Travel hacking is the art of taking legal advantage of systems to gain extra benefits or discount when traveling. This can range from status match to have more comfort, to performing a status match chain for a “free” cruise. Or it could just be a good sale that meets your needs. There are travel hacks big and small just about everywhere.

Some hacks are available all the time as a standard part of program rules. Hotel rewards programs require rooms to be offered and provide ranges. On the most expensive nights, you gain outsize value in reward redemptions. Sometimes, a travel hack is just having enough points available for a trip or stay when you don’t want to pay cash.

The point being that travel hacking is not something focused solely on getting big flashy benefits. Sometimes it can just be leveraging small things to have a great vacation at a good value to be able to enjoy more vacations. While I enjoy taking advantage of the flashy hacks ($632 for Roundtrip Business Class from Vancouver, BC to Sydney Australia)

I will also redeem at a Holiday Inn Express when I just don’t want to pay cash. Too much time can be spent analyzing deals to try and get the ”best” value where the opportunity gets missed. If you are happy with any extra benefits or discount, then it is a good hack.

There are hacks out there that are a lot of work. And it is perfectly ok to decide to skip or forget a hack. Traveling is a joy, never let your FOMO or even sadness of missing out ruin the joy of travel. Travel Hacking is optional and for improving travel.