*Reposting with out using AI to format*
We’re a family obsessed with travel—and we’ve figured out how to always use credit card points redemptions to fly and have completed our 10 years of doing it.
In last 10 years, we visited 28 countries (Our 6-year-old son has already been to 18 countries). We try to take 3-4 vacations each year. We truly believe travel helps us to reset, slow down, and build memories that last forever—especially as a family. And credit points allowed it to be feasible and flexible (with most redemptions having good reschedule/cancellation policies).
We typically fly in economy (I find it hard to find business class tickets using miles). Apart from 3 of our tickets, I also have sponsored our parents international trips as well. 2 exceptions of economy tickets are – 1 RTW business class trip and 1 business class trip for my mom to Vietnam to celebrate her 60.
All this started with building good credit score and then maintaining it (Both of our FICO scores are 820+). We open/downgrade/cancel credit cards in a structured way to take advantage of SUBs.
Ask me anything about:
- How to build credit scores from nothing?
- How we maintain our credit score?
- How we earn & use miles?
- Flying free and flexibly internationally in economy
- Mistakes we made early on (there were plenty)
Happy to share specifics, numbers, itineraries, and lessons learned.
Completed a decade of flying *almost* FREE using credit card points. AMA!
byu/Fit_Ad_1502 inCreditCards
Posted by Fit_Ad_1502
7 Comments
What’s the usual value of points while getting Economy tickets?
Also which credit card points do you think are most valuable for economy tickets?
What card would you recommend to someone making just over six figures to maximize travel reward. I’m not loyal to any airlines although United is a big hub where I’m at. (Lounge access is a plus)
You mention 6 year old; how many total in family? Any airlines or any programs easier than others for getting all free seats? Do you ever split bookings to make sure average rate isn’t inflated? Example I find some routes where Qatar has a lower effective price for 2 tickets but then sometimes more than doubles when I try to check for 4 (with 2 young kids). Others like AF often discount kids seats
What’s your usually monthly spend?
I’ve always struggled redeeming points and planning around redemption, it would be only harder with a family. Can you share few recent redemptions you did and how planed around it?
whats rhe best ecosystem card setup for flights and hotels? need a recommendation for a setup with lounge access and one without caring about lounge access. trying to see if theres a cheaper version of a buddy’s 2 ecosystme setup of:
– chase sapphire preferred+chase freedom unlimit
– amex gold + amex plat
airport hub is lax. oversea destinatons: korea,japan,france,itay
TLDR; high income + high spend = high ROI