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How to Win at Travel
Turn your wanderlust into reality with expert strategies from Brian Kelly, the founder of The Points Guy—the leading voice in loyalty programs and travel—with this ultimate resource for everything from leveraging airline and credit card points to planning your dream itinerary.
Named Forbes’s #1 travel influencer and one of Travel + Leisure’s Most Notable People in Travel, Brian Kelly can help you conquer your travel goals so you can experience the world like a pro. Now, this comprehensive guide provides a complete roadmap for travelers, breaking down everything you need to know from A to Z, to reduce the stress of planning a trip and to provide you with the basic tools to make your travel dreams come true.
Get practical advice on a range of topics, including the most effective ways to leverage airline and credit card points, how to conquer your fear of flying and manage travel anxiety, how to beat jetlag, and how to travel on any kind of budget. Kelly also covers the ins and outs of travel insurance, the art of filing a complaint and getting the compensation you deserve, the necessary gear and technology for modern travel, as well as tips to plan your trip and pinpoint the best destination for you.
Whether you’re a college student studying abroad, a young adult venturing out solo, a family, a group of friends, empty nesters, retirees, or a business traveler, this is the trusted guide every traveler will reach for when they need ideas for a new destination, a kick in the pants to get started planning that next vacation, advice about what to expect in a new country, how to find quality lodging, what paperwork and IDs you need to travel, how to get the best customer service from an airline, and how to travel with kids of all ages, and more.
Easy-to-read, informative, and inspirational, this is the definitive travel guide for your next adventure, no matter how big or small.
Named Forbes’s #1 travel influencer and one of Travel + Leisure’s Most Notable People in Travel, Brian Kelly can help you conquer your travel goals so you can experience the world like a pro. Now, this comprehensive guide provides a complete roadmap for travelers, breaking down everything you need to know from A to Z, to reduce the stress of planning a trip and to provide you with the basic tools to make your travel dreams come true.
Get practical advice on a range of topics, including the most effective ways to leverage airline and credit card points, how to conquer your fear of flying and manage travel anxiety, how to beat jetlag, and how to travel on any kind of budget. Kelly also covers the ins and outs of travel insurance, the art of filing a complaint and getting the compensation you deserve, the necessary gear and technology for modern travel, as well as tips to plan your trip and pinpoint the best destination for you.
Whether you’re a college student studying abroad, a young adult venturing out solo, a family, a group of friends, empty nesters, retirees, or a business traveler, this is the trusted guide every traveler will reach for when they need ideas for a new destination, a kick in the pants to get started planning that next vacation, advice about what to expect in a new country, how to find quality lodging, what paperwork and IDs you need to travel, how to get the best customer service from an airline, and how to travel with kids of all ages, and more.
Easy-to-read, informative, and inspirational, this is the definitive travel guide for your next adventure, no matter how big or small.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2025
763 people are currently reading
2,693 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 18, 2025
I think this book has a lot of great information for beginner travelers. Especially if you are new to points and miles. That being said, I also think intermediate and advanced travelers will likely gain something from reading this as well. If you love to travel, this should be on your TBR.
March 4, 2025
I was sooo excited for this book. everything I know about credit cards I learned from Brian Kelly and now everything I know about travel too
February 11, 2025
Tons of tips and tricks for any traveler, from novice to frequent flier! Yes, Brian is The Points Guy, but you don’t need to have (or plan on having) a ton of credit cards to play the points game to benefit from the info in here. If that’s what you’re looking for, there are in depth tutorials on travel credit cards, how to max out points, and also how to score great reward travel! Great info for solo and group travel, LGBTQ+ travel, traveling with kids, traveling with disabilities, dealing with delays and interruptions, how to combat jet lag, and travel etiquette.
February 18, 2025
This had some really great information that I will absolutely start taking advantage of, but it seems a tad on the unrealistic side for "regular" people like me. I'm not going to have 30 credit/preferred company cards and I'm not going to be flying all over the world dozens of times a year.
