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Sandmann Travels | Budget Travel & Travel Hacking

Learn how to travel more for less with smart travel hacks, beginner-friendly points and miles strategies, and budget-friendly planning tips. | Weekly newsletter with actionable tips. | Personalized travel planning services. | 1 on 1 points and miles coaching.

Fireworks light up the sky above a city.

Would you use points on 1 luxury flight, or 5 economy flights?

Hey Reader, Let me tell you something I used to believe: “Points and miles? That’s for people who fly business class to Europe or rack up $100k in spend on their corporate Amex.” I figured I wasn’t traveling enough to make it worth learning. I wasn’t flying every week for work, I wasn’t balling out on five-star hotels, and honestly? I was just trying to take a couple affordable trips a year without draining my savings. But here’s what I wish someone told me earlier:Points and miles aren’t...
Mountains and trees under a beautiful, cloudy sky.

The points & miles game is changing - here's what to know

Hey Reader, The points and miles world has been busy lately - and if you’re not keeping tabs on the updates, it’s easy to miss something that could affect your travel plans (or your wallet). So here’s a quick roundup of what I'm keeping my eye on, what matters, and what to do about it. This email contains referral links. I may earn points back if you choose to sign up for a card using these links. I only recommend cards that I personally use and love. Using my links supports me in putting out...
Waterfalls cascade into a river, surrounded by mountains.

I remember when...

Hey Reader, I’ve been in the travel planning game for a while now. And the longer I do it, the more I feel like I need to remind you that I was a total newbie once, too. And by newbie, I mean it. The first time I planned a real trip on my own, I booked flights to Iceland. Honestly at the time I felt like I got a pretty decent deal on the flights. But looking back, I know I could have saved a lot more. I was terrified I was spending way too much money, and especially panicked when we started...
Sunset over the ocean, with a calm, serene view.

Quick Q for you — would this be helpful?

Hey Reader, You know that moment when you finally earn a bunch of points from a juicy sign up bonus… …and then you stare at your screen like, “Okay, now what?” If you’ve ever wished there were an easier way to actually find flights and hotels you can book with points, I’m super excited to be cooking something up I think you’ll love. I’m putting together a short, no-fluff guide to using one of my favorite award search tools — PointsYeah — so you can: ✅ Search multiple airline and hotel...
Hot air balloons fly over a serene lake at sunrise.

A quick word?

Hey Reader, “There’s no way you can travel that much with a 9–5.” Actually… you can. And I’ve been doing it for years. The biggest bug holding most people back? Ignoring the potential value of points and miles. Like, really - you're probably leaving hundreds (if not thousands) in free travel on the table. You don’t need 10+ credit cards.You don’t need to be a Type A travel hacker (I mean I am but that's besides the point...). You just need 1-2 great travel credit cards and a little intention....
Palm trees stand against a warm, hazy sky.

Can you click one real quick?

Can I keep things short today Reader? I’ve been trying to get better at email and that means stop sending emails that aren’t relevant to the people receiving them - aka you! Can you click one of these so I know I’m on the right path for sending you stuff? Thank you so much. CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVE AT LEAST ONE TRAVEL CREDIT CARD CLICK HERE IF YOU'RE A POINTS AND MILES NEWBIE ^^^just click one of the above, please and thank you^^^ That’s it. I’m not using this information anywhere other than I...
Empty beach with umbrellas and lounge chairs.

Spain or Morocco... for FREE? I'm eyeing this redemption 👀

Hey Reader, How's your week so far? I'm super excited about today's newsletter because one of the most epic credit card sign up offers is BACK! This email contains referral links. I may earn points back if you choose to sign up for a card using these links. I only recommend cards that I personally use and love. Using my links supports me in putting out more content like this at absolutely no cost to you! Thanks 🫶🏻 The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has 2 amazing offers right now: Higher...
aerial view of Hanauma Bay, Hawaii - blue water with a beach and green mountain

Ok, you've earned the points - here's how to maximize their value

Hey Reader, Welcome back to the 5th and final installment of our deep dive into the world of travel credit cards 💳✈️ (Last 4 deep dive emails can be found here if you need a refresher!) Today, we're focusing on something everyone loves – getting the absolute most value from those hard-earned points and miles. If you've recently scored a shiny new travel credit card (or are considering one), these strategies will help you squeeze every bit of value from your rewards. Strategic Ways to Maximize...
waterfall over lush green mountains into a fiord

9 quick things to do with that shiny new travel credit card 💳

Hey Reader, Welcome back to our deep dive into the world of travel credit cards 💳✈️ Now that you've gone through the process of selecting the perfect travel credit card for your lifestyle (as we covered in Part 3), it's time to focus on what happens next. Getting approved is just the beginning of your travel rewards journey! Let's dive into the essential steps you should take after signing up for your first travel credit card to maximize its value and set yourself up for travel rewards...
An airplane flies over a hilly, dusky landscape.

Travel Credit Cards: Finding Your Perfect Match 🤝

Hey Reader, Have you ever scrolled through social media and seen those dreamy vacation photos, only to wonder how people afford to travel so frequently? The secret might be a credit card! Finding the right travel credit card can transform your vacation possibilities, turning everyday purchases into flights, hotel stays, and unforgettable experiences. But every card is not created equal and the best card for you is highly dependent on your lifestyle and travel style. Why Your Travel Credit...

Learn how to travel more for less with smart travel hacks, beginner-friendly points and miles strategies, and budget-friendly planning tips. | Weekly newsletter with actionable tips. | Personalized travel planning services. | 1 on 1 points and miles coaching.