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8 Ways to Use Your Rewards to Save Money on Your Vacation

by on July 16, 2008

There are definitely pros and cons to using rewards credit cards. In order to maximize the benefits of rewards cards and to minimize their drawbacks, you’ll want to make sure that you fully understand how to utilize these credit cards. One of the best times to use rewards credit cards is when you’re taking a vacation because the rewards can significantly offset the cost of your travels if you use the right rewards and you use them appropriately. Here are 8 ways to use your rewards to save money on your vacation.

1. Cash in airline travel miles. If you are lucky enough to have a great airline travel rewards card then you should use the miles that you have accumulated to take a trip that doesn’t cost you anything.

2. Use rewards points to book your hotel. You can use the rewards points on travel cards to pay for all or part of your hotel stay. Some general rewards credit cards offer a travel rewards section which also allows you to use your points in this way.

3. Get restaurant gift certificates with your points. Anyone who has a credit card rewards program knows that gift cards are one of the most common purchases made with points. Get gift cards to restaurants that you may eat at on your trip to reduce the cost of what you’re spending on food.

4. Use points to get much-needed travel items. If you have a bunch of points saved up then you can use them to get different items that you would otherwise have to purchase for the trip. For example, you may need new luggage; see if that’s something you can use your points to buy without spending any money.

5. Get your cash back. If you have a cash back rewards card and you haven’t cashed in on it in awhile then now is a great time to do that. When the check comes, put it directly towards the money that you’re spending on the trip in order to truly offset the cost of vacation.

6. Get your gas rebate. People who have a gas rebate card can get money back for the amount they spend on gas. If you’re doing some road traveling and don’t have one of these cards, get one.

7. Remember that you have perks as well as rewards. In addition to your credit card rewards, you may have credit card perks that can save you money. For example, some credit cards offer rental car insurance which means that you don’t have to buy the insurance offered when you rent a car. Check what your perks are before the trip and make use of them!

8. Use your rewards credit card on the trip. Anytime that you make a purchase during the trip, you should use your rewards credit card. This will allow you to start racking up new points so that you’ll be able to use these same money-saving tricks again when you go on vacation next year!

Be sure to check out what ALL of your options are and use the rewards wisely to offset the cost of your vacation.

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