite among budget travelers because you can convert cashback into AMEX Membership Rewards.

Shopping portals make it easy to earn even more rewards on purchases you’re already making.

Let’s go!

Booking hotel stays with points can be a great way to save money, especially for stays that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

By joining loyalty programs, using shopping portals, and taking advantage of transfer bonuses, you can stretch your points even further.

And most importantly remember to have fun with this! If planning travel stresses you out, you’re doing it wrong.

Remember that even small savings can add up, so be proud of what you’re able to accomplish. Ultimately, travel is about having fun and creating unforgettable experiences, so keep that in mind and enjoy yourself!

If you think this booking with points thing may be for you, you’ll want to check out my post on FREE budget travel apps you should download today.

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• Intro to Budget Travel
• Intro to Points and Miles
• Find the Best Price for Travel

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Editorial Disclosure – The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.

The post 7 Incredible Resorts You Can Book with Points appeared first on Traveling Franklins.

If you’re someone who loves traveling but wants to explore the world without spending a fortune, then you’ve probably heard of points and miles or award travel.

With some strategy, you can accumulate airline miles, hotel points, and credit card rewards to make travel more affordable. And, when it comes to award travel, having the right set of tools is essential.

I’ve been on a mission to find ways to travel more for less and award travel has saved me thousands of dollars. But I’ve learned that if you want to be successful, you need to be organized. Otherwise, you’ll just get stressed out and give up on all this budget travel stuff.

That’s why in this post, I’m bringing you 7 FREE award travel apps to help keep your stuff in order, find the best deals, and earn more rewards.

So, if you’re ready to take your award travel game to the next level (or get started), it’s time to download these apps and start exploring the world without breaking the bank!

Some of the links contained in this post are affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Award Travel Apps Are Essential for Savvy Travelers

• Stay organized and up to date on your offers – Earning points and miles can be overwhelming with so many different programs and promotions to keep track of. However, having the right apps can make it easy to stay organized and up-to-date on your offers. They provide a dashboard to track your rewards, expiration dates, and redemption options in one place.
• Find the best award redemptions for flights – Looking for the best award redemptions for flights can be time-consuming and confusing. Fortunately, there are sites that can help you quickly find the best deals and maximize your rewards. You can search for award redemptions across multiple airlines and programs, compare redemption options, and identify the best value for your rewards points.
• Earn more rewards – Maximizing your rewards is a key and these apps and sites can help you earn even more rewards on your purchases.

Experian Boost App

Before getting started, make sure your financial situation is in good shape. One way to do this is using apps to track your credit score.

Experian Boost is a free financial tool that can help you increase your credit score by adding positive payment history to your credit report.

Using Experian Boost is easy. By linking your bank accounts and bills to your Experian credit report, Experian Boost takes into account your payment history for phone, utility, and streaming services bills, and adds this information to your credit report. This can help you establish a more robust credit history and demonstrate your creditworthiness to lenders.

Even if you think you’re on top of your finances, it’s always a good idea to keep tabs on your credit score, and Experian Boost makes it easy to do that. With this app, you can potentially improve your credit score and unlock better rewards and benefits for travel.

Credit Karma App

Another favorite free personal finance tool is Credit Karma which gives you access to your credit scores and reports. It’s designed to help you understand your credit and improve your financial standing.

With Credit Karma, you can track your credit score and monitor changes in your credit report. You can also receive personalized recommendations for credit cards and loans based on your credit profile. Credit Karma’s platform also offers educational resources and tools to help you understand credit and make informed financial decisions.

Credit Karma also offers credit monitoring services that alert you to changes in your credit report, which can be helpful in detecting fraud or identity theft.

Having both Credit Karma and Experian Boost is a smart move. Both apps are free and offer different features that focus on improving your credit score. Credit Karma provides access to your credit scores and reports, giving you a better understanding of your financial standing. Experian Boost can help you increase your credit score by adding positive payment history to your credit report.

Travel Freely App

When you’ve got your finances sorted and you’re ready to start racking up those credit card rewards, you need a way to keep everything in one place.

That’s where Travel Freely comes in. It’s a free app that lets you track your credit cards, annual fees, and bonus points, and even tells you when it’s time to get a new credit card.

