One of our favorite ways to pay for our trips is through the use of Disney Gift Cards. We always try to buy these at a discount using various strategies. We used to heavily use the Target Gift Card Stacking Strategy until it died over the summer. Since that time, we’ve been reduced to getting just a 5% discount, either through cash back (with the Target Red Card) or with Chase Ultimate Reward Points that we can use for free airline flights or hotel rooms.
We have a pretty good supply of credit cards we can use to earn points. We always try to spend in the bonus categories on the cards that make the most sense. (Note, when mentioning the number of points earned in each category, that is for each dollar spent.) Here are some of our main categories that we spend money in:
With the recent draw down in our hotel and airline accounts, we need a plan to replenish them. We have our travel plans set until December of 2017, so we have time to build our supply back up. We plan to continue spending on the credit cards we have right now in order to maximize their bonus categories. We also plan to sign up for some new cards, since we usually have lots of spending we can do in categories that we never get bonuses on.
Recently, a co-worker told me he’s planning to visit family in Europe in 18-24 months. We had previously discussed credit card rewards, so he was interested in reducing his costs for the flights. His lodging expenses will be covered since he’s staying with family. He is taking his wife and two kids with him, so he needs a lot of miles in order to get free flights (minus any taxes he would have to pay). With that background in mind, I advised him to accumulate miles via credit card rewards following the path explained below. This plan requires that he and his wife each sign up for the credit cards described to ensure they can collect enough miles for all four people in the traveling party.
Thanks so much for asking. Here are my thoughts:
We’ve previously discussed some of the many benefits of the Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. One of the best benefits to the card is the free night you receive when you pay the $49 annual fee for the card. This night can be used at any IHG property, which includes the InterContinental, Hualuxe, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Even Hotels, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites brands of hotels. As long as the property has an award night available, you can use your free night.
Planning 1 | Planning 2 | Planning 3 | Travel | Disneyland (Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4) | Arrival | Surfing | Aulani | Excursion | Hyatt
Planning 1 | Planning 2 | Planning 3 | Travel | Disneyland (Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4) | Arrival | Surfing | Aulani | Excursion | Hyatt
We’ve talked before about keeping your travel costs down by using credit card sign up bonuses for free flights. With this strategy, you can reap the benefits of a $500 flight per person and a free flight. The problem we’ve seen is that credit card companies want to hand out as few signup bonuses as possible. How do you get around this limitation? Try another credit card company!
