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How to travel on points and not break the bank

So, by now I hope you have read some of the articles I have posted on this website blog.

If not I suggest you go back into the blog archives and scroll through to find the tricks and tips that I have shared with you all to learn how to travel on a budget, for cheap or free.

Let’s talk about the tricks of opening credit cards for points so you understand how the travel hacking game works.

One important rule of thumb in the travel hacking game is to to never rely on your your debit card unless you actually need cash for something, like a trip to Cuba, which is a cash paying country.

I mentioned in the last article I published on how I traveled to Paris, France in May for less than $300.00. This was only for the airfare, but knowing in the midst of the beginning of travel season and three weeks before the trip, this was a steal.

Getting back to it let’s talk about opening your first credit card after you meet the minimum spend (MS). One thing you should know is the key to traveling on a budget is focusing on what you can afford and not what others are doing.

A key quote I hear often, “is comparison is the thief of joy.” You can compare yourself to others who have millions of dollars and doing all the things or you can travel on your own journey and own budget. Do what works or you! 

Now, let’s get this one thing straight. I lost my corporate job end of 2020 and was doing quite well for myself. I’ve had to adjust to the ‘after life,’. 

After life you ask? Well, after life as I would explain is going back to the days of feeling like I am on a college budget.

I have made a choice to not return to corporate america and focus solely on my retreat and skincare business. I have a true entrepreneurial spirit and determined to make the afterlife work. 

With that said I am not the person opening credit cards with $10,000 minimum spends(MS).  What does that mean?

Each credit card has a goal or MS to reach. So, for example I recently opened the American Express business blue card because I knew what my budget is and with what I charge on my credit cards daily. Also with some larger purchases coming up for my business I knew I could reach the MS of $4,000. (over a three or four month period)

Low and behold I opened that card about eight weeks ago and because I had to make a larger purchase I was able to meet the minimum spend. This card may give me a lower number of points at 15,000 points, but 15,000 points is more points than I had before and can be transferred to various airlines, like Air France which is whom I am flying to Greece with and used to fly to Paris in 2022.

I earned these tickets by swiping my card (treating it like a debit card), all while knowing you must pay the balance(s) off every month.

I know if I cannot pay the balance off I won’t charge things to the card. Holding balances and allowing your credit card debts to add up is where the biggest problem lies when keeping good credit. Financial literacy and budgeting is not something America does a great job at teaching to others. 

You may ask what is the best card to open? I cannot personally tell you, but happy to offer you some advice and if you are just getting started, definitely start off with the CPS (Chase Sapphire Preferred). 

The second card I opened due to its benefits is the American Express gold. With the American Express gold card I have booked a round trip economy ticket to Paris, France in 2022 and have two round trip tickets to Athens, Greece for August 2023. The benefits of being able to rack up points on this card far outweighs the yearly $250.00 annual fee (AF).

I also know the af gets me $10 of uber rides or eats monthly, which total $120, so if you take that off the $250.00 then you are only truly paying $130.00.

 For the yearly fee I have been able to rack up points and book airfare for inexpensive which to me is like paying for a gym subscription.

Would you pay $250 for the entire year knowing you can book three roundtrip tickets to Europe over a two year period? That is just the basic tickets I have booked. There’s so many more and I have just gotten started. 

I am also proud to say I haven’t paid for airfare in the last year on Southwest airlines as I have earned the companion pass and a lot of points to use with my companion.

With knowing just these tidbits of information are you ready to start learning travel hacking?