Many of us love to travel, but the high costs can often hold us back. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to overcome these financial hurdles? Well, there is.
A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a method that involves racking up a lot of credit card reward points, which can then be used for discounted or even free trips. It sounds too good to be true, but if you do it right, it really works.
This strategy, known as travel hacking, has allowed me to enjoy free flights, save money on hotel stays, and even have an amazing honeymoon in Jamaica for just $400. That included flights, accommodation, meals, drinks, and activities—all thanks to travel hacking.
Despite its effectiveness, there are several myths about travel hacking that might make you hesitant to try it. Here are five common misconceptions you should ignore:
### 1. Travel Hacking is Deceptive or Illegal
The term “travel hacking” might make you think it’s something shady or illegal, but that’s not the case. Travel hacking is completely legal. While airlines and hotels might not love it, they did create these reward systems. Some people open credit cards just to get the reward bonuses and then close them afterward. While this can affect your credit score and should be done cautiously, using a credit card to earn sign-up rewards is legitimate. In fact, some credit cards even allow you to reapply and earn the same rewards after a couple of years. Companies get more customers, and you get cheaper travel.
### 2. You Need to Travel First to Earn Points
You might think that you need to travel a lot to earn travel-related credit card points, but that’s not true. In many cases, you can earn plenty of points simply through everyday spending with your credit card. There’s no need for international travel or specific trips. While spending on travel can earn more points, sign-up bonuses are usually where the big points come from.
### 3. Travel Hacking is Easy
It might sound straightforward, but travel hacking does require some planning and effort to make the most of it. You’ll need to do some research, have a strategy, and monitor your spending to avoid getting into debt.
### 4. You Have to Spend a Lot
Some credit card sign-up bonuses might seem overwhelming because they require you to spend a significant amount of money. If the spending requirement makes you uncomfortable, it’s best to skip that offer. It’s not worth going into debt just for rewards points. The key is to use your card for regular, necessary purchases.
### 5. Anyone Can Do It
Not everyone can jump into travel hacking. First, to qualify for credit cards with substantial sign-up bonuses and travel rewards, you need a good credit score. Second, you need to have good spending discipline. Finally, if you’re already dealing with significant debt, travel hacking might not be the best option for you.
However, if you have a strong desire to travel and believe you can stick to the necessary guidelines, I encourage you to give travel hacking a try.
Did you know about these travel hacking myths?