Travel Hacking Resources & Reward Credit Card Recommendations?

[AK]

Hey Fellow Mustachians!

Earlier this year, I earned the Southwest Companion Pass by hitting the minimum spend on two Southwest credit cards as my introduction into travel hacking. As part of that, I used Gift of College gift cards, using one of the Southwest credit cards, to pay down my student loans. I have about $40,000 in student loans remaining and business has been good this year so I have the cash to pay them off. I'd like to earn additional reward points for travel hacking using the same method but not sure which other credit cards to get.

In terms of travel, our family doesn't travel too much except to Disney World every year in Florida. We've been on some Carribean cruises too and would like to do that again. Our vacations will likely be within the United States the next few years while we have young children.

What are your recommendations for credit cards to get and resources to learn more about travel hacking? I've done some light research into this but would love your opinions!

Thanks,
AK

[bacchi]

Do you fly to get the cruise origin cities? Do you stay overnight before or after the cruise? Do you stay only at Disney Resorts or do you stay in nearby non-Disney hotels?

[secondcor521]

Use Google, find some travel hacking sites that work for you, and go from there.  I like Doctor of Credit and a few others that I can't think of off the top of my head.  There are plenty of free sites that find good deals and walk you through how to execute them.

[LateToTheParty]

Brad Barrett has an amazing free course travel miles 101. You can access thru the travel miles 101 Facebook group as a pinned post.

[AK]

Fly to ports for cruises and stay the night before. Usually stay on Disney property.

[Catbert]

The two travel/points "blogs" I read are:

thedoctorofcredit.com   He does not take credit card referral money so his info isn't biased based on who pays him the most.

thepointsguy.com  While this website has lots of good info, it's important to understand that it makes a ton of money from credit card companies for referrals and is owned now by Bankrate.  So while the guy is still around, he no longer owns the site.  There is good info to be had, just realize that recommendations aren't unbiased.

Both have beginner guides that are worth reading.  Start you research with:  https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-524-rule-explained-detail-need-know/

If you like flying southwest, strategizing how your spouse (?) could get the companion pass next would be a good start.