Travel hacking is a great way to get a discount on your next vacation. If you have a good credit score, you can even use credit card points to help you pay for your travel expenses. However, there are some precautions you need to take to avoid getting caught.
Manufactured spending
Manufactured spending when traveling is a strategy that helps people earn cash back or rewards points without actually buying anything. It’s not illegal, but it’s also not for everyone. If you’re going to do it, make sure you’re a well-informed consumer.
Credit card issuers are aware of manufactured spending, so they may try to cut it off before it gets too big. You could face legal action if you do it, or even worse, be arrested.
Credit card companies are also worried about manufactured spending because it can hurt your credit score. They don’t like it when you fail to pay off your balances, and they can cancel your account if you’re caught.
Credit cards also have fees that you should be aware of. Purchasing virtual gift cards is another way to get cashback.
Open-jaw tickets frenzy
Open-jaw tickets are a lot more affordable than you might think, and are great for travelers who want to do more than just hop from city to city. You can save money on both flights and ground transportation if you are willing to explore the open air, and there are many companies to choose from. For example, you can find roundtrip tickets for less than the price of two one-way tickets.
Aside from the cost savings, a trip around the world is a lot more fun and less hassle if you can do it in style. This is particularly true if you are traveling with a group of friends. It is possible to get the most out of your travel dollar with a little planning, and using an online booking service can make it happen.
Combining credit card points
Travel hacking can be a bit overwhelming when you first start. However, there are a few tricks to help you save money while traveling. And in many cases, it isn’t a bad idea to combine credit card points to maximize your trip’s rewards.
The best travel-hacking credit card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It has a $450 annual fee, but it’s well worth it. Plus, you can transfer points to your spouse’s account to nab some sweet travel rewards. If you can’t swing the fee, Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great alternative.
Another trick is to use a business card. This can double the points you earn from your credit cards. For extra bonus opportunities, consider using a business card from a hotel or airline.
Experian’s free credit monitoring service
Experian is one of the top three credit bureaus in the United States, and its free credit monitoring service is a great way to keep tabs on your credit report. A credit report is a detailed report of your personal financial information, including your credit history, open accounts, and the amount of credit you have available.
An Experian credit bureau monitor can help catch fraudulent activity before it becomes serious. You can also use it to protect against identity theft.
In addition to its free service, Experian offers several other types of credit monitoring. Some features include real-time alerts about suspicious activity, a weekly credit score update, and a personalized credit file.
There is a fee for some of these services. The average cost is around $7 to $50 a month. This can add up quickly, so you need to be careful. It’s important to research and choose a credit monitoring service that works for your needs.
Backpacker and Travel Buddies
In the past few years, travel hacking has become a fad. While there are many methods and devices to do it, the best is to heed the call of the wise and get your hands on a travel credit card. Not only will you have the freedom to travel for your buck, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the rewards of your hard work with little to no hassle.
The best way to achieve this is to sign up for a travel credit card and keep up with the latest offers. The rewards are not limited to airfare, either. Several major loyalty programs offer shopping portals where you can earn extra points for shopping on their sites. These benefits aren’t just limited to a trip to the store once in a while; a home improvement project can also be a gold mine.