How to Travel Hack and Solo Trip through Thailand – Part 1

Many of you want to travel but have questions about money for travel and acquiring travel friends to accompany you on these adventures. I will address both challenges by describing my experience with travel hacking, travel groups, and solo travel.  To date, I’ve visited or lived in 30 countries and 24 states over the past 20 years of my lifetime (39 years). Travel is the only topic that I get just as excited about as the topic of money.

I wanted to go to Thailand but didn’t want to spend a fortune to go. Luckily I discovered travel hacking, which is how travelers accumulate points or miles through credit card sign up bonuses, regular spending, and using airline sponsored shopping portals.  I signed up for the Citi AAdvantage card because I often fly American Airlines from DC.  Most importantly, they had a route to Thailand.  Citi AAdvantage was offering 60,000 miles for signing up and using the card for at least $3000 in spend over the first 3 months of holding the card.  The Citi AAdvantage card also waives the annual fee of $95 the first year and your first bag and travel party’s bags) are free as a cardholder.  Those $25 luggage fees add up, so that’s a good deal.

I got the card and initially planned to pay all of my living expenses with the card for the next 3 months. But, it was easier to use the card for my yearly contributions to various charities, my church and Alma mater, Clark Atlanta University to complete the spend.  After a few months, I had the 67,500 miles needed for a round trip ticket to Bangkok, Thailand!

Now there are service fees when booking award travel with American and mine totaled $95.26. For roundtrip tickets to Asia which are normally $600 -$1000, I will do this process for the rest of my life. Next up Bali!

Again, to be successful at travel hacking, you have to have a decent credit score. Second, you have to pay your balance in full every month on these cards or your trips will not be deeply discounted. The interest rates on these cards are high. You’ll essentially pay for your airline ticket through interest rate fees if there is a balance.

Not completely ready but want to dip your toes in? Transfer your credit card balances to a 0% interest, $0 interest rate, $0 balance transfer fee card like Chase Slate. Then apply for an airline branded card, complete the spend requirement, take your trip, and close the card.  New credit inquiries and closing cards only account for 10% of your credit score calculation. You will not be gravely affected. I have opened a number of these cards and my credit score has only fluctuated a few points at a time.

I’ll go into Travel Groups and Solo traveling in How to Travel Hack and Solo Trip through Thailand Parts 2 and 3 to give you ideas on how to manage the challenge of not having friends to go with you to Thailand or Tallahassee.