• Google Buzz

All work and no play is an unreasonable way to live, even if you are focused on being frugal and sticking to a strict budget. Individuals and families need some downtime, to enjoy each other’s company and to simply relax and have a good time.

For years, I thought my family couldn’t afford to take a vacation.  I had children within months of my graduating college, and with college loans and an unfortunate pile of credit card debt obtained when the loans didn’t quite cover my tuition, we were feeling the pinch. Recently though, I decided we would feel less stressed and overworked if we would take the time out once in awhile to enjoy some family mini-vacations.

We’re definitely better off with money now than we were five years ago, but it’s still tighter than we’d like! So I spent some time trying to figure out how to take a trip for less money, because let’s face it- traveling is not cheap. Despite my anti-credit card stance that I took upon graduating college with a few thousand dollars in credit card debt; I’ve learned that certain credit cards are actually the perfect tool for saving money on vacations. The rewards programs and card benefits that these companies are offering in an effort to compete with one another in an increasingly competitive industry just keep getting better. Often, you earn rewards just for becoming a new cardholder; while other cards will give you enough points or rewards to redeem just for making a purchase (of any dollar amount).

Travel related rewards offered through credit cards include:

  • free and discounted airline tickets

  • free and discounted hotel stays, some with free continental breakfast

  • full vacation packages, including cruises

  • free and discounted rental cars

  • free and discounted restaurant meals

In addition to the travel related rewards, there are a number of benefits and features that credit cards provide, when you use them to make your travel arrangements. These benefits are things we often purchase or consider purchasing when planning a trip – and you could easily get them for no additional cost if you knew they existed with your credit card!

Benefits and no-cost additional perks for cardholders of many cards include:

  • travel accident insurance coverage

  • emergency roadside assistance

  • wireless phone minutes and services

  • emergency cash dispursement

  • theft protection

  • purchase protection

  • personal concierge services

Now, I didn’t run out and apply to every credit card offer I saw, and certainly don’t recommend anyone do that for the cardholder benefits. However, once you’ve decided the type of trip you want to take, I think it makes perfect sense to check out the various credit card rewards programs and benefits to decide whether or not you can take advantage of the free offers (things you get just for becoming a card member) and the bonus rewards given to people making their first purchase. After all, if you can buy your plane ticket with a credit card (and pay if off as soon as the bill comes in of course) and get a free ticket for your spouse on top of two free hotel nights and travel accident insurance- I think it’d be crazy NOT to take advantage of it!



 Related Content: