"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-05-29T14:30:35Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2018/05/29/business-traveller-cairo-ancient-city-qantas-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="Business Traveller Cairo ancient city Qantas b"
data-first-publish-slug="Business Traveller Cairo ancient city Qantas b"
data-video-tags="africa,cairo,egypt,middle east and north africa,northern africa,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-04-28T03:08:51Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2018/04/28/business-traveller-kangaroo-route-qantas-singapore-jetlag-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="Business Traveller Kangaroo route Qantas Singapore jetlag B"
data-first-publish-slug="Business Traveller Kangaroo route Qantas Singapore jetlag B"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,behavior and cognition,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,companies,cooking and entertaining,diseases and disorders,food and drink,health and medical,leisure and lifestyle,qantas,science,sleep,sleep disorders,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism,traveler's health"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-01-05T13:44:04Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2018/01/05/business-traveller-china-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller china b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller china b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,asia,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,china,east asia,international travel,tourism,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2018-01-05T14:31:16Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2018/01/05/business-traveller-china-c.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="business traveller china c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller china c"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,asia,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,china,east asia,transportation and warehousing"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-09-14T16:12:11Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/09/14/business-traveller-united-polaris-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller united polaris b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller united polaris b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business travel,business, economy and trade,celebrities,companies,consumer products,food and drink,food products,fruit,fruits and vegetables,kinds of foods and beverages,richard quest,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism,united airlines,united continental holdings"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-09-14T16:16:40Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/09/14/business-traveller-united-polaris-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller united polaris c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller united polaris c"
data-video-tags="air transportation,aircraft,airlines,aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business travel,business, economy and trade,celebrities,companies,richard quest,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism,united airlines,united continental holdings"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-08-09T15:11:07Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/08/09/iceland-the-land-of-fire-and-ice.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="Iceland the land of fire and ice"
data-first-publish-slug="Iceland the land of fire and ice"
data-video-tags="arts and entertainment,europe,iceland,northern europe,photography,seasons of the year,summer (season),visual arts"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-05-12T14:43:07Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/05/12/business-traveller-playing-the-odds-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller playing the odds a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller playing the odds a"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,las vegas,nevada,north america,southwestern united states,transportation and warehousing,united states"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-05-12T14:46:30Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/aviation/2017/05/12/business-traveller-playing-the-odds-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller playing the odds b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller playing the odds b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,aircraft,airlines,aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,transportation and warehousing"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-04-14T10:12:37Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/04/14/business-traveller-giving-back-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller giving back c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller giving back c"
data-video-tags="beauty and personal care,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,consumer products,cosmetics and toiletries,hotels and motels,lodging,tourism,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2017-01-12T17:34:29Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2017/01/12/business-traveller-budget-busting-travel-fees-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller budget-busting travel fees b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller budget-busting travel fees b"
data-video-tags="bars, pubs and taverns,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,food and beverage industry,food and drink,hotels and motels,lodging,restaurant and food service industry,restaurant industry,restaurants,richard quest,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-11-10T17:21:23Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/11/10/business-traveller-technology-and-travel-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller technology and travel a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller technology and travel a"
data-video-tags="business figures,business, economy and trade,company activities and management,destinations and attractions,james matthews,museums and galleries,national air and space museum,product development,product innovation,product management,smithsonian institution,space and astronomy,space exploration,technology"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-11-10T17:53:10Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/11/10/buisness-traveller-technology-and-travel-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="buisness traveller technology and travel b"
data-first-publish-slug="buisness traveller technology and travel b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,hotels and motels,lodging,robots and robotics,technology,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-10-14T15:34:24Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/10/14/business-traveller-health-and-wellness-spc-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller health and wellness spc a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller health and wellness spc a"
data-video-tags="business travel,celebrities,diet, nutrition and fitness,exercise and fitness,health and medical,richard quest,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-08-11T17:13:00Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2016/08/11/business-traveller-national-parks-anniversary-spc-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc a"
data-video-tags="accidents, disasters and safety,air transportation,air transportation safety,airports,automotive fuels,automotive industry,aviation security,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,energy and resources,energy and utilities,energy economic indicators,gas stations,oil and gas industry,safety issues and practices,transportation and warehousing,travel and tourism,travel safety and security"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-08-11T17:17:17Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2016/08/11/business-traveller-national-parks-anniversary-spc-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc b"
data-video-tags="destinations and attractions,government and public administration,government bodies and offices,monuments and historical sites,mount rushmore,national park service,national parks,parks (green spaces),us department of the interior,us federal departments and agencies,us federal government"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-08-11T17:18:21Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2016/08/11/business-traveller-national-parks-anniversary-spc-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller national parks anniversary spc c"
data-video-tags="business, economy and trade,company activities and management,company structure and ownership,destinations and attractions,entrepreneurship,environment and natural resources,lakes (landform),landforms and ecosystems,national parks,natural wonders,parks (green spaces)"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Inside Yellowstone: America's very first national park
