The Worst Travel Hacking Mistakes To Avoid: A Complete Guide
Sep 10, 2023 By Sean William

Traveling has never been this easy and affordable ever before. And, if you want to enjoy traveling at cheaper rates, travel hacking is an incredible way to lower the cost further. Though there are hundreds and thousands of hacks to travel at cheap rates, even then, people make mistakes. So, if you want to avoid these Travel Hacking Mistakes, this article will guide you.

Travel hiking is an art where you sign up for credit cards and get the miles and points, which later on are used for flight upgrades, free flights, and accommodation. Do you know you can enjoy all this without paying any additional cost?

Saying that traveling hack is a way to get more for paying less wouldn't be wrong. But, many people, instead of enjoying free hotel stays, upgrades, and upgrades, ruin everything because of their little mistakes. Yes, you heard it right!

If you want to know what travel hacking mistakes to avoid in 2023, this article has everything you want to know. Let's delve into the details without any further delays!

What Are The Worst Travel Hacking Mistakes To Avoid

Below are the common travel hacking mistakes to avoid, let's have a look over them:

Not Starting The Travel Hacking

Most of the travelers' biggest mistake is not starting the travel hacking. When you ask the travelers, they will say either they don't know what travel hack is or it seems hard. But they don't know how many benefits they can get through travel hacks.

If, like these people, you also think that it's a scam or only for those who travel frequently, you are wrong. When you pay your credit cards monthly, why are you saying no to free money? So, start getting free points and miles and travel cheaply!

Don't Have A Goal

Set a goal before signing up for a card, even for the first time. For instance, you must plan a family trip, choose the travel destination, the place where you would love to stay, and how you will reach there. After that, search for the credit card that can help you reach there.

Without a goal, you cannot think which card will be the best for you and the other perks you need. So, make a goal first and then choose the which offers you different perks that suit your lifestyle, travel goals, and budget.

No Cards With Annual Fee

Many people choose the credit with higher annual charges. If you are not getting any additional benefits from these cards, why are you paying hundreds of dollars to the companies? It is one of the biggest international travel hiking mistakes to avoid, as cards with higher annual fees offer you much better than cards with no fees. So, get extra benefits like access to special offers and better travel protection when paying higher annually.

Not Meeting The Signup Bonuses

You get a welcome bonus when you sign up for any travel car. You get this bonus by spending a specific amount within a specific period after opening the account. Through these welcome offers, you can earn millions of points every year, with the help of which you can easily get free stays and flight offers.

Not Using The Mile Points

Many people earn the mile points but never think of using them. It is undoubtedly the biggest mistake and does not make any sense. It usually happens for two reasons: people don't know how to use them or keep waiting for the right time to use them. The points eventually expire as one never gets the chance to use them. Instead of waiting, you must use these points to access free flights and other opportunities.

No Transferable Points

These points are transformable, as their name suggests; later on, you can use them while traveling. But, before that, you need to learn how to use these transformable points. Though you cannot use these points with another person, you can use them with associated hotel partners and airlines.

Failing To Pay The Credit Card Bills

The most important thing is to pay for the credit card and never put you under. The rates of credit cards are increasing daily, and by not paying on time, you can get yourself in trouble. So, always remember to pay monthly to keep yourself away from any problems.

Point Expiry

Travel hacking is not easy; neither is getting the free points. So, when you get the free points to make your next flight almost free, why wait for these points to expire? You can use these points within a specific time. So, never forget to utilize them before their expiry date reaches.

Shopping Through Shopping Portal

Many hotels and airlines have shopping portals; you can earn free points by shopping through them. Many of you already shop from those portals, so why not shop this time to earn the free points? The miles or points will be added to your card when you purchase.

Forget To Check The Visa Requirements

It is a major mistake many of the tourists make unknowingly. If you are traveling to a country requiring a visa, ensure you have the one with all other needed documents before leaving home.

No Understanding Of 5/24 Rule

The rule says you can get only 5 Chase cards for 24 months. Therefore, you must get all 5 cards in the beginning so that when your cards expire, you can choose the other 5 cards for the next 24 months.

Don't Signup Of Cred Cards Jointly

Never join the cards jointly with your spouse if you want more points. It is because, by joining separately, you and your spouse can get more free points. Also, you can refer each other and benefit from the referral bonuses.

Never Signing Up For New Cards

Most of us often sign up for a few cards and get excited after getting free points. After utilizing those points, we never considered signing up for new cards. It is the biggest mistake you make. You must sign up for the new cards to get more points until you need to travel again.

Conclusion:

Travel hacking is available around the world. Many people use it every time they travel and get amazing benefits. But, even if you are experienced and informed travelers, many of us unconsciously make various common travel hacking mistakes.

For instance, you are not getting the cards with annual charges, not meeting the signup bonuses, not using the mile points, signing up for the cards jointly, or never signing up for the new cards. If you are making any of these mistakes, avoid them from now on and save your free points and miles!