How to Get Your 30,000 Miles

1. Sign up for the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Visa card.
2. Make $750 in purchases in the first 4 months of being a cardmember.
3. The AAdvantage® miles will appear as a bonus in your AAdvantage® account within 8-10 weeks.

Citi/AAdvantage Terms and Conditions

• The $75 Annual Fee is waived for the first year of cardmembership.
• This offer is valid only for first-time CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® cardmembers who apply pursuant to this offer for an account.
• The maximum number of American Airlines AAdvantage® miles you can earn from purchases using this card is 150,000 AAdvantage® miles per calendar year, although different AAdvantage statuses and bonus miles are excluded from the limit.
• Miles don’t expire provided that once every 18 months you (i) redeem American Airlines AAdvantage® miles or (ii) earn them on American Airlines carriers or (iii) earn AAdvantage® miles with an AAdvantage® participant.
• American Airlines has no restricted dates for award travel but seats for award travel are limited and may not be available on all flights.

More on AAdvantage

Multiple ways to earn miles. You can earn miles via purchases on the card, flights on American Airlines or their partners, purchases through the AAdvantage shopping mall and bonuses at partner hotels, car rentals, florists, etc.

Individual applicants. Don’t forget, you can use your individual name and select sole proprietorship as the type of business to qualify for a business card.

Redeeming miles. AAdvantage allows you to redeem miles for one-way flights, often for as low as 12,500 miles per leg. That means this bonus could earn you close to 3 one-way flights and save you at least $300!

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There are about 600 frequent flyer miles between my family and I, and so we are still racking up the points on holidays and mid-year trips (learn how to rack up more frequent flyer miles without ever leaving the ground).   

Even if you are not a regular traveler, frequent flyer programs are a great tool, and generally the memberships are free. You can even trade in your frequent flyer miles for magazines, gift cards, etc. in case you do not earn enough miles to take a free flight before they expire.

However, not all frequent flyer programs, or airlines, are created equal. Below is a comparison between the major frequent flyer mile programs, listing the pros and cons to each, as well as how many frequent flyer miles you must earn before receiving a free flight.

How Many Frequent Flyer Miles to Fly

Which is the Best Frequent Flyer Program?

Determining which program is the best will be based off of your own traveling habits and needs. For instance, if you do a lot of short trips, using Southwest Rapid Rewards is great because you receive the same amount of credit for short trips as you do long trips. When you receive your reward ticket, book a flight across the U.S. to take the most advantage of this!

Delta SkyMiles may make sense for you if you do not plan on earning enough miles for a reward ticket because you can use the miles you have accumulated to partially pay for a ticket.

Also, be sure to check out the best airline credit card to see if you can earn free miles towards your next flight.

As for Paul and I, we enjoy Southwest Rapid Rewards the most. I earned a free ticket that I used last March for a mini-weekend vacation to the Northeast, and am working my way towards a second free ticket probably mid-year 2010. I have also earned free tickets on American Airlines through AAdvantage, as well as US Airways through Dividend Miles.

Which frequent flyer program works best for you?

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Adding it up definitely made me feel bad – in fact, when I told my mom I had taken a cab she said “don’t blog about it!” I tell you this story for two reasons: one to show that even people who write about money aren’t perfect, and two to show you that travel expenses add up VERY quickly.

If you’re taking to the skies or hitting the road, between now and the start of 2010, heed these tips on your journey. I will be doing so, and promise to spend less during my Christmas travel than I did over Thanksgiving!