One of the main benefits of using Travel Freely is that it is free to use. You don’t need to pay for access to the app or any features. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate.

The Points Guy App

I love the Travel Freely app, but The Points Guy app is another free if want to stay on top of the latest travel news, deals, and rewards programs. This app is designed to help you maximize your travel rewards and make the most of your trips by providing a wealth of information and resources.

What I like about The Points Guy app is the ability to track and manage travel rewards. You connect all of your accounts and the app will track your purchases and give you a summary of all your earnings.

My favorite feature is that it gives you a report about any missed points. The app will display the card you used for a purchase and the points you earned. It shows a side-by-side comparison of the card you have that could have earned you more points for that purchase, and the number of points you missed out on by not using that card.

I will say that I’ve noticed that this feature can be slightly off at times, so it’s still important to know your cards but overall it’s been a great tool for me.

If you’ve heard of The Points Guy, you know it’s an amazing resource from beginners to experts. So of course the app will give you access to their travel advice articles and other features to enhance your travel experience.

Rakuten

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a free cashback website and app that lets you earn cashback on your online purchases. They’ve partnered with thousands of retailers, which means you can earn cashback on a wide range of products and services, including travel bookings.

Why we love it? You can earn cashback on flights and hotels too! Rakuten works with popular travel booking websites like Expedia, Viator, Marriott, Hilton, VRBO, and many more. This means you can earn cashback on top of your credit card rewards and loyalty program points.

But wait, there’s more! You can also convert your cashback into American Express Membership Rewards points for even more rewards. Rakuten is super easy to use too – just sign up for a free account on their website or app and start shopping. I also love using their Chrome extension to make sure I never miss a cash back opportunity.

CardPointers App

The CardPointers App is a free and a great tool for anyone who wants to maximize their credit card rewards.

One of the biggest challenges that many face is keeping track of their rewards and making sure they are using them before they expire. The CardPointers app helps solve this problem by keeping track of your rewards and letting you know when they are about to expire.

In addition to tracking your rewards, the app also helps you keep track of your annual fees. Annual fees can add up quickly, so it’s important to know how much value you’re getting from your credit cards.

One of the best features of the app is the ability to automatically add bonus offers to your credit cards. Many credit cards offer bonus rewards for specific purchases, but it can be time-consuming to manually add these offers to your account. With CardPointers, you can easily add these offers with just a few clicks. This can save you time and help you earn more rewards.

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Bilt Rewards App

Have you ever wished that you could earn travel rewards when paying your rent?

You can!

The Bilt Rewards App is free and will help you earn rewards for paying your rent, and put that money towards your travel goals.

To use the Bilt Rewards App, you simply follow the instructions in the app and start earning rewards. You can earn points for every dollar you spend on rent, and these points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including travel, dining, and shopping.

One of the key benefits of the Bilt Rewards App is that it offers a variety of redemption options. You can redeem points to book travel, including flights, hotels, and car rentals. They have a large number of transfer travel partners as well.

Bilt also offers promotions with other major loyalty programs to give you access to accelerated elite status, bonus transfers, and more! These promotions do not require that you have their credit card which is a nice perk.

This app is perfect for anyone looking to maximize their rewards and earn something back for paying rent. It’s a great way to turn a monthly expense into a vacation!

Want a bonus?

In this post, we’ve talked about 7 great award travel apps that you can download today and get you on the right track. But as a bonus, I would like to introduce you to two websites that can help take your skills to the next level.

Roame

Roame is a website and app that helps you find the best award redemptions for flights. It’s great for those looking to maximize their rewards points and get the most value out of their travel. And it is completely free!

With Roame, you can easily search for possible award redemptions across multiple airlines and alliances. This makes it easy to find the best flights and award redemptions in one place. It doesn’t guarantee that there will be availability but it’s a great place to start with your research.

RocketMiles

RocketMiles is a travel booking website that allows users to earn miles and points with various loyalty programs when they book hotel stays.

Rocketmiles offers a unique benefit by allowing travelers to book a hotel and earn bonus rewards through a loyalty program of their choice. For instance, if you’re booking a Marriott hotel but don’t value Marriott Bonvoy points or status, but rather fly frequently with Southwest, you can choose to book through Rocketmiles and earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points instead.

