The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Credit Card Points for Free Travel

Have you ever wondered how to use credit card points for travel and score free flights and hotel stays?

You’re not alone. I get asked all the time how I manage to travel so much without breaking the bank. Personally, I haven’t paid for an international flight in the past four or five years, and in that time, I’ve taken about 20 trips using credit card points as my primary way to book airfare and hotels.

This isn’t some exclusive secret for the super rich or frequent business traveler—Nope! Anyone can do it with just a little bit of strategy.

I created this guide to help you stop overpaying for travel and start exploring the world for FREE—without spending more than you already do.

In this guide, I’ll break down which credit cards to start with, how to earn points fast, and the best ways to redeem them for flights, hotels, and more. By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step roadmap to booking your first free trip!

Quick Start Guide to Travel Hacking With Credit Cards

Best First Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best Advanced Card: Capital One Venture X
Best Software to Find Cheap Flights: Daily Drop Pro
Best App to Stay Organized: AwardWallet

How Do You Travel For Free With Credit Card Points?

The idea is simple: you earn points through everyday spending, welcome bonuses, and loyalty programs, then redeem them for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. When done correctly, you can cover most—if not all—of your travel costs without spending extra money.

I’m living proof that anyone can do this—I’m just a regular person, yet I was able to cover all the flights, hotels, and train passes for my husband and I on our two-week honeymoon in Switzerland!

Pretty wild, right?

But this method requires planning and discipline.

Kate and her husband stand at a scenic overlook in Switzerland, posing in front of a stunning turquoise alpine lake surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains. The lush greenery and rugged cliffs enhance the breathtaking view behind them. — Our two week Honeymoon in Switzerland we booked for FREE!

Criteria You Must Meet to Travel Hack With Credit Cards

Before diving into travel hacking, there are a few things you need to have in place to make this work for you without messing up your finances.

USA Resident – The strategies I cover here will work best if you live in the US. Most of the best travel credit cards are from U.S. banks, so if you live outside the country, this may not apply to you.
Good Credit Score (700+) – A good credit score (700 or higher) gives you the best shot at getting approved for top travel cards. If your score isn’t quite there yet, work on getting into a good financial place before you start doing this.
Organized – You need to be organized to play the game of travel hacking, especially if you want to be good at it. Create a spreadsheet or use a free app like AwardWallet to help keep track of everything so you don’t miss out on points or bonuses.
Debt Free – I do NOT recommend starting the travel credit card rewards game if you already carry a lot of debt on credit cards. Focus on paying it off first! Travel hacking only works when you’re not spending more money than you have to get points and miles.

If you meet these criteria, you’re ready to enter the travel rewards world and start traveling for free!

A woman in an orange sleeveless top holds a credit card in one hand while typing on a laptop with the other, seemingly managing her finances. A white coffee cup sits on the table in front of her, adding to the relaxed setting. — The most important rule is – Never carry a balance!

The Golden Rule of Using Credit Cards

I know a lot of people hear “credit card” and think debt, paying interest, and fees—but when used the right way, credit cards are actually a great tool to help you save money and travel for free.

The most important rule is – Never carry a balance!

Credit cards only work in your favor if you pay off the full balance before the statement is due every single month. If you don’t, the interest you’ll pay will wipe out any rewards you earn (and then some).

Think of your credit card like a points-generating debit card. You’re using it to buy things you’d already be spending money on—groceries, gas, bills—but instead of using cash or a debit card, you’re using a credit card and earning points and miles on every purchase. Then, at the end of the month, you pay it off in full, so you’re never paying a cent in interest.

That’s how you win the travel hacking game!

A stack of various credit cards is spread out on a wooden surface, with a large, stylized question mark overlaying the image. The visual suggests confusion or decision-making about credit card choices, possibly related to rewards, benefits, or travel points.

Which Travel Credit Card Should I Get First?

If you’re just starting out, you’ll want a travel credit card that’s easy to use, earns points quickly, and doesn’t come with overwhelming fees or restrictions. Some premium travel cards can be worth it, but if you’re only taking one or two trips a year, they may not provide enough value to justify the cost.

For beginners who want a simple way to earn and redeem travel rewards, I recommend starting with one of these two cards:

💳 Capital One Venture Card

The Capital One Venture card is the best beginner card out there right now!

It gives you the highest sign-up bonus for any entry-level card (75,000 points) with an additional $250 travel credit the first year. That’s equal to $1,250 in travel, total. So basically, the card pays for itself over and over.

But besides that, the points are super easy to use. They can be transferred or redeemed for literally any travel purchase, including flights, hotels, rental cars, trains, and even tours.

The annual fee is low, and it’s an easy way to dip your toes into travel hacking without worrying about complicated rewards programs.

You’ll want to snag this card ASAP because the huge sign-up bonus is for a limited time!

Apply for the Capital One Venture Card Now!

💳 Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is and has always been one of the best starter travel cards out there.

Right now, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after meeting the minimum spending requirement, which is enough for a round-trip international flight!

Plus, the $95 annual fee is waived the first year, and the card includes great perks like no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance, and trip protection.

One of the best things about Chase Ultimate Rewards is how broad the “travel” category is. You’ll earn 2X points not just on flights and hotels, but also on bus tickets, taxis, ride-shares like Uber and Lyft, tolls, and parking—making it really easy to rack up points fast.

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card Now!

If you’re new to travel hacking, either of these cards is a solid first choice. The Capital One Venture is simple and flexible, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers more value if you’re willing to learn how to redeem points strategically.

What About Cash Back Credit Cards?

I don’t recommend signing up for a generic cash-back credit card if your goal is to travel for free. And here’s why…

With a standard cash-back card, your rewards are capped at a flat rate, usually 1-2% back on purchases. That might sound decent, but it doesn’t even come close to what you can get with a good travel rewards card.

Travel credit cards give you way more value because you can transfer points to airlines and hotels, where they’re often worth 1.5 cents or more per point—sometimes even double or triple that when used strategically.

Plus, travel cards come with extra perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, free checked bags, and travel insurance, which cash-back cards simply don’t offer.

If you want to make the most of your spending and unlock free flights, luxury hotels, and travel upgrades, stick with a travel rewards card. It’s the fastest way to turn everyday purchases into incredible trips!

What’s the Difference Between Miles and Points?

If you’ve ever looked into travel rewards, you’ve probably seen the terms miles and points used interchangeably. While they serve similar purposes, they aren’t exactly the same. Understanding the difference can help you maximize your redemptions.

Miles

Miles are typically tied to a specific airline’s frequent flyer program (such as Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus). They are earned through flying, spending on co-branded credit cards, and airline promotions.

The downside to miles is that they can only be redeemed for flights with the specific airline you accrued them with and cannot be transferred to other partners.

Points

Points, on the other hand, are typically associated with bank rewards programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles. These points are way more flexible because they can be transferred to multiple airlines and hotels, used in travel portals, or even redeemed for statement credits.

The best way to maximize points is by earning the targeted sign-up bonuses! (more on that next).

Kate stands on a rocky path overlooking a secluded beach on Kauai, gazing out at the turquoise ocean under a bright blue sky. Framed by lush greenery and tropical trees, the scene captures a peaceful and adventurous moment in paradise. — Trip to Kauai – paid for with points!

How Do You Earn Points Fast?

Ah… the question everyone wants answered!

Well, if you want to start traveling for free as soon as possible, you need to earn points fast.

Luckily, there are a few simple strategies to maximize your earning potential, from unlocking huge sign-up bonuses to making the most of loyalty programs and travel perks.

Here’s how to rack up points quickly and start booking those free trips!

Earn The Sign Up Bonus

The fastest way to accumulate points is by earning a credit card’s sign-up bonus. The good news is that most travel cards offer great bonuses worth 50,000+ points after meeting a minimum spending requirement.

Example: Spend $4,000 in 3 months = 60,000 bonus points. This can be enough for a round-trip international flight or multiple domestic flights.

Don’t just chase the biggest sign-up bonus without checking the spending requirement—some require you to spend $30,000 in just four months! I don’t know about you, but that’s way more than my usual spending. Make sure the bonus matches what you’d actually spend so you’re not overspending just to earn points!

Pro Tip: If you have a big ticket item coming up, like home improvements or new furniture, open up a new card to hit the sign-up bonus threshold effortlessly.

Kate and her husband in paragliding gear stands on a mountain launch site, arms outstretched with excitement. Behind them, other adventurers prepare their parachutes as a paraglider soars above the stunning mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky. — Bonus: You can refer each other to cards and get even more points!

Two Player Method

The two-player method is when you and your spouse or partner each sign up for the same travel credit cards (in your own name) instead of sharing one. This way, you both earn the welcome bonus, doubling your points right from the start. Plus, you can refer each other to new cards, earning even more points!

