The holiday season is almost upon us. Like everyone, you are probably scouting this very minute for the best airline and hotel deals online. One of the best ways to holiday, for next to nothing, is to wisely use your travel rewards card points to book all your travel and stay arrangements. All of the best travel rewards credit cards offer fabulous deals and brownie points this holiday season and it is time to get yourself a big slice of the pie. Following are tips on how you can smartly use travel rewards for your next trip.

Apply for the right card
It all begins with knowing what card suits your needs the best. Any leading travel credit card reward will most likely come with an annual fee. However, there will also be many accompanying perks such as free baggage allowance, free hotel stays, and access to priority lounges at airports. Just make sure you choose the card that helps you get the most value. If you travel a lot, look for a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees.

Maximize your points
Find out what purchase earns the most points on your card and then use the card for those purchases. Most customers do not know this, but every purchase is not rewarded equally. For instance, if your card gives you the most points when you use it to buy gas, then always fill gas using your card. This will help you earn maximum points that can be redeemed for your trip.

Reach the spending minimum
On applying for a travel rewards card, you usually have to spend a certain amount within a limited time before you are eligible for the joining bonus. This is an opportunity you should never miss out on. The joining bonus is usually worth a lot; sometimes it can mean earning over 40,000 air miles on your card. That is definitely enough to pay for a trip to Europe and back. No matter what offers your card will hold for you, later on, remember that your joining bonus is usually the biggest one.

Use the double-dip strategy
The best credit cards travel rewards online usually have a double benefit, which means you can earn points when you use the card to shop and also earn points with the shopping portal. This is usually an offer that is valid at many popular dining outlets, airlines, and hotels. This way you may maximize your travel benefits from the card. Called a double-dip, you get twice the points for the same amount spent.

Check your expiration
Credit card points and airline miles all come with a use-by date. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how long you have before the points expire. Most credit cards are absolutely clear on the information, but if you are still in doubt, do speak to the customer service immediately. There is no point in accumulating thousands of air miles that will simply lapse by a few days when you need them the most.

Timing is key while booking
If you are traveling somewhere exotic, chances are that your travel rewards may not cover up the entire cost of either your ticket or your hotel stay. The only way to work around this is to revise your dates. To travel for completely free, consider going on vacation when no one else is going, such as avoiding the holiday season. Going on vacation off-season can sometimes make a $1,000 plane ticket cost much less than $500. Imagine all the fun things you could do with that amount saved! This is the best part of the best credit cards travel rewards online.