How To Earn Travel Points Without A Credit Card

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. But it can also be expensive, especially if you want to visit exotic destinations or stay in luxurious hotels.

Many travelers rely on credit cards to earn travel points, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

But what if you don’t have a credit card, or you want to avoid the fees and interest charges that come with it? Is there a way to earn travel points without a credit card?

The answer is yes; there are many ways to earn travel points without a credit card. You might be surprised by how many opportunities there are to rack up points with your everyday spending, online shopping, dining, and more.

In this article, we will show you how to earn travel points without a credit card and how to use them to book your dream trip.

Whether a frequent flyer or a casual traveler, you can benefit from these tips and tricks to save money and travel more.

How To Earn Travel Points Without A Credit Card

If you want to earn traveling points without using a credit card, then let us take you through every way in detail:

1. Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs reward customers for their loyalty to a certain business or brand. They usually offer points, miles, or cash back for every purchase or transaction made with the business or its partners.

Loyalty programs are very popular among travelers, as they can help them save money and enjoy perks on their trips.

There are many types of loyalty programs, but some of the most common ones for travelers are:

– Airline loyalty programs

These programs reward customers for flying with a certain airline or its alliance partners.

Customers can earn points or miles for every flight and then use them to book award flights, upgrade their seats, access lounges, or get other benefits.

Some examples of airline loyalty programs are Turkish Miles&Smiles, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and American AAdvantage.

– Hotel loyalty programs

These programs reward customers for staying at a hotel chain or its affiliates.

Customers can earn points for every night they stay and use them to book free nights, upgrade their rooms, enjoy free breakfast, or receive other benefits.

Some examples of hotel loyalty programs are Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and IHG Rewards Club.

– Car rental loyalty programs

These programs reward customers for renting a car from a certain company or its partners.

Customers can earn points for every rental they make and use them for free rentals, discounts, or other benefits.

Some car rental loyalty programs examples are Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Enterprise Plus, and Avis Preferred.

– Other travel-related loyalty programs

These programs reward customers for using other travel-related services or products, such as cruises, trains, buses, tours, activities, or travel gear.

Customers can earn points for every purchase or booking and then use them to get discounts, freebies, or other benefits.

Travel-related loyalty programs include the Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society, Amtrak Guest Rewards, and REI Co-op.

To earn travel points without a credit card, you can join as many loyalty programs as possible and use them whenever you travel.

You can also sign up for their newsletters, follow their social media accounts, or check their websites for special offers, promotions, or challenges that can help you earn more points.

You can also use tools like AwardWallet or Points.com to track and manage your points across different programs.

To redeem your travel points, you can use them directly with the program you earned them from or transfer them to another program that offers better value or more flexibility.

For example, you can transfer your Marriott Bonvoy points to United MileagePlus or your American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors.

You can also use tools like AwardHacker or Pointimize to compare and find the best redemption options for your points.

2. Online portals or apps

Online portals or apps are websites or applications that offer points for various online activities, such as shopping, dining, or completing surveys.

These portals or apps work with hundreds of retailers, restaurants, and brands and give you a percentage of your spending back in points.

You can transfer these points to your preferred travel program or use them to book travel directly.

There are many types of online portals or apps, but some of the most common ones for travelers are:

– Shopping portals or apps

These are portals or apps that offer points for online shopping. They usually have a browser extension or a mobile app that you can use to access their partner stores and earn points for every purchase you make.

Some examples of shopping portals or apps are Rakuten, Swagbucks, and TopCashback.

– Dining portals or apps 

These portals or apps offer points for dining out or ordering food online. They usually require you to link your debit or credit card to your account and then use it to pay at their partner restaurants, cafes, or delivery services.

You can then earn points for every dollar you spend. Dosh, Seated, and Rewards Network are examples of dining portals or apps.

– Survey portals or apps

These are portals or apps that offer points for completing online surveys. They usually ask you to fill out your profile and preferences, then send you surveys matching your interests and demographics.

You can then earn points for every survey you complete. Some examples of survey portals or apps are e-Rewards, Survey Junkie, and Opinion Outpost.

To earn travel points without a credit card, you can use online portals or apps whenever you shop, dine, or complete surveys online.

You can also sign up for their newsletters, follow their social media accounts, or check their websites for special offers, bonuses, or referrals that can help you earn more points.

You can also use tools like Cashback Monitor or Evreward to compare and find the best portal or app for each store or category.

