Epi 65
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[00:00:00] Ashley: Welcome to the Money Mindset Podcast, where you will find the inspiration and motivation you need to manage your money better so you can stress less and live the life you want. It's Ashley with Budgets Made Easy and the Money Mindset Podcast. Today, we have Danielle here to talk about travel hacking.

[00:00:27] She's the host of the Thought Card Podcast and affordable luxury travel and personal finance podcasts, empowering financial savvy travelers to travel more and build wealth. She is also the author of several travel and personal finance books, including affording, travel and traveling with a full-time job. So today we are going to talk about travel hacking and how to make the most of the spending you're already doing so that you can really add to the experience of your traveling. Even, you know, when you're on a budget, so you can save money and live the life you really want to live. That's what we're all about here is living the life that you want to live, not the one that you have to live, to just pay the bills. Right? So if you are just getting started and you're not sure how to manage your budget and do all the things so that you can travel and enjoy your life.

[00:01:32] Don't forget, you can get started with the Free Budgeting Workshop where I teach you how to create a budget that you can actually stick to check that out at budgetsmadeeasy.com/workshop. So let's dive in and get started. 

[00:01:50] Hi, Danielle. Thank you so much for being with us today. 

[00:01:53] Danielle: Thank you for having me, Ashley. Can't wait to chat. 

[00:01:56] Ashley: Yeah, I'm really excited to talk to you about travel hacking and saving money while you're traveling. Because I am not that person. When I think about having a bunch of credit cards and trying to remember what points are on, what, just so I can save some money. Uh, it's really too much work for me. You know, I don't know how much you know about me, but I am not an extremely frugal person. Like I'm not doing extreme couponing, any of that kind of stuff. So when people say travel hacking to me, it's like, I just kind of shut down a little bit because it's, it feels like too much work. So I want to get some, you know, simple ideas and tips and strategies to save money while traveling. Because you know, at the time of this recording summer is right around the corner. And I know we are all ready to get out of the house and start traveling and the prices are insane. So, you know, trying to find a hotel or an Airbnb or VRVO. It's so expensive right now. And you know, any way we can save a little money with some planning for our vacations is, uh, what I need to hear right now, because I've got to get out of the house too.

[00:03:05] Like I am ready to travel. So can you just tell us a little bit about yourself and you know, how you got started with this travel hacking or saving money while tracking. 

[00:03:16] Danielle: Sounds great. So my name is Danielle Desir Corbett. And I started traveling extensively in 2014 after my first trip to Paris as an adult. Now that sounds amazing, but it took a really long time to actually get to that point. Uh, When I was growing up as a child, I really didn't travel often. It was primarily to Haiti where my family's from. Um, I know a lot of people do that. Like from the summer times they go to their family houses and that's about it.

[00:03:51] They spend their summers. In their family homes. Um, however, when I wanted to start traveling money was an object. Like it, it was an obstacle that I was fighting against, as I know a lot of folks do. And I was trying to find creative ways to stretch my budgets that I can afford to travel, even if it was like once a year and having a blog actually really helped. So I started my blog in 2015 and right around the time I started my first trip because I was really inundated with like trying to pay off my debt. I wanted to purchase a home and do all these things. And really staying organized was primarily how I got started. But being creative is what it means to be a financially savvy traveler.

[00:04:36] Um, so, in terms of findings that I've traveled, I'm really passionate about making sure our funds go to what we value in spend and travel hacking is important for me, at least because of the fact that I can use the credit card points and miles to extend my travels, to travel further, to do things that my finances probably cannot handle. And, or to be able to gift, to gift a travel opportunities to like my family and friends. So I found that travel hacking has really helped me to bridge the gap where my finances kind of like are a bit short. Um, so, and then in a roundabout way, that's kinda my story. Like I started traveling at a young age, but back to my family home, um, in 2015, I booked my first trip to Paris and I got bit with the travel bug, really passionate about like, how do I make it work?