Here’s how it works:

You sign up for a travel credit card and earn the 60,000-point sign-up bonus.
Once you hit the minimum spend, you refer your partner to the same card.
Your partner signs up, earning their 60,000 sign-up bonus and a referral bonus for you.
Now, instead of one welcome bonus, you’ve earned 120,000 points—plus extra points from the referral!

Pro Tip: Because of this massive point-earning potential, I do not recommend making each other authorized users!

Stack Points by Using Shopping Portals

One of the easiest ways to earn extra points without spending more money is by using credit card shopping portals. Many major credit card issuers have online shopping portals where you can earn bonus points just by clicking through their site before making a purchase.

Some retailers offer 5x, 10x, or even 15x points per dollar spent during special promotions, which means you’re stacking a ton of extra points on purchases you were going to make anyway.

And the best part?

You’re double-dipping—earning points from both the shopping portal and your credit card for the same eligible purchases!

Pro Tip: Before doing any online shopping, especially during the holidays, always check your credit card’s shopping portal to see if you can earn bonus points. A quick extra step could mean thousands of extra points added to your rewards balance!

An airplane wing extends over a breathtaking sea of clouds, illuminated by the warm hues of a sunrise or sunset. The golden and pink tones in the sky create a dreamy, tranquil atmosphere, capturing the beauty of air travel.

Maximize Loyalty Programs

One of the easiest ways to earn extra points without doing much of anything different is by signing up for airline and hotel loyalty programs. This way, whenever you fly with an airline or stay at a hotel with a free loyalty account, you’ll rack up points or miles that you can use toward future trips.

The best part? You don’t even need a travel credit card to do this! But if you pair a great rewards card with these programs, you’ll earn even more. And unlock perks like free checked bags, room upgrades, and priority boarding.

All you have to do is: When you book your flight or hotel, simply insert your loyalty number before you check out. You’ll earn reward points automatically, and over time, those points add up to free travel!

Here’s a List of The Most Popular Loyalty Programs:

Stay Organized

Keeping track of one credit card is easy. But once you start playing the game and juggling multiple cards, sign-up bonuses, and loyalty programs, things can get messy fast.

Set reminders for minimum spend deadlines, payment due dates, and point expirations so you never miss out on rewards.

Create a simple spreadsheet. Or if you are more techy, download an app like AwardWallet, which will help you keep track of everything in one place.

Don’t stress out, but you’ll definitely need to be organized and pay attention to detail if you want to be good at the game of award travel. It’s totally worth the effort – trust me!

Kate in a flowing rust-colored jumpsuit, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat walks past an ornate Moorish-style doorway with a red and white arch. The white-walled building features intricate tilework, religious artwork, and decorative lanterns, giving the scene a historic and Spanish cultural charm. — Booked a round trip ticket to Spain with Points!

How Do You Use Your Credit Card Points?

We have looked at what points and miles are and how to earn them quickly. Now let’s get to the good part: How you’ll be able to put them to use.

Book With Points in Travel Portal

Most major credit card issuers have travel portals where you can redeem points for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Just log into your account, go to the travel section, and search for your trip just like you would on Expedia. At checkout, choose “Pay with Points.”

While this method is super easy and convenient, the points are worth a fixed amount and generally don’t offer the best value for your points.

Erase Travel Purchases From Statement

Some travel credit cards let you erase travel purchases by redeeming points for a statement credit.

For example, with my Capital One Venture X, I can book travel anywhere and then use my points to erase the cost from my statement at a fixed value (usually 1 cent per point).

This may not sound really great, but here’s the deal…

It’s better to book your travel using your card first (earning 5x or 10x points on travel expenses) and then go back in and pay off the charge later with points.

Why? Because you don’t earn any points on travel you paid for with points! Basically, you are losing points. But if you pay with your card first, you can earn bonus travel points on that purchase.

Skipping this step means leaving valuable points on the table.

Transfer Points to Travel Partners

While it’s not set in stone, you’ll typically achieve much better redemption values by transferring your points to transfer partners than the first two ways I mentioned.

For example: I found a Delta flight that cost 40,000 membership rewards points in the Chase travel portal, but that exact same flight was only 21,000 points on the Delta website. So, of course, I transferred my points to my Delta account. Then booked directly through Delta, which gave me way more value for my points.

This strategy might require a bit more effort, but as you can see, it resulted in huge savings and I got to travel for FREE!

Key Point: When you transfer points to an airline, you’re stuck using only that airline! (can’t transfer back!). So, before moving your precious points, double-check availability and make sure you’re ready to book!

