• home
  • about
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Plan a Trip with Me
  • Best Travel Cards
  • Read the blog

ashley on the move

  • Travel Planning
  • Destinations
  • Blog

Paying for travel · April 28, 2022

How to Travel for FREE–is a travel credit card right for you?

Ashley on the Move is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Milevalue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Read the full disclosure here

If you’ve ever asked yourself “how can I travel for free?” you probably have also asked “should I get a travel credit card?”. The two tend to go hand in hand. But no worries, friend. I’m spelling it all out for you in this post–why you NEED a travel credit card if you want to travel for free.

pin me for later!

Hey! There are affiliate links sprinkled throughout this post. If you purchase something through a link, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you! That helps me keep this blog up and running 🙂

Since delving into the world of travel hacking, I’ve used my credit card points to get from NC to Colorado for $60, to the USVIs for $10, and redeemed for multiple free hotel stays. It seems too good to be true, but the truth of the matter is if you’re using credit cards but NOT using points–you’re leaving “free” money on the table. If you want to learn how to travel for free, you need a travel credit card!

Before diving in, I do need to state some disclaimers. I am not a financial expert. I share what works well for my family and me because I want you to be able to travel more without a huge vacation bill! So, I recommend talking with a financial advisor if you have one. Or just a trusted family member or friend. 🙂 Just covering my ass here, people.

person shopping online
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

I also need to state that if you cannot pay off your credit card bill in FULL each month or struggle with credit card debt… This post is NOT for you. There are plenty of other ways to save on vacation and I share them all here on this blog–and plan to share more in the future! Get your financial life in order and ensure you are not in debt before beginning to travel hack. 

Final word of caution: if you’re going to be tempted to spend money you don’t have to hit point bonuses or spend minimums DO NOT open a credit card! 

If you need more money tips or budgeting ideas, check out this post. I also LOVE Choose FI, The Budget Mom, and The Avocado Toast Budget for more financial resources and tips.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can get into the fun stuff! Who doesn’t love “free” travel?! I say free in quotation marks because I feel it’s a bit misleading to say it’s truly free. It is points you earn after spending on a credit card at a very limited value (usually 1 cent per dollar). But either way, it’s money NOT coming out of your pocket! 

Let’s take more vacations, shall we? And let’s take more FREE vacations at that.

Table of Contents

  • WHAT IS A “TRAVEL” CREDIT CARD?
  • WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD
  • HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAVEL CREDIT CARD
  • WHICH TRAVEL CREDIT CARD IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
  • Explore more posts on paying for travel!

WHAT IS A “TRAVEL” CREDIT CARD?

There are many many credit cards on the market and it can be hard to determine what’s what. A travel credit card, specifically, provides extra points/miles for purchases related to travel and/or allows you to redeem for travel at a special rate. For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.5 cents when redeemed for travel versus 1 cent for other redemptions.

Exploring tlaquequepaque village, Sedona Az. how to travel for free

Obviously, businesses such as airlines or rental cars that provide credit cards are travel cards. The con here is you typically only get good value when redeeming with that particular business. However, there are a multitude of amazing travel credit cards that are not through an airline. Examples include Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture, and American Express Platinum.

I typically recommend a credit card that isn’t through an airline but from a major bank, such as Chase. This allows you more freedom when selecting airlines and hotels because you don’t HAVE to redeem at a specific business. Also, many of these larger banks have transfer partners with various airlines and hotels. Transfers allow you to redeem at potentially better point values. 

Long story short: going for a travel card with its own travel portal provides you more flexibility.

If you are super loyal to a specific airline or hotel, by all means take out their credit card and get that elite status, baby!!!

Any way you slice it, the secret on how to travel for free is taking out a credit card. And being strategic about it.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

I feel like I could just write “free travel”!!! And that will be the end all be all. But you know me, I’m a bit more long winded than that. 

woman looking at the map
Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

For those of us with student debt, mortgages, and full time jobs, prioritizing travel is just straight up difficult. I have dedicated much of my life and this blog to help you do just that. One of my biggest not-so-secret tips? Travel credit cards. When you have the points and don’t need to budget an extra $1000+ for vacation, it becomes much more doable to book that PTO. I’ve also noticed we are MUCH more eager to take weekend trips when we can redeem points for free hotel stays. Sometimes a weekend trip can add up so much and then we question if we even want to go! 

