How I used three credit card bonuses to enjoy a week in London

For me, the most exciting aspect of traveling with points and miles is the planning process. I love picking a destination and then carefully choosing credit cards with rewards that can get me there.

Recently, I had my sights set on London. Despite having a solid points and miles strategy, I knew fully covering my trip expenses would be a challenge. After thorough research and consideration of various methods, I found one that suited my needs.

I experienced a rush of excitement when I finally booked my London trip, fully covering my flights, accommodations, baggage fees, and train travel using points and miles. Even more satisfying was that my trip was entirely funded by the sign-up bonuses from three cards, with just one incurring an annual fee.

My travel philosophy

I discovered the art of traveling with points and miles during my earlier career as a high school teacher, constrained by a tight budget and schedule. Although I enjoy more flexibility now, I still seek to maximize my points and miles instead of splurging on upgraded plane seats or luxurious hotel stays.

My trip to London is no exception. Not particularly glamorous, I'm flying economy for the round trip and staying at a mid-range hotel just outside the city. Nonetheless, I'm traveling to London without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses, which I view as a significant achievement in redemption.

My flight to London

After tracking flight prices, I realized I could likely cover my airfare using the sign-up bonus from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. I applied for the card when it was offering an impressive 75,000 miles bonus, confident I could find a suitable flight within that miles budget.

I was correct. I successfully booked a round-trip economy ticket from Nashville to London for 50,000 AAdvantage miles, along with just under $200 in taxes and fees.

At present, the card offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first four months after account opening.

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This card also comes with a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year. Benefits include preferred boarding and a complimentary checked bag on domestic flights, plus it earns 2 points per dollar on eligible purchases at American Airlines, restaurants, and gas stations. Given these perks, I plan to keep this card in my wallet for the long haul.

The details for the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard have been independently sourced by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.

My hotel in (well, just outside of) London

The standout among my hotel credit cards is the Hilton Honors American Express Card. This card granted me a substantial amount of Hilton Honors points along with complimentary Silver elite status. This status enables me to take advantage of Hilton's fifth-night-free benefit, allowing me to maximize my points even further. This card offers great value, especially since it has no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The current welcome offer is 100,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Selecting a hotel proved to be more challenging than booking my flights. While 100,000 Hilton points is an attractive bonus, it can be a tight budget for multiple nights, especially considering Hilton's dynamic award pricing.

However, after some exploration, I found a Hampton in Croydon. Although it's technically just outside London, it's conveniently located near a train station, making it easy for me to reach my desired destinations. Plus, with such affordable rates, I could fully cover my five-night stay using the bonus from my Hilton Honors card.

Covering taxes, fees, and train tickets

I would still feel pleased with my budget-friendly booking if I had only utilized the bonuses from my Hilton and AAdvantage cards. But the ability to apply a third bonus truly made the difference for me.

One of my favorite strategies for minimizing out-of-pocket expenses during my travels is utilizing cash-back rewards to cover the costs that my points and miles usually don’t cover. In this instance, I’m using a $300 cash-back bonus from my Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card (no longer available to new applicants) to pay for the taxes and fees on my flight ($192.87) as well as a seven-day transit pass (approximately $90).

Although this specific card is no longer offered to new applicants, the same principle applies to any cash-back card that provides a welcome bonus. If I were to implement this strategy today, I would likely opt for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, which is currently offering a bonus of 20,000 points (equivalent to $200 cash back) after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Since this card has no annual fee, the bonus would not only cover my flight taxes and fees but also my transit pass, with some funds remaining for snacks at the airport.

The information regarding the Wells Fargo Propel and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been independently gathered by Dinogo. The details presented on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

I truly believe there is no wrong way to utilize points and miles for travel. Everyone has unique methods and goals; that’s what makes it enjoyable.

If you're just starting out with points and miles travel and feel a bit lost, be sure to check out our beginner guide. If you're not a complete novice but uncertain about which card to choose next, we can assist with that too. Regardless of your destination or travel preferences, you can create a points and miles strategy with the right credit cards to turn your travel aspirations into reality.