Credit Card Points Accumulation
The foundation of travel hacking is accumulating transferable points through credit card spending. Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points and Capital One Miles all transfer to airline and hotel partners at ratios enabling business class redemptions at values of 5-15 cents per point versus 1 cent in cash value.
Welcome Bonus Strategy
Premium credit card welcome bonuses represent the fastest legitimate point accumulation method. A single premium credit card welcome bonus of 60,000-100,000 points can fund one or two business class tickets to European destinations. Planning card applications around large necessary purchases meets spending requirements without artificial overspending.
Partner Airline Redemptions
Airline alliances enable redeeming miles from one carrier program to book seats on partner airlines. British Airways Avios can book American Airlines, Iberia and other Oneworld partner flights. Partner redemptions sometimes deliver better rates than the operating airline own program.