Kate wearing a black jacket, white cap, and sunglasses stands under a rustic stone arch, flashing a peace sign and smiling. Behind her, a breathtaking mountain landscape in Peru stretches across the horizon, with rugged peaks and rolling valleys under a partly cloudy sky. — Transferring points to travel partners can increase their value to 2 cents or more.

How Much Are Points Worth?

The value of credit card points depends on the rewards program they are with and how you redeem them.

On average, most points are worth between 1 and 2 cents each, but with the right strategy, you can get even more value.

For example, redeeming points for statement credits typically gives you 1 cent per point. While transferring them to airline or hotel partners can increase their value to 2 cents or more per point. That’s why choosing the right redemption method is key!

Let’s put this into perspective—generally speaking, if you had 10,000 points, you could get $150 in travel, and 100,000 points could get you $1,500 or more toward flights and hotels. The more points you earn, the more free travel you can unlock!

To maximize your points, always compare redemption options and aim for the highest value possible before booking.

When to Pay with Cash and Not Points?

Just because you have points doesn’t mean you should always use them. (Even tho I do always try! For me, the whole “point” of points is to not spend money.)

Sometimes, paying with cash just makes more sense. Especially when your not getting a good value for the number of points required to book that flight or hotel.

But how do you know if you are getting a good value for your points?

Well, the magic number you want to isolate to make this decision is called the redemption value.

You will need some simple math to figure this out:

[the cost of the flight or hotel in dollars] ÷ [the cost of the flight or hotel in points] = the value of each point for this transaction, which tells you whether or not it’s a good time to use your points.

A good rule of thumb is to use points when you’re getting at least 1.5 cents per point in value.

For example, if a flight costs $200 or 20,000 points, you’re only getting 1 cent per point, which isn’t the best redemption. In this case, paying with cash and saving your points for a higher-value redemption would be smarter.

Pro Tip: If you are terrible at math like me, then click on this handy Points Vs. Cash Calculator. It’ll easily calculate if you should use your points or not.

Kate wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses sits in the cockpit of a small plane, gazing out at the turquoise ocean and scattered islands below.

How to Find Award Flights & Hotels

One of the best tools out there, and the one I personally use to find the best deals on award flights and hotels, is Daily Drop Pro.

This platform searches across multiple airline loyalty programs and credit card points programs in real time, helping you find the best redemption options available.

Instead of manually checking each airline or hotel program, Daily Drop Pro does it for you. Surfacing the best opportunities and guiding you through the booking process step by step.

Honestly, finding award flights and hotels has never been easier.

Kate and her husband stand on a scenic terrace overlooking a picturesque Swiss village with a lake and mountains in the background. A vibrant rainbow arcs across the sky, adding a magical touch to the charming landscape filled with historic buildings and lush greenery. — Our credit scores have actually IMPROVED!

Will Travel Hacking With Credit Cards Hurt My Credit Score?

Good question!

In fact, worrying about hurting my credit score was one of the things that held me back from getting into travel credit cards earlier. And oh boy, do I regret it! (I literally want to cry when I think of how much money I was leaving on the table.)

Today, my husband and I have several cards between the two of us. And we regularly apply for and cancel cards to take advantage of bonuses or avoid annual fees. Despite this, our credit scores have actually IMPROVED. Because we manage our credit responsibly by paying on time and keep our utilization low.

Still concerned? Here are some tips to help ease your worry…

Tips For Travel Hacking Correctly

To make the most of your travel credit cards without harming your credit, follow these key tips:

Never Cancel Your Oldest Credit Card

The length of your credit history is a major factor in your credit score that can only be earned with time.

If you have an old credit card with an annual fee that you no longer use, try calling the bank and downgrade it to a no-fee card instead of closing it. This helps maintain your credit age without unnecessary fees.

Minimize the Number of Hard Inquiries

Each time you apply for a new credit card, the issuer performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can slightly lower your score.

So don’t go hog wild and start applying for 10 new cards in a day. Space out your applications (one every 90 days) to help keep your score stable.

Always Pay Off Your Balance in Full

Your payment history is the biggest factor affecting your credit score.

By paying off your balance on time and in full every month, you’ll build a strong credit profile and avoid interest charges. Paying interest will defeat what you are trying to accomplish here.

Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

The next most important factor in your credit score is your credit utilization ratio. Which is the amount of debt you have compared to your amount of available credit.

