In the Beginning...

I sat on a plane next to my husband as we made our way back from Rome to our home in Boise, Idaho. I felt exhilarated and enlightened. I experienced the deep, satisfying sensation of exhaustion that comes from wandering a country that was not my own, speaking a language that was not my own, and stepping into a world of food, culture, and art that was not my own.

I knew I would never be the same.

I then considered that my plane ride, the four-star hotels, the boutique apartment rental, a six course fixe prix dinner, and train tickets had all been free. And I realized that I had unlocked a magical world where such adventures could occur again and again.

This was all made possible through the careful accrual and use of credit card points. While we naturally had some expenses that could not be covered by points, we were able to do things we normally could not have afforded. "Cents of Adventure" was created out of a desire to document our travels using these reward bonuses and to educate others on how they can do the same.

If you're new to this game, it's important to understand the basic process. Essentially, credit card companies, airlines, and hotel chains seek to get your spending power on their branded cards. In order to do this, they create lucrative sign up bonuses. Generally, if you spend a certain amount of money on the card, they give you points or miles. Most often, these cards carry a yearly fee that is waived the first year. The trick is to open the card, meet the minimum spending requirement, use the points to travel, then close the account--all before your annual fee becomes due. You're then able to open a new account and begin the process again. Once you become more accustomed to this balancing act, you can have several cards open at once and be gaining points on all of them.

Of course, this requires a great deal of organization and discipline. But if you're able to manage the dates in which you open accounts, are financially able to meet minimum spends, can pay off your balances every month, and know where you want your points to go--there really isn't a catch! You are literally seeing the world without having to pay for it.

Go where you want to go. And do it for free.