Traveling to 33 Countries for Free Using Only Credit Card Points
"I Switch Cards Every Month Depending on Which Benefits Each Card Offers"
A man in his 30s has gained attention for traveling to 33 countries around the world using only accumulated credit card points. He shared that his secret was strategically collecting points by remembering the credit card benefits that change every month.
According to CNBC on the 26th (local time), David Do (33), a Vietnamese-American who works as a social worker and earns an annual salary of $78,000 (about 110 million won), is an ordinary office worker. However, he has traveled to a total of 33 countries so far, including Honduras, Japan, Singapore, Norway, Turkey, and India.
Regarding the secret to traveling to so many countries, Do explained, "I strategically utilize credit card point programs to receive free or discounted airfare and accommodation."
Do said, "I currently have about 30 credit cards, and I keep them all organized in a binder like Pokemon cards. This is so I can remember the benefits each card offers every month." He added, "I switch cards strategically depending on which card offers which benefits each month, because credit cards offer additional points in specific categories on a monthly basis."
For example, in March, he spent $753 on dining and paid the entire amount with a Discover card that offered 5% cashback at restaurants for that month, maximizing his rewards. He pays for airline tickets and train fares with the Capital One Venture card, which specializes in travel rewards, and uses the Amazon Chase Prime card for Amazon shopping. In this way, Do has accumulated and used over 1 million points since 2017.
Another key strategy is the "new sign-up bonus." He targets times of large expenses, such as car insurance, college tuition, and quarterly taxes, to apply for cards that offer high sign-up bonuses and meets the required spending to secure points in a lump sum. He takes advantage of promotions commonly offered by card companies, such as "earn 60,000 points when you spend over $3,000 in three months."
Do emphasized, "It's important not to use points extravagantly." Instead of first-class tickets or luxury hotels, he always flies economy and books practical accommodations. He said, "How you spend money is more important than how much you earn," and added, "Anyone can expand their travel opportunities with a strategic approach." He currently has about 370,000 miles and is planning trips to Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. His goal is to visit 35 countries before he turns 35.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