This flexibility allows you to maximize your rewards and choose the program that aligns with your travel goals, rather than being limited to the rewards offered by the hotel’s loyalty program.

As a savvy budget traveler, you know the importance of making the most of your rewards and everyday purchases. By using the right apps and resources, you can earn more rewards, find the best award redemptions, and stay organized and up to date on your offers.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced, these apps and sites can help you make the most of your travel rewards. So, start downloading these apps and travel smarter, not harder!

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• Intro to Points and Miles
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I love points and miles because it has allowed me and my husband to travel the world without paying full price. We’ve stayed at all inclusive resorts and booked business-class flights all for a fraction of the cost.

Points and miles can save you thousands of dollars on travel which is why there have been so many myths about the various techniques that people use to earn them. In turn, this can cause many people to miss out on all the amazing travel opportunities available!

Travel is not reserved for the wealthy or frequent business traveler. You deserve to make this investment in yourself through travel. Let’s debunk those myths!

Give it to me!

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Myth: Travel Rewards Credit Cards are the only option

While travel rewards credit cards are an excellent tool for earning rewards, they’re not the only option. There are many other ways to earn travel rewards. You’ve got loyalty programs, shopping portals, travel rewards apps, dining programs, and more!

I wrote about this in my post 7 strategies that don’t require credit cards.

Yes, travel rewards credit cards can be a fantastic way to quickly earn rewards. However, if you’re not ready to dive in and apply for new credit cards, that’s ok! There are plenty of other ways to start earning rewards and redeem them for meaningful travel experiences.

Before choosing a rewards strategy, think about your travel goals, travel style, spending habits, and preferred travel partners.

Myth: Points and Miles with credit cards is unethical or illegal

Points and Miles with credit cards is the technique of maximizing loyalty programs to the fullest. It doesn’t go against the terms and conditions of these loyalty programs.

Loyalty programs are designed to incentivize customers to remain loyal to a particular airline, hotel, rental car company etc. and these programs are often very profitable for them. By offering rewards and perks to loyal customers, these programs encourage repeat business and foster customer loyalty. And loyalty is a powerful thing. They want you to take advantage of these programs.

The thing is, they know that most people won’t.

With that being said, there are always going to be some practices that can be unethical. That’s with anything, but most people follow the rules and use legitimate strategies to earn rewards and save money on travel.

If you are found to be breaking the rules or engaging in unethical practices this not only undermines the integrity of this practice, but can also result in negative consequences such as account closure, loss of rewards, or legal repercussions.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what strategies you’re comfortable with. But if you follow and read information from legitimate sources, points and miles with credit cards can be a great way to save money on travel!

Myth: It is risky and can harm your credit score

This misconception comes from opening new credit card accounts, which can temporarily lower your credit score. The keyword here is temporary.

But it’s also because people just don’t understand how credit scores work.

In reality, opening new credit cards alone will not harm your credit score in the long run. It can actually improve it. Credit scores are based on a variety of factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and new credit inquiries.

By using credit cards responsibly and paying your bills in full and on time, you can demonstrate to credit bureaus that you’re a responsible borrower and this can improve your credit score.

How it can improve your credit score:

• Lower your credit utilization ratio – By opening multiple credit cards and increasing your available credit, you can lower your credit utilization ratio, which is the percentage of your available credit that you’re currently using. A lower credit utilization ratio can positively impact your credit score.
• Diversify your credit mix – Credit mix refers to the variety of credit accounts that you have, including credit cards, loans, and lines of credit. By opening new credit cards and using them responsibly, you can demonstrate to lenders that you’re capable of managing multiple types of credit accounts, which can positively impact your credit score.
• Demonstrates responsible credit management: As long as you use your credit cards responsibly and make your payments on time, having multiple credit cards can demonstrate to lenders that you are capable of managing credit responsibly. This can have a positive impact on your credit score.

Remember, it’s important to use credit cards responsibly and pay your bills on time in order to avoid negative impacts on your credit score. But when used responsibly, credit cards can actually benefit your credit score and help you save money on travel at the same time.

To help you get a handle on your credit score download and use free apps like Credit Karma or Experian Boost.

