Rookie Travel Tips Friday: How To Stay Across Europe Frugally

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Posted by Friday, December 30, 2011, 35 Comments

Rookie Travel Tips
With Shannon

Sometime in the near future my husband and I plan to travel too Europe. In a quest to find cheap lodging without relying on hotel points I came across a nice  booking website, www.hostelworld.com.
This website is a huge hostel booking website that also has bookings for bed and breakfasts and hotels. They offer a ton of additional information and services to travelers in general, so much that I could not included it all here, my focus on this site was learning about  booking hostels and bed and breakfasts. This booking site offers a 100% guarantee on your booking that if anything goes wrong they will refund you and give you an additional $50 credit.
Their mission:
“ To become the fastest-growing online provider of great value accommodation, using innovative technology to inspire independently minded travellers everywhere.”
From the home page you can search by country, city and/or property type, then plug in your travel dates and the site brings up an extensive list of the available properties. If you are really looking for something cheap and are flexible in your travels they have a “deals” section below the search feature.
They offer bookings on over 25,000 hostels in more than 180 countries, surely there is something for everyone.
Okay, why a hostel or bed and breakfast when we all have hotel points and standards right? Every one’s travel desires are different and frankly some of you have no desire for this kind of lodging. This post is not for you. But for those of you who are open and looking for a new experience, traveling alone and want to meet people or just plain cheap, a hostel may be for you. They are much nicer than they used to be and the site offers pictures of the properties for you to browse.  Check some out.
When you search a property you get an overall rating of the place done by previous visitors and also a rating on topics such as security, location, staff, cleanliness, character, and fun. You can see how many people have rated the property and read personal reviews with some very helpful tips. They give detailed information about the property,pictures, maps directions, and all the rates.
Deals:

If you spend some time looking through the current deals section you will find an array of different offers such as free nights, free meals, last minute discounts, and added tours.
Example:

-Stay 2 nights get the 3rd free Florence Italy in a mixed dorm for $21.90 per person per night. With an overall rating of 88% from 354 reviews. A central location, 10 minute walk from the train station,a pool, on site cafe, bar, restaurant, free WiFi, gym, pool table, AC and flat screen T.V’s in every room. They provide linens and lockers, and an all you can eat breakfast buffet for 6 Euros.
Some General Search Examples:
Hostels: 
St.Christopher’s, Paris France, August 25-27, 2012
25th $50.75 (shared mixed room) $68.59 (private double)
26th $45.27 (shared mixed room) $63.10 (private double)
Prices are per person per night.
At 7 pm every night the hostel serves a “backpackers meal” for 6 Euros and breakfast is FREE.
They provide linens, but you must bring a towel.
They have lockers for storage. You must bring your own padlock and they will store your luggage during the day for free so you can go out and explore.
Free Wi-Fi so you won’t need to pay at an Internet cafe.
Auckland New Zealand, Nomads January 12th-15th 2012
12th-15th $28.83 ( standard Double bed Private room)
per person per night
Free drink vouchers, Free sauna and heated spa
Located downtown Auckland
Rooftop sun deck
Communal Kitchen
Wifi
Airport transfers
Linens included
Bed and Breakfast: 

Paris, France Namdemun Guesthouse August 25-27, 2012
25th and 26th $53.50 (private twin room) $38.41 (shared mixed room)
Prices are per person per night. Breakfast is included
Crete Greece,  Nakli B&B April 25th-28th 2012
$41.06 per person, per night
A private apartment with double bed, AC, full kitchen and private bathroom, cleaned daily.
Located in the middle of Crete
Hotel:
Hotel D’Amiens Paris, France  August 25-27, 2012
25th and 26th $45.95 ( double bed/private).
Prices per person per night. Breakfast is included.
These are just some of the many places I looked at while learning to navigate the site. I am excited to try some hostels and B&B’s out on our future trips. Have you had any experiences with these properties or any advice on them?
Shannon, The Rookie.
30,000 Delta Miles No First Year Fee

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  • Brent

    I just think for most household these goals are mythical because trying to meet the minimum spend on 5+ cards in 4 months can be pretty tough. Even if you funnel all your spending into the cards that's a lot of money.