[00:05:31] How do I make travel a part of my life, even though I have other things competing and credit card points, and miles has been one of the ways to bridge that gap. And it's something that, I've continued to grow and evolve over time. And I definitely don't want to be overwhelmed either. Cause I know how overwhelming it could be to think about all the things when it comes to travel hacking, but it can be simple and it could be enjoyable. 

[00:05:54] Ashley: So how does somebody like me get started with quote-unquote travel hacking? Like I have one credit card that gets points, you know, on Amazon. Like I don't even choose travel. Like I don't even have a travel points credit card. So how would we get started with this? 

[00:06:13] Danielle: Yes, I think the simplest thing to consider is, well, number one, what are the categories of spending that you prioritize and do the most of? So a lot of people will have spending and categories like restaurants and dining out. Gas, for example, groceries, for example, these are like the most common spending categories. So I would say to search for a card that offers the maximum points in miles for the spending categories that you prioritize in your life.

[00:06:49] And a lot of times that could be one card or a few cards, uh, but at least a minimum, we're looking for two points to five points per dollar spend on the categories that you are really focusing on, either as groceries or gas or dining out in restaurants. So I would say that's the easiest thing to do. Um, the second consideration could be, if you want to focus on a particular hotel credit card or a particular airline credit card versus a more generic card that just offers you a blanket points and miles that you can then convert and like, you know, put in transfer in different places. I feel like those are maybe the best cause you have the most flexibility and you could spend it in different categories versus if I have a capital capital one credit card, I could have those points and I could transfer them to all these different places versus a Delta credit card. I'm only going to be earning points and miles for Delta flights. How about other your hotel stays? How about other activities? Right. So I think it's easier to get a car that just offers blanket points in miles that's not a particular branded card. So then you have more flexibility over all. 

[00:08:03] Ashley: And do you know how I've always been curious how airline miles work like for people that travel a lot, if they're not using. Cause what it sounds like from the little bit that I know about it, like it's not necessarily tied to a credit card was tied to like you as a person. Do you know anything about that? 

[00:08:24] Danielle: Oh yeah. Sure. So for example, I have a jet blue credit card and that jet blue credit card is actually tied to my personal jet blue account where even if I'm not, even if I like I'm traveling just on a jet blue flight I'll earn jetBlue points, right? The mosaic points. So pretty much the credit card, whatever I spend, it adds to that already small pile of funds that I have, which at blue. So that's what a branded credit card for like a flights or hotels that you'll earn your earn points that go towards your flight account or your hotel account. And a lot of times these branded credit cards, they offer you additional points in miles for flying and using their service. So if you have a Hilton honors card, you'll probably get 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 times the points and miles, because you're using that card on the Hilton stay versus a random card on the Hilton stay. So they do incentivize you with their branded credit cards as well. 

[00:09:29] Ashley: Oh, that makes sense. Yeah. I have a couple of rewards accounts with a couple of hotels that we usually stay at. But I never get anything. Like I don't travel enough I guess, to like, make it worth it. And I don't use like their company credit card to add to that. So I'll have to keep that in mind if I. Uh, ever decide to like travel. I don't really like airplanes, so I don't travel much, but I would like to, I got to get over this fear.

[00:09:57] So, um, all right. So I love the idea of prioritizing and looking at the categories based on your own spending and where you can kind of maximize those points. Now, do you recommend, or do you, um, I have heard of people doing this. I don't personally do this just because it sounds like I had, cause I'd have to like take the extra step to set it up, but like they pay all their regular bills on a credit card, like their mortgage and like everything just for the points.

[00:10:23] I mean, it's something you're going to have to pay any way. I just haven't taken that step. But. You know, is that something that you would recommend? Cause I mean, shoot your mortgage, all your regular bills. Like that adds up. If you can pay it with a credit card, I don't know if you can pay everything with a credit card, but you know, that can add up as well.

