Travel hacking is a great solution for traveling with the whole family
Traveling with the whole family can be onerous, reconciling all needs can be stressful, finding the right destination that [...]
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Traveling with the whole family can be onerous, reconciling all the demands can be stressful, finding the right destination that takes into account vacations and educational stops is a real needle-in-a-haystack hunt.
With this guide we want to try to explain why reward travel, also called travel hacking, can be a way for a family to take advantage of numerous benefits, both economic and practical.
Because while it is true that multi-person travel requires more points, it is also true that each family has a number of "fixed" exits that can ensure a steady influx of points on the various cards.
Why you need the right papers
In a family, it is easier to implement group strategies, decide what credit cards to have in your wallet, what promotions to take advantage of, how to set up payments, and what type of card to charge individual expenses to. Being two (or more) people also helps in the possibility of being able to take advantage of the same promotion several times and thus accumulate even more points.
How to choose the right cards
It is necessary to decide first what your spending habits and capabilities are, as well as what your goals will be for collecting points over the next two years. In general, it is good to always choose with the annual fees of individual credit cards in mind.
- A paper that gives a rich welcome bonus
- A paper that would allow Accumulate more points in certain product categories
- A paper that brings benefits when the family moves, whether it is a weekend at the beach or the vacations.
- A paper that can protect even when the family travels "separate"
All this while having in mind what the goals you want to achieve will be. If, for example, you want to get enough points to Go with the whole family to New York with Alitalia, you will choose certain strategies and cards. If, on the contrary, you want to organize a driving tour of Portugal different choices will be made.
If you like to take the cheapest flight from Ryanair or EasyJet to explore a European city, you will need A card that brings benefits such as lounges at airports or insurance on travel or car rentals.
The basis of travel hacking is precisely to "study" opportunities and then put into practice the best strategy that allows you to Make more and more points while sitting on the couch.
Secrets to making "free" points
Going to restaurants with friends? Paying for everyone with your card allows you to accumulate points (and earn cashback) and helps you reach any spending minimums useful for unlocking bonuses.
Doing everyday shopping at businesses that have a loyalty program that allows you to get more points to convert into miles or other benefits always related to travel. An example of this is the Payback card that allows you to earn points at lots of signs which can then be turned into Alitalia miles or discounts at hotels with Booking. Shopping at Esselunga allows you to accumulate Strawberry points to be turned into Avios points, as well as the Coop points can be transformed In Millemiglia points.
One practice that allows you to multiply your points without spending anything is to make third-party purchases. Do you have friends who rely on your travel advice to book flights? Do it for them (as a favor), by using a specific credit card you can earn lots of miles and obtain elite status without any effort other than anticipating the cost of the ticket.
Going on a trip with friends, going on a weekend trip to Gardaland? You choose the hotel among those that allow you to Earn more points on multiple room reservations, everyone will pay for their own room but the points will all be in your account ready to be turned into free stays in the Maldives, New York or Milan.
You have to be very careful about all the various promotions: do not take advantage of the opportunity to Accumulate points by introducing friends and relatives Is a mortal sin. As well as to offerings that allow Get significant cashback on spending, these offers result in savings that can help lower or zero out the annual fees of individual credit cards.
What strategy to adopt
Applying the "good family man" concept is the basis of any winning strategy. Take advantage of all offers, keep an eye on card deadlines, and don't bet too high, at least when you are a newbie, and then go on to nab bigger and bigger rewards that can turn points into savings in the tens of thousands. It is not child's play, but it is a game that gives great satisfaction.
P.S. I recommend that you start here, with American Express Gold: free canon and ideal tool to start taking your first steps in this game.
- 200€ discount against spending €2,500K in 3 months
- Free fee the first year, 20€/month from the second year
- Travel voucher: $50 for your travels each year to spend at americanexpress.co.uk/travel
- Priority PassTM: Gold Card gives you free membership in the Priority Pass Program and two free admissions each year, both for you or you and a companion
- Travel inconvenience and accident insurance: you will be protected in case of delayed baggage delivery or flight delay or cancellation
- Purchase Protection: protection for 90 days up to €2,600 on purchases made with Card (excluding certain merchandise categories), in case of theft or damage to the item