What Is Travel Hacking?

I almost cringe at the term “travel hacking”- it sounds like something illegal. But that’s the commonly used phrase for the art of getting free or discounted travel through award points and miles.

Try not to think of hacking like a guy on his computer in a dark basement breaking into your bank account online. Think more along the lines of a pinterest life-hack, like “you can remove deodorant stains from a shirt by rubbing it with a dryer sheet.”

Helpful hacks. Not illegal.

How to Travel Hack 101

There are numerous strategies for accumulating these award points and miles but the quickest and most common way is strategically opening credit cards with major sign-up bonuses.

Before I learned about all of the people who are successfully traveling the world by opening dozens of credit cards, I was extremely skeptical. I had one credit card to my name, which I almost never used.

A quick word about credit

Yes, spending on credit is a slippery slope for some people. If you cannot stay on top of your finances nor keep your card paid off, then this may not be the hobby for you.

But if you are responsible with credit and have time to put in a little effort to learn the ropes, travel hacking really pays off.

In fact, our credit scores have gone up since we started our travel hacking hobby. This is because we’ve responsibly managed more and more credit.

A travel hacker in action

Just so you don’t have to take my word for it, here’s an official news report about a travel hacker showing a reporter how it’s done:

How we got started travel hacking

I first learned about travel hacking in 2014. I started small, focusing on miles we could earn with the Alaska Airlines award program to get two of us to Europe.

I soon expanded to the American and United award programs with a few more credit cards. By the end of that year, we had booked two pairs of round-trip international flights (France and Jamaica), all paid for with miles!

I’ll admit: travel hacking has a bit of a learning curve.

While our credit scores have actually gone up, it’s only because I’ve learned the ropes.

Travel Hacking 101

Thankfully, many who have gone before us have created comprehensive guides to travel hacking. I purchased a course, which gave me all the essential info I needed to get started.

These are important things to know before diving in to travel hacking:

– when to apply and when to cancel credit cards
– how to find the best sign-up bonuses
– creative ways to meet the minimum spend requirements to earn sign up bonuses
– which points are most valuable 
– how to not to waste miles once you’ve earned them

What are the Benefits of Travel Hacking

Travel hacking is a valuable resource for you to maximize savings on your travels. You don’t have to be a frequent flyer to leverage rewards programs.

More savings. You can significantly reduce expenses on flights, accommodations, dining, and transportation.

Enriched experiences. Travel hacking opens doors to luxurious amenities that might otherwise be out of reach, from flight upgrades to stays in upscale hotels.

Exclusive privileges. Many credit cards and loyalty programs offer exclusive perks such as complimentary checked bags and access to airport lounges.

Flexibility. These days award flights are easy to change or cancel without penalty, so you can book “placeholder” flights until you find something better.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Hacking

Is travel hacking legal? Yes, travel hacking is legal. Travel hacking refers to the legitimate practice of leveraging award points and miles to obtain free or discounted travel. It is not associated with illegal activities like hacking into computer systems.

Is travel hacking suitable for everyone? Travel hacking can be beneficial for individuals who are responsible with credit and have the time to learn about the strategies involved.

However, it may not be suitable for those who struggle to manage their finances or cannot pay off their credit card balances regularly.

Responsible management of credit is crucial to avoid falling into debt or damaging your credit score.

Have you tried travel hacking? If not, what are your biggest concerns? If it doesn’t sound right for you, see our other budget travel recommendations in our book, Unconventional Budget Accommodations.

You might also like these posts:

– How to Save on Travel Accommodations with Help Exchange
– How to Eat Well on a Budget While Traveling
– How To Travel On Just $15 A Day

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