[00:10:42] Danielle: Yes. This is something that I highly recommend to do is to treat your credit card. Like you would a debit. So this allows you to every time you swipe. Yes. I'm earning points and miles towards my travel or just having regular cash back. But on the backend, I'm making sure I'm paying off that credit card. As soon as the charges made and, or a few days later, um, so that it's not accumulating in at the end of the month, you're like, oh my gosh, I have this huge bill that doesn't match my bank account. Yeah. So I think treating your credit cards, spending like a debit card, with the added perks of points and miles is like a great mindset shift. Um, but it requires being on top of it. It requires making sure that you're keeping an eye out and making those payments. Uh, another reminder is that, you know, you can make one payment for your credit card per month, or you could. You know, a few, several. So what I like to do is I like to, okay. After let's say a day out at the groceries and target, I come back home, I make sure everything looks good. And I just send off that payment. Um, so that I don't have to necessarily worry about a huge bill at the end of the month. Um, and I'm also getting those points in miles of. 

[00:12:02] Ashley: Awesome. Now, what is your favorite, um, maybe point system credit card. Do you have a favorite that used, because I mean, personally, I don't want to have like 30 different cards, you know, one for each hotel and airline and like all the things. So, um, Like to just get started. Do you have a favorite one? 

[00:12:21] Danielle: Yes. Yes. I actually have two favorites, so I really like capital one's credit cards. Um, I have the capital one venture card and that offers a flat two points per my two points per dollar spent. So. If I don't have to think about like, oh, how much am I going to earn? It's already know that I'm maximizing most categories there. And it's very easy to use when it comes to the redemption. So I can re use that for, uh, actually like to get cash. You know, in terms of cash or I could even like erase charges, uh, erase, travel charges on my credit cards. Let's say I go into Airbnb and I spend $20 and I have $200 in capital, one rewards, boom. It's a wash there. So that's really, really nice. It's simple. I really like capital one because it's simple. Um, another set of cards to consider would be your chase cards. So chase, they usually have stringent stringent requirements in terms of getting those cards. However, they are known. They're like the gold standard in the industry for having like the best reward system. So I would say, look at the chase cards as well. They're easy to use. They're a bank card that you can transfer off. And depending on which card you get, they do have like maximizing categories, which are easy to use. So I would say Capital One and Chase have been my favorite so far. 

[00:13:48] Ashley: Now do they have those cards specifically that you're talking about? Did they have annual fees or is it no annual fee? Do you know? 

[00:13:55] Danielle: That's a great question. That's a good question. So the capital one venture card that I have, I believe has a $99 annual fee, but I also have like the chase, uh, freedom, um, some of those variety of cards that don't have an annual fee. So this is a really big, important consideration because there are plenty of cards out there that do not have an annual fee. They offer great perks. So don't feel pressured that you have to get a car that. B because you may be very happy with a card that has no fee. Um, and you don't have to worry about making extra, having an extra expense at the end of the year. So I do like to have a mix of no-fee credit cards and fee credit cards, but the fee credit cards have to make sense for me.

[00:14:43] Like at the end of the year, what I'm going to get out of this card is that going to be above a hundred dollars? Above $400? That's a question mark. Right? Do I want to part ways with all this, you know, all this money as well? So I would definitely definitely consider no fee credit cards before fee credit cards, especially as a beginner.

[00:15:04] Ashley: Now, do you know what these cards are there perks for like travelers insurance and things like that? 

[00:15:12] Danielle: Yeah, some of these cards do, but every card is different. So it's really important when you're doing your research to see, okay, what does this card offer in terms of not only points and miles, but the additional perks maybe they offer, like you said, car rental insurance, they may offer some protections. Maybe they may offer some flight insurance or luggage baggage, and sure. All these different assets. So really making sure that whatever this card is offering aligns with what you value and what you're most likely going to need and take advantage of. Uh, but every card is different. So we'll definitely read the fine print.