March 14, 2025
I read this book cover-to-cover and learned so much! Initially, I received an early eARC from Avid Reader Press via NetGalley (thank you!) and enjoyed it so much that I purchased a copy when it was published to highlight, underline, and tab all of the notes I took while reading the ARC. Trust me when I say this book contains insights to help you plan your next vacation! From demystifying the world of points and credit cards and helping you navigate airports like a pro to providing valuable information on what to do when emergencies happen while you travel, Brian covers a wide range of topics that every traveler may experience. He also writes from a relatable POV, so don’t worry if you aren’t carrying elite status on an airline, this book is for all travelers—even the infrequent ones.
If you love to travel, read this book. If you travel a lot for work, read this book. If you are not an experienced traveler, definitely read this book! If you know someone afraid of flying, get them to read this book (seriously, there is a whole chapter dedicated to fear of flying). Basically, if you want to become a smarter traveler and beat the travel industry at their insane pricing games, you need a copy of How to Win at Travel.
If you love to travel, read this book. If you travel a lot for work, read this book. If you are not an experienced traveler, definitely read this book! If you know someone afraid of flying, get them to read this book (seriously, there is a whole chapter dedicated to fear of flying). Basically, if you want to become a smarter traveler and beat the travel industry at their insane pricing games, you need a copy of How to Win at Travel.
February 7, 2025
as someone who feels like they can finally enter adulthood and make money, i thought it perfect time to learn a thing or two about maximizing points and being financially savvy and i lovedddd this book. i feel like i know so much now and am on my way to traveling the world while playing a fun game at a low cost. hit me up if you wanna learn a thing or two
April 6, 2025
This book is gold i really hope brian kelly writes more books in the future
January 24, 2025
I picked up this book because a travel influencer friend of mine was quoted in it. I've infrequently read TPG over the years and have been to all seven continents and more than 100 countries myself, so I wasn't certain if this book would be for me. That said, HOW TO WIN AT TRAVEL is a PHENOMENAL resource for *anyone* traveling, regardless of your circumstances or experience. I highlighted so many lines and tips in the book for myself to triple check that I was doing (or to start doing) and found myself getting even more excited for my next trip as a result. Kelly does a good job of catering to both the novice traveler and the advanced points hacker, there's something for everyone in this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
March 15, 2025
I consider myself quite savvy in the financial/life hacking space, but I definitely walked away with several strategies and tips to unlock more travel with less. Anyone who is looking for fresh ideas on better ways to plan travel, pay for travel, or actually travel should read this.
The most important point for me was to think about ways to maximize every dollar I spend in how many points/miles it could be accruing for maximum points. Areas where I use my debit card, could I use a different rewards card that specifically gives high rewards for that kind of purchase (for example). I made several changes that have already had an impact on my rewards.
The most important point for me was to think about ways to maximize every dollar I spend in how many points/miles it could be accruing for maximum points. Areas where I use my debit card, could I use a different rewards card that specifically gives high rewards for that kind of purchase (for example). I made several changes that have already had an impact on my rewards.
March 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this one via audio. for anyone who loves hotels, flying, and/or exploring, it’s a calming read. I learned concrete information, too, like partnerships between companies; best practices for communicating w/ airline & hotel staff; general ways of thinking about travel. imho the children & pregnancy chapter was way too long w/o a disabilities, race, and/or other similar chapter(s) of comparable length. those choices make this book How the Points Guy Wins at Travel rather than how anyone can Win at Travel. no matter- I really enjoyed learning how the points guy wins at travel.
April 16, 2025
My husband and I are asked frequently how we are able to fly business/first class on long distance flights using miles. This book has all the details on how to use credit card signup bonuses, how to find the lowest miles needed to book flights, and how to keep track of them. Beyond that, Brian Kelly, shares how to find travel perks, book flights, buy travel insurance, and much more - with plenty of online resources, bloggers, etc - including his website thepointsguy - We often use onemileatatime for information.
February 26, 2025
This is a must-read for every person who loves to travel. I consider myself a fairly experienced traveler, and I still learned so much from Brian’s stories. I love that he interviewed other experts in the space to ensure a diverse perspective is represented. Think it makes a great gift for any travelers, too!