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-05-12T18:12:05Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/05/12/business-traveller-round-the-world-quest-spc-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc a"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,richard quest,transportation and warehousing"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-05-12T18:16:32Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/05/12/business-traveller-round-the-world-quest-spc-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,richard quest,transportation and warehousing,accidents, disasters and safety,air transportation safety,safety issues and practices,travel and tourism,travel safety and security"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-05-12T18:17:32Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/05/12/business-traveller-round-the-world-quest-spc-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world quest spc c"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,richard quest,transportation and warehousing"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-14T11:46:39Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/04/14/business-traveller-round-the-world-spc-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world spc a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world spc a"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,richard quest,transportation and warehousing,czech republic,eastern europe,england,europe,london,northern europe,prague,united kingdom"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-14T11:54:02Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/04/14/business-traveller-round-the-world-spc-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world spc b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world spc b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,asia,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,czech republic,eastern europe,europe,prague,richard quest,south asia,sri lanka,transportation and warehousing"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-04-14T11:57:04Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/04/14/business-traveller-round-the-world-spc-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller round the world spc c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller round the world spc c"
data-video-tags="air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,celebrities,england,europe,london,northern europe,richard quest,transportation and warehousing,united kingdom,asia,singapore,south asia,southeast asia,sri lanka"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-15T05:15:58Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/03/15/round-the-world-trip-low-fares-carriers-pkg.cnn"
data-branding-key=""
data-video-slug="round the world trip low fares carriers pkg"
data-first-publish-slug="round the world trip low fares carriers pkg"
data-video-tags="air fares,air transportation,airlines,business and industry sectors,transportation and warehousing,companies,guinness world records"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-10T14:45:59Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/03/10/business-traveller-india-spc-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller india spc b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller india spc b"
data-video-tags="asia,celebrities,hotels and motels,india,leisure and lifestyle,lodging,luxurious living,resorts and spas,richard quest,south asia,travel and tourism,travel apps and websites,travel arrangements and reservations"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Inside TripAdvisor's number one hotel in the world
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-03-10T14:49:19Z"
data-video-section="travel"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2016/03/10/business-traveller-india-spc-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller india spc c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller india spc c"
data-video-tags="asia,aviation and aerospace industry,business and industry sectors,business, economy and trade,economy and economic indicators,india,international air transport association,south asia"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2016-01-15T18:24:18Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2016/01/15/business-traveller-business-pleasure-travel-philippines-c-spc.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller business pleasure travel philippines c spc"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller business pleasure travel philippines c spc"
data-video-tags="builders and developers,building planning and construction,business and industry sectors,environment and natural resources,islands and reefs,landforms and ecosystems"
data-details="">
Video Ad Feedback
Ever dreamt of staying on your own private island?
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-12-10T19:53:41Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/12/10/business-traveller-christmas-in-new-york-spc-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc a"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc a"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-12-10T19:54:20Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/12/10/business-traveller-christmas-in-new-york-spc-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc b"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc b"
data-video-tags=""
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-12-10T19:53:37Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/12/10/business-traveller-christmas-in-new-york-spc-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc c"
data-first-publish-slug="business traveller christmas in new york spc c"
data-video-tags="business and industry sectors,celebrities,christmas,consumer electronics,consumer products,electronics,holidays and observances,richard quest,technology,travel and tourism"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-04-10T16:48:00Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2015/04/09/spc-business-traveller-cuba-a.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="spc business traveller cuba a"
data-first-publish-slug="spc business traveller cuba a"
data-video-tags="travel and tourism,tourism,latin america,caribbean,cuba,celebrities,richard quest"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-04-10T17:03:46Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2015/04/09/spc-business-traveller-cuba-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="spc business traveller cuba b"
data-first-publish-slug="spc business traveller cuba b"
data-video-tags="agriculture,careers and workplaces,caribbean,celebrities,cigars,cuba,drugs and society,embassies and consulates,farm workers,international relations,latin america,richard quest,smoking,state departments and diplomatic services,workers and professionals"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-04-10T17:19:49Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2015/04/09/spc-business-traveller-cuba-c.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="spc business traveller cuba c"
data-first-publish-slug="spc business traveller cuba c"
data-video-tags="travel and tourism,tourism,international relations,embargoes and sanctions,cruises,latin america,caribbean,cuba,business, economy and trade,celebrities,international trade,international trade law,richard quest,trade and development,trade regulation and policy"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-03-12T18:22:56Z"
data-video-section="business"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2015/03/12/spc-business-traveller-spain-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="spc business traveller spain b"
data-first-publish-slug="spc business traveller spain b"
data-video-tags="belief, religion and spirituality,travel and tourism,technology,mobile technology,mobile apps,travel arrangements and reservations,travel apps and websites,sports events,uci world tour,tour of spain,europe,southern europe,spain"
data-details="">
"
data-timestamp-html=""
data-check-event-based-preview=""
data-is-vertical-video-embed="false"
data-network-id=""
data-publish-date="2015-01-15T15:31:27Z"
data-video-section="world"
data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/01/15/spc-business-traveller-going-extra-mile-b.cnn"
data-branding-key="business-traveller"
data-video-slug="spc business traveller going extra mile b"
data-first-publish-slug="spc business traveller going extra mile b"
data-video-tags="air transportation,travel and tourism,b comfort,business, economy and trade,celebrities,economy and economic indicators,privacy rights,richard quest,space and astronomy,space exploration,space industry,spacecraft and satellites,tourism"
data-details="">
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in September 2016.
