The number one key to success with traveling with credit card points is staying organized. To be able to sustain long term free travel you will be applying for a new credit card every one to three months when you first start out. This means you have to keep track of application dates, bonuses, annual fees, 5/24 status, etc.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are some of the most valuable travel points you can earn. With multiple travel transfer partners like United Airlines, Southwest, British Air and hotels like Hyatt and IHG, the options for free travel are endless.

Almost every day I get a message on Instagram asking if you should cancel your credit card after getting your welcome bonus points. The answer is no, no and no. You should absolutely keep your credit card for at least one year. Credit card companies are cracking down on people that they believe are gaming the system, that is people that apply for a card, earn the sign up bonus and then cancel the card quickly.

Last year, the Capital One® Venture X Rewards Credit Card burst on the scene with an unbelievable welcome offer putting this card on everyone’s radar and even had us reconsidering 5/24 all together!

One of the most lucrative ways to earn travel points is by signing up for a credit card with a large sign up bonus, meeting the minimum spend requirement and paying the annual fee. With one credit card sign up bonus I can earn enough points to travel to Europe for almost free. Hands down this is the best and fastest way to earn points for travel.

My biggest challenge when I started travel hacking was trying to figure out how we could earn enough points for all of us to travel for free. If you have a partner, you both carry a bank debit card and you are both making purchases on that card. It makes total sense that you should both be putting that spend on new credit cards to earn the lucrative sign up bonuses.

We have been able to book some great free travel over the years with our Chase points including 6 free one-way flights to Europe, flying Business class to Tokyo and flying free on Southwest on numerous occasions.