What is travel hacking?
                                                Hey everyone!
I’m back from my incredible time in Portugal, and I’m here to share my travel hacking journey with all of you. But before I dive into that, let me give you a little background story. As someone who has lived overseas for four years, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore numerous countries around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to experience the diverse cultures and cuisines of over 12 countries and counting.
One amusing surprise I encountered during my travels was learning that the proper way to cook spaghetti in Italy is “half done.” Can you imagine my confusion when I nearly sent back a plate of perfectly delicious but seemingly undercooked spaghetti on a date? The waitress had to educate me about the Italian way of cooking pasta quickly. It was an embarrassing yet humorous moment for me and my dinner companion.
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But enough about the amusing moments. Let’s get to the real reason why I chose Portugal. Years ago, during a solo trip, I visited the Algarve region and instantly fell in love with the country. The culture, the food, and the overall atmosphere captivated me like nothing else before. In a world filled with chaos, I found a sense of connection and safety in Portugal. I had a sense of peace. It was then that I knew I wanted to experience more of this incredible country.
Lisbon, initially a random spot on my vision board, became the next destination I yearned to explore. Coincidentally, my favorite YouTube family created a yearlong Cohort, which I’ll discuss in a future blog post. The Cohort included meetups in Portugal, starting in Lisbon. Thrilled by the opportunity, even though I hadn’t looked at my vision board for almost a year at that point, I purchased their course to attend these meetups.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. With purchases and expenses piling up, traveling overseas seemed financially impractical. That’s when I revisited my points and discovered the world of travel hacking. Travel hacking involves earning frequent flyer miles or points through unconventional methods and redeeming them for nearly-free travel. Thankfully, I had two amazing credit cards in my POCKET: AMEX Platinum and Chase Sapphire.
Photo from: The Points GuyLet me break down how these cards work:
AMEX Platinum:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 on purchases within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Chase Sapphire Preferred:
60,000 bonus points, equivalent to $750 toward travel.Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Both these credit cards offered fantastic rewards, and I realized I could leverage those points to make my dream of returning to Portugal a reality. With careful planning and strategic use of my points, I managed to offset the financial burden of my trip and turn it into a nearly-free adventure.Now, these cards both have annual fees, but if you’re in the military, both card fees are waived. Some people I know choose to keep the card for a while and then downgrade it to a card with no fees.
Travel hacking is not only about earning reward points; it has also significantly boosted my credit because I pay off the balances in full each month.Secret Telling: If you call the customer service ask them about the deadline to spend the required amount. An AMEX rep told me I had a year to spend to receive the rewards. But don’t take my word for it because things can change. Feel free to use my referral link. Earn 60,000 bonus points with Chase Sapphire Preferred. I can be rewarded, learn more.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6j/1W6FSDYT7D
In my upcoming blog posts, I’ll dive deeper into the specifics of travel hacking, sharing tips and tricks to help you maximize your rewards and create your own incredible travel experiences on a budget. Stay tuned for more!
Remember, even if you’re a hot mess like me, with a mix of accents and languages, the joy of exploring new places and immersing yourself in different cultures is always worth it. So, have you ever tried travel hacking to make your dream trips a reality? Or maybe you’ve had your own amusing language mishaps while traveling?
Share your stories and let’s continue the conversation in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear about your experiences and answer any questions you may have. Stay tuned for more travel hacks and tales in my upcoming blog posts. Happy travels, everyone!
Safe travels,
Larrian 🙂
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. TolkienI want to make it clear that I am not a financial advisor, and the information provided in this blog post is for entertainment purposes only. While travel hacking has personally worked well for me and positively impacted my credit, it may not be suitable for everyone. It’s important to do your own research, assess your financial situation, and consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. Remember, your financial circumstances are unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. Now, let’s dive into the exciting world of travel hacking!