March 25, 2025
Had some very helpful tips and things I downloaded for my future travels. I was a flight attendant for 10yrs before covid hit, so I skipped some chapters that didn’t pertain to me or what I already knew 😉
March 30, 2025
As a pretty well versed and avid traveler, I didn't know that I learned a ton from this but still enjoyed hearing from Brian. I imagine this is a collection of posts from the site, but nice to have it all in one place. #audio
February 23, 2025
My dad got me interested in credit card points about a year ago, and at that time I started reading a lot of posts from The Points Guy. I learned new things from the book and really enjoyed it!
March 28, 2025
For anyone wondering where I’ve been I’ve been reading 2 books.
February 24, 2025
A nice read of travel and points by Brian Kelly aka The Points Guy. This book was a good refresher on several travel tips that I’ve picked up over the years.
April 9, 2025
Good book for folks looking to hack their travel. I think that it provides plenty of beneficial tips on how to take advantage of miles and points while also addressing traveling best practices. Some of this content is definitely geared towards luxury traveling which i think is fine, but very rare for the average person. Regardless, a good �101� book
March 10, 2025
When I heard the author of How to Win at Travel speak about the book on a podcast, I added it to my list before the episode ended. My mind was blown by the tips he was sharing!
I have long been aware of author Brian Kelly and The Points Guy blog, which he founded many years ago. He’s known for mastering the complex world of travel points and rewards to earn the most value in return through free trips and other perks.
This book is so jam-packed with tips and tricks that I used two highlighters reading it! It covers everything from earning and redeeming points to getting travel upgrades and what to do when encountering travel problems, all from a pro who has mastered every element of travel. And he does not hold back!
That said, this is a book you need to commit to working on beyond the pages. Reading it is only the first step. You need not spend a lot of time to get value, but you do need to spend some time. In other words, it’s not “just� for gurus who dedicate their lives to points. Those who want to be lazy about points can still gain significant value from the book.
Read my full review with my favorite money-saving travel hacks:
I have long been aware of author Brian Kelly and The Points Guy blog, which he founded many years ago. He’s known for mastering the complex world of travel points and rewards to earn the most value in return through free trips and other perks.
This book is so jam-packed with tips and tricks that I used two highlighters reading it! It covers everything from earning and redeeming points to getting travel upgrades and what to do when encountering travel problems, all from a pro who has mastered every element of travel. And he does not hold back!
That said, this is a book you need to commit to working on beyond the pages. Reading it is only the first step. You need not spend a lot of time to get value, but you do need to spend some time. In other words, it’s not “just� for gurus who dedicate their lives to points. Those who want to be lazy about points can still gain significant value from the book.
Read my full review with my favorite money-saving travel hacks:
Read
March 24, 2025🎧 This was a very informative listen full of many travel tips and hacks that I certainly plan to incorporate into my future travels. I probably only retained about 50% of the info in this book, but definitely plan to buy a physical copy to refer back to as I’m planning trips in the future and trying to maximize my credit card points.
February 17, 2025
Incredibly US-centric with very little interesting material for readers not from, or based in, the States.
February 15, 2025
The Ultimate Travel & Finance Hack—A Must-Read for Everyone
The ROI on this book is truly limitless. As someone who already considers themselves a travel expert, well-versed in points, miles, and maximizing rewards, I wasn’t sure how much more I could learn. But How to Win at Travel completely exceeded my expectations.
Brian Kelly isn’t just a master at maximizing rewards and winning at travel—he’s also incredibly skilled at breaking down complex topics in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Travel hacking, elite status strategies, and personal finance tips can often feel overwhelming, but Brian presents everything in a clear, digestible, and engaging way. No jargon, no fluff—just straightforward, actionable advice that anyone can use.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to explore how to travel smarter, this book is packed with invaluable insights—how to earn and redeem points, protect yourself while traveling, maximize elite status, and much more.
But here’s what makes this book a must-buy: Even if you don’t travel often (or at all), there’s still so much value inside. Brian explains how to earn rewards on everyday purchases, optimize your spending, and take advantage of perks you may not even realize exist. This isn’t just a book about travel—it’s a book about making smarter financial decisions that will benefit you for life.
It’s a New York Times bestseller for a reason. I genuinely believe everyone should read this book—whether you want to travel better or simply make your money work harder for you. I own both the physical copy and the audiobook (narrated by Brian himself) because the insights are that good, and I want to revisit them again and again.
