If you don’t know me: hi – I’m Becca. For the last 2+ years I have been traveling the world in Business and First class, and staying at luxury hotels, all on credit card points!
These are the exact tools I use every single day as a travel hacker to earn, track, and maximize points.
Most of them are completely free. For any that are not, I’ve included a discount code for you.
Notice: I was not paid by any of these brands to include them on this list, but I may earn commission if you use my links to join – so thank you for your support! These are platforms I truly stand by and use daily.
1. CardPointers – Your Credit Card Brain
(Get a discount with our link)
If you have multiple credit cards, this app is life-changing. There are a few apps like this BUT most others require you to give them your card’s login info. CardPointers does not! So your accounts remain safe.
It automatically tracks every card you own and tells you:
- Which one to use at each store or restaurant for the most points
- All your signup bonuses, annual credits, and benefits (before they expire)
- Which perks you’re missing out on
You can even add a browser extension that automatically activates your card offers and reminds you which card to use while you’re shopping online.
This app has saved me over $300 in just the first couple of months of using it!
2. RoveMiles – Earn Airline Miles from Hotel Stays
(Always FREE)
I don’t think you understand how excited I am about Rove. This is my favorite new platform – it lets you earn 10–70x miles per dollar on hotel bookings (and it’s not a credit card).
Here’s why it’s amazing:
- You earn real airline miles on your stays
- You still keep your hotel elite status if you book an eligible room (hello free breakfast + upgrades)
- Miles can be used to book free hotels (at REALLY good rates) or transferred directly to airline partners
It’s totally free to join, and you get a 1,500-mile bonus just for signing up + 5,000 miles after your first $500 booking with code CLOUD9.
3. FoundersCard – Instant Elite Status & Luxury Perks
(FREE for 12 months, $295 for a year with my discount)
This is a membership, not a credit card – but it’s a goldmine if you like nice things. It’s definitely not for everyone though. But if you travel often, like luxury lifestyle and travel perks, and especially for business owners – it can save thousands easily. I used it recently for $4,700 a luxury Alaska cruise!
Members get:
- Free elite status with hotels (Hilton, Marriott, etc.)
- Car rental upgrades (Avis, Hertz, Sixt)
- Discounts on luxury hotel rates, flights, and even business software like Adobe or Zoom
Normally it’s $995/year, but you can try it for an entire year for FREE and if you like it, you can upgrade for only $295 with my link:
4. Seats.Aero – Find the Best Flight Deals Fast
(FREE for limited version, I recommend the pro version at $9.99/mo)
Stop wasting time searching airline by airline.
This site searches multiple airlines, dates, and airports all at once, helping you find the cheapest award space for business and first class flights.
I use it 90% of the time when I’m searching for flight redemptions – it saves hours and helps me spot deals other people miss.
They do have a free version but it’s quite limited. You can get the PRO version for only $9.99 a month.
5. Rakuten – Free Points from Everyday Shopping
Always FREE
If you’re not using Rakuten yet… you’re leaving free points on the table.
It’s a cashback portal that gives you rewards every time you shop online – at places like Sephora, Apple, Nike, Viator, and more.
Here’s the kicker:
If you have an Amex or Bilt card, you can convert those cashback rewards into Amex Membership Rewards or Bilt points instead.
Typical earnings are 5x–20x points per dollar, and you’ll get a 5,000-point bonus after your first $50 purchase with any store just for signing up through my link:
How I Use These Together
Here’s a little example of how I stack them for each trip 👇
- I find a hotel through RoveMiles and earn 50x airline miles on the booking.
- I pay for it using the best card recommended by CardPointers.
- I use Rakuten to book activities on Viator, buy clothes and anything else i need for the trip.
- I track my upcoming hotel perks and credits through CardPointers again.
- When I’m ready to book flights with those miles, I use Seats.Aero to find business class deals.
Each platform handles a different piece of the puzzle – but together, they make the whole system effortless.
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