Say ‘I Do’ to Savings: How You Can Travel Hack Your Way to a Free Honeymoon
This is a guest blog post from Jessica Bishop, founder of The Budget Savvy Bride
Weddings and honeymoons are two of life’s most unforgettable moments, and something you’ve probably been looking forward to since you got engaged! However, the costs associated with these celebrations can often make couples feel like they have to choose between the two. But what if I told you there’s a life hack to have both? By travel hacking, you can maximize your wedding budget to help for your dream honeymoon. As an expert in planning weddings and honeymoon on a budget, I’ve got the secrets to making this financial magic happen!
What is Travel Hacking?
Travel hacking is an ingenious strategy embraced by people worldwide to take trips, whether for honeymoons, family vacations, or exotic adventures, almost free of cost. The method is to leverage credit card sign-up bonuses, reward points, and travel perks to unlock substantial savings on your travel expenses.
Imagine jetting off to your dream destination, staying in luxurious hotels, and enjoying memorable experiences on your honeymoon, all without straining your budget. This is the magic of travel hacking.
The Power of Travel Hacking
Thousands worldwide are already using travel hacking to transform their travel dreams into reality, breaking free from the financial constraints. My friend, Tanner, is a personal finance coach with a passion for helping others save more, spend less, and achieve their financial goals. Since 2014, he’s been leveraging rewards points for our travels, exploring both the United States and international destinations, including a month-long trip to New Zealand!
Our own experiences stand as a testament to the extraordinary potential of travel hacking. We’ve witnessed firsthand how this strategy can open doors to remarkable adventures, making once-distant dreams a tangible reality.
How to Start Travel Hacking
Before you start booking vendors and making deposits for your big day, research travel credit cards to find the one that aligns with your honeymoon vision. Look for cards that offer attractive sign-up bonuses, enticing cashback perks, and travel benefits like TSA pre-check and lounge access. The right travel credit card can help you accumulate rewards, whether it’s miles for long-distance travel or points for luxurious hotels. To find the perfect travel credit card, consider your honeymoon destination and budget. For example, if you plan to jet off to a far-flung locale, prioritize a card that earns you miles. If you’re dreaming of a five-star resort experience, look into the best hotel rewards cards.
Rack Up Your Credit Card Points
Weddings are costly, but why not capitalize on those expenses? By using travel rewards credit cards, you can accumulate points to redeem towards your honeymoon. If you use your credit card responsibly, this can be a money-saving hack to fund the honeymoon of your dreams.
Travel hacking offers a variety of benefits for different travel expenses.
Accommodations
Many travel credit cards have established partnerships with renowned hotel chains, offering you the chance to redeem points for either free or heavily discounted stays at the luxurious hotels you’ve always dreamed of for your honeymoon.
Airfare
You have the opportunity to accumulate miles or points that can substantially reduce the cost of your airfare, and in some cases, these rewards might even earn you free tickets.
Airport Lounge Access
Travel credit cards can really elevate your pre-flight experience. You can travel in style and comfort by utilizing your credit card rewards to access airport lounges. In these exclusive spaces, you can savor complimentary food and drinks while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere before your flight.
Rental Cars & Rideshare
Certain credit cards come with perks like discounts for renting cars during your honeymoon, making your journey not only more convenient but also more cost-effective. Some cards will even offer you a monthly credit for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft!
Travel Insurance
Credit cards that are part of the travel hacking strategy often offer complimentary travel insurance. This safeguard provides you with the reassurance that you are well-protected throughout your honeymoon, regardless of any unexpected circumstances.
Save Money on Your Honeymoon with Rewards Card Sign-Up Bonuses
Many travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses for reaching a certain spending threshold within your first few months as a cardholder. This is an excellent opportunity to double or even triple your rewards. They also may offer reward systems that provide cardholders discounts on specific resorts or car rentals in addition to assisting with earning you discounted airfare. Before you travel, make sure you’re capitalizing on all the perks your card offers.
Take the time to read up on travel information compiled by travel bloggers and vacation experts to see what tips you can tap into with your card for discounted or free travel. A word of caution, if you cannot afford to pay your credit card bill in full every month, travel hacking may not be the best strategy for your honeymoon. Charging up a big bill while traveling will only result in returning home to debt and stress. Debts plague way too many people, so don’t let your honeymoon add to the struggle.
To make your honeymoon even more amazing, think about setting up a Honeyfund registry. It lets your loved ones chip in for those extra-special experiences, like a beachside dinner or an adventurous excursion. So, while travel hacking saves on essential costs, your Honeyfund registry makes your honeymoon an unforgettable adventure. Combine both of these strategies for maximum honeymoon savings, and you’ll have more funds to use in your wedding budget to pull off the big day of your dreams!
Ready to start travel hacking? Check my guide with step-by-step instructions, real couples’ FAQs, and bonus itineraries to fantastic destinations like Greece (Crete & Athens), Hawaii, Italy, Ireland, and Florida!
Wishing you a Very Happy (and Savvy) Honeymoon!
