Find out how to use bank card factors for journey

Sharing my tips about how you can use bank card factors for journey. Try 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 acquired bangs. Quitting my MBA program after I was greater than midway completed. Aaaaand not signing up for reward bank cards sooner.

We regularly heard our mates speaking about bank card factors, however since we had debt prior to now, it was one thing we prevented. We saved 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 now have traveled a number of occasions without cost, loved resort upgrades, lounge entry, and have been rewarded for on a regular basis spending by way of factors.

Find out how to use bank card factors for journey

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

On this submit, I’m going to share some tips about how you 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 one of the best airfare offers!

Methods to Use Credit score Card Factors for Journey

1. Free Lodge Stays & Upgrades

Many journey bank cards help you redeem factors without cost resort nights at main chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Some playing cards additionally provide automated elite standing, which might result in room upgrades, late checkout, and free breakfast. Once I guide by way of the Amex journey portal, we’re capable of 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 out there. You additionally get $200 credit score annually for his or her Tremendous 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 Specific Membership Rewards factors switch at a 1:1 ratio to Hilton Honors however typically have promotions providing further worth. Typically you may get 2 for 1 factors so it’s value it!! You are able to do this immediately by way of the American Specific web site.

2. Reserving Flights & Scoring Airfare Offers

Top-of-the-line methods to make use of bank card factors is to guide flights. You possibly can 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: If you happen to’re versatile on vacation spot, Google Flights Discover can present you the most cost effective locations to fly from your private home airport. Don’t be afraid to examine each 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 packages, providing you with further 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 good higher deal.

3. Airport Lounge Entry

Lengthy layovers? Flight delays? Airport lounges could make your expertise so a lot better. The American Specific Platinum Card gives complimentary Precedence Move, Centurion Lounge, and Delta Sky Membership entry (when flying Delta). Which means free meals, drinks, snug seating, and generally even showers and spa companies. The women LOVE the lounge life and are fairly used to it lol.

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

The Professionals & Cons of the American Specific Platinum Card

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

Right here’s what I like and what to contemplate earlier than signing up.

Professionals:

Large Welcome Bonus: Usually value sufficient for a free worldwide flight.

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

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

Annual Journey Credit: $200 airline price 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 that you would be able to add to your account, together with disocunts at lululemon, Kendra Scott, Warby Parker, and many others. You additionally get a Saks credit score twice a yr.

In addition 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 except 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.

Ultimate Ideas: If you happen to journey typically and may make the most of the perks, the Amex Platinum is a superb card. If not, you may be higher off with a lower-fee journey card.

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

Ultimate Ideas for Maximizing Your Credit score Card Factors

Plan forward and guide award flights early. I discover that the candy spot is 6-8 weeks upfront for home flights and 8-12 weeks for worldwide (though 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!!

Benefit from assertion credit to offset journey prices.

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

If you happen to’re excited about making use of for the American Express Platinum Card, you need to use my referral link here. We’ve had an incredible expertise with it to this point 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 this point? Go away a remark under—I’d love to listen to your ideas!

Some further assets:

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

The Points Guy