  • Anonymous

    Rick,

    There are *two* Citi HHonors offers out there (look on the FT thread), one for 50k/$1500 spend, one for 40k/$1k spend. You can do both at the same time; I just did.
    msp2anywhere

  • Anonymous

    How often can the SPG Amex be churned?

  • Anonymous

    Hi Rick,

    Could you please explain how you churning works. Did you cancel them prior to reapplying? I remember reading that you use the SPG card for everyday purchases, yet I see it on your list for new cards. How is that possible?
    Thanks for any clarification,

  • Jeff

    Thanks a ton. I was always hoping to find a "churn" guide. Just two small questions. When do I cancel the acquired cards in the schedule (assuming i don't need them)? also, i was thinking of getting the chase continental card during the sapphire churn instead of the starwood since i have that one. any thoughts? have a great and healthy new year everyone!

  • Anonymous

    Rick, For "Bank of America", I'd add the Bank of Hawaii's 35k Hawaiian Airlines card over some of the others you have for them at the end of the year. BofA (via FIA Card Services) is the one who makes the decision on it, and you can have both versions (BofA and BofH of the Hawaiian Airlines cards to double the bonus!)

  • Carissa L.

    Thanks for this helpful list of what a credit card churn could look like. I have a question about the Citi Platinum Select/AAdvantage card — it looks like you are saying that the Visa and MasterCard are separate products. For some reason, I just assumed they were the same product for Citi and that you could only get one of them for the bonus. I learned something everytime I read this blog!

  • Ted Hessing

    My favorite post yet, Rick!

    It's like getting a Christmas present from FTG!

    You didn't explicitly state it, but I am guessing that this is optimized for the different credit agency pulls? That's something this newbie is very hazy on.

  • tassojunior

    Does the Spirit cc actually have any worth? I'm DCA and routinely go to FLL but have avoided Spirit and it's cc.I'd heard you can get more value from just joining the "$9" club and that Spirit miles expire quickly anyway.
    I'd love to find a reason to get this card and use Spirit.

  • Amy

    Quick question from a newbie!! Does anyone know if the Chase Sapphire Preferred points are transferable? Ex: Could my mother transfer her points to myself?

  • Anonymous

    Rick,

    You list 4 citi AA personal cards for the April churn. How does one get approved for 4? My understanding is the best you can do is 2 by using the two browser trick. Scott.

  • gpapadop

    Are u getting the Sapphire card for the first time??? If not, how are you getting it again w/ 50k?? Similar question on the others:-)

    And love the Spirit card, lol.

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    Brent agree you have to match your applications based on minimum spends.

    Anon SPg can not be churned unless you closed previous one two years ago

    Carissa: The two Citi cards are different products. use the two browser trick

    Tasso. I get some email from people saying they have used the spirit card successfully.

    Amy. Chase sapphire points are transferable

    Ted. they are no by credit reporting agency as each state is different

  • Anonymous

    Rick- What is the benefit of applying for all the cards on the same day? Does it only count as one pull if you apply on the same day?

    Thanks, John

  • Anonymous

    Your SPG link is going to a 10k offer for me…

  • InACents

    If you are already a Priority Club member, watch your email as they continue to still send me the targeted 80,000 point offer after first purchase.

  • Anonymous

    Rick,

    Thanks for all the great tips. One quick question, I noticed you say that the SPG card offers 25K bonus, but when I click on the link it only shows a 10K bonus. Is there another link to the 25K bonus or has that offer expired?

  • Isaac

    There's still a 50k offer out there for the Virgin Atlantic card.

  • Zippy Pam

    Rick, Perfect information that makes it easier for all of us – thanks! BTW, I churned a Starwood card in 60 days about 18 months ago. Has that changed since then?

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    anon: I only see two AA cards in April

    isaac. can you send in that 50k virgin Atlantic card?

    anon anon. the spg card is 10k first purchase then 15k after meeting spend.

    John. applying for all cards same day hides other inquiries from other same day issuers

    zippy Pam. two Years from closing pre iOS card before applying and diving sign up bonus again

  • Adam C.

    Great list, except that I'd swap the Chase Sapphire Preferred to later in the year. In that case, if you plan not to keep the card and pay the annual fee, you still get the 7% bonus. Getting the card in January may jeopardize getting the bonus if you call to cancel on December 31st. (Remember that the 1-year date is from your initial application date, not the day you receive the card.)

