Member Success Story: $14,000 Saved on Anniversary Trip to Europe
When Travel Freely member Carla began her points and miles journey a couple of years ago, she had a goal in mind — to make travel more accessible for her and her husband while juggling the costs of college and everyday life. Just over a year later, that goal turned into something much bigger: an unforgettable 17-day anniversary adventure across 5 countries in Europe, celebrating 25 years of marriage with memories to last a lifetime.
Here’s how Carla turned everyday spending into a once-in-a-lifetime celebration — and what made the trip so extraordinary.
Tell Us About Yourself
My name is Carla, and I live in Georgia with my husband. We’ve been married for 25 years and have 2 college-aged children. Our journey into the world of points and miles began a couple years ago when I opened my first credit card, and my husband followed suit a month later. Given the significant expenses related to college and day-to-day living, we realized that earning credit card welcome bonuses was a smart way to maximize our spending and save on travel.
Tell Us About Your Trip
Last fall, we embarked on a 17-day adventure to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Our itinerary included London, England; Paris, France; Lucerne, Switzerland; Salzburg, Austria; and Munich, Germany. It was a dream come true and our first redemption using points and miles!
Throughout our trip, we visited iconic landmarks, attended concerts and shows, went on guided tours, hiked atop Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland, explored an ice cave in the Austrian village Hallstatt, and took a serene ferry ride on Königssee Lake in the German town of Berchtesgaden. Each day was packed with unforgettable experiences that made this once-in-a-lifetime journey even more special.
What Kind of Points Did You Use for This Trip?
It was my goal to take this trip entirely on points (Spoiler Alert! She succeeded!). The trip was made possible through the careful accumulation and redemption of the following various points:
Hotels: We used 480,000 IHG points, which we earned primarily from the signup bonuses of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card. We did purchase $300 worth of points but covered that by cashing out 30,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to cover it.
Flights: Our flights from our home airport to Atlanta and then to London were booked with Virgin Atlantic in Premium Economy. We used 47,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, taking advantage of a 30% transfer bonus. Taxes amounted to $893.40, which we offset with cashing out 89,340 Chase Ultimate Rewards points from the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Our return flights from Munich to Atlanta and back home were booked in Economy through Air France. We paid for these tickets in cash and cashed out 253,060 Ultimate Rewards points from various Chase business cards to cover it (Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card, and Ink Business Preferred).
Additional Expenses: Other expenses such as food, activities, train fares, city transportation, travel insurance, and airport parking that totaled around $5,400 were covered by cashing out Chase Ultimate Rewards points from both personal and business cards, as well as points from the Aeroplan® Credit Card to reimburse charges that coded as travel to the card.
How Much Money Did You Save Using Points and Miles for Your Trip?
We managed to visit 5 countries without any out-of-pocket expenses for major costs, saving approximately $14,400. This covered everything from flights and accommodations to food, activities, travel insurance, and local transportation. Seeing that total saved and knowing it was all possible with no money out of pocket because of strategic points usage put a huge smile on both of our faces!
What Advice Would You Give Someone Interested in Booking a Trip Like Yours?
Start your journey with Chase cards — they’re versatile and offer the ability to transfer points to multiple hotel and airline partners or redeem them for cash back.
Before opening any cards, have a clear plan: know your travel goals and which types of points you need to achieve them. Most importantly, remember that even if your redemptions aren’t at peak value, do what works best for your family.
What Advice Do You Have for Someone Just Starting with Points and Miles?
If you’re hesitant to begin collecting points, don’t be. My biggest worries at the start were not knowing where to begin and dealing with annual fees. My husband and I began with Chase Ink business cards because they had minimal impact on our finances — 2 of the cards have no annual fees, they didn’t count towards the 5/24 rule, and if we decided to stop using points, we could cash out our points without issues. While the learning curve for booking my first redemption was steep, I gained valuable knowledge that I can build on for future trips.
How Has Travel Freely Helped You Achieve Your Free Travel Goals, and What Do You Like Best About the App?
Travel Freely has been an essential tool throughout our journey. The app made organizing our cards simple, tracking deadlines straightforward, and finding new cards easy. Zac and his team have been incredibly supportive, answering my questions quickly and guiding me through the process. The app’s user-friendly design and comprehensive content have made our travel goals achievable and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on their European journey, Carla described the experience as nothing short of magical. From iconic landmarks and Alpine hikes to boat rides and cultural gems, the trip was filled with moments that perfectly honored their 25 years together.
Carla credits Travel Freely as a key part of making it all happen: “The app made everything so easy to manage, and the support from Zac and the team gave me the confidence I needed to take the leap into points and miles.”
Her story is proof that with the right strategy — and the right tools — it’s possible to turn everyday expenses into extraordinary memories. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to plan your own dream trip, Carla’s journey shows what’s possible when you take the first step. =)
Cards that helped Carla plan this epic trip:
Our #1 personal card we recommend most often. Hands down the single best "starter card" for beginners and the MVP card for free travel.
One of the very best business cards. A highly recommended business card for an incredible signup bonus and 3X categories.
Great signup bonus for a business card with no annual fee, now with an extended timeline for hitting the spend requirement. Great for carrying a balance. 5x earning categories, and if paired with a premier Chase credit card (one that carries an annual fee), your points are worth even more.
A no-brainer, great business card. Your choice to receive 1.5% cash back or 1.5x points.
This card comes with many benefits that make this a good choice for those who fly Air Canada frequently.
Great offer on an incredibly valuable card if you'll use the annual free night stay and fourth night free when booking award stays.
For those eligible for a business credit card, this is a great option for IHG fans due to the many perks for solely being a cardmember.
