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Have you checked your credit card travel benefits?

Have you selected a hotel rewards program?

Have you selected an airline rewards program?

Recently, I attended Fall Weekend at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, to support Angela. She earned the prestigious POSSE Scholarship. Although I received the dates for the event in August, details about transportation, parking, and accommodations were not sent until October. I used my travel rewards to make the trip.

Gall Weekend at Trinity College
Two hour flight to Hartford

Keeping a Points Surplus

I always keep a surplus of travel rewards for emergencies. This practice came in handy two years ago. I utilized airline and hotel reward points to visit a former student in St. Louis when she delivered her baby prematurely. While Fall Weekend at Trinity College was not an emergency, I had enough points to make the trip without tapping into my reserve.

Accessible room at SpringHill Suites

Budget-Friendly Travel with Rewards

Traveling can be costly, but with planning, it does not have to be. Thanks to my strategy of utilizing travel rewards, I was able to make family weekend at Trinity College both enjoyable and affordable:

  • Accommodation: I booked at SpringHill Suites Hartford Airport using my expiring Marriott Award Night. This choice was perfect because the property offers a shuttle service and complimentary breakfast.
  • Rideshare: Hilton Honors points helped cover a $25 Lyft credit, while I used American Express Member Rewards points for a $25 Uber gift card.
  • Flights: I used Southwest Rapid Rewards points for my flight to Hartford and returned to Chicago using my Rapid Rewards credit card.
Catch a movie on campus

The Fall Weekend at Trinity College Experience

Trinity College Fall Weekend is one of the best homecoming/family events I have attended. Everything was complimentary. I enjoyed breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the weekend. Entry to the game was free, and the football team added another victory to their winning Division III record. Angela proudly showed me around the picturesque campus, which even boasts a movie theater. The sticker price for Trinity College is around 90K. However, Angela is attending on a full scholarship—a testament to her hard work and the power of opportunities like POSSE.

A Word to Families

If you have a bright, college-bound student open to studying out-of-state, consider the POSSE Foundation. This scholarship changes lives and offers invaluable support. Churches, community organizations, and former POSSE winners can all contribute to the nomination pool.

Fall Weekend at Trinity College
Game Time

Helping Angela Build Her Own Rewards Strategy

Beyond attending the Fall Weekend, I encouraged Angela to build a travel rewards strategy to offset future travel expenses. As I continue to earn points, I shared tips with Angela to maximize her savings:

  • Sign Up for Airline Rewards Programs: These can help her accumulate points for flights to and from school, making travel more affordable.
  • Join Hotel Rewards Programs: Staying at a hotel while visiting Angela can add up. By joining programs such as Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors, she can earn points on future stays when her family attends Fall Weekend at Trinity College.
  • Link Rewards Accounts to Rideshare Services: I also advised her to link rideshare accounts to hotel rewards programs for added benefits. For example, I told Angela to link her Lyft account to Hilton Honors or Uber to Marriott Bonvoy. She can earn hotel points on rideshare services, making every day travel more rewarding.

The Fall Weekend at Trinity College Budget

Attending Fall Weekend at Trinity College was more than just a visit; it was a celebration of community, perseverance, and educational achievement. Because of my strategic use of travel rewards, I enjoyed a memorable weekend that was budget-friendly. Of course, I will support Angela next year if she needs me. If you need a Southwest gift card from Amazon, click this link.

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