I just published a new post on my new blog RayTravelsFree.com that I don’t want you to miss.
In case you’re new to the whole concept of travel hacking, here’s a breakdown of what it’s all about.
Travel hacking is taking advantage of loyalty and rewards programs to amass lots of frequent flyer points or miles to access free flights, hotel stays, tours, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and more. It’s about making good use of free promotions and bonuses to gain as many points as possible while spending (relatively) very little.
All you need to do is follow the 3 simple steps below and you’ll get at least 90,000 Amex Membership Points (worth a cool $2,340) and 20,000 SPG Starpoints (valued at $540) – a great way to kick off your Travel Hacking Journey! Would you like to see all the great things you can do with points? Here’s what you can do with Points & Miles!
And it gets better. If you have a spouse or significant other, you’ll likely get 180,000 Amex MR points and 50,000 SPG Starpoints.
Please note this is a quick beginner’s guide. For a more comprehensive Travel Hacking Guide please click here.
Let’s get started! Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Get 30,000 MR Points – Sign up for the American Express Gold Rewards Card, TODAY.
The American Express Gold Rewards Card offers a 30,000 Membership Rewards point sign-up bonus with no fee for the first year, making it the #1 Best & Most Flexible Travel Credit Card.
- The 30,000 points comprise a sign-up bonus of 25,000 Membership Rewards points and an additional 5,000 Membership Rewards points for one approved supplementary card.
- That’s enough points to redeem for two round-trip short-haul flights, or one round-trip flight rewards to anywhere in North America.
- No annual fee for the first year, including for the approved supplementary card. Thereafter you pay an annual fee of $150 and $50 for the supplementary card.
After you get the card, charge $1,500 to the card within the first 3 months of card membership.
Extra Bonus Points (not required): Refer your spouse or friends to sign-up the card too. You’ll get your own referral link when you get the card and log into your online account.
- Get 5,000 extra bonus points for each approved referral.
- Your spouse/ friend will get 30,000 points for signing up for the card like you did.
- You can refer up to 15 people and get a maximum annual referral bonus of 75K Membership Rewards Points.
- It’s easy to refer people because the card sells itself – courtesy of its great perks!
Summary
Basically, sign-up for the card, get 2 round-trip short-haul flights or 1 round-trip flight rewards to anywhere in North America. At the very least, you’ll get 30K points for completing this step and up to 105K points (your 30K sign-up bonus, plus an extra 75K bonus for referring 15 people). Most people will get 65K points (30K sign-up, 5K bonus to refer your spouse, your spouse’s 30K sign-up bonus).
Put the card away as soon as you charge $1,500 to your American Express Gold Card within 3 months or less.
When you reach the $1,500 minimum spend requirements and get the sign-up points, cancel the card within 1 year and you won’t pay any annual fees
Click here to sign up for the American Express Gold Rewards Card now or for more details.
Step 2: Get 20,000 Starpoints – Sign-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card from American Express.
After you complete Step 1, sign-up for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card from American Express.
- Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card from American Express is the best card to earn Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints, considered in some circles as the most valuable loyalty currency.
- Get a nice sign-up bonus of 20,000 Starpoints – enough for up to 5 free nights’ hotel stay at a category 2 property.
- Enjoy a reasonable $120 annual fee.
After you get the card, charge $1,500 to the card within the first 3 months of card membership.
Extra Bonus Points (not required): Refer your spouse or friends to sign-up the card too. You’ll get your own referral link when you get the card and log into your online account.
- You’ll get 10,000 extra bonus points for each approved referral.
- Your spouse or friend will get 20,000 points for signing up for the card like you did.
- You can refer up to 15 people and get a maximum annual referral bonus of 150K Starpoints.
Summary
Basically, sign-up for the card and get up to 5 Free Nights Hotel at a Category 2 SPG property! At the very least, you’ll get 20K Starpoints for completing this step; you stand to get up to 170K Starpoints if you refer 15 more people (your 20K sign-up bonus, plus an extra 150K bonus for referring 15 people). Most people will get 50K Starpoints (comprising a 20K for sign-up, 10K bonus to refer your spouse, plus your spouse’s 20K sign-up bonus).
Put the card away as soon as you charge $1,500 to your Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Credit Card from American Express within 3 months or less.
When you reach the $1,500 minimum spend requirements and get the sign-up points, cancel the card within 1 year and you’ll only be charge the $120 annual fee one time.
Click here to sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG Card) from American Express now or for more details.
Step 3: Get 60,000 MR Points – Sign-up for The American Express Platinum Card.
This step takes you to the next level in travel hacking which involves a more costly annual fee. Do it only after completing steps 1 and 2.
As soon as you charge $1,500 to your Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG Card) from American Express – within 3 months or less – you can put the card away and sign-up for The American Express Platinum Card.
The American Express Platinum Card is the ultimate premium credit card to own. Although it comes with a hefty $699 annual fee, it’s well worth it if you spend a lot and travel often. Plus, the card actually only costs $299 out of pocket after the $200 + $200 annual travel credit.
Its features include:
- An incredible sign-up bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $3,000 in purchases to your card within the first three months of card membership.
- Enough points to redeem for two round-trip flight rewards to anywhere in North America.
- Access to over 600 airport lounges worldwide including the Amex Centurion Lounge and Priority Pass.
- Extensive travel benefits, including a $200 Annual Travel Credit.
After you get the card, charge $3,000 to the card within the first 3 months of card membership.
Extra Bonus Points (not required): Refer your spouse or friends to sign-up the card too. You’ll get your own referral link when you get the card and log into your online account.
- You’ll get 15K extra bonus points for each approved referral.
- Your spouse or friend will get 60,000 points for signing up for the card like you did.
- You can refer up to 15 people and get a maximum annual referral bonus of 225K MR Points.
Summary
Basically, sign-up for the card and get two round-trip flight rewards to anywhere in North America. At the very least, you’ll get 60K points for completing this step, and you stand to get up to 285K points (your 60K sign-up bonus plus extra 225K bonus for referring 15 people). Most people will get 135K points (60K sign-up, 15K bonus to refer your spouse, your spouse’s 60K sign-up bonus).
Put the card away as soon as you charge $3,000 to your American Express Platinum Card within 3 months or less.
When you reach the $3,000 minimum spend requirements and get the sign-up points, cancel the card within 1 year and you’ll only be charge the $699 annual fee one time.
Click here to sign up for The American Express Platinum Card now or for more details.
Conclusion
Complete the 3 steps above and you’ll get 90,000 Amex Rewards Membership Points and 20,000 SPG Starpoints.
Travel hacking is basically a numbers game, and the only numbers you need to know here are 30K MR Points + 20K Starpoints + 60K MR Points earned. Refer your relatives and friends, and you add a whole new dimension in travel opportunities thanks to the extra points you get. All it takes is 3 simple steps and you’re well and truly on your way to getting your dream holiday – for free (or almost)!
Click here to visit my other blog RayTravelsFree.com for more travel hacking tips.