Myth: It is only for frequent travelers

Another myth is that people feel that they don’t travel enough to take advantage of these strategies. But that’s just baloney!

While frequent travelers can certainly benefit it’s a strategy that can be used by anyone who wants to save money on travel.

Many of those who are successful are occasional travelers or those who only travel once or twice a year.

Credit card welcome bonuses can provide a significant boost to your rewards balance, even if you don’t use the card for everyday spending.

By signing up for a credit card with a large welcome bonus and using it to pay for your travel expenses, you can earn enough rewards to offset major costs of your trip without being a frequent traveler.

We earned enough points to stay at a luxury Hilton in Arizona for 7 nights for $0 without having even stayed in any Hilton Hotels for months. You can also earn enought mile to get almost free flights without even having to set foot on an airplane.

Myth: It requires a lot of time and effort

Ok, can we all agree that anything worth while is going to take some time and effort? You’ll be hard pressed to find a hobby that can bring as much joy as traveling, that doesn’t require a lot of time and effort.

And once you start seeing the world and experiencing new cultures, all that effort will be totally worth it. What makes this a myth, is that if you don’t want to put in a lot of time and effort, you don’t have to.

The good news is that there are plenty of easy and straightforward strategies you can use to start earning rewards. For example, signing up for loyalty programs or clicking through a shopping portal can take just a few minutes of your time and can earn you valuable points or miles.

But the truth is, you’ll get out of it what you put into it. If you’re only interested in opening one credit card to snag the welcome bonus and then never looking at travel rewards credit cards again, that’s totally fine. It’s not a competition, and everyone’s travel goals and strategies are different.

You don’t need to become a points and miles mastermind and spend hours researching the best deals or stacking different rewards programs to maximize your savings. In fact, taking a more laid-back approach can be just as effective.

As long as you’re saving money on travel and having fun while doing it, that’s all that really matters. So go ahead and enjoy the journey, one reward point at a time!

Check out my post about apps you should download today so that you can keep organized and be less overwhelmed.

Myth: Travel rewards points always expire quickly

Yes, some programs have strict expiration policies that require you to use your rewards within a certain timeframe, but that’s why I love flexible points currencies like travel credit card rewards.

If you have a travel credit card with flexible points like Capital One Venture Miles, Citi ThankYou Points or Chase Ultimate Rewards which can be transferred to travel partners then you never have to worry about your points expiring for as long as you hold the credit card.

Some hotel and airline loyalty programs may offer points or miles that don’t expire as long as there is activity on the account within a certain timeframe, such as earning or redeeming rewards. If you have a co-branded airline or hotel credit card, making sure you have a some spend on those cards may be enough to keep your account active and your points from expiring.

Of course, make sure you read the terms and conditions for each program carefully to understand their expiration policies and requirements.

Myth: It’s impossible to find award availability

It’s not impossible to find award availablity, but the key is to be flexible. If you’re flexible then you’ll be able to find a good amount of award availability if you look far enough in advance.

To increase your odds of find award availability, it’s best to plan ahead and book early. Many travel rewards programs release award availability up to a year in advance, so booking early can give you the best chance of finding the availability you need.

So, if you’re thinking about planning a fun summer vacation with your kids, it’s never too early to start planning ahead. In fact, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your travel plans at least a year in advance, especially if you want to make the most of your rewards.

One of the great things about award redemptions is that they’re usually pretty flexible and come with little or no penalty for cancellations or changes to your plans. So don’t be afraid to start booking early.

Myth: It is only for international travel

While it’s true that many tend to focus on international flights and luxurious hotels (just look at Instagram) to get the most value out of their rewards, it’s important to remember that there are still plenty of ways to save and find value when it comes to redeeming rewards for domestic travel.

So don’t be discouraged if you’re not quite ready to take that big international trip just yet. There’s still plenty of adventure to be had closer to home, and you can still make your rewards work for you no matter where you choose to travel.

Final Thoughts

Understandably, you may want to have all the information before you dive into the world of earning points and miles with credit cards. However, don’t let these myths stand in the way of the almost free travel that you deserve!

Educate yourself and get the facts. I’ve spent years doing research and practicing these techniques so that you don’t have to. If you’re ready to learn more grab my Free Budget Travel 101 course and let’s get you traveling more for less!

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