Frugal Travel Tips

1. Get a ride or use public transportation: If you’re flying out of town, don’t spend money on airport parking (up to $25/day or more!) or a cab ride. Ask a friend or family member to drop you off and pick you up, or use public transportation when available. I know it’s tempting to opt for convenience when you’re dealing with luggage and/or bad December weather, but your wallet will thank you!
2. Bring entertainment from home: This is applicable to both car and plane trips. If you know you need something to keep you busy during the trip, bring a book or some music from home, or visit the library for some new material. On the road, you’ll have a limited selection and may end up paying more for something you’re not even that interested in.
3. Eat before you leave: If you’re going to be gone for awhile, this could have the double effect of using up groceries that would go bad before you come back and saving you from buying food on the road.
4. Pack snacks: If you don’t eat before, or will be traveling for several hours, pack a small bag of snacks. Nuts are a somewhat healthy snack that don’t take up much room at all. You can also take raisins, dried or fresh fruit, or even a sandwich.
5. Bring an empty water bottle: If you’re flying, you know that you can’t take liquids through security. But bottled water can be $2.00 or more for a 20 oz. bottle. Instead of paying that, bring an empty bottle and fill it at the water fountain once you pass security. Of course if you are driving you should just bring your own drinks from home.
6. Pack efficiently: Wear your bulkiest items, like a winter coat and boots, and pare down the rest of your luggage to only the essentials. I read once about a woman who picks two-three complimentary colors for each trip (say black, yellow, and white) and only brings items in those colors so that everything can mix and match. Doing something similar can help you cut down on the number of bags you need. This in turn can improve gas efficiency if you’re driving, or save you luggage fees on planes.
7. Carry on your luggage: Speaking of luggage fees…in case you weren’t aware, almost every airline is now charging $15 or more to check a bag. Across major airlines, the only exception to this that I am aware of is Southwest. If you can possibly fit everything in a carry-on bag, do so. Even buying a larger carry-on bag might be worth it if you travel frequently. I’ve been able to fit up to 6 days of clothes and toiletries in a small roll-on, so it can be done!
8. Consider shipping gifts ahead: If you are traveling with lots of gifts for family and friends, shipping them ahead using ground or flat rate shipping may be a more frugal option than checking extra bags to bring them via plane. Check rates at USPS.com, UPS.com, or FedEx.com.
9. Utilize rewards programs: If you belong to MyPoints, Swagbucks, or a flexible credit card rewards program, you may be able to get gift cards to use during your travel. Look for gift cards for your favorite hotel chain, restaurants on your route or at your destination, or gas cards. I’ve been able to get gift cards for all sorts of items, saving $50 or more per trip.

If you plan ahead, you can take a trip without spending any more than you would at home – but of course the key words there are “plan ahead.” If you’re traveling this year, set aside a few minutes right now to put together an action plan for saving money: print out this post and highlight the tips that apply to you. If any of them require planning ahead (like ordering gift cards or scheduling a ride), write down the date you plan to complete that item. Then stick to your plan! You’d be surprised at how little travel can cost.

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Budget Travel Tips

Flying and accommodation are two of the biggest travel expenses people have when they plan a trip. The cost of these two are the biggest financial barriers to going away. People look at the cost of these two and think “I can’t afford a trip this year.” However, there are many easy, simple, and convenient ways to cut the cost of flights and dramatically cut the cost of accommodations.

I’ve been traveling for over three years. I fly about 10 times per year and I spend a lot of time in hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts. If I traveled like how most Americans think they need to travel, I could never afford it.

Here are some big ways to save on flights and accommodations so your trip becomes more affordable and a closer reality.

Flights

Traveling is always a fun experience when you get your plane tickets at a discount and luckily, the global recession has made flying a lot cheaper than it used to be. Airlines need to fill seats and they are looking to do so through steep price cuts.

Book in Advance. When booking your flight, book about 6-8 weeks in advance. The best time to buy is around 8 weeks before you travel. If you book too close to your trip, airlines know they can charge you a lot because you need the flight. If you book too far in advance, airlines raise prices to hedge against rising costs.

Fly Round Trip. Tickets are always cheaper if you book round trip. The airlines give a “discount” to round trip tickets because they know they will have seats filled. Even if you are only going one way, always book a return portion to save money.

Travel Midweek. Avoid traveling on the weekends since this is when people have off work so are looking to fly the most. Airlines raise prices on the weekend because they know they can make more money. Therefore, the best time to fly is between Tuesday and Thursday when flights are at their lowest capacity and flights are the cheapest.

Accommodations

Accommodations are one of the biggest day to day expenses people have. No matter what your accommodation tastes may be, one thing we can all agree on is that we all want to save money on it. Most people stay in hotels but hotels are the most expensive option on the road.

Stay in Hostels. A good alternative to hotels is hostels. People often think of hostels as for young college students who want to share showers and sleep in 20 bed dorms. However, hostels are for all ages. All of them have private rooms with showers, free wi-fi, and breakfast cheaper than hotels. In New York City, that kind of room cost me $90 per night in Times Square, and the room was cleaner than any similar priced hotel and even came with TV!

Try Couchsurfing. If you are looking to pay nothing, consider using Couchsurfing. Couchsurfing connects travelers with people around the world who let them stay in their home. You get a bed or a couch to sleep on. It’s a very safe service too. People are scared to couchsurf but the people who use this service are usually very open minded people and nice people. The couchsurfing website take steps to provide security for their users. They provide various levels of verification and allow users to rate and leave comments on people’s profiles. There’s never been a problem with this service and you can see if people are worth staying with by their reviews.

Rent an Apartment. If you plan to stay in a city a long time, renting an apartment can be a good option. These furnished apartments are usually cheaper than hotels and give many more amenities like a kitchen, laundry, and TV room. You’ll get the comforts of home without spending a lot of money like you would at a hotel.

