How I Secured Five Years of Free Travel

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For over five years, I have not paid out-of-pocket for airfare or accommodations; instead, I always utilize reward points and miles. Despite my busy travel schedule due to freelance work and family vacations, I find that free travel is not just a distant dream—it’s achievable with the right approach. Here’s my journey.

Three Types of Budget Travelers

In my experience, travelers can be classified into three categories based on their approach to budget travel. The first group consists of those who seldom think about earning points and miles, opting instead for the best cash deals on reservations. While they do miss out on the benefits of travel rewards, this straightforward approach can be easier.

The second group includes travelers who strive to earn points and miles but don’t fully cover their travel costs. These individuals might use rewards to save money on certain trips while paying cash for others.

Lastly, there are the rare travelers—like me—who have accumulated enough points and miles to fund virtually all their travel expenses. At this level, the goal becomes maximizing travel experiences using rewards, resulting in nearly zero out-of-pocket costs. (See also: How 2 People Can See Paris for $500 or Less)

My Path to Reward Travel

Approximately a decade ago, I learned the advantages of frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards, which inspired me to dive deep into this world. In the early days, I often neglected to earn travel rewards through my credit cards and sometimes forgot to use my frequent flyer number or enroll in hotel rewards programs. Looking back, it’s hard to believe I missed out on these opportunities.

I immersed myself in blogs, engaged in online discussions, and attended gatherings with fellow travel reward enthusiasts. My objective was to maximize my points and miles while minimizing travel costs. The fact that I write about credit cards and travel rewards professionally kept me well-informed.

About five years into my efforts, I transformed into the third type of traveler: one who could pay for flights, accommodations, and even rental cars with points and miles, freeing myself from the hunt for cash deals.

During a recent family trip to Europe, our primary expenditures included mainly food and sightseeing, while airfare and lodging costs were substantially covered by points and miles. I used credit card points to rent a car, as my personal auto insurance does not extend outside the U.S. Although there were airline taxes and fees, these were just around $53 per person. (See also: How a Family of 4 Can See Italy for $1,000 or Less)

My Earnings Strategy for Points and Miles

There are three main methods I utilize to earn travel rewards: credit card expenditures, sign-up bonuses from new credit card applications, and various other reward-generating activities.

Credit Card Expenditures

My wife and I meticulously manage our spending by utilizing the most advantageous card for each purchase. This might involve dedicating one credit card for groceries, another for gas, and possibly a third for miscellaneous purchases. Often, we end up with more than a handful of cards! We strive to charge everything possible to our credit cards, provided there are no additional processing fees and we pay off our balances to avoid interest.

Although we incur annual fees on many premium reward cards, we believe it’s a small price to pay for the significant travel rewards we accumulate. (See also: This Is When It Pays to Stay Loyal to a Rewards Credit Card)

Sign-Up Bonuses

Each time I apply for a new credit card, I benefit from sign-up bonuses. While I used to apply frequently, I now focus on cards with the most attractive bonuses, applying for just a few each year for both myself and my wife. It’s hard to resist applying for cards offering 75,000 or even 100,000 points or miles as a sign-up incentive.

Other Reward-Earning Activities

Additionally, I actively seek out other opportunities to earn rewards through various promotions. Credit card issuers sometimes provide incentives for meeting a spending threshold within a specified timeframe. I also inquire for renewal bonuses on cards.

Online shopping portals offer bonus points when utilized, and I often book travel for friends or family using my credit card in return for a check. I’ve even earned hotel points for attending timeshare presentations and received frequent flyer miles for mediocre airline service. Although none of these activities yield large amounts of points on their own, they accumulate over time.

You Can Achieve This Too

I typically take about 15 domestic trips each year along with an international vacation, enabling me to travel often without incurring costs. By studying and adopting similar strategies, there’s no reason why you can’t greatly reduce or completely eliminate your travel expenses. (See also: How to Use Miles and Points for a Big Award Trip)