Travel Hacking 101: Miles, Points + Perks
Let’s Talk Travel Hacking (Without the Overwhelm)
I know it might seem a little strange for a travel advisor to be talking about travel hacking. After all, if you’re booking flights and hotels with points, doesn’t that cut me out of the process?
But here’s the thing: I’m not here to sell you something you don’t need. I’m here to help you travel better and sometimes, that means learning how to make your dollars and miles stretch further. Whether you travel once a year or you’re always chasing your next adventure, using points, miles, and loyalty perks can unlock real value.
And if you're new to all of this? You’re in good company. I’m not a certified travel hacker, just a curious traveler who's learned a lot along the way and wants to share the good stuff (plus a few great resources from people who are experts).
What is “travel hacking?”
You've probably seen people online flying business class to Europe for $5.23 and 42,000 points, or staying at luxury hotels “for free” thanks to credit card miles and rewards. That can absolutely be real (seriously!) but you don’t need to go full spreadsheet-mode to dip your toes into the world of travel hacking.
Whether you're planning your first big trip in years or you're already halfway to elite airline status, learning how to use points, miles, and loyalty perks can help you travel better; and sometimes for less.
And if you're new to this? Don’t worry. I’m no expert, but I do have some helpful insights, great resources, and a few things I’ve learned along the way.
How I Got Curious About Travel Hacking
Like many people, I first heard about travel hacking from Kara and Nate, a travel YouTube couple who made it their mission to visit 100 countries, often using miles and points to get there. Their story made me curious, and eventually I started following one of their side projects: The Daily Drop, a quick and free daily email with points tips, travel deals, and strategy breakdowns that are super digestible, even if you're new.
That newsletter alone is a great place to start if you're “points curious.” Bonus - the newsletter is totally FREE.
What Is Travel Hacking?
At its core, travel hacking is the art of earning and redeeming credit card points, airline miles, and hotel rewards to make travel more affordable (and sometimes way more fun). It can mean:
Booking a hotel for points instead of cash
Upgrading your flight using miles
Getting perks like lounge access or free breakfast
Earning elite status faster through smart spending
It doesn’t mean being irresponsible with money. Quite the opposite; in fact, it requires a fair amount of planning, discipline, and awareness of your financial situation.
Let’s Talk Credit Cards (But Honestly)
The biggest tool in the travel hacker toolbox is a rewards credit card. But let’s be super clear:
⚠️ If you struggle with debt, carry a balance, or aren’t in a stable place financially, skip the credit cards for now. Travel hacking should help you, not put you in a worse position.
That said, if you’re financially solid and pay your cards in full every month, a well-chosen travel credit card can earn you points on things you already buy — and open up some real travel opportunities.
If credit cards aren’t a viable option for you right now, don’t worry! We’ll discuss a few other ways you can earn free perks and rewards here, too.
Annual Fees & What’s Actually Worth It
Many travel cards come with annual fees — sometimes as high as $95 to $695+ per year.
That’s not automatically a bad thing — if the perks are valuable to you. For example:
Do you fly a specific airline often? That card might get you free bags, priority boarding, or companion passes.
For example, I fly Frontier a lot because they have direct flights to my hometown of Grand Rapids from where I live now in Denver. So I got a card with them. It’s $95 a year, but I get free checked bags, free cancellations, and priority boarding. Plus, if I spend $2500 a year (which is fairly easy to do), I get a $100 flight credit, which means the annual fee pays for itself. I was also able to take advantage of a sign up bonus (aka SUB) when I got it that gave me 60k miles for meeting certain spending criteria (rerouting money I was already spending on another credit card), which was the equivalent of 3 free domestic round trip flights.
Do you stay at a certain hotel chain? A hotel card might give you a free night every year or automatic elite status.
Do you want to access airport lounges? Some premium cards give you lounge access, plus credits for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or even Uber rides.
But if you’re not using the perks? That annual fee is just eating into your travel fund.
