The 10 Biggest Travel Hacking Myths (And The Truth Behind Them)

Travel Hacking sounds too good to be true, right? Free flights, luxury hotels, VIP treatment—all just for using the right credit cards?

If you’re skeptical, you’re not alone. I used to think Travel Hacking was some kind of scam or that it required spending way too much money. But after earning over 1.2 million points in a year and traveling for free multiple times, I can confidently say: Travel Hacking is real, and it works.

One of my most recent course students sent me this message this week: "I often hear about things that seem “too good to be true” and I have to be honest, this seemed like that too. But going through the course and actually starting this… I’m a believer and I can’t wait to go back to Kauai. It’s really fun to do this!"

That said, there are a lot of misconceptions that hold people back. So let’s bust the 10 biggest Travel Hacking myths and get you on the path to free travel!

Myth #1: Travel Hacking is a Scam

✅ The Truth: Travel Hacking is 100% legitimate - it’s simply about earning credit card rewards and using them strategically.

Airlines, hotels, and banks offer these rewards because they want your business. The key is knowing how to earn and redeem points the right way.

💡 Real Example: I used Travel Hacking to book a birthday trip for my wife & I at an all-inclusive Cancun resort + flights for free! We saved over $5,000 by using just a fraction of our points—no gimmicks, no fine print, just smart strategy.

Myth #2: It Will Ruin Your Credit Score

✅ The Truth: Travel Hacking actually improves your credit score—as long as you manage it responsibly.

Your credit score is based on five factors, and opening new cards has only a small impact compared to:
🔹 Paying bills on time (most important factor)
🔹 Keeping credit utilization low
🔹 Having a long credit history

💡 Personal Proof: My credit score is still excellent after years of opening travel credit cards. In fact, it’s gone up over time!

Myth #3: You Have to Spend a Ton of Money

✅ The Truth: You don’t need to spend extra money to earn travel rewards—you just need to redirect your existing spending.

Most credit card welcome bonuses require spending $3,000–$4,000 in 3 months. But consider this:
💰 Rent/mortgage
🍽 Groceries & dining
⛽ Gas & utilities
📱 Cell phone & subscriptions

You’re already spending this money—why not earn free flights and hotels from it?

💡 Pro Tip: Some credit cards even let you pay rent and bills while earning points!

Myth #4: You Can’t Use Points for Peak Travel Times

✅ The Truth: Many people think you can only book off-season or blackout dates, but that’s false!

Most travel reward programs don’t have blackout dates—you just need to book early and use the right points program.

💡 Example: I booked a $3,800 luxury oceanfront beach condo last August using Travel Hacking—peak season, no problem.

Myth #5: It’s Too Complicated

✅ The Truth: Travel Hacking is easier than you think—especially when you follow a step-by-step system (like in my course 😉).

Most people overcomplicate it, but here’s all you need to do to start:
1️⃣ Get a top travel credit card (like Chase Sapphire Preferred)
2️⃣ Use it for everyday spending
3️⃣ Meet the welcome bonus requirements
4️⃣ Redeem points for free flights & hotels

💡 Pro Tip: Once you do it once, you’ll never go back!

Myth #6: You Need a High Income

✅ The Truth: Travel Hacking works for anyone who spends at least $1,400 per month on normal expenses. My family lives and works in the poorest neighborhood in our urban city. We make less than the average American income, and we spend less money than the average American, but our below-average income and expenses have still positioned us to be above average in traveling the world for free!

It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how you spend strategically. If you:
✅ Buy groceries
✅ Pay for gas
✅ Have a phone bill
✅ Eat out occasionally

Then you can earn thousands of dollars in free travel every year.

Myth #7: It Only Works for Frequent Travelers

✅ The Truth: Travel Hacking works even if you travel once a year—or if you’re just planning a dream vacation.

The best part? You can save up points for months or even years and then use them for:
🌍 A big international trip
👰 Your honeymoon
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A family vacation

I’ve helped people book free Disney trips, anniversary vacations, honeymoons, and even last-minute emergency flights.

Myth #8: You Have to Pay High Annual Fees

✅ The Truth: Some travel credit cards have annual fees, but they often pay for themselves with perks like:

Free checked bags ✈️ 
Airport lounge access 🏢
Hotel upgrades 🏨
Statement credits 💰

Plus, many no-annual-fee travel cards still offer amazing rewards!

💡 Example: I once got a $95 annual fee card that earned me $5,000 in free hotels and resorts in a year—a massive return on investment!

Myth #9: Travel Points Aren’t Worth Much

✅ The Truth: Travel points can be worth 5-10x more than cash back when used correctly.

Bad redemption: 50,000 points for a $500 cash-out.
Smart redemption: 50,000 points for a $2,500 lay-flat business-class flight.

💡 Real Proof: I once turned 160,000 points into $8,000 in luxury international flights. Cash back? It would have been just $1,600.

Myth #10: It’s Too Late to Start

✅ The Truth: There has never been a better time to start Travel Hacking!

New credit card offers, higher welcome bonuses, and more airline partnerships mean you can start earning free travel right now.

Final Thought: 

💡 Every day you wait is a day you could be earning free travel. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time? Right now.

📌 Want to start Travel Hacking the right way? Check out my step-by-step course here: Launch into Travel Hacking