Find Cheap Flights Part 6: Smart Travel Rewards, Digital Nomad Tips and Money-Saving Strategies
1. Master Travel Rewards & Credit Card Hacks
If you aren't using travel rewards, you are leaving free money on the table. Here is how digital nomads and frequent flyers travel in luxury for pennies on the dollar:
- Get Hundreds of Dollars in Free Travel: Applying for credit cards with incredible welcome bonuses is a great way to accumulate tens of thousands of valuable points. As long as you pay off your balance in full and on time, you can get free trips while improving your credit score.
- Get PAID to Access Airport Lounges: Several premium credit cards offer completely free access to airport lounges (either a specific number of passes or unlimited access). When you factor in the massive welcome bonuses, you are essentially getting paid to enjoy free food and drinks before your flight.
- Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees: Almost all standard credit cards charge a 2.5% fee on foreign currency purchases. Getting a card with no foreign transaction fees is an absolute must for international travelers. You will only pay the real exchange rate.
- Unlock Elite Hotel Status for Free: Certain travel cards automatically grant you elite status at major hotel chains. This gets you free room upgrades, VIP treatment, early check-in, and bonus points.
- Fly Business Class with Points: Never pay cash for a premium cabin seat. The smartest move in the travel rewards world is to use your accumulated points to book business class award flights, saving you thousands of dollars while you fly in ultimate luxury.
Protect Your Trip: Free Travel Medical Insurance
We never travel without medical insurance, and neither should you. The good news? Comprehensive travel medical insurance, flight delay coverage, and lost baggage protection come free with most premium travel credit cards. You often don't even need to charge the entire trip to the card to be covered!
Compare Best Travel Credit Cards2. Essential Digital Nomad Gear for Smart Travelers
Keep your electronics charged worldwide. A must-have for digital nomads.
Check Price on Amazon
Protect your travel credit cards and passport from digital theft abroad.
Check Price on Amazon3. Strategic Planning & Budgeting
Maximizing points is only half the battle. How you plan your itinerary dictates how much cash actually leaves your bank account.
- Maximize Every Purchase: Even if you don't chase welcome bonuses, maximize the points on your daily spending. Use cards that offer 5x points on groceries or dining, utilize the gift-card trick to get premium earn rates at various stores, and always use online shopping portals.
- Don't Book Accommodation First: Avoid booking your hotels or Airbnbs before your flights (unless they are 100% refundable). Accommodation prices fluctuate much less than airfare. Lock in the cheapest flight dates first, then book your lodging to maintain maximum flexibility.
- Recalculate Your Real Travel Budget: When budgeting for a trip, deduct the cost of groceries, gas, transport, and entertainment you would have spent anyway staying at home. The actual amount you need to save to travel is often much lower than you think.
- Leverage Long Weekends: If lack of time (rather than money) stops you from traveling, take advantage of statutory holidays and long weekends. Many incredible destinations only require a 3-day visit to explore fully!
- Avoid Peak Travel Seasons: Traveling outside of peak seasons will save you tons of money on flights and accommodation, while also allowing you to enjoy your destination without fighting massive tourist crowds.
Ready to travel the world for less?
Now that you know how to master travel rewards and optimize your budget, it's time to put these strategies into action. Start racking up those points and planning your next adventure!
Read Part 1 of Our Cheap Flights GuideDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we personally use and trust.