Story highlights
Travel hackers use tricks like "hidden city" tickets to get cheaper flights
Some rack up airline loyalty points via "manufactured spending" on credit cards
CNN
—
Frequent fliers know that in the competitive world of modern airlines, it takes a skilled player to spot the good deals among the gimmicks.
In this episode of Business Traveller, we meet with bloggers and aviation insiders who’ve learned how to play the often risky game of travel hacking, uncovering the loopholes the airlines don’t want them to find.
In this game, the rewards can be great – but the stakes are high.
1. Hidden city ticketing
What is it? Say you want to fly from New York to Los Angeles, but a ticket from New York to San Diego via Los Angeles is much cheaper.
The daring traveler books the San Diego ticket, but only completes the Los Angeles leg of the trip.
The practice is called “hidden-city ticketing” and while it’s not a new phenomenon, software engineer Aktarer Zaman has created a search engine called Skiplagged specifically to find opportunities for “hidden city” trips.
It’s so unpopular with the aviation industry, in 2014 United Airlines sued Zaman – but the case was dropped.
Zaman remains unfazed.
“This is the inevitable,” he tells CNN. “Consumers are going to try to figure out the best way to do what they want.”
The catch: On a practical level, you have to travel hand luggage only, as checked-in baggage will go all the way to the final destination.
Much more seriously, skipping out portions of your itinerary violates fare rules on many airlines.
Frequent flier privileges could be revoked and miles confiscated.
What is it? Blogger Alex Bachuwa has developed a method of earning air miles without actually flying them.
“I just apply for a lot of credit cards and I get a lot of points, and I use those points to go wherever I want to go.
“The banks have promotions on new products all the time. They offer 50,000, 100,000, 150,000 points promotions.
“They have a minimum amount you have to spend and once you spend that amount, the points go on your account and it’s time to start looking for flights.”
But as those minimum spends are far higher than the average person’s daily expenses, Bachuwa racks in the points through “manufactured spending.”
How does it work?
First get a credit card with rewards. Then buy a gift card and use the gift card to purchase a money order. You deposit the money order into your bank account and then use it to pay off the credit card.
The catch? “This is a frowned-upon business,” says Bachuwa. “It’s a way to spend without spending. Certain credit card companies now have in their terms and conditions, ‘Thou shalt not manufacture spend.’”
Not to mention that it’s seriously risky: Slip up in your calculations and you could get caught in spiraling debts.
Bachuwa remains confident in his lifestyle choice and reveals his secrets on his blog “The Points of Life.”
“Have you seen the places I’ve been and how I’ve flown? Of course it’s worth it!’
3. Frequent Travel University
What is it? US-based Frequent Traveler University organizes regular seminars to teach would-be travel hackers the latest tips, tricks and methods that they say will help their students travel cheaper, better and more creatively.
“We’re teaching people how to redeem those miles for trips that can cost $20,000 one way, how to utilize that elite status,” says FTU’s James Larounis, adding that they offer expert tips on airline alliances and Fifth Freedom routes – flights where an airline from one country has the right to operate between two other countries and which are often heavily discounted.
Some of the classes are so secret and the information so prized that they wouldn’t let our cameras in to film.
The catch: Banks and airlines get wise to the hackers’ tricks and then promptly shut them down.
“That’s why we host so many courses a year, because of this changing information,” says Larounis. “We’ve got repeat customers, year after year, session after session.”
4. Play your cards right
What is it? Stefan Krasowski, who blogs at RapidTravelChai, had these four tips to give us on the art of credit card shuffling.
1. “First, get as many cards as the banks will give you. Your credit scores will probably improve, if you manage them correctly.
