Turn your wanderlust into reality with expert strategies from Brian Kelly, the founder of The Points Guy
How to Win at Travel Top Ideas:
General Takeaways
- The book is packed with actionable tips on maximizing travel rewards, upgrades, and problem-solving.
- Reading alone isn’t enough—you must apply the strategies to see real benefits.
- Ideal for both beginners and experts, though newbies may feel overwhelmed at first.
Key Travel Hacks & Tips
- Loyalty Programs
- Sign up for free loyalty cards (e.g., American Airlines AAdvantage, Marriott Bonvoy).
- Link loyalty numbers to services like Uber for automatic point earnings.
- Strategic Credit Card Use
- Use cards that offer at least 2% back on all spending.
- Top picks:
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards (3% on online shopping).
- Barclay View Mastercard (3X points on dining, 2X on groceries).
- Chase Sapphire Reserve (Best for frequent travelers—lounge access, travel credits, 3-10X points).
- Shopping Portals
- Earn cashback or miles via portals like Rakuten or airline shopping portals.
- Use browser extensions to automate rewards.
- Discounts via Memberships
- Check AAA, AARP, or Costco Travel for exclusive deals.
- Booking Flights Smartly
- Domestic flights: Book ~6 weeks in advance.
- International flights: Book 3-6 months ahead.
- Use Google Flights for price trends and alerts.
- Book Directly with Hotels/Airlines
- Better customer service, upgrades, loyalty points, and flexible cancellations.
- Skip Airport Lines
- Get TSA PreCheck (for domestic) or Global Entry (international).
- Some credit cards cover the fee.
- Airport Lounge Access
- Access via Priority Pass or elite cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve).
- Lounges offer free food, drinks, showers, and relaxation.
- Travel Insurance
- Check existing coverage (credit cards, personal insurance).
- Consider yearly policies (e.g., InsureMyTrip) for frequent travelers.
- Know Your Rights
- For delays/cancellations, research:
- U.S.: Aviation Consumer Protection.
- EU: Air Passenger Rights (EU261 offers strong compensation).
Final Verdict
- Worth reading if you’re willing to take action—potential to save hundreds to thousands yearly.
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