The Power of Sign-Up Bonuses
One of the best ways to get a big chunk of points fast is to sign up for a new credit card with a welcome bonus. Many cards offer something like:
“Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.”
These sign-up bonuses can often be worth hundreds of dollars — or even a full roundtrip international flight — depending on how you redeem them.
If you're in the market for a new card, it's worth watching these bonuses, as they sometimes jump significantly during special promos or seasonal offers.
Plus, depending on what card you’re using, you can sometimes transfer those points to a partner program for multipliers, turning 10,000 points into 15,000; they can be incredibly beneficial if you watch out for those kind of things.
Lounges: A Surprisingly Game-Changing Perk
Airport lounges might sound like an elite perk you’ll never use… until you walk into one on a long layover, grab a hot meal, sip a drink, and settle into a cozy chair away from the terminal chaos.
Some lounges offer:
Free food and drinks (including alcohol)
Comfortable seating and quieter environments
Showers, nap pods, or even spa services
Business amenities like Wi-Fi, charging stations, and printers
Many premium cards — like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum — offer complimentary lounge access through networks like Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges, or airline-specific clubs. If you fly more than once or twice a year, it’s a perk that can really elevate the experience.
I got into my first airport lounge this year and let me tell you… I was amazed. Free food, free drinks, showers, bathrooms, free Wi-fi, and a ton of outlets with comfy seating? It was a game changer.
For Occasional Travelers
If you travel 1–2 times a year:
Choose one versatile card with good rewards on everyday spending (groceries, gas, dining, etc.)
Focus on flexible rewards (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards)
Sign up for free airline and hotel loyalty programs when you book — they can track your points automatically
Use points for simple wins like hotel nights, seat upgrades, or free bags
For Frequent Flyers
If you're on the go often:
Consider premium cards with lounge access, airline credits, and higher earnings on travel categories
Learn about transfer partners — sometimes you’ll get more value moving points to an airline or hotel program
Use tools like AwardWallet to track balances and expiration dates (full disclosure; it’s not free, but can be worth the cost to make sure you’re recouping expiring points or rewards for busy travelers)
Stack programs when you can: earn hotel points, airline miles, and credit card rewards all on one trip
Why You Should Always Join Loyalty Programs
Even if you never get a credit card, loyalty programs are free and low-effort wins. They can earn you:
Airline miles and hotel points
Free upgrades and elite status over time
Better customer service in many cases
Pro tip: Don’t forget to enter your loyalty numbers when booking. Even if you're using a travel advisor like me, I’ll make sure those points go where they should. If it makes more sense for YOU to book, I will let you know and help walk you through it so you can get your maximum rewards.
Want to Go Deeper? Here Are Some Trusted Resources
If you’re ready to dig into the strategy, check out these free (and non-overwhelming) resources:
🧠 One Mile at a Time – A blog run by Ben Schlappig, who lives and breathes airline miles and hotel rewards.
✈️ The Points Guy – A well-known resource for news, reviews, and tutorials (just be aware some of their content is heavily affiliate-driven).
🌍 Travel Freely – This site was built specifically for beginners. It helps you keep track of your credit card sign-ups, annual fees, and spending goals for bonuses. There’s no upsell, and the founder (a former math teacher turned travel hacker) has a really down-to-earth, helpful tone. You can even use their free tool to track your cards and avoid making mistakes.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a full-time traveler, math wizard, or spreadsheet addict to earn points and miles. With a little intention and a clear handle on your finances, you can start earning rewards and making the most of the trips you already want to take.
Not every card is right for everyone. But with the right fit, travel hacking can be a fun, rewarding tool, whether you use it for your bucket list safari, an upgraded seat to Iceland, or a quiet moment in an airport lounge before a long flight.
And if you ever want help figuring out how to use the points and miles you’ve earned to book your next dream trip? That’s where I come in. 😉
Yours in flight,
Tianna
