How to Travel For Free By Using Loyalty Points and Rewards

Indeed, we've all fancied traveling the world at some point in life. But besides busy schedules, lack of motivation, and the hassles involved in planning a successful trip, many people prefer to take frequent trips to their desired locations for one big reason. Traveling, plainly put, doesn't usually come cheap!

And if you are like many people out there, you might have wondered if it's possible to take a trip to your dream destination without having to cover the expenses involved. Of course, it is only likely in today's economy that a relative, friend, or employer offers to pay for the trip.

But have you tried leveraging rewards and loyalty points? If not, read along to discover how loyalty and reward points can help you partially or entirely travel for free.

Sign Up For Loyalty Programs with Airlines and Hotels 

If you're a frequent traveler, loyalty programs can offer significant relief when you need to take a business trip or vacation with family while on a tight budget. 

From flights to hotel stays, dining experiences, and certain purchases, many airlines and hotels have a system that allows you to accumulate loyalty points every time you use their services during travel.

For example, some airlines allow you to earn free miles or kilometers on qualifying flight activities. On the other hand, hotel loyalty programs often offer bonuses such as room upgrades and discounts when certain requirements are met.

Utilize Credit Card Rewards (Earned on Purchases or Previous Travel) 

Credit card rewards can be a great way to save money when traveling. Many cards offer bonus points for qualifying purchases, flights, and hotel stays. You can use those earned points for discounts or even free travel bonuses later on the road.

Nonetheless, some have better perks than others, so research before taking one. The Sofi Card, for instance, allows you to earn 2 percent cash back on all purchases made, regardless of whether you're currently on a trip or not. 

It is also free of foreign transaction fees and zero annual fees.

Explore Mobile Apps That Earn You Airline Miles 

These days, many airlines have mobile apps that offer bonus miles for every dollar spent on a flight. The great news is that these only sometimes require flying with the same carrier! Some loyalty programs let you accumulate points from airline purchases and transfers between several airlines.

Moreover, some of these applications reward regular passengers for frequently using their service by providing additional bonuses such as early seat selection or priority check-in access. If you're looking for a way to travel for free, such apps are worth looking into.

Combining Deals: Explore Travel Reward Opportunities in Partnerships Between Hotels & Airlines 

Unbeknownst to many, certain hotel and airline loyalty programs partner to provide you with trip rewards. Investigating partnership opportunities between airlines and hotels is important when booking rooms or flight tickets, and many offer great points depending on how frequently you travel between them.

Let's say, for example, you're a frequent visitor of the same city, often making two different bookings – one for your stay at the same hotel and another for your flight.  

In this case, consider signing up for their individually owned loyalty programs.

Combining both services into one agreement may earn you more reward points for each trip. You could eventually redeem your accumulated points for an entirely free, stylish trip full of memorable travel experiences.

Traveling doesn't have to be expensive! You can build your own points bank for free travel by taking advantage of loyalty programs and rewards. Regardless of your location or time of year, take the time to research options so that you can maximize the value of your hard-earned dollars. Happy travels!