Looking to up my points game

[MischaOz]

Hi everyone! So, I am looking for suggestions on how to get more travel points or better utilize the programs I am currently enrolled in. Some background:

We do travel to Disney fairly regularly (once or twice per year) but like to travel to other destinations too, primarily within US.

These are my main travel points earners:

I primarily fly Southwest due to it having the most direct flights from my home airport. I am a rapid rewards member and do “rewards for opinions” which gets me a few extra points. I do not have a southwest credit card due to the fact that I do not want to pay an annual fee.

I tend to stay at Hilton properties because I do Hilton honors. I do have a Hilton American Express (the one where you don’t pay an annual fee). I had gold status last year but unfortunately dropped down to silver this year. I would love to get back up to gold but not sure how to do that. I have had quite a few stays this year but not enough.

I also do Swagbucks and use that to get Sam’s Club gift cards, which I use to buy Disney gift cards, so that has been really good.

As indicated, I prefer not to pay an annual fee for a credit card, but I would consider it if the right opportunity presented itself.

Any suggestions?!?! Thanks!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You might be hard pressed to find a card that offers a point incentive but does not have an annual fee.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Do your online shopping through the SWA portal. I can't tell you how many points I have earned that way.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Do you ever pay for Southwest flights? Instead of thinking of it an annual fee, consider it $900 worth of flights for less than $100. Even the $69 plus card routinely bumps up to 60K.

We also have an old Hhonors Am ex. It used to be great for earning points and status, but they have stripped it of most of the value. Most of our spending now goes towards multiple SW flights each year for our family of 4. Rotating Business and personal cards in a two-adult household makes it pretty east to maintain one or both companion passes as well.

 

[shocker]

I also will NOT pay an annual fee (even though I surely could right it off an a business expense??). I have a Chase Disney Visa (the one offered without a fee) and earned enough to cover my AP & most of my on site stay fees & many many meals.

I also have a cashback card & a hotel CC (all w/o fees). I just choose which one I'm interested in getting as a reward & use that card.

I also use Upromise to book hotel & rental car thru (unfortunately Hilton is back & forth on their participation, so although my fav brand I can't (or won't) use them when they're in their "off" phase. Also, some restaurants participate but I don't hunt them down, if I hit on one fine.

Also, online retailers participate, like Walmart, Target, eBay, etc.

I get cash back from Upromise & have gotten around $2,000 during my participation.

So, when I book a hotel/car, I go thru Upromise, I earn points with for the hotel/car & get loyalty status like everyone else. I get a kick back from the CC I used (like most everyone else), & I get a check from Upromise (like very few I suspect). If that's not triple dipping, I'm not sure what is. I guess its quadruple dipping when I submit that hotel receipt & am reimbursed but get to keep all my kickbacks.

But, I'm happy to read what other people are using & see if there's something I could use.

 

[trenty]

Besides utilizing credit card rewards, I complete surveys to earn travel rewards/points

Southwest - erewards
Jet Blue - pointsforsurveys
United - mypoints (I also use mypoints to convert to Disney GC)
IHG hotels - erewards and opinioncheckin

Swagbucks, of course, which I usually convert to Disney GC.

I also do want credit cards with annual fees, but I do keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred ($95) because of all the travel partners and benefits. I pay the annual fee with cash back I have earned on my Discover It card (free).

Edit - I also use some apps - someone started a thread about earning apps the other day: https://disboards.com/threads/the-big-list-of-apps.3762374/#post-60899425

 

[strawberrymom2]

I've used erewards and pointsforsurveys but wasn't aware of the others. Thanks!

 

[sandam1]

Do you ever pay for Southwest flights? Instead of thinking of it an annual fee, consider it $900 worth of flights for less than $100. Even the $69 plus card routinely bumps up to 60K.

This is the way I view it as well. I used to be a "no annual fee" person, but once I saw that I could get 3-4 round trips for the $69, I converted.