How to Start Travel Hacking: Beginner's Guide to Free Flights and Hotels with Chase Ultimate Rewards
In this comprehensive guide, discover everything you need to know to start travel hacking: selecting the best credit cards, accumulating points efficiently, tracking your balances, and redeeming them for maximum value. We'll use the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as a prime example, drawing from years of personal experience as a long-term traveler and digital nomad.
This year, I was surprised by how few people outside travel circles leverage credit cards for travel hacking. Surrounded by fellow nomads who are points experts, I often forget not everyone knows these strategies. After helping friends—like one with a Chase Sapphire card who had no clue about its potential and is now booking free hotel stays—I've compiled this beginner's guide to empower you to save on travel.
With smart spending, you could fly for free soon. Here's how, explained via Chase Ultimate Rewards:
1. Choose the Right Rewards Credit Card
Everyone uses credit cards—make yours work harder. Rewards cards convert spending into points redeemable for flights, hotels, or cash back. Many offer bonus points (2x or 3x) in categories like travel and dining.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 2x points on travel and dining. Even without constant flights, dining bonuses add up fast for frequent eaters like me.
We'll focus on Chase for simplicity—their Ultimate Rewards program is user-friendly and powerful.
Bonus: No foreign transaction fees, ideal for travelers. Use UltimateRewards.com for shopping portals with partners like Macy's, Kohl's, Sephora, Lowe's, Columbia, The North Face, PetSmart, Walgreens, Home Depot, Old Navy, Apple Store, Groupon, Expedia, Hotels.com, and more. It tracks up to 2x points per dollar—perfect for holiday gifts or gift cards.
The portal offers a personalized dashboard with recent activity, tailored deals, and travel guides. Available to Chase Sapphire, Freedom, and Ink cardholders.
Pro tip: Check sign-up bonuses, like 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® (offers vary; verify current terms). That's enough for luxury hotel nights.
2. Track Your Points
Monitor balances via your issuer's portal, like UltimateRewards.com. For multiple cards, use AwardWallet—it tracks balances, expiration alerts, and is free. Setup is quick, and it automates most work.
3. Redeem Your Rewards
Chase partners include:
- Hotels: Club Carlson, Fairmont, Hyatt, La Quinta, IHG Rewards, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Wyndham
- Airlines: British Airways, United, Southwest, Virgin Atlantic, and more
- Car rentals: Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty
- Trains: Amtrak
Redeem for cash back (2,000 points = $20), transfer 1:1 to partners, or exclusive events. Best value: travel redemptions for free flights/hotels. Holiday tip: Use for gifts.
4. Maximize Credit Card Usage
Key rules:
• Pay off balances monthly to avoid interest erasing rewards.
• Stay informed via blogs like ThePointsGuy.com, FrequentMiler.com, or OneMileAtATime.com.
Do you use rewards for travel? Share tips in comments!
Based on extensive personal experience; always review current terms and your eligibility.
