How to Tackle Your Bucket List With Points, Miles and Deals
Bucket list trips don't have to cost a fortune. Here are 10 tips on how to use points, miles and deals to afford that once-in-a-lifetime trip sooner than imagined.
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Take Advantage of Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses and Points
"There is no doubt that rewards credit cards and their 50,000 to 100,000 point sign-up bonuses are the fastest and cheapest ways to get almost free flights and hotel stays," says Summer Hull of Mommy Points. "For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve gets you 100,000 points worth $1,500 in travel with $4,000 in purchases. Of course many of those cards do have annual fees and you won't come out on top in the long run if you don't pay off the balances each month to avoid interest," she says. Experts across the board recommend Chase Sapphire Preferred as one of the best cards for accruing points. Editor-in-Chief of The Points Guy Zach Honig says, “Not only does this card offer 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months, those points are much more flexible than the points and miles you’ll earn directly with a hotel or airline, since you can transfer them to a partner when you’re ready to book an award, or redeem them for paid flights, hotel stays and some other travel expenses directly through Chase.” Other recommendations for racking up points include Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You Points and the Starwood Preferred Guest Program.