Aside from redeeming for flights and hotels, most credit cards also have other perks such as rotating discounts in certain categories. Depending on the card you get, you can also get airport lounge access, rebates on hotels, Uber credits, and more. The benefits usually well exceed just getting points. 

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAVEL CREDIT CARD

It’s not just about snagging the hottest travel credit card. 

Many travel credit cards are very appealing with their spending bonuses and airport lounge access. But you have to consider if you’ll: 

  • Actually use the perks it provides (which usually comes with a higher annual fee)
  • Spend in the categories that reaps the most points

Big travel cards like the Chase Sapphire and American Express Platinum have the best perks. However, ONLY if you are actually spending on TRAVEL (not daily spending like groceries or gas). 

paying with a credit card
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

However, cards like the Citi Premier offer extra point bonuses on things like gas and groceries. While we’re in a season of staying at home, we may choose to double down with this card versus a card where we only get 1 point per dollar at the gas pump.

When selecting a credit card, consider your lifestyle. Where are you spending the most money? Look for cards that provide extra point bonuses in those categories. You can usually do a simple Google search. Sites like The Points Guy or Nerd Wallet also have great resources and card comparisons.

Another thing to consider is the point bonus. Most credit cards will offer a very large point bonus if you spend a specific amount of money in a set amount of time. For example, Chase Sapphire typically offers 40,000-80,000 points if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. This is where I give you another word of caution. DO NOT take out a credit card just for the point bonus and then spend more than you actually have!!!

We usually open new credit cards around times when our spending is higher, like Christmas. Please please please don’t go into credit card debt just to get extra points. It is not worth it! It is automatically making your “free” travel worth whatever interest you will be paying (usually between 17-25%, yikes!).

If you’re eager to learn more about how to travel for free, check out my post on travel hacking!

WHICH TRAVEL CREDIT CARD IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Alright, ready to get started on accruing points for your next vacation? Of course you are! Before you go, make sure you get my FREE guide to my favorite travel credit cards. Most of the cards included are ones I’ve tried myself and love! 

You can always email me to ask questions before taking the plunge too! I’m available at hello@ashleyonthemove.com

Comment below: Do you have a travel credit card? What’s your favorite?

PS–want to know my personal favorite credit card right now? The Capital One Venture X. We have LOVED the flexibility and earning potential of this card. Get 75000 bonus points once you hit the spend minimum! (worth over $1000 in travel!)

pin me for later!
pin me for later!

Explore more posts on paying for travel!

  • How to plan and save for a big trip
  • How to plan the perfect trip: tips for an epic adventure
  • Road trip budget: how much we spent in 7 weeks of travel

In: Paying for travel

You’ll Also Love

Lounging on a hammock in the Caribbean seaThe Best Ways to Earn and Use American Express Membership Rewards
Finances 101: how to make your budget work for you
Hand holding 5 of the best credit cards for earning points and milesBest Credit Card Offers for October 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Everything you need to Know About Verde Valley, AZ Wine Region

meet ashley

Hi friend! I’m Ashley, a 20-something newlywed, dog mom, and pediatric physical therapist. I have incurable wanderlust and when I’m not working, I’m dreaming up our next adventure. We utilize credit card points and miles to see the world for nearly free and I’m teaching you the same thing. I’m so glad you’re here!

free credit card consultation

Not sure what credit card you need to meet your travel goals? Fill out the survey to get a FREE personalized credit card recommendation.

connect on instagram

Can’t wait to add another girlie pop to our squa Can’t wait to add another girlie pop to our squad!!!!
🚨Exciting news!! Personalized travel planning j 🚨Exciting news!! Personalized travel planning just entered the chat. 

I’m so grateful and excited to have partnered with Fora Travel to to help you book your next bucket list trip as a travel advisor. Fora has partnerships with over 2,000 hotels and tour companies around the world so you can get VIP perks anywhere you wanna go. Whether you want to just book a hotel for the perks or want a full customized itinerary. 

