Photography by Anne Cabo San Lucas

As I’ve stated numerous times throughout the years on The Frugal Travel Guy blog, credit card sign-up bonuses provide the largest amount of free travel of all the techniques I use – often thousands of frequent flier miles/points at once. Capital One, for example, recently offered 100,000 frequent flier miles with an approved credit card. That’s huge. And enticing. But beware: This can be a loaded gun for many folks who can’t seem to handle it.

Using credit cards for free travel, or any other reason, requires discipline and the ability to pay off your monthly balance in full at the end of every billing cycle. Interest rates on credit cards are huge, late fees massive, and both have gotten more Americans in credit trouble than any other credit instrument. This free travel technique is not for everyone. You know yourself better than anyone. So before you begin to apply for credit cards for frequent flier miles, honestly answer these questions:

1.Do you manage your money well?
2.Do you have a budget?
3.Do you live within your budget?
4.Are you easily distracted and make impulse purchases?
5.Is your source of income and repayment dependable and reoccurring?
6.Are you just getting by on part-time work?

The decision to use credit card sign-up bonuses for frequent flier miles and points cannot be taken lightly. One mistake or one late payment will haunt you for years. Tread lightly; be honest with yourself an, ultimately, your creditors.

Which travel credit card should you apply for first? That depends on the credit score you have established based on your limited history with a retail charge card and small installment loan. You need to know that score number. You’re looking for these target minimums: 700+ on a FICO scale or 800+ on a Vantage Score Scale.

These are the scores we strive for long-term. If you’re young or you haven’t used credit much, it may be too early for you to have this high of a score. If so, you’ll have to begin by apply for a less-than-premium credit card. Don’t worry. Your time will come if you pay on time. I have free trial offers for viewing your credit scores on my blog. But you must remember to cancel within the free trial, after you get your report and scores, or you will be charged monthly. I use Truecredit.com to monitor my credit and pay for it every month. To me, it is a worthwhile expense.

If your scores are less than the target range, but over 650 on an FICO scale and 725 on a Vantage Score scale, consider applying for a credit card that does not require a premium score but charges higher interest and fees. Remember: You are paying off the card in full every month or borrowing just a small amount to establish a credit trade line. Your interest expense will be minimal while you establish this trade line. These cards, when offered by the airline’ websites, typically offer you one mile for every $2 spent on the card. That is your indication that you are looking at the right credit card for your less-than-“good” credit score. Premium cards pay at least one mile per $1 spent. Stay away from those unless you have premium credit score. You will within six months if you pay as agreed.

If your credit file shows scores lower than the 650 or 725 ranges, check your credit report for accuracy. There may be an error on the report, such as a medical collection, that you missed. Or it could be that trade lines you’ve established are not reporting to the three major agencies. In the event of errors, get them corrected right away. A collection is bad, really bad, and needs to be cleared right now.

If you have lower credit scores, I suggest you talk to your bank about a secured credit card. Not all banks will offer them, but when you find one that does, here is how they work:

You deposit money in an account with the bank and they, in turn, give you a credit card with a credit limit equal to or slightly smaller than the amount of your initial deposit. Does it sound like the CD loan? It is. You are pledging your own money as collateral — a pledge that you will make your payments on time. If you don’t, the bank will close your credit card and collect from your prepaid deposit. There may be a sign-up fee for this type of credit card. This is something you want to get away from as soon as possible. Before setting up one of these with your bank, be sure to ask if your repayments will be reported to the three major credit reporting agencies. If not, move on to another bank.Suppose you have done all the things I’ve suggested and your score is already in the good range. Which card do you get? The card in my wallet today, and the one that has been there for as long as I can remember, is the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. Customer service is terrific and the points you earn can be used for hotel stays or transferred to over 30 major airlines with a 5000-point bonus on 20,000-point transfers. People with the same address can combine their balances, and the “cash and points” option for hotel redemptions with this card is the best in the industry. This is my go-to card.

With scores of 700+ FICO and 800+ Vantage Score scale  I apply for other cards for the sign-up bonuses. I have had over 100 credit cards and they have taken me literally around the world on the sign up bonuses. I would consider using them every day if they gave me as much as the SPG card. Until I find that card, all the other credit cards for which I apply are for the sign-up bonus only. I meet the requirements of the sign-up bonus offer and then put the card away until the annual fee comes due in one year. I cancel at that time after asking for a retention bonus to keep the card. If I don’t get the retention bonus, I cancel the card and they don’t charge the annual fee.

The now with a good score on hand, next step is time. Continue to pay on time. Continue to use your credit in a responsible manner and you’ll see your scores improve over time. Your credit file is aging. That’s a good thing. Creditors think of it this way:“He’s paid his bills on time last month” or “He’s paid his bills on time for the last five years”

Which of the above is a better credit risk? The person with the time and credit history on his or her side, of course.

Words to live by: “Your Credit is One of Your Most Important Assets.” Take care of it, and it will reward you with years of frugal travel. I can typically apply for and receive 4-6 credit cards every 90 days, enjoy the sign up bonuses and keep my scores in the good range. That is lots of free travel.Hawaii on Sale Right Now East Coast Cities from $500 RT

I just checked United.com and found fares from Traverse City and Savannah as low as $518 as far in advance as next February. As always, these fares come and go quickly. So if Hawaii is in your plans, look and book now. Tickets are typically $800-$1000 each. Other airlines may be involved in this fare war as well.