Maximize Your Travel Budget: A Guide to Loyalty Programs, Cashback Programs, and Credit Card Rewards

Travel can be expensive, but did you know there are ways to save money and make the most of your purchases? By taking advantage of loyalty programs, cashback programs, and credit card rewards, you can earn rewards for purchases you plan to make and get more value for your money.

Loyalty Programs:

Airlines and hotels often offer loyalty programs where you can earn points or miles for purchases made with them or their partners. These points or miles can be redeemed for rewards, such as free flights or hotel stays.

For example, United MileagePlus is a loyalty program offered by United Airlines that allows you to earn miles for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and more. Expedia Rewards is a general travel rewards program enabling you to earn points for bookings made through Expedia.

In addition to rewards, many loyalty programs offer exclusive perks for members, such as priority boarding or free checked bags. By signing up for these programs and taking advantage of their rewards and bonuses, you can save money on your travel purchases and get more value.

Cashback Programs:

Cashback programs offer cashback or rewards for purchases made through their website or app. These programs partner with retailers and offer a percentage of your purchase as cashback or rewards.

For example, Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) offers cashback for purchases made through their website or app at over 2,500 retailers. Honey is a browser extension that automatically applies coupons and promo codes to your online purchases and offers cashback at select retailers.

Using these cashback programs, you can earn rewards for purchases you were planning to make. Doing this can make your purchases more valuable and save money.

Credit Card Rewards:

Many credit cards offer rewards for purchases made with the card. Rewards can be redeemed for travel, cashback, or other rewards like points or miles.

Chase Sapphire Preferred, for instance, offers points for dining, travel, and other purchases. The Discover it Cashback card offers 5% cashback on rotating categories like gas stations and restaurants.

When you use a credit card that offers rewards for travel purchases, you can earn points or cashback toward your purchases. In addition, many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses for new cardholders, which can be a great way to earn a large number of points or miles right away.

By taking advantage of loyalty programs, cashback programs, and credit card rewards, you can get more value for your money and save on your travel purchases. So, the next time you plan a trip, explore these options and make the most of your purchases!