Tips on how to use bank card factors for journey

Sharing my tips about how one can use bank card factors for journey. Take a look at the entire particulars right here!

There are some issues in my life that I remorse. That one time I moved to Tucson and was having a disaster and received bangs. Quitting my MBA program once I was greater than midway completed. Aaaaand not signing up for reward bank cards sooner.

We frequently heard our mates speaking about bank card factors, however since we had debt prior to now, it was one thing we prevented. We stored listening to about free flights and lounge entry, so about 10 years in the past, we determined to go for it. It’s been a complete gamechanger. Since then, we have now traveled a number of instances without spending a dime, loved resort upgrades, lounge entry, and have been rewarded for on a regular basis spending by way of factors.

Tips on how to use bank card factors for journey

Tips on how to Use Credit score Card Factors for Journey: Maximize Rewards for Flights, Lodges, and Lounge Entry

On this put up, I’m going to share some tips about how one can maximize your bank card rewards for journey and share my expertise with the American Express Platinum Card, together with its professionals and cons. I’ll additionally share my favourite ideas for getting the very best airfare offers!

Methods to Use Credit score Card Factors for Journey

1. Free Lodge Stays & Upgrades

Many journey bank cards can help you redeem factors without spending a dime resort nights at main chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Some playing cards additionally provide computerized elite standing, which might result in room upgrades, late checkout, and free breakfast. After I ebook by way of the Amex journey portal, we’re in a position to see which rewards we’ll obtain, whether or not it’s late checkout, early check-in, a resort credit score, or a room improve when obtainable. You additionally get $200 credit score every year for his or her High-quality Lodges & Resorts assortment.

(Free room service at our upgraded Venetian suite in Vegas. Our flight was additionally free)

Tip: Search for switch companions the place your factors stretch additional. For instance, American Categorical Membership Rewards factors switch at a 1:1 ratio to Hilton Honors however typically have promotions providing additional worth. Generally you may get 2 for 1 factors so it’s value it!! You are able to do this immediately by way of the American Categorical web site.

2. Reserving Flights & Scoring Airfare Offers

Top-of-the-line methods to make use of bank card factors is to ebook flights. You may redeem factors immediately by way of your card’s journey portal or switch them to airline companions for even higher worth.

Finest methods to search out airfare offers:

Use Google Discover: In the event you’re versatile on vacation spot, Google Flights Discover can present you the most cost effective locations to fly from your own home airport. Don’t be afraid to verify day-after-day, scroll round, and play with versatile dates and areas.

Be Versatile on Dates & Location: Even shifting your departure by someday could make an enormous distinction.

Set Value Alerts: Web sites like Google Flights and Skyscanner allow you to monitor costs and get notified when fares drop.

Switch Factors at a Bonus: Some bank cards provide switch bonuses when shifting factors to airline applications, providing you with additional worth. *Look and see which airline is working your required flight. For instance, I booked a flight by way of Delta the opposite day that was operated by Air France. Discover the identical flight on their web site and switch your factors to their rewards program to get a fair higher deal.

3. Airport Lounge Entry

Lengthy layovers? Flight delays? Airport lounges could make your expertise so significantly better. The American Categorical Platinum Card offers complimentary Precedence Go, Centurion Lounge, and Delta Sky Membership entry (when flying Delta). Meaning free meals, drinks, comfy seating, and generally even showers and spa companies. The ladies LOVE the lounge life and are fairly used to it lol.

Tip: Examine which lounges can be found at your airport prematurely utilizing the Precedence Go app or Amex Journey.

The Professionals & Cons of the American Categorical Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum is among the finest journey bank cards, but it surely’s not for everybody.

Right here’s what I really like and what to think about earlier than signing up.

Professionals:

Huge Welcome Bonus: Typically value sufficient for a free worldwide flight.

Lounge Entry: Precedence Go, Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Membership, and extra.

Lodge & Rental Automobile Perks: Elite standing at Hilton and Marriott, plus reductions on automotive leases.

Annual Journey Credit: $200 airline charge credit score, $200 resort credit score, Uber credit, and extra.

No International Transaction Charges: Nice for worldwide journey.

Month-to-month advantages at choose retailers: They’ve new advantages every month you could add to your account, together with disocunts at lululemon, Kendra Scott, Warby Parker, and so forth. You additionally get a Saks credit score twice a yr.

Additionally they cowl the price of World Entry/TSA pre-check for every cardholder. (You get pre-check with World Entry.)

Cons:

Excessive Annual Payment: $695 per yr, which is steep until you maximize the advantages.

Not the Finest for On a regular basis Spending: The incomes construction favors journey purchases over common bills.

Lounge Overcrowding: Centurion lounges can get busy, and up to date restrictions restrict visitor entry.

Last Ideas: In the event you journey typically and may reap the benefits of the perks, the Amex Platinum is a wonderful card. If not, you is perhaps higher off with a lower-fee journey card.

(I can all the time discover protein and a vegetable within the lounge)

Last Ideas for Maximizing Your Credit score Card Factors

Plan forward and ebook award flights early. I discover that the candy spot is 6-8 weeks prematurely for home flights and 8-12 weeks for worldwide (although generally I can discover offers as we get nearer to the date).

Use switch bonuses to get extra worth out of your factors. That is the place you may get loopy offers!!

Reap the benefits of assertion credit to offset journey prices.

Use a mixture of money and factors strategically to stretch your rewards. Generally it’s cheaper to purchase the factors you want as a substitute of merely paying in money.

In the event you’re concerned with making use of for the American Express Platinum Card, you should use my referral link here. We’ve had a tremendous expertise with it to date and it’s our #1-used card. (We use the Southwest card for all of my enterprise bills).

Do you employ bank card factors for journey? What’s your finest redemption to date? Go away a remark beneath—I’d love to listen to your ideas!

Some additional sources:

Just Get Out of Town (the $7 book was value each penny!)

The Points Guy