We did it! See my complete guide to Europe for Free.
At the beginning of April 2021, I had a pretty crazy idea. I wanted to take my husband to Europe for one month next year completely free through travel hacking. We'd always traveled frugally and I'm an incredible travel hack deal finder but to go for free? My husband at first thought I was insane and I was pretty sure I was. Until one day I did what any 20-something does and Googled it. I knew of the travel hacking community - the "this card for groceries, that card for gas, another card for hotels" people of the world. After some research, I realized with enough dedication, planning, and organization I could travel hack a one-month trip to Europe completely free. Free hotels, free airfare, and free entertainment. Maybe even a fancy meal or two along the way. So probably not completely free, but clickbait does work, right?
Here's how I'm traveling hacking one month in Europe for free - and you can, too!
The travel hack
In May 2021 I started the journey with a travel rewards card we already had established, the American Airlines Citi Platinum Elite card. I used the card mostly for vacations and the occasional large purchase for large point redemptions and spent the majority of my time budget travel hacking through other money-saving strategies like utilizing Going and earning miles through shopping portals.
But after many years of travel hacking with very little credit cards this trip was going to have to be different. I took my knowledge from the internet and founded my six principles to do this successfully:
1. Points are only as valuable as their CPM (cents per mile)
2. Sign-up bonuses require a plan of action to meet the minimums
3. Spread out your card sign-ups to build your credit score
4. Research card options and choose the best ones for your situation
5. Become aware of how your points can move between systems
6. And always pay your balance in full
With my mediocre knowledge, I decided on our plan of action- which was actually pretty simple- accumulate as many points as possible in a way that will strategically pay for all transportation and accommodations, and maybe if we're lucky we'll have enough leftover miles to cover some food and entertainment. If I can do that, perhaps the dream to travel hack a free trip to Europe might actually be attainable.
What I've Spent
(updated February 3, 2021)
| Purchase | Redemption |
|---|---|
| Krakow - Holiday Inn (4) | 40,000 IHG points |
| Prague - Holiday Inn (4) | 42,000 IHG points |
| Vienna - Andaz (2) | 18,000 Chase points transferred to Hyatt |
| Budapest - Intercontinental (4) | 104,000 IHG points |
| Dubrovnik - Airbnb (3) | $170 cash, Chase Pay Yourself Back |
| Dubrovnik - Hilton Hotel Imperial (2) | 70,000 Hilton points and $208 cash |
| Cappadocia - Sato Cave Hotel (3) | $160 cash, $100 in gift cards (as gifts) |
| Istanbul - Holiday Inn (5) | 36,000 IHG points and $114 cash |
| Rome - The Tribune (3) | 45,000 Chase points transferred to Hyatt |
| Kansas City to Chicago - OW for 2 | $131 cash - Used Southwest $75 credit and 10% Chase cashback |
| Chicago to Rome - RT for 2 | 75,000 Chase points |
| Dubrovnik to Cappadocia - OW for 2 | 22,000 Chase points transferred to Singapore Airlines Had 10,000 points in account and utilized 12% bonus |
| Istanbul to Rome - OW for 2 | $90 cash |
| Chicago to Kansas City - OW for 2 | 12,000 Chase points to British Airways |
| Rome to Krakow - OW for 2 | $150 cash |
| Krakow to Prague - OW for 2 | $70 cash |
| Budapest to Dubrovnik - OW for 2 | $370 cash |
Jade