I just wrapped up a fun week of travel in Greece and paid for 95% of it with my credit card points.
Want to learn how you can too? In this article, I’ll share with you how I did it and other travel tips you can use for your next vacation.
How To Travel to Greece Through Your Points.
The first step is to do your research and create a plan.
When I started my search, I looked up which flights have the best routes to Athens. Some of the more "affordable" flights have upwards of 15-hour layovers. That's a hard pass for me.
I Googled the flights and found one from LA to Athens with a short layover in Amsterdam.
Once I found the flight that I wanted, I looked up what airline I wanted to fly with. Then, I went to the website to see how many points I would need in order to book the flight.
It's important to remember that you will need to have an account with the airline before you transfer the points over. Some international flights offer better deals so keep an open perspective.
At this point, you're ready to cash in your points.
The Right Credit Cards Will Get You the Most Points
Now if you're wondering “which cards get me the most points?” here you go:
I've compiled a list of some of my favorite cards [insert link]. But it starts before you apply for the cards. You need to start with having a good personal relationship with the bank and working your way up.
That's part of what Credit Stacking is all about!
Jack McColls Travel Tips In Greece
The trick to mastering your point usage is to make sure you're getting a good return on your spending. Some cards will give you massive incremental returns staying at their hotels.
When I learned how to do it for myself, I couldn’t stop! I’ve been able to travel the world because of it. Once I figured it out I had to share it!
While I'm in the spirit of helping you get ready for your trip, here are some additional tips when you get there.
Use Chase Credit card points - I’m a big fan of Ink or Sapphire - to transfer Hyatt for a 3-5x value on your points. We stayed at secrets and gold suites and they were amazing.
Stay in multiple hotels, one in Oia and one in Imerovigli. It's more effort, but trust me, it's definitely worth it! Make sure you stay in a hotel that has an ocean view and delivers breakfast to your balcony. Your Instagram followers will thank you later.
When traveling around, a taxi is better than renting a car. Parking can be a bit of a headache.
Bonus tips when traveling in Europe:
Bring a hand-held luggage scale
Cash is king
Buy a local SIM card at the airport
Credit Stacking is your way to financial freedom. Being able to travel the world is just an awesome byproduct.
What you've learned in this blog is just the tip of the iceberg. There's a whole world of credit hacking that is waiting to be discovered.
Join the community of hundreds of students who are funding their next big idea, creating great relationships with the right banks, and enjoying the benefits of having hundreds of thousands of points at their disposal.