    Appreciate it, Rick. Here's to a 2012 of even bigger bonuses.

  • Jeff

    Thanks a ton Rick. When do I cancel the acquired cards in the churn schedule (assuming i don't need them). take care all.

  • Anonymous

    Very help list.

    My question:

    Both my Citi Visa Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa Signature AND Business AAdvantage Visa Signature cards are currently active.

    In January 2012 I'd like to apply for the AAdvantage World Mastercard card AND AAdvantage World AMEX card AND the Citi Premeire ThankYou card. Three total.

    Will I have a problem being approved for 3 new Citi cards, besides my current 2 active cards?

    Should I only apply for two Citi cards at a time?

  • Mommy Points

    For those who are only seeing 10K for the SPG, I have heard of that problem a number of times. If you already have Amex accounts that you log onto from that computer, you may need to clear your internet cache by hitting ctrl/shift/delete. That usually works for me and brings it back to showing the 10K + 15K offer.

  • Sam

    Hey Rick! Thanks for this GREAT post! 1 Quick Question, I plan on implementing something similar and letting you know how it goes, but you have a ton of citi cards on there. Can I realistically leave all of my citi cards from the first two churns open and then apply for 1-2 additional ones 3 months later and expect to be approved for all of them? Or should I cancel as many as I can (without sacrificing points of course) before applying? THANKS SO MUCH!

  • Aaron R

    For those asking about cards that Rick already has, note that he said this is a "mythical churn schedule for a newbie", i.e. a person who has none or very few of these cards. So what he personally has or doesn't have is immaterial to this list.

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    jeff. Dont be in a hurry. Wait at least six months to cancel if it doesn't work for you or at the time the annual fee comes around.

    Anon I have received two Citi cards at the same time. It took a call but it happened. YOu are spreading out your spending by category. Katy has FIVE CITI cards right now.

    Thanks Mommy; It is the first I heard of it and I never remember that clear the cache thingy. See you at the MegaDO?

  • Anonymous

    Rick,

    Question, I see this is all imaginary, but I am curious, if one already has (or has canceled in the past 2 years) a Citi AAdvantage AmEx will they be eligible for the Visa/MC listed above? I took the 75k Offer last year, but I am thinking about churning those two this year?

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    anon: citi is unpredictable with getting a second bonus. Some do amd some don't. to be safe many wait 18 months between applications

  • gpapadop

    Thanks a lot for not answering my question Rick, it is the only one you did not answer, that's what friends are for hey:-)

    Some info on the AMEX bump fiasco & new policy:

    It appears AMEX is now enforcing the "this offer is ONLY for YOU" new way of going forward instead of scamming on the bonus codes we all pounced on! I received an offer to apply for the Business Gold Reward card for 50k (spend of $5k in 90 days)…agent ASKED for my RSVP code! I was NOT instantly approved and may need to call back. I canceled this card 3 months ago and ranted at amex on twitter for not honoring the 6168 code (for 75k), executive office battles and all…Should be interesting, looks like they did not black list me…unless they turn me down:-)

    Happy New Year, see you…somewhere!

    George

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    gpop: one time bonus with sapphire preferred card afaik

  • Davin Stewart

    I agree with @Brent . This is supposed to be the Frugal Travel Guy blog … not the I-Fill-My-Pool-With-Cash Travel Guy blog. It would be much more useful if you take the minimum spends into account in some way. Right now, they're not even mentioned!

    For example, I would value the United 60k offer much higher than these cards because I get 50k of those miles upon first purchase. That's a big deal to me with my limited budget.

  • FrugalTravelGuy

    Davin. Thank you for your opinion. When I wrote the post the 50k offer was not available to all as it is today on 1/6/12. Please note that this blog is the only one that lists all the low minimum spend cards in one place for all to review, but I guess you missed that part? look at the credit cards tab for all the low minimum spend cards. BTW if I had to redo the list today I probably would add this card, but you'll note the post was based on current information as of the posting date of 12/29/11

  • Anonymous

    Hi Rick, just wondering is it a good idea to churn on Saturday or is it better to wait till Monday/Tuesday? Thanks

  • Joyce D’Souza

     Europe is an excellent tourist destination has major attractive tourist places. The tips provided will help how to travel the world without any difficulties and make the journey joyful.


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