My Favorite Offers Right Now (and What I’d Do If I Were Just Getting Started)

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If you’re new to travel hacking, now is a GREAT time to start. There are several elevated credit card offers available right now, and in particular, Chase has some of the strongest beginner-friendly points and miles offers we’ve seen in a while.

If you’re searching for:

  • The best credit card to start travel hacking

  • How to use points and miles for your first free trip

  • Which Chase card makes the most sense for beginners

This post walks you through exactly what I’d do today.


If You’re Brand New to Travel Hacking, Start Here

If I were starting from scratch, the first card I would open is the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

It’s consistently one of the best credit cards for beginners who want to earn points and miles without opening too many cards or overcomplicating things.

Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred Is a Great First Card

  • 75,000 Ultimate Rewards after spending $4k in 3 months

  • $95 annual fee: Reasonable and easy to justify long term

  • Flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points: Transfer to airlines and hotels (including Hyatt, Southwest, United)

  • Everyday earning: Bonus points on travel and dining

  • Beginner-friendly: Simple to understand and easy to keep

For many people, the welcome bonus alone can cover:

  • Multiple hotel nights

  • Flights for part (or all) of a trip

  • Or a combination of both


If You Already Have the Chase Sapphire Preferred (or Any Chase Card)

If you already have the Chase Sapphire Preferred — or even another Chase personal card — the next place I’d look is Chase business cards, especially right now while offers are elevated.

This is where many beginners get stuck, so let’s clear something up: Most People Qualify for a Business Card (Even If They Don’t Realize It)

You do not need:

  • An LLC

  • An EIN

  • Employees

  • A full-time business

If you do any of the following, you may qualify for a business credit card:

  • Sell items online (Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, etc.)

  • Freelance, consult, or coach

  • Drive for rideshare or delivery apps

  • Have a side hustle (or plan to start one)

  • Earn income outside a W-2 job

  • Contract employment

šŸ‘‰ Read more about qualifying for a business credit card here.

Two Excellent Chase Business Card Offers Right Now

Chase Ink Business Preferred - best for beginners with moderate spend

  • Welcome bonus: 100,000 Chase points

  • Spending requirement: $8,000 in 3 months

  • Annual fee: $95

  • Earning: 3x points on all travel purchases

This is one of my favorite business credit cards because:

  • The annual fee is low

  • The bonus is strong

  • The points are flexible and easy to use

  • It is a premium card that allows you to transfer to travel partners!

For many families, 100,000 Chase points can cover:

  • Several nights at a Hyatt hotel

  • Flights for part of a family trip

  • Or a mix of flights and hotels

Elevated Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business - best for higher spenders

  • Welcome bonus:  200,000 Chase points

  • Spending requirement: $30,000 in 6 months

  • Elite Benefits and Multipliers: This card has incredible benefits that make the higher annual fee quite easy to offset.

    • 4x on flights and hotels
    • 5x on Lyft rides
    • $300 annual travel credit
    • $500 Edit hotel credits
    • Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounge access for the cardholder and two others
    • Trave insurance
    • $100 for gift cards (two $50 credits)

After earning the welcome bonus, you’ll have at least 230,000 Chase points, which is enough for:

  • An incredible family vacation! Possibly flights and hotels covered, depending on the location.

  • International business class flights.

This option isn’t for everyone, but for businesses or households with higher natural spending, it can unlock huge travel value quickly.

Final Thoughts: How to Start Travel Hacking the Right Way

If you’re new to points and miles, you don’t need:

  • A wallet full of credit cards

  • Complex spreadsheets

  • Expert-level knowledge

You just need:

  • One solid starter card

  • A little patience

  • Willingness to learn as you go

With current Chase offers, this is one of the best times to start travel hacking.

If you’d like help figuring out:

  • Which card fits your spending

  • Whether a business card makes sense

  • Or how to turn points into your first free trip



šŸ‘‰ You can book a free 20-minute points clarity call or a 1:1 consult for personalized guidance. You don’t need to be an expert — just start with the right first step.

You can also check my FREE Beginner's Guide!

As always, I greatly appreciate it when you use my embedded referral links as a small thank you for sharing this content. 

Happy travel! ✈️šŸŒ

The Travel Savvy Family

- Wander More, Spend Less

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