How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards for Travel Perks (Without Selling a Kidney)

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Listen Up, Points Hoarders

You know what’s better than a tropical vacation? A tropical vacation you didn’t pay full price for. Or better yet — one you scored completely free by maxing out those juicy credit card rewards and stacking travel perks like a boss.

Today, I’m breaking down how to stop leaving free trips on the table and start traveling like you’ve got a rich aunt footing the bill.

Top Tips for Maxing Out Those Travel Rewards

1. Pick the Right Travel-Friendly Credit Card

Not all cards are created equal, boo. Look for cards with:

• Big sign-up bonuses
  
  

• 2x-5x points on travel, dining, and entertainment
  
  

• No foreign transaction fees (because paying extra overseas is tragic)
  
  

Pair that with travel booking deals like:

• WayAway for cashback on flights and hotels
  
  

• Aviasales for cheap flight finds
  
  

• Hotellook to snag hotel deals your credit card points can stretch even further
  
  

2. Double Dip with Travel Loyalty Programs

Book your travel through services that also offer loyalty perks — hello, double the rewards!

• EconomyBookings lets you rent a car, rack up credit card points AND loyalty rewards
  
  

• Radical Storage for stashing your bags while your rewards points rack up in peace
  
  

• BikesBooking for scooter and bike rentals — because Europe’s cobblestone streets were not made for heels
  
  

3. Use Travel Credit Cards for More Than Just Flights

Booking tickets to a show? Car rental? Travel insurance? Put it on that rewards card, babe.

• Tiqets for tours and tickets
  
  

• VisitorsCoverage for insurance (trust me, you’ll thank yourself when your suitcase takes a detour to Helsinki)
  
  

• GetTransfer for private airport rides, because you deserve it
  
  

4. Snag eSIMs and Data Packages with Points Earners

Use cards for digital essentials while abroad:

• Airalo and DrimSim for cheap global data
  
  

• Book taxis via Indrive or Kiwitaxi and get points for every ride
  
  

5. Don’t Forget About Experiences and Boat Rentals

Because “I went sailing on a yacht in Croatia” sounds way better than “I stayed in my hotel room.”

• SeaRadar for yacht rentals
  
  

• WeGoTrip for city guides and experiences that your credit card perks can cover
  
  

Travel Backlinks You’ll Thank Me For

• Snag loyalty programs for free travel here: Loyalty Programs to Join
  
  

• Avoid travel regrets and rookie mistakes here: My Travel Regrets
  
  

Join the Email Club, Baby

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Final Sassy Thought

Stop letting those points and perks collect dust. Every flight, show ticket, car rental, and scooter ride should be earning you a future freebie. Travel’s too expensive not to play the rewards game — and now you’ve got no excuse.

Book smarter. Travel better. Look fabulous doing it.