Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights
Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Sign Up for Airline Loyalty Programs
Airline loyalty programs are a game-changer when it comes to racking up points for international flights. By signing up for these programs, you can earn valuable miles or points with every flight you take, which can then be redeemed for free or discounted airfare.
The key is to focus on a few core airlines and their respective loyalty programs. This allows you to concentrate your spending and earn rewards more quickly. Look for programs that offer generous earning rates, flexible redemption options, and elite status perks that can enhance your travel experience.
For example, the American Airlines AAdvantage program offers ample opportunities to earn miles through flights, credit card purchases, hotel stays, and more. The Delta SkyMiles program is another popular choice, known for its extensive route network and partnerships with other airlines. United's MileagePlus program also stands out, with the ability to earn miles on Star Alliance flights and redeem them for a wide range of rewards.
Beyond the major U.S. carriers, international airlines also have compelling loyalty programs. Consider joining programs like Aeroplan (Air Canada), Etihad Guest, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer if you frequently fly with those carriers or their partners.
When signing up for these programs, be sure to provide accurate personal information and keep your account details up-to-date. This ensures that you can easily track your earnings and redeem your miles or points when it's time to book your next trip.
In addition to earning miles or points through flights, many airlines also offer co-branded credit cards that allow you to accelerate your earnings. By using these cards for everyday purchases, you can quickly amass a substantial balance that can be used towards free or discounted flights.
What else is in this post?
- Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Sign Up for Airline Loyalty Programs
- Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Compare Credit Card Rewards Across Airlines
- Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Maximize Points Through Online Shopping Portals
- Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Use Points for Hotel Stays to Save Cash for Flights
- Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Strategize Stopovers to See More on One Ticket
Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Compare Credit Card Rewards Across Airlines
When it comes to racking up points for international flights, savvy travelers know that credit card rewards can be a game-changer. By strategically using credit cards tied to specific airline loyalty programs, you can quickly accumulate miles and points that can be redeemed for free or discounted flights.
One key consideration is to look at the sign-up bonuses offered by different airline-branded credit cards. Some cards may provide 50,000 or more bonus miles just for meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening the account. This can give you a significant head start on earning enough miles for a free roundtrip ticket.
In addition to sign-up bonuses, it's important to examine the ongoing earning rates for each card. Some may offer 2 or 3 miles per dollar spent on purchases with the airline, while others may provide bonus points on broader spending categories like dining, gas, or travel. Knowing where you can maximize your everyday spending can help you rack up points more efficiently.
Another factor to weigh is whether the credit card comes with any perks that can save you money on airfare, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, or discounts on in-flight purchases. These ancillary benefits can add up quickly and offset the annual fee many of these cards charge.
When comparing airline credit cards, it's also prudent to consider the flexibility of the rewards program. Some airlines have more robust transfer partnerships that allow you to move points to hotel programs or other loyalty schemes. This can come in handy if your travel plans change and you need to redeem your points in a different way.
Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Maximize Points Through Online Shopping Portals
In addition to earning points through credit card spend and hotel stays, savvy travelers also know how to rack up extra points for flights by shopping online through airline and hotel shopping portals. These online malls provide an easy way to earn bonus miles, points, or cashback every time you make an eligible purchase.
Most major airlines have their own shopping portals, including American Airlines, Delta, and United. Simply by clicking through the portal before visiting a retailer's website, you can earn upwards of 5x miles per dollar spent at hundreds of stores. The same goes for hotel programs like Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, which also offer bonus points for shopping via their dedicated portals.
Beyond airline and hotel portals, you can also look to flexible programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards. When you hold certain Chase credit cards, you can log into your Ultimate Rewards account and access special offers to earn extra points for shopping at popular retailers. Rakuten is another popular portal that provides generous cashback rates across thousands of stores.
Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Use Points for Hotel Stays to Save Cash for Flights
One savvy way to save cash for flights is to pay for hotels using points instead. Hotel loyalty programs make it easy to rack up free night certificates and points that can be redeemed for free or discounted hotel stays. This allows you to avoid paying cash for lodging, freeing up more of your vacation budget for flights.
For example, with Hilton Honors you can earn free weekend night certificates just by holding one of their credit cards. Marriott Bonvoy offers a free anniversary night certificate each year you renew their co-branded credit card. Hyatt also provides a free night certificate upon cardmember anniversary. By timing these certificates smartly, you can score free nights at high-end hotels during peak seasons.
On top of free night certificates, you can accumulate points to redeem for hotel stays starting at just 5,000 points per night with many major chains. Aim to earn points through promotions like online shopping portals or by transferring points from flexible programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards.
When redeeming points, look for high-end properties where you’ll save hundreds per night compared to cash rates. Using points at airport hotels before long-haul flights can also be a great value.
Globetrotting on the Cheap: How to Rack Up Points for International Flights - Strategize Stopovers to See More on One Ticket
One savvy tactic to maximize your points and miles for international flights is to incorporate strategic stopovers into your itinerary. Rather than simply booking a direct flight from point A to point B, you can often add an extended stopover at an intermediate city for no additional cost. This allows you to explore a bonus destination on a single award ticket.
Many airlines and alliances, such as Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam, offer generous stopover policies that let you linger in a connecting city for up to 24 hours before continuing to your final destination. Some even allow you to build in a multi-day stopover, giving you ample time to sightsee without having to book separate tickets.
Take advantage of this by incorporating a stopover into your award booking whenever possible. For instance, if you're redeeming miles for a flight from New York to Tokyo, you could add a 2-3 night stopover in a city like Hong Kong or Seoul along the way. This lets you experience an additional destination without having to pay for a separate flight.
The key is to be flexible with your travel dates and open to exploring lesser-known hubs. Surprisingly, some of the most interesting stopover cities can also be the least expensive to visit using your points and miles. Cities like Helsinki, Doha, and Reykjavik offer a chance to experience a new culture and culinary scene at a fraction of the cost of the final destination.
To find the best stopover opportunities, carefully review award charts and stopover policies for your preferred loyalty program. Some, like Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, are particularly generous, allowing up to 5 stopovers on a single award booking. Others, like Singapore KrisFlyer, have more restrictions, but can still unlock valuable multi-city options.