Used credit card rewards to book long haul flights trips: 20 years, 3 best tips here

Keep rewards flexible

The writer recommends spreading points across several programs rather than relying on one airline, hotel chain, or card. Their current mix includes cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One, along with co-branded cards for United, Delta, and Marriott and memberships in dozens of loyalty programs.

Airline alliances and individual partnerships can let members use miles on another carrier, but redemption costs vary between programs. For Star Alliance flights, the writer checks Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and All Nippon Airways Mileage Club, among others.

The writer rarely books through credit card travel portals, saying these usually value points at one cent each. Comparing airline partners may provide more value, so they advise checking options before transferring points or booking.

Consider another departure city

Travelers who search only from their home airport may miss cheaper fares or award flights. The writer suggests considering a separate flight to another city, then continuing by budget carrier, train, or car.

The writer has planned vacations around these positioning flights, treating them as a chance to visit another place. For one return trip, they found four economy tickets from Heathrow for 98,000 Flying Blue miles and $804 in taxes and fees.

They flew from Dubrovnik to London on a separate low-cost carrier the day before, then used hotel points for a one-night stay. The stop turned the journey home into a short visit to London.

Choose bonuses with purpose

The writer cautions against opening and closing cards simply to collect welcome bonuses, a practice known as churning. Sign-up offers can be worthwhile when they fit purchases someone already planned to make.

Their approach is to earn points strategically and use them for trips they genuinely want, rather than trying to maximize every fraction of a cent. The writer says a good redemption is one that enables travel and leaves more money available for the next trip.