This week we show you how you can get to India for practically nothing. A couple would need to spend a minimum of $5,350 per month on credit cards. If you can manage that and pay off your cards in full and on time, then it’s certainly an option. Otherwise, you might want to split this into two groups of applications, the second one beginning 91 days after the first. Each person should have a minimum credit score of 715.

HIS APS– Chase Ink Bold Business Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Starwood Preferred Guest

HER APS– Chase Ink Bold Business Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, Starwood Preferred Guest

ITINERARY OVERVIEW: Fly out of the lower 48 of the U.S. to Mumbai. Spend five nights at the ITC Maratha.

TOTAL TRIP VALUE: $3,008

Round Trip from the USA to Mumbai
Cost: $2,038 ($1,019 per ticket)
Method: Ultimate Rewards
Cards:

1. Chase Ink Bold Business Card (x2) – 110,000 Ultimate Rewards
   
   1. He receives 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 within three months of account opening, which he’ll accomplish in the first month of their spend.
   2. He gets another 5,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar spent.
   3. She receives 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 within three months of account opening, which she’ll accomplish in first and second months of their spend.
   4. She gets another 5,000 points from her spend at a minimum of one point per dollar.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred (x2) – 86,000 Ultimate Rewards
   
   1. He receives 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 within three month of account opening, which he’ll accomplish in the second and third months of their spend.
   2. He receives an additional 3,000 Ultimate Rewards points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar spent.
   3. She receives 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $3,000 within three months of account opening, which she’ll accomplish in the third month of their spend.
   4. She receives an additional 3,000 Ultimate Rewards points from her spend at a minimum of one point per dollar spent.

 

Explanation: As Rick pointed out recently, Ultimate Rewards are really the game to play. Ultimate Rewards earning cards give you better options for air travel. If a couple both applies for a Chase Sapphire Preferred and a Chase Ink Bold Business card, they will each end up with 98,000 Ultimate Rewards points. Ultimate Rewards easily transfer into United MileagePlus miles at 1:1. And 98,000 miles can get you a round-trip saver ticket to just about anywhere in the world, including India. The round-trip saver price from the lower 48 to India is 80,000 a piece.

We’ve got you flying to Mumbai, but if you would prefer to take a trip to Delhi, you can also do that for 80,000 round-trip (and we’ll give you some hotel options for Delhi as well).
Out of Pocket Cost: Taxes

ITC Maratha, Mumbai
Cost: $970 ($194 per night)
Method: Starpoints
Cards:

1. Starwood Preferred Guest (x2) – 60,000 Starpoints
   
   1. He receives 10,000 Starpoints after first purchase.
   2. He receives another 15,000 Starpoints after spending $5,000 within six months of account opening.
   3. He gets another 5,000 points from his spend at a minimum of one point per dollar spent.
   4. She receives 10,000 Starpoints after first purchase.
   5. She receives another 15,000 Starpoints after spending $5,000 within six months of account opening.
   6. She gets another 5,000 points from her spend at a minimum of one point per dollar spent.

 

Explanation: Starwood has a pair of beautiful Category 4 properties in Mumbai. Though the ITC Grand Central is a fantastic Starwood luxury property, the ITC Maratha has the edge (at least according to Trip Adviser). Either way, the cost is 10,000 Starpoints per night. Plus, with Starwood’s Fifth Night Free option, you can get five nights for only 40,000 points. With 60,000 points between the couple, they’ve got 20,000 to spare.

Should a trip to New Delhi sound better than Mumbai, Starwood has several category 4 properties there including Le Meridien New Delhi, the Sheraton New Delhi and the Westin Sonha Resort and Spa (which was a Category 5, but just moved down to 4). There’s also the ITC Maurya, but it’s a category 5. Category 5 hotels cost between 12,000 and 16,000 per night, so should you find nights on the lower end of the spectrum, you could have five nights there for 48,000.
Out of Pocket Cost: $0