By opening multiple travel credit cards, you’re increasing your available credit, which lowers your utilization ratio and improves your score.

For example: It’s better to have three credit cards with a combined credit limit of $84,000 and only use $8,000 of it. Rather than having one card with a $10,000 limit and using $8,000 of it.

The good news is that as long as you’re smart with your spending and ignore those big credit limits just sitting there, every new card you open helps your credit score!

Don’t Engage in Credit Card Churning

Credit card churning is opening a card just for the sign-up bonus and then immediately closing it after you get it.

Doing this too many times can negatively impact your credit history and lower your available credit. Plus, companies are getting more savvy about noticing and can deny your approval for the next card.

Instead, focus on strategic applications and keeping cards open when possible.

Space Out Applications Every 90 Days

To maximize bonuses without excessive inquiries on your credit report, a good rule of thumb is to apply for one new travel credit card every 90 days.

Most sign-up bonus spending requirements last three months. So this allows you to meet one spending threshold before moving on to the next.

Be Aware of Chase’s 5/24 Rule

Chase, one of the best banks for travel rewards, has a 5/24 rule. This means they won’t approve you for a new card if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months.

If you’re just getting started and want to really play the game, prioritize Chase travel cards first before branching out to other banks.

Kate wearing a harness and an orange helmet carefully crosses a suspension bridge high above a lush valley in Switzerland, gripping the safety cables. The dramatic cliffside setting and breathtaking alpine scenery emphasize the adventurous and daring nature of the experience. — High annual fees aren’t as scary as this suspension bridge in Switzerland!

Don’t Let The Annual Fees Scare You!

For a long time, I avoided the fancier travel rewards credit cards with hefty annual fees.

But once I got serious about travel hacking and actually sat down and did the math, I realized they were an awesome deal!

The Capital One Venture X is my absolute favorite travel card!

It’s annual fee is a whopping $395, but stick with me!

Here’s why it’s totally worth it:

The signup bonus is worth $750 in travel
It offers a $300 annual travel credit
10,000 bonus points added to your bank every card anniversary
$100 application fee credit for Global entry and TSA Precheck
Free entry to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide with Priority Pass
Bonus point categories

So you can see that this card more than pays for itself over and over again. And it’s actually saving you money in the long run if you’re using all the perks!

Instead of focusing solely on the upfront cost, evaluate the net benefit of the card. In many cases, the value of the sign-up bonus alone more than covers the first-year fee. This makes it an easy decision to start your travel-hacking journey with a fancy card like the Capital One Venture X card!

Kate wearing jeans and white sneakers stands on a glass-bottomed observation deck, looking down at the steep drop below. The clear panels reveal a dramatic mountainous landscape, creating a thrilling and slightly dizzying perspective. — Ready to start traveling for free? Following this step-by-step plan.

Step by Step Guide to Getting Free Travel

If you’re ready to start traveling for free, follow this step-by-step plan. It’s the best way to stay organized and maximize your points.

Here’s how to get started on your journey to free travel.

1. Pick Your First Redemption Goal – You’re going to be smarter about earning rewards if you have an idea of how you may use them down the road.

2. Sign up for every major loyalty program – Signing up for loyalty programs is free, so there’s no harm in joining them. Doing so will help you earn rewards every time you travel.

3. Apply for your first rewards credit card – You’re going to be one step closer to free travel if you choose one with a huge signup bonus! I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred be your first card!

4. Start using your card for everyday purchases – Treat it like a debit card and pay it off every statement!

5. Collect Miles & Points – Meet the Spending minimum and earn the bonus. It’s not about spending more, just spending more wisely! Have fun watching those hard-earned points rack up.

6. Search for the best use of your precious points – Use a site like Daily Drop Pro to help you find flights by points.

7. Do the math before you hit purchase – use the Points vs Cash Calculator to determine if your getting a good deal.

8. It’s time to BOOK! – Congratulations, you just earned free travel!

9. Sit on the plane with a Big Olé’ Smile on your face – because the people next to you probably aren’t flying for free, and you are.

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That’s a Wrap

Congrats! You’re ready to start booking free trips now that you know exactly how to use credit card points for travel.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to booking flights, hotels, and incredible adventures – without spending extra money.

Note: If you choose to sign up for any travel credit cards, I would really appreciate it if you use my affiliate links in this guide! This helps me to continue creating awesome FREE resources for you at absolutely no extra cost to you. AND you will likely get the best current points deal possible.

Thank you so much for supporting my small business! xoxo

Catch ya later on your next adventure.