This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Navy Federal Credit Union. All opinions are 100% mine. Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA.
If you’ve visited your favorite retailer any time after the month of July, you probably noticed that holiday and seasonal decor has begun to roll out. That’s because believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner. It’s also usually your cue to start planning and preparing for travel during the holiday season.
In this guide, I’ll be sharing some of the best ways to prepare and save early for holiday season travel using our Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards.

What You Should Know About Saving Money on Holiday Travel

Holiday Savings Tip: It’s what you do now (during the summer and early fall) that allows you to travel for free or deeply discounted during the holiday season!
It’s no secret that the holiday season travel is expensive. However, you can combat those costs by preparing early. Also, use a credit card that rewards you for your travel purchases.
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a variety of credit cards that give you the best benefits based on how you like to spend your money year-round.
What are the Best Navy Federal Credit Cards?

Navy Federal credit cards offer a variety of options to fit your needs from cashback and rewards cards to balance transfer offers and credit building.
I use their Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card and their More Rewards American Express® Card to save on my family’s holiday travel.
All Navy Federal Credit Cards come with:
- 24/7 access to stateside Member Service Representatives
- No Balance Transfer or Foreign Transaction Fees
- Ability to Freeze/Unfreeze Your Card
- Low rates
- Zero Liability Policy for Unauthorized Transactions
- Fraud Notifications (*Message and data rates may apply.)
- Easy Access to Credit Score
Our Method for Saving on Holiday Travel

We use our Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card to get 3x points for every $1 spent on travel and 2x points on everything else. Because we travel frequently throughout the year, having this card allows us to build up points from purchases we already planned to spend money on anyway. After using this card to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more, the points add up quickly.
In addition, the Flagship Rewards Card currently offers 30,000 bonus points when you spend $3,500 within 90 days of opening your account (expires August 31). This is a $300 value that can be used toward your holiday travel costs.
The More Rewards American Express® Card offers 3x points at restaurants, 3x points on gas and transit, 3x points at supermarkets, and 1x points on everything else. This is a great card for those who don’t frequently travel, but still want to accrue rewards towards their holiday travel. When we’re not traveling, this is the everyday card that we use for groceries, gas, and dining out on the weekends.
How to Start Saving Up Points for Holiday Travel Now

- Take advantage of sign-up bonuses NOW to bank points
The best way to take advantage of rewards credit cards for the holiday season is not to forget about those sign-up bonuses. It’s not only the best way to gain points and cash back quickly,
but if used properly, it could save you lots of dollars on the cost of travel. We’ve also typically planned a big purchase around a sign-up bonus as another way to get a windfall of points. Just be sure you understand the terms and can pay your balance in full each month before signing up.
- Use your rewards credit cards for your everyday spending
Responsible use of credit cards includes only spending money that you’ve already planned to spend. This includes categories such as gas, dining, grocery shopping, and other expenses unique to your personal needs and family.
Using this method and choosing the right card for your spending habits allows you to maximize the points and rewards structure for your lifestyle.
How to Start Saving Up Points for Holiday Travel Now Continued…

- Look into often-overlooked benefits like trip protection, concierge services, and travel flexibility
After you’ve earned enough credit card points, now it’s time to book holiday travel. The best time to book domestic air travel is 1 to 3 months in advance. Also, 3 to 4 months in advance for international travel during the holiday season.
However, if you’re still figuring out where to travel, oftentimes points required for holiday travel end up being less than the cost of airfare paid in cash.
Take advantage of deals and other travel offerings. Do this by using your card’s travel concierge service (this service comes standard with the Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card). Other benefits to taking advantage of are up to $100 statement credits for Global Entry and TSA Pre✓®.
Be sure to read in detail about the perks and benefits prior to picking which credit card is right for you!
- Give the gift of travel this holiday season
Earning rewards doesn’t have to stop with you! Use points to take your loved one on the trip of a lifetime. You can also use them to purchase tickets to top attractions and experiences. Transfer points and rewards or use points to pay off purchases. This is another great way to give the gift of travel for the holiday season.
