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Sean & Leigh tell you how to start planning your trip and what you’ll need to get started. Then they reminisce about last year’s trip to Barcelona, Spain. Visiting the Antoni Gaudi designed Sagrada Familia church, accidentally stumbling upon a Salvador Dali museum, and Sean’s “traveling technique” of having no plan whatsoever.

Start by getting materials needed to stay organized (just do it!!)

• Get file folders like THIS
  • After you apply for a card, print screen the offer and put in a file folder.
  • Put all correspondence from the credit card company in this file folder.
  • On the outside of the folder indicate what credit card you applied for, when you applied, approval date, activation date and particulars of the card such as the spend requirement, and annual fees. This information is something you will refer to frequently and will help you when you start adding several cards to you wallet.
  • Once the spend requirement on the card is met, put it in the file folder for safe keeping.
• Get a Password Journal like THIS
  • Write down ALL your user names & passwords for loyalty programs, online credit card access or any other programs.
  • You will be surprised how fast you fill this journal up.
• Get a Pocket calendar like THIS for planning trips.
• Optional: I use an Arc Customizable notebook from Staples like THIS to plan trips (I have the junior size, I love it). I have dividers for each trip and write down all my research, points required for travel, hotel options, points of interest….etc. Since the paper can be easily added or removed I use them to build the trips. 

Once your organizational tools are in place sign up for loyalty programs:

***write down all your usernames and passwords into your password journal*****

Rapid Rewards program at www.southwest.com

MileagePlus program at www.united.com

AAdvantage program at www.aa.com

IHG Rewards Club at www.IHG.com

Hyatt Gold Passport at www.hyatt.com

Sign up for Chase Ultimate rewards program www.chase.com/ultimaterewards.com if you already have a chase card that offers ultimate rewards, or after you obtain a card that offers ultimate rewards.

Finally, sign up for www.awardwallet.com.

Enter all your newly acquired loyalty programs into AwardWallet. AwardWallet provides a free service that helps you manage your reward balances and travel itineraries. They support 674 loyalty programs – air, hotel, car rental, credit card and others. This is where you track all your points/miles in one spot! They also have an app, and allow you to add multiple household members to one account for easier tracking.

OK, this will get you started on Trip Hacking. More to come.