[00:15:50] Ashley: Now, whenever you are traveling, especially out of the country, cause I've never actually traveled out of the country. Uh ha are you able to use these cards? Like just like you do in the U S 

[00:16:02] Danielle: Yes. It depends on the destination that you're traveling to in the country and if they prioritize plastic or not. Uh, but for a lot of countries that I've visited in Europe, you can use your credit card no problem. There are places I've been to where they don't even expect, american plastic, like in China, we had to just bring cash with us. Um, so before you go on your trip, make sure you're looking to see, okay, do they typically accept American cards? And if so, is it like a visa? MasterCard is an American express. A lot of international destinations actually do not accept American express. So that's definitely something to consider because every country is different. But for the majority, I would say majority, yes, they do accept American plastic. With that being said, when you are traveling abroad, we have to be mindful of the foreign exchange foreign fees that come with that.

[00:16:58] So when you are picking a credit card, make sure that it does not have foreign transaction fees so that every time you're making a charge or not getting an additional fee on top of that. I've made that mistake where I went on to like a European holiday and I took the wrong credit card that, you know, had a fee attached to it for every transaction. And the bill was like, whoa, like, okay, I made these charges, but then American express is charging me extra for these. So I'm always looking out for no fee, no foreign transaction fees, because that will save you the most money. And there are plenty, there are plenty full of. 

[00:17:37] Ashley: Yeah, I've got to find one for my business because even though I haven't traveled out of the country, I have several, um, services that they are out of the country. And I did not know this in my business credit card. I get deemed with, I mean, one was like $45 in foreign transaction fee. So, um, that's something I've got to do as well. Um, is find a new credit card for my business. Not, not at all. It's, especially if you're traveling and you're using it over and over and over, like that would not be great.

[00:18:09] So do you have any systems or tips for like tracking all of this stuff? Because you know, I'm not gonna remember what card has, what rewards or anything like that. Do you have a system or anything? 

[00:18:23] Danielle: Yes, I do have a system for tracking. So I actually have two systems. One of them is, uh, on my phone and other one is an app that I recommend and use. So the easiest thing to do for my phone is in my notes app on my iPhone, I just put down the spending categories that attaches to which credit cards. So. Let's say, for example, groceries, I may have a car that offers five times cash back and another car that offers two times cash back. I want to make sure at checkout, I'm just going to check on my notes app and I'm going to see, oh, okay. This card has five times. So I'm going to use that card. Versus another card. So just having simple notes on my phone has been really, really helpful, especially if you don't have a lot of cards, that can be just an easy way to go. However, as you build your credit card portfolio, you may now start to get overwhelmed. And a lot of these credit cards, they have a lot of shifting bonus categories and all this extra stuff that they add. So I would recommend an app called card pointers app. And this app will help you to determine which credit card to use for whatever spending category you are looking for all automatically in.

[00:19:41] So once you get the app, you'll just tell them which credit cards you have. And there's a page where you can just kind of scroll through and see groceries, use this card, you know, a movie theaters use this card. So if you're looking for something that's more automated, an app could be really, really helpful. Pen and paper, or just having some notes on your phone can be really helpful to maximize your spending category. That's to me is like the fundamental for me is like, I want to maximize what I'm earning. Um, cause I don't necessarily do like a lot of online shopping, so I'm not going to go to these shopping portals and like do all this like manufactured spending for me.

[00:20:21] It's just so much simpler to just use the right card at. And that just takes a couple seconds. Just looking at my phone, looking at the app, looking at my notes and I get pick the right car to use. 

[00:20:34] Ashley: That's great. So when with these cards as well, do any of them? Cause I think some of them do, but I haven't like looked into too much, which is why I have you here. Do they have like special, um, offers and events and things? To take a vacation as well. Like, cause I know like chase, I think has like concerts and other things that you can get like a discount on. Is there anything like that for the traveling? 

[00:20:59] Danielle: Yes, there are. Um, again, it depends on the car that you have and what kind of travel portal that, that card has an is attached to. Uh, but there are plenty of cards that even if you don't necessarily want to travel, but you let's say like some of the chase cards are great for concerts or dining experiences or things to do around the town like they're available. But again, I think it depends on the card. So just do your research a bit before, before applying and make sure that you're, you're happy with whatever they're offering.