If you want to redeem your travel points, you can transfer them to your preferred travel program or use them to book travel directly.

For example, you can transfer your Rakuten points to American Express Membership Rewards or your Swagbucks points to Southwest Rapid Rewards.

You can also use your points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, or activities through the portal or app.

You can also use tools like AwardMapper or Hotel Hustle to compare and find the best redemption options for your points.

3. Travel debit cards or prepaid cards

Travel debit or prepaid cards offer travel rewards without requiring a credit check or a bank account.

These cards work like regular debit or prepaid cards but also give you points or cash back for every purchase.

You can then use these points or cash back to book travel or redeem them for gift cards or merchandise.

There are many types of travel debit cards or prepaid cards, but some of the most common ones for travelers are:

– Travel debit cards

These debit cards linked to a bank account or an online banking service offer travel rewards for every purchase you make.

They usually have low or no fees, allowing you to withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide. Some examples of travel debit cards are Aspiration, Chime, and N26.

– Travel prepaid cards

These prepaid cards are not linked to a bank account and offer travel rewards for every purchase you make.

They usually have higher fees and require you to load money onto the card before using it.

Some examples of travel prepaid cards are Netspend, American Express Serve, and PayPal Prepaid.

To earn travel points without a credit card, you can use travel debit cards or prepaid cards whenever you make a purchase.

You can redeem your travel points or cash back to book travel directly through the card issuer or a third-party platform or redeem them for gift cards or merchandise from various retailers or brands. 

For example, you can use your Aspiration points to book flights, hotels, or car rentals through Aspiration Travel or your Netspend cash back to get gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, or Starbucks.

You can also use tools like Gift Card Granny or CardCash to compare and find the best redemption options for your points or cash back.

4. Refer your friends or family members to join travel-related programs or services

Referring your friends or family members to join travel-related programs or services is a way of earning rewards for yourself and them.

Travel-related programs or services offer benefits or discounts for travelers, such as airlines, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, or travel credit cards.

You usually need to share a unique link or code with them to refer someone, which they can use to sign up for the program or service.

You can invite them through email, social media, or other platforms. The referral link or code will track your connection with them and ensure you receive the rewards.

The rewards you can earn depend on the specific program or service you are referring to. Some common types of rewards are:

  • Bonus points

You can redeem these points for travel-related expenses like flights, hotels, or car rentals.

You can earn bonus points for each referral who joins the program or service and meets certain criteria, such as spending a minimum amount or completing several trips.

The bonus points will be added to your existing points balance in the program or service.

For example, if you refer a friend to a hotel loyalty program, you may earn 10,000 bonus points for each referral who stays at least two nights at a participating hotel within a year.

  • Cashback

You can receive money as a statement credit or a direct deposit to your bank account. You can earn cash back for each referral who joins the program or service and meets certain criteria, such as applying for a travel credit card or booking a trip through a travel agency.

The cash-back amount will vary depending on the program or service and the referral’s actions.

For example, if you refer a family member to apply for a travel credit card, you may earn $100 cash back for each approved referral and purchase within three months.

Referring your friends or family members to join travel-related programs or services can be a win-win situation for both parties.

You can earn rewards for yourself and help them enjoy the benefits of the program or service. However, you should also be aware of some potential drawbacks, such as:

  • Privacy

To refer someone, you may need to share personal information, such as your name, email, or phone number, with the program or service.

To invite them, you may also need to ask your friends or family members for personal information, such as their email or phone number.

This may raise privacy concerns or risks, especially if the program or service is not trustworthy or secure.

  • Spam

You may receive unwanted emails, calls, or messages from the program or service after you refer someone.

You may also annoy your friends or family by sending them too many invitations or reminders.

This may damage your relationship with them or make them lose interest in the program or service.

  • Limits

You may face limits on the number of referrals you can make or the rewards you can earn.

For example, some programs or services may cap the number of referrals you can make yearly or monthly.

Some may also limit the amount of bonus points or cash back you can earn per referral or in total.

Before you refer someone, you should check the terms and conditions of the program or service to avoid disappointment or confusion.

5.  Participate in special promotions or challenges that offer travel points as prizes

The other way to earn more travel points without using a credit card is to participate in special promotions or challenges that offer travel points as prizes.

These are usually limited-time or seasonal offers that require you to complete certain tasks, such as booking a specific hotel, flying a certain number of miles, or using a particular credit card.

