How I Fund my Travel: Unveiling my Travel Secrets
Fund my travel via Sinking Fund, Credit Card Points, and Fare Sales.
Over the past few years, I have been trying to fill up my passport and explore the many wonders of the United States. Initially while traveling, I did not focus on the accumulation of points until the past two years. Since that time, I have earned well over 500,0000 points through a mix of sign-up bonuses and everyday spending on my credit cards. Since not everything can be paid solely in points, I have found additional ways to fund my travel lifestyle that I want to share with you.
This article will give you tips on how you can maximize cash and maximize the accumulation of points to fund your adventures.
1. Sinking Funds
Create a Travel Sinking Fund in a High Yield Savings Account. You earn more interest in a HYSA than in a regular savings account. I chose Ally Bank because they offer savings buckets allowing you to create a savings bucket for any goals you have. I currently make bi-weekly deposits into the account and increase it when I know I am specifically saving for a trip a few months out. Other great options for High Yield Savings accounts include Amex High Yield Savings Account, Synchrony, and Capitol One High Yield Savings.
2. Fare Sales + Google Flights
Follow social media accounts that showcase flight deals to their subscribers. I have found a few cheap fares this way that allowed me to travel to Cabo, Puerto Rico, and Ireland.
When initially searching using Google flights, do not put in a destination. Instead, put in your dates and then search Google flights to see what destinations are cheapest. Using this information, you can then either pay cash or go to the airline’s website to check how many miles it will cost. This is how I typically start my initial search.
Furthermore, when you find a flight, track it on Google Flights. When a flight price drops, it will send you an email notification. From there, head to the airline site to rebook your ticket. You can get miles redeposited into your account or a flight credit if paid in cash. I do this with every ticket I book.
3. Hotel Reward Accounts
By signing up for the hotel loyalty program, you can earn discounts on stays, free reward nights, and points for cash stays.
In addition, there are also times when the Hotels have promotions that help you earn additional points. In April, Hilton had a partnership with Delta Airlines for 1,000 points after a stay at a Hilton Hotel.
Outside of Hotels, to earn additional Delta Miles, if booking an Airbnb, I will use the following link to book.
4. Shopping + Dinning Portals
When shopping online and dining out there are ways to earn additional points.
You can sign up for Delta Dining and earn miles by going to restaurants and reviewing them on the site.
When shopping online, I utilize Rakuten to get Membership Reward points, American Express Rewards Account. They partner with a variety of stores to provide cash back for purchases where you can get either a check, PayPal transfer, or membership reward points transferred to you quarterly.
Furthermore, many credit cards have shopping portals, such as Shop through Chase and Citi Shop that allow you to earn additional points.
5. Credit Card points
I use a variety of strategies to accumulate points.
Specifically for my Chase products, I use the Chase Bonus site to ensure I am enrolled in any bonus categories. In addition, to make sure I am enrolled in the revolving categories for my Chase Freedom that change each quarter.
Next, I look for transfer bonuses with my credit cards! There are times when there is a 25 -40% bonus transfer to an airline and if I am looking for flights, I will transfer my miles to get the bonus.
In addition, I sign up for new credit cards when I have major purchases or need a larger quantity of points in a few months for a trip. I have signed up for new cards for tax payments, moving expenses, and group trip expenses.
Conclusion
To fund my travel lifestyle, I utilize many methods that earn points and maximize my cash. I hope that as I maximize my accounts, I will travel monthly and bring friends and family with me on these experiences. Check out my post about the Bahamas to learn how I am bringing my mom and niece out of the country.
I will share how I book my trips including transferring and highlight any time there is a transfer bonus. Make sure to subscribe.
In the comments, let me know if you do anything to help maximize points accumulation or cash savings.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no cost to you!
These are great tips. I didn’t know about Delta dining and I have been leary of Rakutan. I’ll look further into those programs now.
Thank you for sharing these great tips. Awesome post.
Great tips! I have to admit, I have never done the put in the dates not the destination idea – but I really do like that plan! You could end up anywhere!! 🙂
These are all fab tips. I am terrible at getting the most of the points we earn via credit cards. I need t copy you more!
Love these tips! I just started taking advantage of my AMEX Platinum credit card points for hotel stays and it’s been a cost saver for sure. I also linked my AMEX to my Rakuten account, as you mentioned. I also need to adapt more of your tips into my strategy. Thanks for sharing!