As such, it’s time to retire this account because it just doesn’t match the vision of my travel advising business. I would LOVE for you to follow me over at @ashleyrice.travel to keep up to date with my blog and travel business. This account will still remain as more of a personal/Raleigh-Durham account. Whether you follow my business account, stick around here, or decide it’s time for us to part ways—thanks for being apart of my journey. 

I’m so excited for what 2023 has to bring! If you have questions about my new venture as a travel advisor, want to book a trip with me, or just see what all the fuss is about, follow me @ashleyrice.travel or send me a DM on either account. I can’t wait to hear from you!

#traveladvisor #travelplanning #luxurytravel #adventuretravel #frequentflyer #firstclass
In 2022, I started to see the potential of what my In 2022, I started to see the potential of what my life could be. Thanks to the blog, Instagram, and burn out in my professional life—I traveled more last year than ever. And 2023 is shaping up to be the same way! My advice remains the same as always: take the damn trip. Use the PTO! Explore on the weekends. Life is short, make it worth it!! 

#travelinspiration #travelreels #travelblogger #luxurytravel #businessclassflyer #frequentflyer #weekendwarrior #sheisnotlost #womenwhotravel #traveladvisor
“Ashley, you just asked for PTO last month” I “Ashley, you just asked for PTO last month” I can’t hearrrr youuuuu 🙉

Who can relate?? Do you have a goal to use more PTO this year?

#travelblogger #travelinspiration #sheisnotlost #womenwhotravel #luxurytravel #pointsandmiles #travelmore #travelreels #traveladvisor
Ready to finally travel more like you always said Ready to finally travel more like you always said in 2023?! Avoid these 3 things and… 

follow @ashleyonthemove_  for more travel tips, travel hacks, and itineraries!

#travelblogger #travelmore #travelinspiration #travelvibes #travelreels #traveladdict #luxurytravel #adventuretravel #womenwhotravel #sheisnotlost #travelcouple
——- See ya, 2022! 👏🏻👋🏻 It was a ——-

See ya, 2022! 👏🏻👋🏻

It was a great year: we bought a house, went on tons of weekend trips, visited 2 new countries, and I changed jobs. 

This space grew by about 100%… even though it’s still small I’m proud of the community here! Instagram is easy to get burned out on and even through my wild inconsistency (lol) I’ve made so many new connections and learned a ton. 

The blog grew by over 60%, too! I’ve been much more consistent over the last 5 months and it’s paying off big time. 

But of course, I’ve got huge goals for 2023 and I can’t wait to make them happen. Thanks for being along for the ride!

#travelblog #travelblogger #sheisnotlost #womenwhotravel #travelcommunity #travelwriters #ncliving #pointsandmiles #pointsandmilescommunity
Plan 👏🏻 ahead👏🏻when👏🏻using👏🏻points!
 
If you really want to maximize your points earnings and use, you need to be thinking about travel 1-2 years out! High ticket items like business class flights and luxury hotels have limited award space… and they go fast. Many hotels and airlines release 360-370 days in advance and award availability goes quick! Like, sometimes same day. 

If you want to book your dream trip with points, you can! Just plan waaaay ahead. Need help figuring out how?! Comment “plan ahead” below so we can chat about what card and points you need for that dream trip!

#pointsandmiles #pointsandmileslifestyle #frequentflyer #luxurylifestyle #luxurytravel #travelhacks #travelhacking #firstclassflight #firstclass #businessclass #businessclassflyer #airportlounge
Cloud over the Andes mountains in Sale to, colombi Cloud over the Andes mountains in Sale to, colombia 🙌🏻 What was your favorite view of 2022?

#travelblogger #travelviews #luxurytravel #frequentflyer #businessclass #firstclassflight #firstclasstravel #pointsandmiles #travelhacks #colombiatravel #salentoquindio #cocoravalley

latest pins

the archives

trending now

work with me

  • Travel Design
  • Brands / General Inquiries

join the club

Read more

  • home
  • about
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work with me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Blog
  • About

Copyright © 2023 ashley on the move · Theme by 17th Avenue