If you’ve ever wondered how people are booking nicer trips without spending a fortune, this is definitely part of it, but it’s not the only way I book travel.
I don’t use points for every trip, and I’m not constantly opening new cards. I still book normal flights, use sites like Travelzoo, and grab cheap flights when they make sense.
But when I do use points, it can make a big difference.
These are the two cards I use and how I actually use them in real life.
Why I Use Travel Credit Cards
I keep this pretty simple.
Instead of just earning cashback, I use travel cards to earn points that can either be:
- redeemed easily for travel, or
- transferred to airline and hotel partners for better value
I use both approaches depending on the trip.
And even living outside a major airport hub, I’ve still been able to find solid options using points.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best for getting strong value through transfer partners (especially hotels)
This is one of the most popular travel cards for a reason, and it’s the one we lean on most for higher-value redemptions.
Key perks:
- $95 annual fee
- Bonus is usually around 75,000 points (~$750 minimum value)
- 3x points on restaurants
- 2x on travel
- $50 annual hotel credit through their portal
- Free DoorDash membership
What makes this one stand out:
The biggest advantage here is the transfer partners — specifically hotels.
Being able to transfer points to World of Hyatt is probably the strongest perk of this card.
Example:
- I booked a hotel for the PGA Championship for 13,000 points (~130 cash value)
- That same stay was around $370 if paying cash!
Chase also runs transfer bonuses from time to time, which can stretch your points even further.
Link to card: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Best for simplicity, but still flexible with transfer options
This is my go-to card for everyday spending because it’s easy and still gives you options.
Key perks:
- $95 annual fee
- Up to $120 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit (every 4 years)
- Bonus is usually around 75,000 points (~$750 minimum value)
- 2x points on all purchases
How I use this one:
This card is a mix of simplicity and flexibility.
- I can redeem points easily for travel purchases
- Or transfer them to partners when it makes sense
For example:
- I used Capital One points transferred to Flying Blue to book a Delta flight (7,000 points for a $250 flight)
- I also used these points to book my flights to/from Greece!
Capital One doesn’t run as many transfer bonuses as Chase, but the flexibility and simplicity make it a really solid card to have.
Link to card: Capital One Venture
How We Actually Use These
We keep this pretty practical.
- I have the Capital One Venture
- My husband has the Chase Sapphire Preferred
- I also have my own Chase Sapphire Preferred (not as an authorized user — you want your own account for the extra bonus)
We’re not booking every trip with points, but we use them when it makes sense:
- Bigger trips
- More expensive flights
- Hotels where the value is clearly better
When I’m looking to use points for flights, I usually start with a tool like PointsYeah to see what options are out there. It makes it a lot easier to find good value across different airlines without having to search each one individually.
Other times, we’ll still:
- Book normal flights
- Use Travelzoo deals
- Take advantage of cheaper airlines when prices are good
It’s more about having the option than forcing it every time.
Which One Should You Get?
If you’re choosing just one:
- Go with Chase Sapphire Preferred if you want to maximize value, especially with hotel stays through Hyatt
- Go with Capital One Venture if you want something simple that still gives you flexibility
Having both is what works best for us:
- One for maximizing value
- One for keeping things simple
My Approach to Opening Cards
I don’t overcomplicate this.
- I normally open a card when I know I have bigger purchases coming up
- Most bonuses require about $4,000 in spending within 3 months
- I use normal expenses to hit that
I’m not constantly opening cards — just using a couple strategically when it makes sense.
Where This Actually Helps
This isn’t about getting everything for free.
It’s about:
- Reducing the cost of bigger trips
- Getting better value when prices are high
- Having more flexibility when booking
Even without living in a major airport hub, I’ve still been able to find solid options using points.
Disclosure
Some links on this page may be referral links, which means I may earn a bonus if you apply through them. This comes at no additional cost to you.
I only recommend cards I personally use and have found valuable for my own travel.