Completing these promotions or challenges can earn you bonus travel points on top of your regular earnings or even win many travel points as a sweepstakes prize.

These promotions or challenges can be found on various platforms, such as social media, blogs, newsletters, or websites of travel-related businesses.

For example, you might see a promotion on Facebook that invites you to enter a contest to win 100,000 travel points by sharing your travel photos with a hashtag.

Or, you might read a blog post that features a challenge to earn 10x travel points by staying at a new hotel brand within a certain period.

You might also receive a newsletter that informs you of a promotion to get a 50% bonus on travel points when you transfer them from one program to another.

To participate in these promotions or challenges, you usually need to register or enroll with your travel loyalty program account or follow the instructions given by the sponsor.

You also need to meet the eligibility criteria, such as being a resident of a certain country, having a specific status level, or using a certain payment method.

You should also read the terms and conditions carefully, as they may contain important information about the deadlines, limitations, exclusions, and other promotion rules or challenge rules.

Participating in these promotions or challenges can boost your travel points balance and get closer to your travel goals.

However, you should also be careful not to overspend or overcommit to these offers, as they may not always be worth it.

You should always compare the costs and benefits of the promotion or challenge and consider your travel preferences and needs.

You should also be aware of the risks of fraud or scams and only participate in legitimate and reputable offers from trusted sources.

How Do I Compare The Value Of Travel Points?

Comparing the value of travel points can be tricky, as different programs have different redemption options, rates, and fees. However, there are some general steps you can follow to get an estimate of how much your points are worth:

  • First, you need to know how many points you have and which program they belong to. You can check your account balance online or use a tool like AwardWallet to track and manage your points across different programs.
  • Second, you need to have a travel goal in mind, such as a destination, a date, and a class of service. You can then search for the cash and award prices of your desired travel option on the program’s website or app, or use a tool like Google Flights or Kayak to compare different options.
  • Third, you need to calculate the value of your points by dividing the cash price by the award price and multiplying by 100. This will give you the value of your points in cents per point. For example, if a flight costs $500 in cash or 25,000 points in awards, the value of your points is ($500 / 25,000) x 100 = 2 cents per point.
  • Fourth, you need to compare the value of your points with the average value of your program or the industry standard. You can use a tool like NerdWallet or The Point Calculator to find the average values of different programs and currencies. You can also use a tool like Points to Dollars Calculator or Points and Miles to Dollars Calculator to get an estimate of the cash value of your points. Generally, a good value for travel points is around 1.5 cents per point, which can vary depending on the program and the redemption option.

What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Earning Travel Points?

There are some common mistakes that you should avoid when earning travel points, such as:

  • Carrying credit card debt

If you use credit cards to earn travel points, you should always pay off your balance in full every month. Otherwise, you will incur interest charges that will negate the value of your points.

Credit card debt can also hurt your credit score and limit your options for future cards. Experts never carry credit card debt from month to month if they can avoid it.

  • Buying points and miles

Sometimes, airlines and hotels offer promotions to buy points and miles at a discounted rate.

However, these deals are rarely worth it, as the cost of buying points and miles is usually higher than the value of redeeming them.

Experts rarely buy points and miles directly unless they need a small amount to top off their account for a specific redemption.

  • Not diversifying your points and miles.

Having all your points and miles in one program can be risky, as programs can change their rules, rates, and fees anytime. Y

You might also miss out on better redemption options or availability with other programs.

Experts diversify their points and miles across different programs and currencies and use transferable points that can be moved to various partners.

  • Wasting points and miles on low-value redemptions

Not all points and miles are created equal, and not all redemptions offer the same value.

You should always compare the cash and award prices of your desired travel option and calculate the value of your points and miles in cents per point.

You should also consider the fees, taxes, and redemption availability. Experts aim for high-value redemptions that offer more than 1.5 cents per point and avoid low-value redemptions such as gift cards, merchandise, or cash back.

Can You Get Travel Points With A Debit Card?

Yes, you can get travel points with a debit card, but the options are limited and less rewarding than credit cards. Some of the debit cards that offer travel points are:-

PayPal Business MasterCard Debit Card

This card gives you 1% cash back on signature purchases, which you can use to book travel or redeem for other rewards.

Chase Disney Visa Debit Card

This card offers discounts and perks at Disney stores, restaurants, spas, and parks, as well as a $50 onboard credit on a Disney cruise.

