When You Can't Afford "Almost Free" Travel
My name is Summer and I'm a travel addict.
Okay, maybe addict is a bit strong of a word, but it is safe to say that I'm a travel junkie. I love travel. It's my #1 hobby, my biggest passion outside of my family, and I'm so lucky to have found the world of miles and points to help fund this otherwise potentially pricey hobby.
Since you are spending some of your time on this site, I'm betting many of you could write similar sentences about yourselves.
Most people assume that travel is expensive, and it certainly can be. However, it can be very inexpensive, and thanks to miles and points, portions of it can be almost free. For example, we recently used miles to fly to Jamaica and then spent a few nights on Hyatt points at their new all-inclusive property where lodging, meals, and activities were all included. That portion of the trip was indeed "almost free" as the only cost was some Hyatt points we had to burn.
Of course, "almost free" is not the same as totally and completely free, and as you know, not all trips can be purely funded with miles and points. It's for those reasons that I've not been able to feed my addiction er, hobby with planning and booking new trips the last couple months, and it's time I write a little about it because it is something very real that happens in lots of families. If I do nothing else here, I want to keep the realities of family travel and family life real and honest. Sometimes that will mean I'm encouraging you to pack up your kids and explore the world, and sometimes it will mean something a bit different. Today it means something a bit different.
A couple months ago my husband went to work one Friday morning only to find himself by Friday afternoon in a situation that millions of other Americans are also facing - looking for a new job. This wasn't something we planned for or were expecting, and it goes without saying that suddenly having the primary provider of income and benefits for the family looking for work with a second child on the way is not the way we would have scripted this chapter of our lives. As he is in the IT industry, we have been through this once years ago (before we were even married), but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow at this point in our lives.
Luckily, we will have savings, a small severance, and COBRA to serve as a buffer during this time of transition, but with a mortgage, a typical assortment of monthly bills, a kid here, and one on the way, we certainly have had to dramatically reign in spending on many "non-essential" purchases. Thank goodness we don't have any credit card debt despite having dozen of credit cards!
Determining what is truly essential and cutting back on things you are used to isn't fun, nor pretty; it's stressful, and week after week it's still a work in progress, but needless to say we certainly haven't booked any new family vacations since getting the news that cold Friday afternoon.
If your primary hobby is chess, reading, drawing, yoga, knitting, or a number of other things, then when something like an unexpected job change hits, you can theoretically still have that hobby as a good and healthy outlet. However, when your hobby is travel, it isn't so simple to keep that up during a time of really cutting back. Lucky for me I can still write about my hobby and help others book the trips of their dreams, which really is almost as good. Thanks to everyone who unknowingly has been helping out when they share their booking success stories in the comments section or via email!
Also luckily for me miles and points do make it possible to enjoy some travel even while budgets are very tight. For example, I have a trip to Spain with my mom and daughter coming up very soon. This trip was in part a Christmas present to my mom, and given our unexpected change in financial circumstances it would be hard to continue on with a trip to Europe. However, since the hotels are booked on points instead of cash, we can still go on the trip without it being a huge financial burden.
We can also still use airline miles and such to book trips to see relatives, or for some very inexpensive weekend getaways even if the job search drags on longer than we would like. We won't be traveling super frequently, or going on all of the same types of trips as we were before, but we won't be totally cut-off either. That is a pretty reassuring feeling when we are facing so many other unknowns. We certainly wouldn't be able to consider any of that right now without a nice stash of miles and points to tap into.
So what does all of this change and uncertainty mean for this site? Right now, nothing really. It is the same as it has been the last few months, and the last few years. Even if we aren't hopping on $355 round trip flights to Hawaii ourselves, I still love writing about them. I still have some trip reports to write up, and a couple more inexpensive trips booked on the horizon. I just applied for and received a new rewards credit card yesterday (more on that soon), and I don't see my love and time devoted to this hobby changing in any near future. Since our second daughter is due this summer, I was already going to be a bit more home-bound for a while, so nothing really changes there either.
Longer term, might I need to secure a full time job once more, and scale back here? It's possible. Right now, almost anything is possible. Blogging certainly is a full time job, but without full time job benefits and a traditional steady paycheck. Hopefully this time of transition resolves itself successfully, and we are able to go back to "normal", albeit with a renewed sense of appreciation and understanding of what is really important. I mean, that's how it happens in the movies, right?
Seriously though, I have full faith in my husband, and know we will work together and be fine. I don't know exactly what that will end up looking like, and I know it won't always be easy in the day to day moments, but we'll make it. I'll live a little more vicariously through the exciting travels of all of you guys for a while and mix in a few of our own very inexpensive jaunts using miles and points. I also get the chance to look back on all the amazing trips we have been able to take over the past several years.
Miles and points are sometimes there to help your vacation budget stretch to some incredible destinations in incredible comfort, and sometimes they are there to just make it possible to book that airline ticket at all. We've seen both sides of that coin, and as a travel junkie, I'm grateful for both realities.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.