3 Credit Card Travel Hacking Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner

When I first heard about people using credit card points to fly for free, I thought it sounded too good to be true. But after years of learning, trial and error, and several free flights, I discovered it’s absolutely possible.

Here are three beginner travel hacking tips (plus one bonus) I wish I knew when I started earning points and miles.

1. Not All Travel Points Are Created Equal

Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, and Capital One Miles are flexible points. You can redeem them in a travel portal or transfer them to airline and hotel partners for more value.

Hotel loyalty programs like IHG® and Marriott Bonvoy® can still be worthwhile, especially during limited-time transfer bonuses. For instance, I wouldn’t normally transfer Chase points to IHG, but during their 100% bonus promotions, the value can be exceptional.

🔗 Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards
🔗 Explore Amex Membership Rewards

2. Be Strategic with Credit Card Welcome Bonuses

Most of your points won’t come from daily spending. They come from credit card welcome offers. These one-time bonuses are the fastest way to earn points, but you need a strategy.

If you’re just starting out, don’t waste your 5/24 slots—Chase only allows five new credit cards in 24 months. Start with cards that earn flexible points.Chase’s rule that limits you to five new credit cards in 24 months. Focus first on cards that earn flexible points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, or Capital One Miles. These give you the most options to redeem for flights, hotels, and transfers. Once you know your travel goals, you can look at co-branded airline or hotel cards.

Not sure where to begin? My Travel Credit Card Guide breaks down the best beginner-friendly offers.

Using travel hacking strategies to book affordable vacations with credit card rewards

3. Don’t Waste Your Points. Learn to Book Smarter.

It’s tempting to redeem credit card points through a portal for simplicity, but that usually means giving up on value. These fixed-rate redemptions often offer less than 1.5 cents per point.

Instead, look into transferring your points to airline partners. Especially those within major airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. This unlocks the ability to book award seats through partner airlines, often at a much better rate than what you’ll find in the portal.

For example, instead of booking an American Airlines flight directly through the Chase portal, you could transfer your points to British Airways (One World Alliance Partner). Then book the same American Airlines flight, often for significantly fewer Avios miles.

Once you get the hang of it, strategic point transfers become one of the most powerful ways to travel better for less.