Redeem Cash Back and Travel for Less: My Tips for Maximizing Cash Back

Learn from my credit mistakes – I had one credit card for years, barely used it, and swiped my debit card instead. I figured earning credit card rewards couldn’t make that much of a difference, so why bother?

My world changed when I watched a creator break down how she redeemed her credit card rewards to cover an entire vacation. Since implementing a few key steps, I’ve earned thousands of dollars in credit card rewards, covering over $1,000 in travel this year alone. Most recently, I redeemed credit card rewards for roundtrip flights from Boston to Aruba, saving me over $400. With so much financial advice online, especially about travel hacking, I wanted simple, no-fuss tips and tricks to maximize my rewards. Here are three key steps I take to travel more for less.

Picking the Right Credit Card

While 82% of American adults have a credit card, logging into a credit card rewards portal can sometimes be disappointing – $8 in your account doesn’t feel like a “big win.” I recommend picking a credit card with rewards categories that align with your everyday spending to earn the best rewards possible. Take the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card, which earns you 5% cash back on grocery store purchases and up to 3% on other common spending categories. With these high percentages on everyday spending, you can generate an impressive amount of rewards with simple necessities and purchases, which you can redeem and use for flight tickets, vacation activities, and hotels.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Rewards

Credit card rewards are an avid traveler’s dream. I prefer cash-back rewards because you can redeem rewards for various expenses, like flights, ride shares, hotels, vacation activities, and rental cars. While rewards might not cover every vacation expense, you can use the cash back to subsidize the cost of some expenses. You can travel more without compromising your dream itinerary or destination.

During my recent trip to Aruba, I had the flexibility to splurge on a $130 ticket to a private island to feed flamingos and treat my friends to a lavish dinner. Thanks to the $400 I saved on my flights through credit card rewards, I was able to build these expenses into my travel budget.

Mindful Redeeming, More Rewards

Redeeming your rewards is just as important as earning them! For cash back credit cards like the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card, redeeming your rewards within the credit card portal is the best option to keep organized.

Stay Practical While Travel Hacking

While rewards are one of the best perks of holding a credit card, I recommend paying off your card monthly and avoiding carrying a balance. You can take advantage of the power of credit by picking the right card, understanding the scope of your rewards, and mindfully redeeming. Cash back from cards like the AAA Daily Advantage Visa Signature® Credit Card can open up a world of possibilities, especially if you’re ready to elevate your travel game for a fraction of the cost.