And now? This book has officially become my go-to gift for every occasion—Christmas, birthdays, weddings, you name it. The value packed into these pages is unmatched. If you want to unlock more from your travels, your money, and your life, this is the book to buy.
The ROI on this book is truly limitless. As someone who already considers themselves a travel expert, well-versed in points, miles, and maximizing rewards, I wasn’t sure how much more I could learn. But How to Win at Travel completely exceeded my expectations.
Brian Kelly isn’t just a master at maximizing rewards and winning at travel—he’s also incredibly skilled at breaking down complex topics in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Travel hacking, elite status strategies, and personal finance tips can often feel overwhelming, but Brian presents everything in a clear, digestible, and engaging way. No jargon, no fluff—just straightforward, actionable advice that anyone can use.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to explore how to travel smarter, this book is packed with invaluable insights—how to earn and redeem points, protect yourself while traveling, maximize elite status, and much more.
But here’s what makes this book a must-buy: Even if you don’t travel often (or at all), there’s still so much value inside. Brian explains how to earn rewards on everyday purchases, optimize your spending, and take advantage of perks you may not even realize exist. This isn’t just a book about travel—it’s a book about making smarter financial decisions that will benefit you for life.
It’s a New York Times bestseller for a reason. I genuinely believe everyone should read this book—whether you want to travel better or simply make your money work harder for you. I own both the physical copy and the audiobook (narrated by Brian himself) because the insights are that good, and I want to revisit them again and again.
And now? This book has officially become my go-to gift for every occasion—Christmas, birthdays, weddings, you name it. The value packed into these pages is unmatched. If you want to unlock more from your travels, your money, and your life, this is the book to buy.
January 22, 2025
read if you like:
✈️ travel
💳 credit card points
💵 deals!
summary:
This isn’t my typical book genre, but as someone who travels almost weekly for work and who loves to go on vacation, I thought I would check this out. It didn’t hurt that I follow @briankelly on Instagram and just love his content.
This book is a comprehensive guide that offers practical advice for travelers looking to maximize their experiences while minimizing costs. Brian, who founded The Points Guy, shares his insane knowledge on leveraging airline miles, hotel points, and credit card rewards to make travel more affordable and fun. The book covers a wide range of topics, including finding the cheapest flights, beating jet lag, and dealing with travel mishaps.
One of my favorite sections of the book focuses on weighing the trade-offs of various travel options. Kelly provides insights from his perspective as a gay man, discussing the dynamics in various countries and the things to watch out for. He also offers practical advice for travelers with different income levels. For those on a budget, he suggests ways to save on flights and accommodations using loyalty programs and credit card rewards. For those with more disposable income, he provides tips on splurging on luxury experiences without breaking the bank. One thing he talks about that was new to me was the concept of repositioning flights, which involves booking flights that take you to your desired destination but through a lower cost city. Even if you travel a lot, you can learn something from this!
Thanks to Avid Reader Press and Net Galley for the advanced copy! If you’re someone who loves to travel, check out this book when it releases on February 3!
✈️ travel
💳 credit card points
💵 deals!
summary:
This isn’t my typical book genre, but as someone who travels almost weekly for work and who loves to go on vacation, I thought I would check this out. It didn’t hurt that I follow @briankelly on Instagram and just love his content.
This book is a comprehensive guide that offers practical advice for travelers looking to maximize their experiences while minimizing costs. Brian, who founded The Points Guy, shares his insane knowledge on leveraging airline miles, hotel points, and credit card rewards to make travel more affordable and fun. The book covers a wide range of topics, including finding the cheapest flights, beating jet lag, and dealing with travel mishaps.
One of my favorite sections of the book focuses on weighing the trade-offs of various travel options. Kelly provides insights from his perspective as a gay man, discussing the dynamics in various countries and the things to watch out for. He also offers practical advice for travelers with different income levels. For those on a budget, he suggests ways to save on flights and accommodations using loyalty programs and credit card rewards. For those with more disposable income, he provides tips on splurging on luxury experiences without breaking the bank. One thing he talks about that was new to me was the concept of repositioning flights, which involves booking flights that take you to your desired destination but through a lower cost city. Even if you travel a lot, you can learn something from this!
