If you spend any time reading travel blogs, you’ve likely come across the concept of point hacking.
Point hacking (aka travel hacking) is a strategic approach to accumulating reward points and miles from various loyalty programs. It involves exploiting the benefits offered by credit cards, frequent flyer programs, hotel chains, and other travel-related memberships to optimize travel experiences while minimizing costs.
By carefully selecting credit cards, earning sign-up bonuses, leveraging spending categories, and utilizing promotional offers, point hackers can accumulate a substantial amount of points, which can then be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and more.
This practice requires careful planning, research, and adherence to responsible financial practices, but it opens doors to remarkable travel opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.
Now, I’m sure that sounds intimidating. And it is complicated! There are plenty of resources out there that will help you maximize your efforts, if that’s what you’re interested in.
For this article, I’m just going to explain what cards I hold in my wallet, and why I keep them around.
Disclosure: This blog post contains referral links. If you decide to apply for a card through one of these links, I receive a points bonus – and you may too! Make sure to read the fine print on each offer.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the centerpiece of my travel card collection. With its generous rewards program, I earn 3X points on travel and dining worldwide and 1X points on all other purchases. The points earned can be redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal at a 50% bonus, making them more valuable if you prefer not to use transfer partners.
But using transfer partners is where this card shines! You can get incredibly good deals by transferring points to a hotel or airline (how about a $6000 business class round trip flight to Europe for $1000 worth of points if you used them as cashback?)
But with an annual fee of $550, how do I justify the cost? Well, this card offers a $300 annual travel credit that reduces the effective annual fee to $250 out of the gate. It also provides a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years.
One of the other standout features of this card is the Priority Pass membership, which grants me access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. While not valuable to everyone, I really enjoy sitting in a comfy seat with a working plug and free food before my flight. While I don’t think the lounges are work arriving early for, they do make layovers that much more pleasant!
Additionally, the Sapphire Reserve provides trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and other travel protections that give me peace of mind during my journeys. Goodbye separate travel insurance!
Beyond these travel benefits, the card also includes credit with Instacart, Doordash, and Gopuff. I don’t find these last three that valuable, but it’s nice that they’re there and I do use them occasionally.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited card complements my Sapphire Reserve with its unlimited 1.5X cashback on all purchases, in addition to 3X back at drugstores. I can then transfer these points to my Sapphire Reserve and use them with travel partners. What’s even better is that this card has no annual fee, making it a valuable addition to my wallet without any extra cost.
Chase Freedom Flex
The Chase Freedom Flex card is the twin to the Unlimited – but instead of 1.5X cash back on all purchases, it rotates categories at 5X cashback, such as grocery stores or gas. Like with the Unlimited, I can then transfer these points to my Sapphire Reserve and use them with travel partners. And, like the Unlimited, there is no annual fee.
Bilt Mastercard
The Bilt Mastercard is a unique addition to anyone’s travel card collection as it allows you to earn points on rent payments. As a frequent traveler, this card helps me turn my monthly rent expense into travel rewards. While I no longer rent, I still use the card on the first of every month when all points categories are doubled. Like the Sapphire Reserve, it has many valuable travel partners to make the points more valuable. But the most special thing about this card is that it is one of the only travel cards with transfer partners with no annual fee – which makes it a no brainer to get!
Amex Blue Business Plus
I also make sure to carry a card that earns American Express Points, my Blue Business Plus. It offers 2X points on all eligible purchases up to $50,000 per year. I use this card to make all purchases that don’t fit into one of the other categories. This card has no annual fee and offers a variety of transfer partners.
Discover it
This was my first card, though not one that offers much benefit when it comes to travel. But with no annual fee and 5X in rotating categories, this a great starter card for those looking to build up their credit. This is also a great option if “the points game” is more work than you want to put in, because it is one of the best cashback cards on the market.
Founders Card
While not a credit card, the Founders Card offers similar perks. For me, I invested in the card for the discounts on airlines and hotels, as well as fast tracks to status with United, Hyatt, and Caesar’s. I got it at a promotional rate of $295/year, but it can run as high as $595/year. I’m not sure how long I’ll keep it active with the steep price tag, but so far I have more than broken even.
Rakuten
Rakuten is not a credit card, but a cashback portal to use with online shopping. But what makes it special is that instead of cashback, I can earn points with American Express, and use these points with their transfer partners.
With this incredible lineup of travel credit cards, my wallet is well-equipped for any adventure that comes my way. If you’re a travel enthusiast like me, I highly recommend considering these cards to take your journeys to the next level! Happy travels!