Dreaming of more vacations together? The secret to traveling more without breaking the bank might just be in your wallet – or rather, in strategically using credit card rewards. It sounds too good to be true, but with a smart approach, couples can leverage the power of travel rewards credit cards to accumulate points faster and unlock incredible travel experiences. This guide will show you How To Travel smarter by maximizing credit card bonuses as a couple.
The Power of Credit Card Rewards for Travel
Travel rewards credit cards offer a fantastic way to earn points or miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. The most lucrative opportunities often come in the form of sign-up bonuses and referral bonuses. Sign-up bonuses are awarded when you open a new credit card and meet a certain spending requirement within a specific timeframe. Referral bonuses, on the other hand, are earned when you refer someone else who is approved for a credit card. By strategically combining these bonuses, couples can supercharge their points earnings.
A Step-by-Step Strategy for Travel Rewards as a Couple
Let’s break down a practical, step-by-step approach to show you how to travel more by harnessing these credit card rewards. This strategy utilizes a phased approach, starting with foundational travel cards and progressing to premium options.
Phase 1: Building Your Foundation with Chase and Southwest
For our example, let’s consider a couple, Katie and Thomas. In the initial months, the focus is on meeting the spending requirements to earn the sign-up bonuses on newly acquired cards. It’s crucial to remember to only spend what you would normally spend to avoid negating the benefits of travel rewards with unnecessary expenses.
In the fourth month, the real “magic” begins. Katie and Thomas strategically refer each other to credit cards within the Chase and Southwest programs. Katie refers Thomas to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and Thomas refers Katie to the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.
Alt: A couple smiles as they plan their travel itinerary together, surrounded by maps and travel guides, highlighting the joy of travel planning.
This clever move results in a significant point boost:
- Katie earns a referral bonus of 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for referring Thomas.
- Thomas earns a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
- Thomas earns a referral bonus of 20,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for referring Katie.
- Katie earns a sign-up bonus of 40,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points.
Collectively, as a couple, they’ve accumulated:
- 140,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
- 100,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points
While these points are initially spread across individual accounts, programs like Southwest and Marriott allow point transfers to other members. Chase Ultimate Rewards also permits point transfers between spouses or members of the same household. This flexibility allows you to consolidate points into a single account for easier redemption or to strategically utilize points across different programs.
Months five and six are then dedicated to meeting the spending requirements for these new cards, setting the stage for the next phase.
Phase 2: Elevating Your Rewards with Hotel and Premium Cards
By month seven, with the initial Chase and Southwest cards bonuses secured, the strategy shifts towards hotel and premium credit cards. This phase involves more personal preference based on travel styles and desired benefits.
Katie opts for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card to take advantage of a sign-up bonus offering free nights (potentially worth up to 150,000 points). Simultaneously, Thomas chooses the American Express Platinum card, drawn by its substantial 100,000-point sign-up bonus and premium travel perks.
Alt: A couple relaxes in a luxurious hotel room, gazing out at a scenic view, showcasing the comfortable accommodations achievable with hotel points.
Months eight and nine are spent meeting the spending thresholds for these individual cards, following the established pattern.
In month ten, another referral opportunity arises. Katie refers Thomas to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. Katie earns a 20,000 Bonvoy points referral bonus, and Thomas receives the sign-up bonus – in this case, often structured as free night awards rather than points directly, which can be even more valuable for specific hotel stays.
The American Express Platinum card presents a slightly different scenario. While some couples might find two premium cards redundant due to overlapping benefits (like lounge access or hotel elite status), others find value in individual cards, especially for solo travel or maximizing specific perks. For this example, let’s assume Thomas refers Katie to the American Express Platinum card.
- Thomas earns a 15,000 Membership Rewards points referral bonus.
- Katie earns a 100,000 Membership Rewards points sign-up bonus.
With this second set of cards, they’ve collectively added:
- 215,000 American Express Membership Rewards points
- 320,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Maximizing Your Points Value: A Tangible Travel Fund
Let’s tally up the points and their approximate travel value to illustrate the significant rewards accumulated through this strategy.
- 140,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (approximately $2,100 in travel value*)
- Valuation: ~1.5 cents per point
- 100,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points (approximately $1,400 in travel value*)
- Valuation: ~1.4 cents per point
- 215,000 American Express Membership Rewards points (approximately $2,150 in travel value*)
- Valuation: ~1 cent per point
- 320,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (approximately $2,560 in travel value*)
- Valuation: ~0.8 cents per point
In total, this couple has amassed approximately 775,000 points, with an estimated travel value of around $8,210!
While there are annual fees associated with these cards (approximately $2,068 total, or $1,034 per person), the recurring annual benefits of many of these cards often outweigh the cost, especially for frequent travelers.
The Couple Advantage: Doubling the Benefits and Sharing the Rewards
The core principle of this strategy is simple but powerful: couples can significantly amplify their travel rewards by referring each other for credit cards, effectively doubling the bonus potential. Furthermore, traveling as a couple allows you to share and maximize the benefits associated with these cards.
One of the most compelling advantages for couples is the Southwest Companion Pass. This incredibly valuable perk allows a designated companion to fly with you for free (paying only taxes and fees) every time you purchase or redeem points for a Southwest flight. Referral bonuses earned through Southwest cards count towards Companion Pass qualification, making this strategy even more effective for achieving this coveted benefit.
Alt: A happy couple is seated on an airplane, looking excited for their journey, symbolizing the ease and affordability of travel with a companion pass.
By strategically timing your card applications and spending to align with the calendar year, you can maximize the duration of your Companion Pass. Focusing on earning the required points early in the year ensures you can enjoy nearly two full years of companion travel benefits.
Your Journey to More Travel Starts Now
This detailed strategy provides a clear roadmap on how to travel more as a couple by effectively utilizing credit card rewards. While this example focuses on Southwest and Marriott, the underlying principles can be adapted to other airline and hotel programs that align with your travel preferences.
Remember, responsible credit card use is paramount. Always pay your balances in full and avoid overspending to ensure you reap the true benefits of travel rewards without incurring unnecessary debt.
Start planning your next adventure and explore the world together, made more accessible through the power of strategic credit card rewards!