By using the above methods, you can save hundreds of dollars on your next vacation without much effort. There is a myth that travel is expensive but that is because the travel industry wants you to believe it is so you will spend a lot of money. But travel is not expensive and there are many ways to travel cheap and, as people who want to save money, we can all appreciate that.

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I’m a big fan of frequent flier miles. We used miles for our honeymoon to Hawaii. What better way to travel, than for free?

As with all the credit cards I highlight, I’ll keep the list updated so you can bookmark it and check back in the future.

Airline Rewards Credit Cards

Delta Reserve Credit Card

• Annual First-Class companion certificate, which can be used for a First-Class or Coach-Class ticket!
• Earn up to 10,000 Medallion(R) Qualification Miles (MQMs) after your first purchase
• Built-in Miles Boost^SM – earn up to 30,000 MQMs and 30,000 bonus miles
• Complimentary Crown Room Club(R) access for you and two guests
• Access to American Express(R) Concierge Services
• Pay with Miles – pay for all or part of any Delta flight with your miles
• Check your first bag for free on every Delta flight

Platinum Delta SkyMiles(R) Credit Card from American Express

• Earn 20,000 bonus SkyMiles(R) (including 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles) after first purchase and another 2,500 for adding an Additional Cardmember
• Earn one companion Coach Class ticket each year upon renewal
• Earn at least 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent
• Miles never expire and there is no cap on the miles you can earn
• Pay with Miles: Pay for all or part of your flight with miles – and put the rest on your Card
• Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
• Check your first bag free on every Delta flight

Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card

• Pay No Annual Fee the first year. That’s a savings of $85.
• Earn 25,000 bonus miles after your first purchase. That’s enough for a round-trip reward within the United States (excluding Hawaii).
• Earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and when you add an authorized user within 2 months of your account opening.
• Earn 10,000 bonus miles annually when you spend $25,000 on your Card
  First Checked Bag Free – With the OnePass(R) Plus Card, you and your companions on the same reservation don’t pay for your first checked bag when flying on Continental-operated flights. That can save a family of four up to $200 per round trip.
• Earn two miles for every $1 spent when you purchase tickets from Continental Airlines on your Card.
• Earn one mile for every $1 in purchases charged on your Card.
• Redeem Miles for Car and Hotel Rewards exclusively as a Cardmember.

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

• Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles — enough for a total of $250 off Delta flights
• Use miles to pay for any Delta seat, anytime – - no black out dates and no seat restrictions
• 25,000 miles may also be redeemed for a domestic economy award ticket
• Earn SkyMiles for every eligible dollar you spend
• No annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
• Check your first bag for free on every Delta flight.

Chase Sapphire℠

• Earn $100 in Rewards – that’s 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase!
• Redeem Points for Travel, Gift Cards, Merchandise, Cash Back and More
• 2X Points Earned on Airfare Booked through Ultimate Rewards & 1 point for Every Dollar Spent on All Other Purchases
• Points Never Expire and There Are No Limits on How Many Points You Can Earn
• 24/7 Dedicated Service Advisor (No Voice Recording)
• Premier Travel Protection Benefits
• All of this for No Annual Fee!

Chase Sapphire℠ Preferred Card

• Earn a FREE FLIGHT – that’s 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months!
• 2X points earned on all airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards & 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
• Fly on leading airlines anytime. There are no travel restrictions or blackout dates and points never expire.
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Ultimate Rewards
• 7% annual points dividend – earn bonus points on your points
• 1:1 points transfer to leading airline and hotel programs
• 24/7 Dedicated expert service advisors (No voice recording)
• No Annual Fee for your first year – An $85 value

Escape by Discover® Card

• 25,000 Bonus Miles – Earn 1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase for the first 25 months
• 2 Miles per $1 on all purchases
• No limit on the Miles you earn and Miles dont expire*
• Fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
• Use Miles for travel, merchandise, gift cards or cash
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months then the regular APR
• Industry Leading Customer Service
• Enhanced travel benefits like Travel Delay Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Miles by Discover® Card

• 12,000 Bonus Miles Earn 1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase for your 1st year
• 1 Mile per $1 on every purchase
• Plus, 2 Miles on travel and restaurant purchases on your first $3,000 each year
• No limit on the Miles you earn and Miles dont expire*
• Fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates
• Use Miles for travel, merchandise, gift cards or cash
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months then the regular APR
• No Annual Fee, No Overlimit Fee, No Redemption Fee

Simmons First Visa® Platinum Rewards Card

• Excellent Credit Required – Applicants who do not have excellent credit will not be approved
• Low 9.25% variable standard purchase APR and platinum benefits
• No balance transfer fee for balances transferred in response to this online offer
• Travel Rewards – cardholders who enroll in the program receive one point per net dollar spent
• Choose any U.S. based airline or ticket class. No blackout dates or seating restrictions
• Other travel related options are hotels, cruises, vacation packages, car rental, and restaurants
• No Annual Fee

Blue Sky from American Express(R)

• 0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months and no annual fee.
• Flexibility to pay over time.
• Turn purchases into free travel: Enjoy travel rewards with no travel restrictions or blackout dates – get points for flights on any airline, stays at any hotel, and car rentals with any company.

Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Credit Card from American Express

• Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints (R) – enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
• Use Starpoints(R) for free nights and upgrades at participating Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin and more with no blackout dates
• No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter
• Transfer Starpoints(R) – almost always on a 1:1 basis – to the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
• Earn one Starpoint(R) for every dollar you spend and double Starpoints(R) at participating Starwood properties and retail partners
• Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.
• Smarter Travel Editor’s Choice Award for Best Travel Awards Card for Domestic Use

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Taking time off and traveling is fun, relaxing and sometimes stressful. Planning ahead and getting your finances in order before you travel will allow you to get the most out of your vacation and leave some of your worries at home. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the financial preparations needed before leaving home.

1. Pay your bills ahead of time. If you use automatic bill-pay, confirm that all the payments will be sent before the due dates.
2. Make a checklist of financial needs for your trip. Hit the ATM for cash, exchange some money into the needed currency if you are traveling abroad, or purchase traveler’s checks if you plan to use them.
3. Evaluate time-sensitive purchases. Eat all the food that will spoil before leaving home to avoid wasting it (and coming home to the smell of rotted food).
4. Leave a key with someone you trust. You never know when you might have a financial emergency, and someone may need to get into your house to retrieve information or paperwork.
5. Don’t try new financial organization methods. Now is not the time to try to switch to automatic bill-pay in case something goes wrong. Save changes for when you are home and have time to follow-up.
6. Double-check rates. Confirm your flights, hotels and car rentals. If prices have gone down re-book or ask for a credit… yes, even some airlines will issue a credit if the rates drop.
7. Arrange for someone to pick up your mail or have it held. Don’t let mail with your personal information sit in your mailbox while you are gone.
8. Enroll in rewards programs. Look up the frequent flier programs for your airline and rewards programs for your hotels. Enroll before you go to get all your points and miles without hassle.
9. Consider infrequent bills. Remember to check the due dates for car titles, annual insurance payments, homeowners dues and other bills that you don’t pay regularly.
10. Research your destination. Tripadvisor has a great resource that people can review restaurants, attractions and more. Use the reviews to find great places at your destination without spending a fortune.
11. Pay bills for an extra week. Just in case your vacation is extended unexpectedly, you’ll want to have your finances in order.
12. Have fun. Knowing that you don’t have to worry about your finances while you are gone will allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Once you get home from vacation, check to see that everything went smoothly and all your bills were paid on time. If there were any problems, follow up immediately. Open your mail as soon as possible to check for time-sensitive correspondence. Since you planned ahead, you should be able to pick right up where you left off before vacation.

This article is featured in: Carnival of Personal Finance.

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Photography: Oia by Wolfgang Staudt

I don’t know what it’s like in the US, but here in the UK, it’s reasonably common for people to take a gap year between finishing school and going to University. The typical gapper will spend several months working in a menial job, and then take off for a few months travelling the globe with the traditional route through Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

Now, it could be argued that people would be better served by going to Uni as early as possible, getting their degree as soon as they can and then getting out into the workforce to earn, save and invest for a rich future. And, I shouldn’t really argue since that’s more or less what I did – although not deliberately.

But, I think that’s missing several important points. Firstly, the life experience gained by travelling is immense – even though most people spend most of their time in developed English speaking countries, nearly everyone goes to a less developed country at some point – if only because it’s so cheap. Coping with different cultures at the age of 18, certainly helps you grow up and makes you more self-reliant. On starting Uni, it’s always easy to pick out the very independent ex-gap year freshers.

Secondly, the very act of travelling independently on a budget is good practice – you learn to cut costs, snaffle out good deals and save money on the less important things so that you can afford to go bungee jumping in Queenstown, New Zealand. Not only are these skills useful for life as an impoverished student, they’re invaluable in the rest of your working and non-working life too.

Finally, and most importantly, the money for a gap year trip is saved up by the 18 year old themselves. They work hard for the money, and they need to make sacrifices in order to go – because there’s only a year to do it all in, and if there isn’t enough money then the trip will have to be cut short. The discipline of saving up for the things that you want to do, and paying for everything in cash, is one that everyone needs to learn at some point, better at 18 than at 30, or 40, or even later.

And a round the world trip as a lesson in personal finance is certainly one of the more enjoyable ways to learn.

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