This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I only recommend products that I have personally used!
Is more travel on your vision board for 2024? Well good news, your travel goals are within reach! We’re here to show you where and how to get travel discounts and vacation affordably.
Points are one of the best ways to travel. They get you discounts, coupons, exclusive offers, and even freebies!
And don’t be fooled. The traditional ways to earn travel points aren’t always the best ways.
Buying and collecting them from other trips is cool and all, but that can be costly and take a lot of time. There are a lot easier and faster ways to stack up enough to travel.
You can be earning points from things you do everyday, like going to the store or eating! I mean c’mon- if you have to do that stuff anyways, you might as well get some free trips out of it right?
Here are some of the best travel rewards programs from your favorite hotel and flight companies.
5 Free Ways To Travel Affordably With Points
Hotels
1. Hilton
Sign up for Hilton points for free and start earning immediately. You can even earn points from everyday/daily activities like using the Lyft app, shopping on your amazon accounts, and dining out at your favorite restaurants.
Use points to redeem all types of free offers and discounts, like free hotels stays, airline miles, car rentals, and more.
2. Marriott
Marriott’s free points program gives you member status and brings all the perks. Free nights, room upgrades, free WIFI, member exclusive deals- you name it. You can even use points on other travel methods like cruises and rental cars. And the more you use the rewards program, the more benefits you earn. There’s always room for improvement and more upgrades!
The Marriott Courtyard and Four Points are by far two of my favorite hotel stays for affordable luxury.
Airlines
1. Southwest
Southwest already offers some amazing benefits to their costumers. To name a few they have frequent fare sales, no added fees, will match the price of your booked flight if the price drops, and they allow two checked bags for free per person. And those perks are just multiply even more when you become a Rapid Rewards Member.
It’s easier than ever to earn travel points by shopping online at 1000+ different stores, like Macy’s, Kohls, Sephora, Nike, CVS, Home Depot, Apple- the list goes on and on.
Southwest is one of the most comfortable and affordable options for air travel, and my personal favorite for a quick domestic flight.
2. United
United is known for it’s different planes and luxury comfort features. Depending on what plane, destination, and class you book, you can enjoy bigger seats, tv screens, fully lay down reclining seats complimentary drinks, and more. Joining the MileagePlus Rewards program boost your chances of getting top-tier perks!
United partners with Hotels.com, AVIS, Vrbo, and plenty of other companies to give you deals on travel deals in every aspect of your vacation. Cha-ching!
3. Alaska
Alaska airlines has an award-winning loyalty program that “simply dominated the competition” according to the 2023 awards.
They offer 30% more miles on average than other airlines, serve more than 1000 destinations, and allow members to earn points at places like Walmart and over 17,000 restaurants.
Earning is easy and sign-up is free!