Earning Free Travel with Credit Card Points: A Beginner’s Guide

Let's be real: who doesn’t want to score free flights and hotel stays without draining your bank account?

It’s not just for the ultra-wealthy or the travel hackers who spend hours on Reddit forums. With a little savvy, you can earn travel rewards without breaking a sweat—especially if you’re already using credit cards for everyday purchases.

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting away without paying full price, this post is for you. I’m about to break down how you can use three of the most popular loyalty programs—Delta Skymiles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Amex Membership Rewards—to earn points quickly, redeem them for maximum value, and avoid common mistakes that could cost you big time.

1. Delta Skymiles: Your Ticket to Affordable Airfare

Delta’s loyalty program, Skymiles, might not get the best rap for ease of use, but with the right strategy, you can unlock some seriously sweet deals. As a major airline, Delta has a large network, which makes it a great option for U.S. domestic and international flights. Here’s how you can maximize Delta’s Skymiles program:

How to Earn Delta Skymiles:

• Sign-Up Bonus: Start by picking up a Delta SkyMiles American Express card. These often come with huge sign-up bonuses (think: 60,000 miles or more) that could get you round-trip flights to Europe or a few domestic trips within the U.S.

• Bonus Categories: Use your Delta card for airline purchases (obviously) but also consider everyday expenses like dining, groceries, and gas. Many of the Delta cards offer 2 miles per dollar spent on these categories.

• Special Promotions: Watch out for Delta’s periodic flash sales or SkyMiles promotions. Sign up for their email list and use websites like Thrifty Traveler to stay in the loop on big mileage bonuses.

How to Redeem Delta Skymiles:

• Use Skymiles for Flights: Skymiles can be used to book both Delta flights and partner airline flights (like Air France or KLM). The key is to book as far in advance as possible to score the best deals—typically the earlier, the cheaper.

• Upgrade with Miles: Another awesome use of Skymiles is upgrading your seat. If you’re going long-haul, spending a few thousand miles to score an upgrade to business class can be totally worth it.

• Check for “Miles + Cash” Deals: Sometimes you don’t have enough miles to book an entire ticket, but Delta allows you to use a mix of miles and cash for a flight—giving you flexibility while still saving.

  
  

Mistakes to Avoid:

• “Miles Expiry” Fear: Delta’s Skymiles don’t technically expire, but inactivity can lead to complications when it comes to redeeming them. So, make sure you’re earning and using miles periodically, even if it’s just for a small reward.

• Booking Too Late: Delta is notorious for having dynamic pricing, meaning Skymiles can fluctuate in value. The longer you wait to book, the more expensive your ticket becomes in miles, so book early!

2. Chase Ultimate Rewards: Versatility at Its Best

Chase Ultimate Rewards is hands-down one of the most flexible and valuable credit card rewards programs available. With cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can earn points that are like currency when it comes to travel. The cool thing? You can transfer points to over 10 travel partners, including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Hyatt, and more.

How to Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards:

• Sign-Up Bonuses: Chase offers some of the most lucrative sign-up bonuses out there, often around 60,000 points or more. This can be enough for a round-trip flight to Europe or an all-inclusive hotel stay in Mexico.

• Everyday Spending: The Sapphire Preferred earns 2x points on travel and dining, and the Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on dining and travel. This makes it an excellent card for building points while enjoying the lifestyle you already lead (hello, brunch and weekend getaways).

• Point Boosts: Chase frequently runs bonus categories, like earning 5x points on specific spending categories during certain months (think: travel-related purchases or streaming services). Use these to maximize point earnings during promotions.

  
  

How to Redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards:

• Transfer to Travel Partners: This is where the magic happens. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott. Often, this is the best way to redeem points for the most value (i.e., a flight that costs $500 may only require 30,000 points when transferred to United).

• Book Through the Chase Travel Portal: If you don’t want to deal with transferring points, you can also book flights, hotels, and car rentals directly through the Chase Travel Portal. The points will be worth 1.25 cents per point if you have the Sapphire Preferred or 1.5 cents per point if you have the Sapphire Reserve.

  
  

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Not Maximizing Transfer Partners: Chase points can be worth more when transferred to travel partners, but you need to ensure you’re transferring to an airline or hotel that has availability. Always check partner sites first before booking through the Chase portal.

• Not Using the Right Card for the Job: If you’re spending a lot on dining, travel, or online shopping, make sure you’re using the appropriate Chase card to earn those bonus categories. Don’t leave points on the table!

3. Amex Membership Rewards: Premium Points for Premium Travelers

American Express Membership Rewards is another powerhouse in the world of credit card points. With cards like the Amex Platinum or Amex Gold, you’re earning some serious points in high-reward categories.

How to Earn Amex Membership Rewards:

• Sign-Up Bonuses: Amex cards like the American Express Platinum often come with 60,000-100,000 points as a sign-up bonus. You’ll earn enough points for luxury experiences or multiple free flights with just one welcome bonus.

• Dining & Travel Bonuses: The Amex Gold card, for instance, earns 4x points on dining and U.S. supermarkets, while the Platinum earns 5x points on flights booked through Amex Travel.

• Referral Bonuses: Amex also gives you bonus points if you refer friends to apply for their cards. These can add up quickly if you have a wide circle of travel-savvy friends.

How to Redeem Amex Membership Rewards:

• Transfer Points to Airline Partners: Similar to Chase, Amex Membership Rewards points can be transferred to several airline partners, including Delta, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines. You can redeem these for international flights and business-class upgrades.

• Book Travel Through Amex Travel: If you prefer convenience, you can use your points directly through the Amex Travel portal. You’ll get 1 cent per point when booking flights, or you can use points for luxury hotels or car rentals.

Mistakes to Avoid:

• Not Paying Attention to Transfer Bonuses: Amex often runs transfer bonuses where you can get 30-40% more points when you transfer to specific airlines. Keep an eye on these promotions to maximize the value of your points.

• Underutilizing Points: Don’t let your points sit idle! Amex Membership Rewards points can be extremely valuable if used strategically, so don’t just cash them out for gift cards or statement credits—use them for travel!

Resources to Maximize Your Points and Miles

• Thrifty Traveler: This blog is your best friend for cheap flights, mistake fares, and maximizing your travel deals. Sign up for their newsletter to get alerts on discounted flights that you can book using your points.

• Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights): This service provides curated flight deals and can save you hundreds on flights to international destinations. Use it alongside your points to maximize savings.

• AwardWallet: A tool that tracks your miles and points across different programs so you can stay organized and maximize redemptions.

Final Thoughts

By understanding the ins and outs of loyalty programs like Delta Skymiles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Amex Membership Rewards, you can travel more often, further, and for less money. Whether you're a newbie to points and miles or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you optimize your strategy for earning and redeeming points. And remember, it’s not about how many points you earn—it’s about how smart you are when it comes to redeeming them. So, start stacking those points and get ready for your next adventure!