Travelers Save Big on Vacations with Strategic Credit Card Use and Discounted Gift Cards

TAMPA - In a bid to maximize their vacation savings, travelers are increasingly turning to savvy credit card strategies and discounted gift cards.

Strategic Credit Card Use

"I use a Southwest credit card and a Marriott credit card and have for years. In their rewards clubs, I get points. I probably save five to ten thousand dollars a year just on flights," said traveler Andy Garver.

Angel Suarez, another savvy traveler, shared, "We use our American Express Delta Reserve card to accumulate points for free flights and free luggage. It's a great way to make our travel more affordable."

Jeanette McDonald, another frequent traveler, explained, "With your Chase rewards credit card, if you build up enough points and spend strategically, there are times I can put $500 to $600 into my account. It allows you to use it for travel, rental cars, or just as cash back. It’s a versatile and valuable strategy."

The Power of Gift Cards

Gift cards are also a valuable tool for vacation savings. "It is very reasonable to save 10% on your vacations each year by buying discounted gift cards," said Summer Hull, Director of Content at The Points Guy.

Warehouse Membership Deals

Hull highlighted the benefits of checking membership warehouses for deals. "At both Sam's Club and Costco, we've seen Southwest Airlines offer a $500 gift card for $449. That's a $50 savings just by being strategic with your purchase," she noted.

Travelers can further optimize their savings by using credit cards that offer points for purchasing gift cards. "You can double up your points. Buy the gift card with a points-earning credit card, then use the gift card and benefit from the discount. It's like stacking your savings," explained Hull.

Joshua Susmarski, another traveler, added, "Every once in a while, they'll have Disney World gift cards at $100 for $75. Buy a few of those, save money, and earn credit card points. It’s a great deal, especially for families planning a trip to Disney."

Non-Membership Options

Even without a warehouse membership, similar deals can be found elsewhere. "At Target, if you have a Target card, you can get 5% off gift cards. They carry many of the same brands and more," Hull pointed out. This makes it easier for more people to access these savings.

Bonus Gift Cards

Hull also suggested leveraging bonus points and cashback offers. "If your credit card offers bonus points or cashback at grocery or office supply stores, buy gift cards there. For example, Chase and Amex offer five times points at office supply stores. Buying Disney gift cards there could save even more if you value your points," she said. This approach maximizes the benefits of existing credit card rewards programs.

Built-In Credit Card Offers

Hull advised checking for built-in offers on your credit cards. "Log into your account and manually add offers. There are discounts on hotels, airlines, etc. I saved $100 on our last Marriott stay by adding an Amex offer that gave me $100 back if I spent $300. It was a huge saving, and all I had to do was click to add the offer," she explained. These offers are often easy to activate and can lead to significant savings.

Examples of Specific Offers

• American Express Offers: Often include discounts or cashback on hotel stays, flights, and car rentals. These can be activated directly through the Amex app or website.

• Chase Offers: Similar to Amex, Chase frequently provides deals on travel-related expenses. These offers can be found in the "Offers" section of the Chase app or website.

• Discover Deals: Discover cardholders can access a range of travel discounts through the "Discover Deals" portal.

Maximizing Savings with a Multi-Card Strategy

Many travelers find success by using multiple credit cards to take advantage of various reward structures. For example:

• Airline Cards: Cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards card or the American Express Delta Reserve offer points and perks specifically for airline travel.

• Hotel Cards: Cards like the Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors American Express provide points and benefits for hotel stays.

• General Travel Cards: Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture Rewards offer flexible points that can be used for various travel-related expenses.

Conclusion

By strategically using credit cards and purchasing discounted gift cards, travelers can significantly reduce their vacation expenses. Staying informed about available offers and leveraging them can lead to substantial savings, making dream vacations more affordable. Whether it's through point accumulation, discounted gift cards, or leveraging built-in credit card offers, there are numerous ways to save on travel costs.