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 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 Ink Business 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 Ink Business 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.
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 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!