How I got into it
Trying to Travel with Points: A Beginner’s Guide. If you’re new to the idea of traveling with points, you’re not alone. I’m in the process of learning how to use points to book our trip to Norway next summer, with stop in Denmark along the way. Traveling to these beautiful countries can be expensive, but it’s a bucket list trip that I’m excited to take with my father and family. To make this dream trip more affordable, I decided to dive into the world of points. I’ve dabbled in using points for travel before—primarily through American Airlines and Marriott. For instance, I used points to book my flight to South Padre (you can read about that trip here), but I’ve realized that earning points with American Airlines can be slow-going. In fact, despite having their card for over 15 years, I’ve only used points to book two flights in all that time. So, I decided it was time to get serious and figure out how to make the most of travel points for this upcoming adventure!
If you are interested in what I’m packing for that trip, it’s linked here.
Booking Your Stay with Points – A Beginner’s Journey
Now that you know a little about how I got into the world of travel points, let me share some of what I’ve learned so far. This might even turn into a Part 1 of a series, so feel free to follow along and see where this journey takes me! One thing I’ve realized is that traveling to Norway with points is going to be challenging, especially when it comes to booking a completely free hotel and flight. Why? Because a lot of travelers who are into using points and miles prefer chains like Hyatt, and unfortunately, Norway doesn’t have many Hyatt options.
When it comes to booking my stay in Copenhagen, I could opt for a Marriott property, but that would require a lot of points. The question then becomes—is it worth it? Marriott hotels are great, but I’ll have to decide if it makes sense to burn through points for a hotel stay. Alternatively, if you have a Venture card, you can use your points to erase an Airbnb stay, which I might consider for some of our stops. But honestly, for this trip, I’m not looking to rely heavily on points for hotel stays. If I can use them in one city, that would feel like a win. It’s all about balance and figuring out where my points can be most valuable!
Booking Flights with Points – A Beginner’s Guide
Booking flights has been my main goal in this whole points journey. Flying a family of four to Europe can get incredibly expensive. This is why saving on airfare would make a huge difference for our Norway trip. We’re also planning to stop in Denmark. To help make this happen, I’ve been working with credit cards. I’ve accumulated to earn as many points as possible.
Below, I’ve included a graph of the cards I’ve gotten (Player 1 – me) and the ones my husband has been using (Player 2) to help us rack up those miles. Airlines typically allow you to book flights about 11 months out. So we’re aiming to book our tickets for June/July 2025 around the middle or end of July 2024. This is why this post is titled “Trying to Travel with Points: Beginner”—I’m still in the early stages of figuring it all out. I should be booking our flights very soon. The next few months are going to be key in securing those award tickets and making this trip a reality!
What You Do a Year Out – Preparing to Travel with Points
When you’re about a year out from your trip, the first thing to focus on is collecting credit card points. The general advice from seasoned points travelers is not to hoard your points, but instead, book flights and hotels when a deal pops up. While that works for some, I’ve found that I need to stick to my why—and right now, my primary focus is Norway. Plus, with my work schedule, I don’t always have the luxury of spontaneity when booking travel.
So, I’m starting by researching how many points I’ll need for flights and accommodations. It’s important to know the typical point requirements for places you’re considering so you can plan ahead. For example, I’m keeping a close eye on what it takes to fly to Europe from the U.S. and what hotels or Airbnbs require in points. One tip I’ve learned is that credit cards that allow you to book through multiple airline partners are really beneficial. These types of cards give you more flexibility and open up a variety of options, which is great when you’re trying to maximize your points and secure the best possible deal. The goal is to be ready when the right flight or hotel deal becomes available, so even though I’m a bit of a planner, I’m staying open to seizing those opportunities when they arise.
Opening Cards – Staying Focused on Your Travel Goals
When it comes to opening new credit cards, it’s important to stay focused on your why. For me, that means choosing cards that align with my goal of traveling to Norway and other European destinations. While the Southwest cards and their Companion Pass option sound amazing, they don’t fit into my current travel plans, so I’m only opening cards that directly help with reaching my specific goal. This helps keep things simple and ensures I’m not spreading myself too thin with cards that I won’t use.
Also, my husband and I are careful to only put our regular monthly spending on these cards to help us meet the minimum spending requirements. We’re mindful about spacing out the timing of opening new cards. So we can strategically hit those minimums without overloading our finances. One resource I’ve found incredibly helpful is Travel Freely—a free site that helps track which cards you’ve opened, what the spending requirements are, and when you’ll be eligible for the next card. It’s been a great tool for staying organized and making sure we don’t miss any opportunities to earn points.
Cards we have opened
The first card I opened is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® it has great travel insurance.
Earn 60,000 bonus points with either Chase Sapphire card. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21s/XLVQ4C2S1M
My Husband’s first card was the Venture, which I really like because 2x points on every purchase. Now I have this card too using his referral link. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card.
https://i.capitalone.com/JZ79Lb3Rp
My next card was the cash business cash which was 75,000. This card has 0% interest for one year. Any side job including selling on Facebook market place counts. This card I referred my husband to.
Ink Business Cash® card. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21s/XLVQ4C2S1M
My last card I plan on getting this year is the Business Preferred with 100,000 points.
Earn 100,000 bonus points with the Ink Business Preferred® card or up to $1,000 bonus cash back with the Ink Business Premier® card, Ink Business Unlimited® card or Ink Business Cash® card. I can be rewarded if you apply here and are approved for the card.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/21s/XLVQ4C2S1M
Conclusion – Stay Focused and Plan Ahead
Navigating the world of travel points as a beginner can be a bit overwhelming. With the right strategy and a clear focus on your travel goals, it becomes much more manageable. For me, the journey to Norway and Europe is all about being intentional with the credit cards I open, tracking my points, and carefully planning out how and when to use them. While it may take time to accumulate enough points for flights and accommodations. Staying organized and sticking to a plan will help me reach my goal. I’m excited to continue this journey and see where it leads—hopefully, all the way to Europe next summer! If you’re just starting out with points, don’t get discouraged. Take it one step at a time, and soon you’ll be on your way to your own dream destination. Stay tuned for more updates and tips along the way!
Thank you for reading “Trying to Travel with Points Beginner”. Looking for T-shirts for travel click here.
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Additionally, some products or services mentioned in this post may be related to credit card offers. Please review the terms and conditions of any credit card offer carefully before applying, as credit card terms and eligibility may vary. Always consider your personal financial situation and consult a financial advisor if needed. These are personal referral links and are not connected to credit card companies.
