How Long Will It Take Me To Earn Enough Rewards for a Free Trip?

Once you discover Travel Hacking, you likely begin wondering how long it will take you to earn enough rewards to earn a free trip. The short answer? Anywhere from 3 months to 9 months, depending on a few key factors. Every person and situation is different and to account for that diversity, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for Travel Hacking. Let’s walk through what affects your timeline—and how you can fast-track your first free trip, no matter your budget or travel goals.

🔑 Factor #1: How Much Do You Spend Per Month?

The more you spend on everyday expenses, the faster you earn rewards (especially welcome bonuses). Here's how monthly spend affects your pace:

💸 Low Spenders:

• Spend around $1,400/month

• Still earn points fast enough to hit big bonuses

• Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or frugal families

• Timeline: 3–6 months for a free flight or hotel stay

💳 Medium Spenders:

• Spend around $2,500/month

• Can open multiple cards and hit larger bonuses

• Great for booking flights and hotels in the same trip

• Timeline: 4–6 months for an all-inclusive trip for two

💼 High Spenders:

• Spend $4,000+/month

• Easily qualify for multiple big bonuses per year

• Can stack points for luxury hotels, business-class flights, or family home rentals

• Timeline: 6–9 months for a luxury vacation for a family

🔑 Factor #2: What Kind of Trip Are You Aiming For?

The type of trip you want determines how many points you’ll need.

✈️ Flights

• Domestic: 15,000–25,000 points per person

• International: 30,000–60,000 points per person

🏨 Hotels

• 3 nights at a nice hotel: 30,000–60,000 points

• 5 nights in a luxury all-inclusive: 100,000–150,000 points

🏠 House Rentals

• Entire vacation homes: 150,000–250,000 points

• Great for families or groups

🔑 Factor #3: How Many Credit Cards Do You Want to Open Each Year?

Credit card welcome bonuses are the fastest way to rack up points. The more cards you open (strategically), the faster you earn free travel.

1 Travel Card =

• ~60,000 – 80,000 points

• Enough for a domestic roundtrip or 3–4 hotel nights

3 Travel Cards =

• ~180,000 – 240,000 points

• Enough for a couple’s getaway or a small family’s beach trip

5 Travel Cards =

• ~300,000 – 400,000+ points

• Enough for luxury resorts, international flights, or a weeklong house rental for 4–6 people

🔑 Factor #4: How Many People Are Traveling?

More people = more points needed. But it’s still very doable—especially in Two-Player Mode, where you and your spouse or partner earn points separately and combine them.

👤 Solo Traveler

• 50,000–70,000 points = a domestic flight + hotel nights

• Easily achievable with one card

💑 Married Couple

• 100,000–150,000 points = roundtrip flights + 4 nights

• Earn in 3–5 months with 2–3 cards

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family of 4

• 200,000–350,000 points = flights + hotel or house rental

• Reachable in under a year with strategy

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👦 Family of 5+

• 300,000–500,000+ points = resort or rental + flights

• Two-Player Mode helps hit this faster

🧠 So... How Fast Can You Earn Enough Points?

Let’s bring it all together with a few real-life timelines:

Example 1: Low Spender ($1,400/month)

• Gets 1 card

• Travels solo

• Wants a domestic trip
  → Timeline: 3 months

Example 2: Medium Spender ($2,500/month)

• Opens 3 cards over 6–9 months

• Couple’s trip to a luxury resort
  → Timeline: 5–6 months

Example 3: High Spender ($4,000/month)

• Opens 5 cards strategically

• Family of 4 renting a beach house
  → Timeline: 6–9 months

🚀 Want to Get There Faster?

If you’re ready to turn your everyday spending into $2,000–$10,000+ in free travel, the fastest route is my Launch Into Travel Hacking Course.

You’ll learn:

• Which cards to open (and in what order)

• How to meet minimum spend without overspending

• Where to transfer points for the best value

• How to book luxury trips for pennies on the dollar

🎯 Final Takeaway

Most people can earn enough points for a free trip in 3–6 months.
With a bit of strategy, you can book the vacation you’ve been dreaming of—without the price tag.

📌 Ready to make your first trip free?
Jump into the Launch Into Travel Hacking Course and let’s get you traveling smarter.