2. “Get a hotel credit card. Many of those credit cards give you elite status with that hotel. Then you can turn around, go to other hotel chains and say, ‘I have the status, will you match me?’
3. “Get a credit card, usually a premium card, such as an Amex Platinum, a Citi Prestige, that has worldwide airport lounge access.
4. “Scale all this with your family members. If you’re traveling with a spouse or family member, each get hotel cards and then you’ll get double the benefits.
The catch: Mismanage your cards or drop behind on your payments and you’ll be left holding a losing hand.
5. Bid in a live auction
What is it? Open auctions for airline seats have been around for a while, but for a real fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants experience, at Seatboost the bidding for the last remaining first-class seats begins just 90 minutes before takeoff.
It’s teamed up with Virgin America to auction off any free available premium seats on certain routes – but getting an airline to buy into the idea took some convincing.
That’s because airlines don’t want customers to expect that they’ll win in the auction, because then the customers might be reluctant to buy those premium seats beforehand.
“We are more positioned for a flier or guest who wants to give themselves a treat. If you’re used to flying first class, you’re not going to leave it to chance,” says Seatboost CEO Kevin Stamler.
The catch: Bid too high and you might win the upgrade but pay over the odds for your seat.
Bid too low and you miss out on your upgrade and remain stuck in economy.
Skytrax top 10 Airlines of 2016: 10. Lufthansa —
Skytrax has revealed its 2016 top 10 best airlines. In 10th place is German carrier Lufthansa. It's successfully climbed two places to re-enter the top 10 list.
Courtesy Lufthansa
9. Qantas Airways —
Aussie airline Qantas, rarely absent from any top 10 list, moves up one place from 2015 to take ninth position.
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images
8. EVA Air —
After making a debut in the top 10 airline chart last year, Taiwan's EVA Air climbed to eighth place this year. It was also named the best trans-Pacific airline.
ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images
7. Turkish Airlines —
Slightly down from last year (ranked fourth in 2015), Turkish Airlines was voted as the seventh best airline in the world. It's still the best airline in Europe, according to Skytrax.
Turkish Airline
6. Etihad Airways —
One of three major Middle East carriers in the top 10, Abu Dhabi's Etihad remains in sixth place this year.
Patrick Riviere/Getty Images/FILE
Top 10 Airlines of 2016: 5. ANA All Nippon Airways —
Japan's ANA All Nippon Airways takes the fifth spot. It also takes awards for the world's best airport services and Asia's best airline staff.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images
4. Cathay Pacific —
Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific dropped from the third to fourth place this year.
DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images
3. Singapore Airlines —
Singapore Airlines, ranked third, is Asia's best airline. It also won the title for the best business class airline seat.
Courtesy Singapore Airlines
2. Qatar Airways —
A 2015 winner, Qatar came second this year. It also has the world's best business class and business class lounge.
Qatar Airways
Airline of the year: Emirates —
Emirates was named the best airline in this year's Skytrax awards -- a big leap from last year's fifth place. It's the fourth time the Dubai-based carrier has won the award.
Courtesy Emirates
Best of the rest -- Low-cost airline: AirAsia —
SkyTrax also hands out a raft of other awards. AirAsia is named the world's best low-cost carrier. Its long-haul sister brand AirAsia X is said to have the best premium seat and cabin among budget airlines.
AFP/Getty Images
Best low-cost airline in Europe: Norwegian Airline —
For the fourth successive year Norwegian Airline is voted the best low-cost airline in Europe. It's also the world's best low-cost airline for long haul flights.
Norwegian Air
Best airline in North America: Virgin America —
"Virgin America continues dominating on the customer side in North America," said Edward Plaisted, Skytrax CEO. It won the awards for both best airline and best low-cost airline in North America.
Herb Lingl/aerialarchives.com/VIRGIN
Best airline in Africa: South African Airways —
One of the oldest airlines in the world, South African Airways topped the best airlines chart in Africa. Other winners by regions include Finnair (Northern Europe), LAN Airlines (South America), Hainan Airlines (China) and Air Astana (Central Asia/India).
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images/File
Best airline alliance: Star Alliance —
With 27 member airlines, Star Alliance is the world's largest global airline alliance. It's named as the best airline alliance in the 2016 Skytrax awards.
Star Alliance
Best first class lounge: Cathay Pacific —
Cathay Pacific comes second to Etihad Airways in the category of world's best first class airlines, but its newly reopened first class lounge The Pier -- with a full-service bar -- came first.
courtesy Cathay Pacific
Best first class airline catering: Etihad Airways —
It's hard to beat Etihad Airways when it comes to first class catering. The airline offers a chef to serve up in-flight meals to passengers.