Travel Now, Pay Smart: How to Use Travel Reward Cards & Flex Pay to Make Trips Happen

Dreaming of your next adventure but hesitant because of the cost? The truth is, you don’t need to wait until your savings account is full to start exploring. With the right strategies, you can travel now and pay smart by leveraging travel reward credit cards and flexible payment options.

1. Travel Reward Credit Cards: Your Best Travel Companion

• Why they’re game-changers: Earn points and miles on everyday purchases.

• Our Personal Favorites: We've used Chase Sapphire, Chase United, Bank of America Alaska Card, and Capital One Venture—each has been great for different reasons!

• Pro tip:Sign-up bonuses can often cover long-haul flights! Whenever we have big purchases coming up that will help us hit a sign-up bonus quickly, we open a travel credit card to earn those extra points.

• Word of Caution: This strategy works best when done responsibly. We’ve learned from experience that overspending can be a risk, but if you’re already planning the expense and can pay it off immediately, it’s an easy way to rack up travel rewards without debt stress.

Want to start earning points toward free travel? Message me for my exclusive referral link to the best travel credit cards I personally use!

2. How I’ve Used Travel Rewards to Book Trips

• Real examples: One of the biggest perks of travel credit cards is how much they can reduce flight and hotel costs—often making trips nearly free!

  ✈️ We’ve booked countless domestic flights for under 5K points each way.
  🌍 Our flights to Egypt? Just $92 out-of-pocket using Chase Sapphire points!
  🇮🇹 Flights to Italy? Only $152!

  Currently, I’m working on a trip to Mexico using smart point redemptions:
  ✅ Flying to bigger hub cities for just 5K Alaska miles, then buying significantly cheaper tickets to Oaxaca.
  ✅ Booking a 5-night hotel stay for just 21K miles!

  I’m also planning a New York, Lisbon, and Paris trip, where I’ll be combining our Alaska and Capital One points to make it happen for a fraction of the cost.

• Maximizing rewards: Use sign-up bonuses, transfer points strategically, and take advantage of companion passes.

Ready to book your first points-funded trip? DM me for my referral link and let’s get you started!

3. Flex Pay: Spreading Out the Cost Without Debt Stress

• What is it? Many travel agencies (including mine!) offer installment plans.

• How it works: You book your dream trip now and pay over time.

• Why it makes sense: Flexible, often low or interest-free, and helps you say YES to experiences sooner!

  Of course, saving up is ideal, but let’s be real—with this economy, that could take a while! LOL I truly believe in living your best life now, because tomorrow isn’t promised. If a trip is calling your name, let’s make it happen!

Bonus: If you want to book your next trip using a payment plan, reach out! I can help you set it up through my travel advisor services for part or all of your trip!

4. Is This the Right Strategy for You?

• Best for: People with stable income who can pay off balances on time.

• What to avoid: High-interest rates and overspending beyond your means.

• Final Tip: Travel rewards and flex pay are amazing tools for making travel more affordable, but they should be used wisely—not as an excuse to overspend.

  That said, Jake and I have definitely been guilty of this! But honestly? I have zero regrets about spending on travel! Maybe on other things, but never on experiences that create lifelong memories. ‘

  🌍✈️

Ready to Start Earning Free Travel?

If you’re curious about which travel rewards card is best for you, or want my exclusive referral link, send me a DM or comment below! You’ll get a sign-up bonus, and I’ll earn some extra points too—it’s a win-win!

Want to book your next trip with a payment plan? Let’s chat about flexible options so you can travel sooner without financial stress.