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How to Turn Your Holiday Shopping into Free Travel and Cash (2024)
With Americans projected to spend an average of $1,638 on holiday gifts, travel, and entertainment this season, savvy shoppers have a golden opportunity. That holiday spending could unlock enough credit card rewards to earn you at least one free flight, if not more. Here's your comprehensive guide to making your holiday purchases work double-duty.
Understanding Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
Most credit card welcome bonuses require spending between $3,000 to $5,000 within the first three months. With holiday spending typically concentrated in a similar timeframe, this presents a perfect opportunity to meet these requirements with purchases you were already planning to make.
What Can You Get with Welcome Bonus Points?
Recent examples of flights booked with points include:
- Seattle to Amsterdam: 20,000 points (economy, one-way)
- Boston to Madrid: 34,000 points (business class, one-way)
- San Francisco to Hong Kong: 88,000 points (business class, one-way)
- Denver to New Orleans: 15,000 points (economy, one-way)
Strategic Steps to Earn Your Free Flight or Free Cash
Time Your Card Application
- Apply now before your planned holiday shopping
- Ensure you receive the card before major shopping events - if you don’t get the physical card right away, most card issuers will allow you to generate a virtual credit card number to begin spending right away. From your issuer account online or through their mobile app, navigate to the settings section, and look for an option labeled "Virtual Card" or "Virtual Card Numbers" where you can generate a new virtual card number; most major credit card issuers offer this feature, so you may need to check if your specific card is eligible.
- Consider Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday timing. Right now, we’re running a Flash Boost sale through November 30, 2024. Shop at participating merchants to earn up to 25% in rewards, depending on your card. That’s right: your regular card rewards multiplied by up to 5X at some of the most popular retailers for holiday shopping. For example, if you book an eligible flight at Expedia with a card that earns 3%, we’ll boost the rewards by 5X, meaning you’ll earn a total of 15% in rewards (3% from your card, plus a 12% bonus from us)! You just have to checkout using Kudos!
Choose the Right Card to Apply For
Look for:
- Welcome bonuses that align with your spending amount and goals - do you want to maximize free travel or prefer straightforward rewards like cashback?
- Point programs that serve your desired destinations
- Cards with bonus categories matching your shopping plans
- Annual fees that make sense for your budget
Use Dream Wallet to Help You Decide
Not sure which card to get next? Dream Wallet is our free go-to tool for finding the perfect credit card match based on your unique spending habits. Whether you're a cashback enthusiast, a travel points collector, or a savvy saver on dining and entertainment, Dream Wallet ensures that every purchase counts towards hitting that signup bonus, along with bigger and better rewards.
Before you apply, Dream Wallet also helps you understand how each card might affect your credit score. We provide clear, actionable insights about approval odds and credit impact, so you can confidently choose cards that align with your financial goals.
Think of us as your credit card compass – offering data-backed guidance without the pressure. You're always in control; we're just here to light the way.
Our Favorite Signup Bonus Offers Now
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Looking to maximize your travel rewards? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our absolute favorite travel cards. New cardmembers can earn a generous 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
With a potential value of $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, this offer stands out as one of 2024’s most rewarding opportunities. The card's $95 annual fee is easily offset by the welcome bonus and travel credit alone – offering roughly 11x the value in return.
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The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers new cardmembers a fantastic welcome bonus: 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. That's worth $750 toward travel – enough for a round-trip domestic flight or several nights at your dream destination (see rates & fees).
With a straightforward $95 annual fee and the flexibility to redeem miles on any airline or hotel, this bonus offers incredible value that's nearly 8x the annual fee. Plus, you'll continue earning 2X miles on every purchase, making this card a powerful addition to your wallet.
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Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn $750 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
With no annual fee and a flat 1.5% back on all purchases, this card offers incredible value for business owners and side hustlers alike. The signup bonus alone provides roughly 15x more value than comparable business cards, making this limited-time offer particularly compelling for anyone with regular business expenses.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Dining Out", "headerHint": "Elevate your dining experience"} ]]
The American Express® Gold Card is the gold standard for dining rewards, providing 4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1X) and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1X). Additionally, it earns 3X on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, along with 1X on all other purchases. It also offers up to $120 in annual dining statement credits, redeemable at select partners, which enhances its value for regular diners who can take full advantage of these benefits (see rates & fees).
Right now, you’ll earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those who frequently indulge in dining and entertainment, offering 3% cash back in these categories. It's designed for the social diner and entertainer, maximizing cash back on nights out and casual dining (see rates & fees). Plus, right now, the card offers an easily attainable $250 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Maximize Your Earnings
- Use your card for all holiday purchases
- Take advantage of Kudos to double your card rewards at over 15,000 merchants - earn rewards on the shopping you’re already doing
- Stack rewards with store loyalty programs like Sephora Insider
- Track your spending progress toward the bonus requirement inside Kudos, where we keep track of your spending for you to make sure you’re progressing toward hitting the signup bonus
Smart Spending Tips
- Create a holiday budget before applying for your card
- Only spend what you can pay off in full
- Keep track of the application deadlines
- Watch for limited-time bonus offers
Beyond the Welcome Bonus
Remember that successful points enthusiasts typically:
- Use their cards for regular monthly expenses
- Pay balances in full to avoid interest charges
- Strategically time new card applications with major spending periods
- Keep track of transfer bonuses and special promotions
Planning Your Redemptions
Current sweet spots in point redemptions include:
- NYC to London: Starting at 6,000 points one-way (economy)
- Seattle to Paris: From 56,000 points one-way (business class)
- London to Tokyo: Around 70,000 points one-way (business class)
Key Takeaways
Holiday shopping provides an ideal opportunity to earn a welcome bonus without changing your spending habits. By timing your credit card application strategically and choosing the right card, you can turn your holiday expenses into a future vacation.
Remember: The key to success is planning ahead and ensuring you can pay your balance in full. Never spend more than you can afford just to earn points.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