UFB Direct Airline Rewards Debit Card

This card gives you 1 American Airlines mile for every $3 spent, up to 4,000 miles per month. You can use these miles to book award flights or other travel rewards.

How Much Money Is 25,000 Travel Points?

The answer to this question depends on which travel program you have the 25,000 points in and how you plan to use them.

Different programs have different redemption options, rates, and fees, which affect the value of your points.

However, based on some average values, 25,000 travel points could be worth anywhere from $125 to $500. Generally, a good value for travel points is around 1.5 cents per point.

How Many Points Do I Need To Fly For Free?

Depending on the program and the destination, you could need anywhere from 2,500 to 375,000 points to fly for free.

What Is The Fastest Way To Earn Air Miles?

There are a few ways to accumulate air miles rapidly, but the absolute fastest method involves credit cards:

Travel credit cards

Marriot Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card

Signing up for a travel rewards credit card and meeting the spending requirement for the welcome bonus is generally the quickest way to earn many miles in one go.

These bonuses can range from 40,000 to 100,000 miles or points depending on the card.

Remember, responsible credit card use is crucial. Only apply for a card if you can pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Do You Earn Points On Flights Booked With Points?

No, you generally don’t earn points on flights booked with points from an airline’s frequent flyer program. This is because you’re essentially using your existing points as a form of payment for the flight, similar to using cash.

However, there are some nuances to consider:

  • Booking with flexible points

Some travel rewards programs banks offer, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards, allow you to use your points to “pay” for flights at a fixed price.

In this scenario, you won’t earn miles from the airline but might still benefit from your credit card’s rewards program.

For instance, Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 25% more value when redeeming points for travel booked through their portal.

  • Earning elite status benefits

Even though you won’t earn miles on award flights, you might still accrue benefits toward achieving elite status in the airline’s loyalty program.

Depending on the program and your accumulated points, these benefits can include perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, or lounge access.

Can I Cash In My Miles?

In most cases, directly converting your miles to cash is not possible with airline frequent flyer programs. They primarily function as a rewards system for travel-related redemptions, such as:

  • Booking flights: This is the most common way to use your miles. You can redeem them for flights on the airline or its partner airlines, potentially saving you significant money on travel costs.
  • Upgrading seats: Miles can be used to upgrade your seat to a more comfortable cabin class, like business or first class, for a more luxurious travel experience.
  • Other travel-related rewards: You can redeem your miles for hotel stays, car rentals, airport lounge access, or merchandise.

However, there are a few alternative options to consider if you’re looking to extract some cash value from your miles:

  • Cash+Miles programs: Some airlines, like Emirates, offer a “Cash+Miles” option with their Skywards program. This allows you to combine your miles with cash to pay for a flight, essentially offering a partial cash value for your miles.
  • Miles brokers: Third-party companies act as middlemen, facilitating the sale of your miles to other individuals or businesses. This is generally not recommended due to the lower exchange rates you’ll receive compared to the value airlines offer on flights, and it might violate the terms and conditions of your frequent flyer program, potentially leading to account closure.

Do Travel Points Expire?

Earn miles by flying Turkish Airlines

Whether travel points expire depends on the specific program:

  • Credit card rewards programs: These programs typically do not have expiration dates for your points as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing.
  • Airline and hotel loyalty programs: These programs often do have expiration policies for points or miles earned. Inactivity is the usual trigger, and the expiration timeframe can vary significantly, typically ranging from 12 to 36 months of account inactivity (no earning or redeeming points).

Here’s a breakdown:

  • Credit card rewards: Generally, they don’t expire, but check individual program terms.
  • Airline miles: Can expire after 12-36 months of inactivity with some exceptions (always-active programs or elite status holders).
  • Hotel points: Similar to airline miles, they can expire after 12-36 months of inactivity, with exceptions for elite members or co-branded credit card holders.

Key Takeaways: How To Earn Travel Points Without A Credit Card

Traveling opens doors to new cultures and experiences but can also be expensive if you don’t have a credit card or want to avoid debt. Fear not! Earning travel points without a credit card is possible.

This guide explores various methods to accumulate points for flights, hotels, and more, allowing you to explore the world without breaking the bank.

From loyalty programs and online portals to travel debit cards and special offers, we’ll unveil strategies to maximize your point-earning potential.

Remember, careful planning and utilizing the right tools can help you reach your travel goals without relying on credit cards. So, pack your bags, embrace the spirit of adventure, and prepare to experience the world with these valuable tips!

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