How I fly to Europe and Stay in 4-star Hotels Without Paying Full Price — The Exact Playbook
"I grew up in the Coachella Valley and didn't get on a plane until I was 19, when I studied abroad and crossed an ocean for the first time. My immigrant parents were terrified. I was not. And the moment that plane touched down in a country I'd only read about, everything changed. I've now visited 26 countries. Most of my flights cost me under $100 in taxes. Here's exactly how."
Ready to Travel More for Less?
This guide is packed with affiliate links to the cards I personally use or recommend, so you can start hacking your way to luxury travel on a budget.
1. Choose the Right Travel Credit Card
Not all travel cards are created equal. Here are the heavy hitters I swear by:
Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Great for beginners, flexible points, and valuable travel protection.
Capital One Venture Rewards: 2x miles on every purchase + easy redemption.
Pro Tip: Look for cards with big welcome bonuses that match your spending habits. That bonus alone could cover your next trip!
2. Stack Your Points Like a Pro
Getting the card is just step one. Now, let’s stack those rewards:
Pair Cards Strategically: Use different cards for different categories (e.g., food, gas, travel).
Use Shopping Portals: Rakuten + Capital One = points plus cash back.
Book Through Travel Portals: Chase Ultimate Rewards often offer extra value per point.
3. Maximize Travel Perks & Protections
The best travel cards offer more than points:
Trip Delay + Baggage Insurance: Chase Sapphire comes through when your flight doesn’t.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: Save money while spending abroad.
Priority Boarding + Lounge Access: Get the VIP treatment with the right card combo - Psst Priority Pass is life-changing & included with Chase Sapphire Preferred®and Capital One Venture Rewards.
4. Earn and Burn Smart
Don't hoard those points! Use them wisely:
Book Flights During Off-Peak Times
Transfer Points to Partners: Chase and Amex let you move points to airlines and hotels.
Mix Cash + Points for partial redemptions that stretch your stash.
5. Combine with a Travel Budget Plan
Rewards stretch further when paired with a solid travel budget. Use my LatinaPhD Abroad Budget Template to plan your trips and spending ahead of time.
6. Track & Automate Everything
Don’t let points expire or forget payment dates. Here’s how:
Set Alerts for payment due dates.
Use Planners from my Amazon Storefront to track points, trips, and expenses.
Check Points Monthly so you don’t lose value.
7. Bonus: My Favorite Card Combo for Free Euro Trips
My current winning combo:
Chase Sapphire Preferred for flights
Capital One Venture for anything else
Airport Ready with my my travel essentials from tech, luggage, and incredible and affordable outfits on my Amazon Storefront.
Together, they let me book a round-trip to Spain and 5 nights in Madrid with ZERO out-of-pocket costs (other than taxes/fees). If I can do it, you can too.
Final Thoughts
Credit card hacking isn’t a scam—it’s a strategy. With the right cards and smart spending, you can travel more, spend less, and rack up points while living your best life. Use my affiliate links above to apply and support this blog while you prep for takeoff.
Your passport is waiting. Let’s go!
