Travel hacking is an engaging way to reduce travel and hotel costs, using credit cards with loyalty programs to maximize point and mile earnings and make luxury trips more cost-effective.
Before beginning credit card travel hacking, it is crucial that you identify goals. This will enable you to select cards and loyalty programs which best meet your requirements.
1. Don’t Let Your Card Out of Sight
Credit card fraud is on the rise, making it all the more important to take steps when traveling and staying in hotels or Airbnbs where thieves could potentially access your credit card information easier.
Travel hacking involves using credit cards to earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays and other travel experiences – and can help save hundreds or even thousands on future vacations!
But before diving in to travel hacking, make sure that it is the appropriate choice for you. Remember that you must be able to pay off credit card balances every month without incurring serious damage to both finances and credit score; and also that you feel comfortable taking steps such as taking advantage of sign on bonuses and tracking rewards points.
2. Pay in the Local Currency
Travel hacking is an increasingly popular way to reduce airfare and hotel costs, by taking advantage of credit card rewards programs as well as airline and hotel loyalty program bonus offers.
Accumulating the initial sign-up bonus on a new credit card may be enough to cover round trip tickets or several free hotel nights; it’s therefore crucial that you devise a strategy for collecting points or miles and tracking them carefully.
Airfare Watchdog warns travelers traveling abroad that paying with local currency could result in markups of up to 12.5 percent on original bills, according to Airfare Watchdog. When at the point of sale you have a choice between paying local or USD, always opt for local as it will protect both your bank account and help prevent being taken advantage of by dishonest sellers.
3. Don’t Let Your Card Out of Sight
As a travel hacker, credit cards can play an integral part in earning rewards points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades and hotel stays that would normally cost significantly more.
Identity theft and credit card fraud have become major concerns among travelers, particularly during trips overseas. Thieves could pickpocket your physical wallet or use radio-frequency identification skimmers at ATMs and other points of purchase to access card details stolen from the cards in your wallet and skim them for information that they can later use against you in fraud schemes.
No matter where you travel, never leave your card out of sight – this simple but effective measure can protect both physical and digital theft. Also be sure that your bank/card issuer knows you are traveling – this may help ensure your first purchase doesn’t get wrongfully flagged as fraud and save you from financial headache if your card becomes compromised. Plus many cards provide text alerts when charges occur so you can keep an eye on your balance!
4. Don’t Let Your Card Out of Sight
Travel hacking novice or expert alike can use credit card rewards points and miles to significantly lower airfare and hotel stays costs. In order to maximize travel benefits from credit cards, it is important to understand their terms and conditions, research loyalty programs and use rewards cards responsibly in order to take full advantage of them.
Maintaining visibility of cards is also essential to prevent theft or fraud, and can protect from identity thieves attempting to access stolen credit or debit card details left in coat pockets, purses or backpacks, or through unprotected public Wi-Fi connections.
Beginners should start out by looking for no annual fee credit cards that offer rewards programs and manage them responsibly. Be mindful of both your balance and spending so as to properly use these cards responsibly, especially while traveling – checking regularly during this period may catch any unauthorized charges early. Credit card companies usually notify their customers if any fraudulent charges have been made on your accounts.
