What is Travel Hacking?

You're likely asking a very common question... What is Travel Hacking!? Typically, when we think of "hacking", we think of bad things like computer hacking! A hack actually isn't a bad thing like you might naturally think or assume though. By definition, a hack is simply a strategy or technique for managing one's time or activities more efficiently. 

We all regularly use "life hacks" on a daily basis. Maybe for you, it's the routine place you've carved out for your keys so you never lose them. Maybe it's the unique and creative ways you combine foods. Maybe it's the ways you've maximized space for storage in your home. Maybe it's the dozens of tricks that you use on your phone. Whether it's one of those things, or dozens of other life hacks, I would love to help you add travel hacking to your repertoire of life hacks!

You've likely already tried to "hack" travel. It could've been through flying with a budget airline, booking through a travel discount site, or staying in a cheap motel... Those options aren't bad, but they're definitely not the best. Frontier Airlines is notorious for canceled & delayed flight issues, Priceline saves money but still falls far short of free travel, and motels give you a place to sleep, but not much else.

I've done all of these and more over the years, but I actually don't do any of them anymore... Thanks to Travel Hacking! So what is Travel Hacking?

Travel Hacking is a strategic process to layer & leverage credit card rewards for thousands of dollars in free flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, and more each year. 

But I know what you're thinking... What's the catch!? There isn't a catch, but there is a key factor you need to watch out for. Credit card companies are betting on your lack of financial responsibility & restraint. They will be extremely generous in their welcome bonuses, offers, and rewards systems because they're literally betting their money that you will overspend. Here's a key word of warning... You will lose far more in interest and fees than you will ever gain in travel rewards if you don't manage your credit card wisely.

Travel Hacking isn’t about spending more money, or spending money that you don’t have. You should never spend any money on a credit card that you can’t pay off that month without interest or late fees. Travel Hacking must be built on that wise & responsible foundation. I've never paid interest or late fees on any of my credit cards on this journey, but I have accumulated over 1 Million Travel Rewards Points in a year! The reward is available, if you can guard against the risk.

In his excellent book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", Robert Kiyosaki writes about a key shift in our financial mindset from a defeating statement: "I can't afford that...", to a key question: "How can I afford that?" You can make that same type of shift with travel. From "I can't afford that trip" to "How can I afford that trip?". 

Travel Hacking can make your dream travels a reality!