The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles
While traveling can be a lot of fun, getting to your destination can be an expensive endeavor. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average domestic airfare price in Quarter One of 2021 was $260.31.
Luckily, you can cut down on the cost of your flight by using points and miles. However, in order to use points and miles, you first need to accumulate them. Check out this beginner’s guide to learn all about traveling on points and miles.
What are Points and Miles?
Essentially, points and miles are a kind of currency. You earn them every time you take a trip or make a purchase on a rewards credit card (more on these later). When you stock up on points and miles, you can use them later for free travel.
The airline and hotel industry is closely intertwined with the credit card industry, and both of these industries work together to make it easier for people to travel the world.
You can use airline miles for airline tickets, and these miles can be earned by buying flight tickets with a certain airline. You can earn points for hotel stays by booking your accommodation through a certain hotel chain or using a certain credit card to book.
You can also use credit card points directly for travel. Delta, American, Alaska, and other major airlines all have mileage programs. Hotels like Hilton, Marriot, and Hyatt all have hotel points programs. If you’re interested in Marriot rewards, be sure to check out these Bank Destinations Club Points.
Additionally, major credit card providers and banks like American Express and Capital One allow you to earn rewards points that you can redeem for various purchases.
Choose the Right Credit Card
You’re not going to earn any points by using a debit card, so make sure you choose the right credit card. With a credit card, you can spend money on everyday expenses while earning points that will get you closer to paying for your trip.
Some credit cards that come with big point perks include Capital One, Chase, Citi, and American Express. It’s also a good idea to look into hotel and airline credit cards to earn points and miles.
While many of these credit cards come with annual fees, the valuable perks often outweigh the once-a-year cost.
Take Advantage of Sign-Up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses are perhaps the best way to accumulate points and miles. With a sign-up bonus, you typically need to spend a certain amount of money within a certain timeframe to earn a certain amount of extra points.
These bonuses help you quickly earn points and miles, but the time it takes for the bonus to appear in your account can vary from issuer to issuer.
Points and Miles: Time to Get Started
As you can see, anyone can earn points and miles to help make their travel cheaper. Now, you just need to find the right program for you.
And, be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips on saving money when traveling.