[00:21:32] Ashley: Yeah. I always forget to even look like I don't even think about it. So can you, if you don't mind sharing, like how much money do you think you have saved by taking this little, extra effort to be intentional with your points so that you can travel more? 

[00:21:48] Danielle: You know, that's a great question. And I would actually quantify it by like, the things I've been able to do with that, because if I tell you I've saved $200. Okay. But what does that really mean in terms of travel? Right. So for example, last year, we were able to extend our Disney vacation by three additional days because of the points and miles that I had accumulated, uh, to get, uh, extra these extra hotel days. So that to me was tangible. Like I could stay in Disney. I could stay here in Orlando for three additional. Um, with some of my other credit card offers, I've had like, just, Hey babe, let's go and spend a night out in the city and we don't have to come home. We could just get a hotel. So I have had like free hotel stays. Um, I've had free flights for both me and my partner.

[00:22:43] So I think what's important when it comes to thinking about credit cards and points in miles, what do I want to do when it comes to travel and how can these credit cards help me bridge the gap? Right? Because at additional three nights they had Disney could have cost me maybe a thousand dollars for three nights. Right. But by just using the right credit card for every transaction throughout the year, I was able to have this goal accomplish of like extending my trip. Um, so. And I'm always super excited, cause I'm always like comparing myself to other people in the flight. I'm like, babe, we got this fight for $5 compared to these other people who probably spent hundreds or maybe a thousand dollars.

[00:23:27] Um, so, so yeah, I just like to think of what can I, what does this actually mean in my life? Right? These huge balances are these credit card balances with these points of miles. It's kind of like artificial until you apply it to your real life. And it actually becomes something that you really want to spend it.

[00:23:44] Ashley: That's great. Thank you so much for sharing all these tips and pointers, because I had no idea. Uh, where can people find more about you if they want to learn more about travel hacking and saving money while traveling? 

[00:23:56] Danielle: Yes, absolutely. So you can head over to my own personal podcast called the Thought Card Podcast where we talk about personal finance and affordable luxury travel. I have actually two episodes that I think will be really interesting, like a next step after this one. Um, the mistakes I've made when it comes to credit card travel hacking. I have an episode on that which was, uh, kind of embarrassing, but I think it's important. Let's talk about the mistakes, right? 

[00:24:24] Ashley: We learn from our mistakes or successes, for sure. 

[00:24:27] Danielle: Exactly. Exactly. And I also have another, uh, episode where I talked about, okay, how could, if you're not traveling right now and you still want to earn points and miles, how to do that. So I think those would be really great episodes to episode 93 and episode 94 would be great follow ups for this one. And follow me on social I'm at thedanielledesir on Instagram. At thethoughtcard on Twitter. So we'd love to connect with you and tell me your aha moments from the episode. 

[00:24:58] Ashley: Awesome. Thank you so much. Now I do always ask people at the end, if they have a favorite non-fiction book to just help us grow and learn in our lives, do you have a recommended?

[00:25:10] Danielle: I absolutely do so. I am in the process of reading, We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rogers. I'm listening to the audio book right now, and I just really enjoy the powerful financial reframes that Rachel offers to help us to build wealth in our lives and even generational wealth for our families. So I love powerful books like that. It's a fun, fun, fun read. 

[00:25:37] Ashley: Yeah. I've heard good things about it. I just recently heard about that book. I hadn't heard of that one before, so it's on my list. I have a long list, as you can imagine. I love audio books, like, uh, like you as well, because you know, as moms, we don't have time to sit and read an actual book, but we can listen while we're doing other things. So I love audio, which is why I love podcasts too as to, um, but thank you so much for being with us today and sharing your tips and tricks for traveling and saving money so that we can all just get out of the house here. Soon. 

[00:26:12] Danielle: Get out and enjoy! 

[00:26:15] Ashley: Summer is here. So, uh, thank you so much. Thank you so much to Danielle for being with us today. Don't forget if you loved this episode, go check her out and, you know, leave us a five star review. I would appreciate it so so much. And I will talk to you guys next week.