-
Sign up for the free United MileagePlus loyalty program and the free Hilton HHonors loyalty program before opening new accounts. Linking your loyalty account numbers to your credit accounts up front will save time later.
-
Verify dates and availabity of each component of your travel plan to avoid booking one component only to find another component is not available during selected travel dates.
-
Pay airline fees with United MileagePlus Explorer Card for free checked bags.
-
Homewood Suites by Hilton includes in-room kitchenettes and free daily breakfast and free light dinner Monday – Thursday. Stay Monday - Thursday and plan extra meals in-room to take advantage of free meals and minimize food expense.
-
Barclaycard travel credit must be used within 120 days of earning, so recommend booking and paying for that portion of trip early with advance booking discount.
-
Only open one new account at a time. Do not open the next account until you have met the minimum charge to receive the bonus. Minimum charge must be met within 90 days of account application: if you open too many accounts all at once, you will not be able to meet the minimum in time and the bonus will be forfeit. Bonus points offers are only available to new card holders (who have not had the same account open in the past 12- or 24-months).
-
Some credit card issuers will only open a new account if you have had 5 or fewer new accounts opened in the past 12- or 24-months. Carefully plan the cards that you need to open to achieve your goal, and do not open any new accounts that are not in the plan, including i.e. department store accounts.