Everything feels more expensive right now, but using your points and miles for travel means you could take that affordable summer trip, even when flight costs are skyrocketing. You may not think that your regular spending could actually cover the cost of your domestic summer vacation, but if you put it on a travel rewards card, it just might.
Thanks to rewards credit cards, every time you swipe at a grocery store, gas station, or restaurant, you can earn valuable rewards that can get you free flights or hotels.
In fact, more than 15 million domestic visitor trips were awarded and earned for “free” through airline credit card points alone (in 2024), according to Airlines for America—and I’m guessing that number has kept getting higher.
Your everyday spending and domestic travel plans help the U.S. economy more than you might realize. For example, in South Carolina alone, more than 2,000 jobs were supported by visitors using airline credit card points, and this figure doesn’t even include other types of rewards credit cards.
This summer, I’m looking forward to traveling more domestically. Destinations on my bucket list include Alaska and the Pacific Northwest — I’ve been eyeing scuba diving through Washington’s San Juan Islands, or maybe an Alaskan cruise with my kids. I might just be able to do these trips for (mostly) free, thanks to my rewards cards.
Your travel rewards cards can help you travel affordably this summer (maybe even for free). Plus, this is the year of domestic travel with so many amazing events happening in the U.S., and your travel plans can have a positive effect on the economy while earning even more rewards for your spending.
How travel rewards cards make summer travel affordable (or free)
Having different types of reward cards in my wallet saves me money and improves my travel experience for the better.
For example, my airline co-brand cards give me access to additional and more affordable award availability, a free checked bag (almost every major U.S. airline raised check baggage prices this year, so I really value this cost-saving benefit), seat selection and a faster path toward elite status. Elite status then awards me perks like upgrades and priority boarding. Plus, the miles I earn on my airline co-brand cards get me free flights.
Another type of valuable reward card in my wallet is a hotel co-brand credit card, which helps get me room upgrades, free nights and other perks such as free breakfast, which can make a summer vacation much cheaper. Plus, the points I earn go toward award stays, and certain hotel brands will waive resort fees on award bookings, saving me even more.
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Above all, I value flexible rewards cards because the points and miles I earn on these cards are easy to redeem in numerous ways, like booking travel in credit card portals or transferring points and miles to airline and hotel partners. Plus, these cards come with perks I depend on as a frequent traveler, such as statement credits, lounge access, and more. For example, I recently had to spend almost a full night in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) when my evening flight to Peru was delayed, but luckily, having credit card lounge access made the time more comfortable and helped my kids avoid major meltdowns.
Plus, the welcome bonuses on these cards are often high, meaning you can earn a large amount of points at one time that you can use to take your dream vacation for free, or at least more affordably.
2026 is the year of domestic travel
America’s 250th birthday is on July 4, 2026, and there’s no better way to celebrate than a U.S.-inspired vacation. 2026 is also the centennial of Route 66, which means a trip along this famous road, which stretches from Chicago to California, could be the perfect way to travel this summer. The U.S. is also hosting a number of FIFA World Cup games (I’m an official World Cup hospitality captain; come to Philly to experience a game!), which is another excuse to travel domestically this summer.
On a practical note, staying domestic this summer could make your travel experience easier and more affordable. Because fuel costs are high, airfare costs are too, especially for international routes, and using points from travel reward cards, many go further domestically. Some airlines have canceled long-haul flights, and Europe’s new digital entry system (EES) has had a messy rollout, leading to massive waits, lines and general chaos at many European airports, which could get worse on peak summer travel dates.
Why and how domestic travel benefits the U.S.
According to Airlines.org, 24 billion dollars in economic activity is generated by airline rewards cards. And domestic travel benefits small businesses, restaurants, shops, and the national economy, not just airlines and hotels — the travel industry supports 15 million American jobs (8 million in travel-related businesses and another 7 million indirectly).
For example, in the state of Florida alone, 2,293,034 visitors used airline credit card points for airfare to and from the state in 2024, which supported 29,606 American jobs, leading to a total economic impact of over $3.5 billion dollars. I see it as a win-win: You take your kids to Disney or head to Miami for a beach break affordably on points and the national economy booms.
Protect your right to earn points and miles
Americans currently maintain the right to sign up for rewards cards and earn points and miles, which they can use for free or discounted travel.
Essentially, your purchases support the economy and allow you to earn rewards for every tap or swipe.
However, this freedom might disappear. The Durbin-Marshall Credit Card Competition bill could change everything, taking away the consumer’s choice over which network their transactions are routed (sending their information through a less secure, unsafe, cheaper network). This could eliminate reward programs, as banks may not be able to fund them without interchange fees, thereby taking away your ability to earn points and miles you can use to travel for free.
And it’s not just your own financial security at risk. This could also harm small businesses, putting them at risk of cyber attacks from less secure networks.
This legislation is a threat to travel, rewards, and the economy, at a time when inflation is already making it more difficult to travel and even live affordably. Similar mandates for debit cards essentially eliminated debit card rewards years back, but didn’t actually lower prices for consumers. Tell Congress to vote no here and keep your rewards programs (and vacations) intact.
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