A step-by-step strategy for earning free and luxury travel
Step 1: Research Your Spending Habits
Before diving into points and miles, analyze where you’re already spending the most money. This will help you determine which credit cards will maximize your everyday purchases.
- Break down your expenses into categories:
- Travel-related: Flights, hotels, rental cars, public transportation
- Dining & entertainment: Restaurants, takeout, bars, concerts
- Grocery stores: Where do you do most of your grocery shopping?
- Gas & transportation: Rideshares, gas stations, transit passes
- Large expenses: Tuition, daycare, business expenses, home improvement
- Track your spending over 1-2 months to see patterns.
- Example: If you spend $1,000/month on dining, a card with 3-5x points on restaurants will be more beneficial than a general cashback card.
- If you spend $1,500 every month or two on flights , you need to get an airline card.
Step 2: Identify Your Travel Goals
Your travel plans should shape your points strategy. Ask yourself:
- Where do I want to travel?
- Look at destinations, time of year, and flexibility.
- What type of travel do I prefer?
- Boutique hotels? All-inclusive resorts? First-class flights?
- Who do I travel with?
- Solo, with a partner, or as a family?
For example:
- Kara, traveling with family, prioritizes affordable luxury and family-friendly stays. She looks for brands with spacious suites, free breakfast, and lounge access like:
- Hilton (Embassy Suites, Conrad, Small Luxury Hotels of the World)
- Hyatt (Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency, Thompson, Park Hyatt)
- Kate, traveling DINK-style (dual income, no kids), prioritizes luxury stays with elite perks and exclusive lounges:
- Marriott Bonvoy (Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Edition)
- Hyatt (Alila, Andaz, Park Hyatt)
- Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (Platinum benefits)
For airlines:
- Look at the major airline hubs in your region to decide which loyalty program makes the most sense.
- Example: If you live near an American Airlines hub, their loyalty program might be better than Delta.
Step 3: Pick the Right Credit Cards Based on Your Goals
Once you know where you spend the most and where you want to travel, you can prioritize credit cards that maximize those purchases.
Our Credit Card Strategy:
- Sign up for cards with the highest welcome bonuses.
- A single sign-up bonus can often cover a round-trip flight or 3+ free nights at a high-end hotel.
- We prefer cards with at least 60,000+ point sign-up offers.
- Choose cards that align with your travel goals.
- Do you want free flights? Focus on airline co-branded cards and transfer partners.
- Do you want luxury hotels? Look at hotel-branded cards with free night certificates and status perks.
- Offset annual fees with perks.
- Free checked bags, lounge access, and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credits can outweigh the card’s annual fee.
Step 4: Our Favorite Credit Cards for 2024-2025
(For the latest updates, check our blog: TravelledTwins.org)
Best for Beginners: Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Why? Great all-around card with 2x points on dining & travel
- Bonus: Typically 60,000+ Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- Best for: Transferring to Hyatt, United, Southwest, and Air Canada
Best for Hotel Rewards: Hilton Aspire (Amex)
- Why? Comes with automatic Hilton Diamond status, free nights & $250 resort credit
- Bonus: 150,000+ Hilton points
- Best for: Free stays at Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, & Small Luxury Hotels
Best for Luxury Travel: Amex Platinum
- Why? 5x points on flights, lounge access, and Fine Hotels & Resorts perks
- Bonus: 80,000+ Amex Membership Rewards
- Best for: High-end travel, business class flights, and Marriott/Hyatt redemptions
Best for Families: Capital One Venture X
- Why? Simple 2x points on all purchases, Priority Pass access for the whole family
- Bonus: 75,000+ Capital One miles
- Best for: Transferring to airlines like Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates
Step 5: Start Earning & Redeeming Points Like a Pro
Now that you have the right cards, it’s time to maximize your points strategy.
✔ Use the right card for each purchase.
✔ Book flights & hotels through transfer partners to get the most value.
✔ Stack bonuses with dining & shopping portals.
✔ Watch for transfer bonuses (e.g., 30% bonus when transferring Amex points to British Airways).
✔ Plan redemptions in advance to find business class flights at economy prices.
Final Tips from TravelledTwins
✔ Be strategic—not every credit card is worth it. Prioritize ones that match your spending & travel goals.
✔ Don’t hoard points. Use them while they still hold value!
✔ Never carry a balance. Points only make sense if you pay off your credit cards in full.
✔ Follow us on Instagram (@travelledtwins) for the best deals, hacks & real-time travel tips!