Best Laid Plans Planning to Travel for Less with Kathleen Paley EP 264
Aug 18, 2025
Kathleen Paley, a litigator, mother of two, and host of The Reframe, shares her expertise on saving money while traveling. She reveals her top five strategies for maximizing credit card points, emphasizing practical tips for families. Listeners will learn how to convert daily expenses into travel rewards and the importance of paying off credit card balances in full. Kathleen also discusses leveraging cash-back platforms and the benefits of flexibility in booking, ensuring travel planning is both enjoyable and budget-friendly.
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Never Carry A Balance To Chase Points
- Only pursue points strategies if you pay your credit card balances in full every month to avoid interest negating benefits.
- Treat sign-up offers and card perks as mutually beneficial only when you avoid carrying balances.
Start With Transferable Points
- Focus on opening credit cards that earn transferable points (Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi, Bilt) for maximum flexibility and value.
- Use cards with high category bonuses and hit sign-up bonuses to rapidly accumulate transferable points without extra spending.
Use Sign-Up Bonuses And Two-Card Core
- Pursue sign-up bonuses and align everyday category bonuses with your regular spending to meet minimums without extra purchases.
- Keep a small core of cards (e.g., Amex Gold + Capital One Venture X) to earn 2–4 points per dollar efficiently.