Thanks to Avid Reader Press and Net Galley for the advanced copy! If you’re someone who loves to travel, check out this book when it releases on February 3!
January 17, 2025
In a time when blogging is no longer as popular as it once was, The Points Guy is still one of the few blogs that I read and reference - and it’s honestly one of the first results that pop up when I’m searching something travel-related. Ever see The Points Guy sticker on the side of a plane?
True to form, Brian Kelly’s How to Win at Travel is written in a conversational, straight-to-the-point tone. I enjoyed reading the origin story of how he figured out how to leverage credit card points and miles, and the chapters are comprehensive - it does feel like the author has tried to pass down as much of his wisdom and experience as he could. I think I may prefer the blog format since it is easy to do a quick search for information that you need and the details are broken up better. However, I think this book is more of an intro for someone who just wants to delve into the world of award traveling rather than a seasoned credit card churner.
Kelly does acknowledge that some of his advice may become outdated in the future, which is just the nature of traveling. I also appreciate that he mentions several time that traveling by season is pretty unpredictable with the changing climate - something we’ve often experienced on our travels.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are independently my own.
True to form, Brian Kelly’s How to Win at Travel is written in a conversational, straight-to-the-point tone. I enjoyed reading the origin story of how he figured out how to leverage credit card points and miles, and the chapters are comprehensive - it does feel like the author has tried to pass down as much of his wisdom and experience as he could. I think I may prefer the blog format since it is easy to do a quick search for information that you need and the details are broken up better. However, I think this book is more of an intro for someone who just wants to delve into the world of award traveling rather than a seasoned credit card churner.
Kelly does acknowledge that some of his advice may become outdated in the future, which is just the nature of traveling. I also appreciate that he mentions several time that traveling by season is pretty unpredictable with the changing climate - something we’ve often experienced on our travels.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are independently my own.
February 11, 2025
Travel math: when buying what you want and earning points basically gets you free flights 🤷🏻♂️🎉✈�
Yeah, okay, it’s a bit more complex than that, but thanks to the Points Daddy @briankelly himself, this book gives you the basics of everything you need to know on how to make points hacking work for you.
As someone who lives in a house that is obsessed with travel YouTube and planning the next holiday, I can’t say that there was a lot in here that I didn’t have some idea about, but there were definitely some handy tools that I wasn’t aware of to help with finding the best way to redeem these golden points.
I will say that a lot of the information here is directed at an American audience, which is to be expected as it is the market where you can earn points the easiest, but the principles are the same it’s just the vehicles that differ depending on where you’re based.
I know that I’ll definitely be using some of the information in this book to search and book my next points flights (especially after the points we’ll be earning on this next trip), but it’s important to know that while there’s a lot of talk here about getting business and first class seats for next to nothing, sometimes even a good economy redemption is the sweet spot for a little getaway 😎
Yeah, okay, it’s a bit more complex than that, but thanks to the Points Daddy @briankelly himself, this book gives you the basics of everything you need to know on how to make points hacking work for you.
As someone who lives in a house that is obsessed with travel YouTube and planning the next holiday, I can’t say that there was a lot in here that I didn’t have some idea about, but there were definitely some handy tools that I wasn’t aware of to help with finding the best way to redeem these golden points.
I will say that a lot of the information here is directed at an American audience, which is to be expected as it is the market where you can earn points the easiest, but the principles are the same it’s just the vehicles that differ depending on where you’re based.
I know that I’ll definitely be using some of the information in this book to search and book my next points flights (especially after the points we’ll be earning on this next trip), but it’s important to know that while there’s a lot of talk here about getting business and first class seats for next to nothing, sometimes even a good economy redemption is the sweet spot for a little getaway 😎
January 7, 2025
I loved this book so much that I read it all in 24 hours! I was hooked by Brian Kelly's story of how he became "The Points Guy" and how he ended up learning how to leverage points and miles in order to "hack" travel. As a teacher, I don't have a ton of disposable income to be able to make my travel dreams come true, but I do have a keen interest in credit cards and how I can use my everyday purchases to get points to live the influencer lifestyle that I dream of (don't we all...?).
In this book, he details how one can use credit card points for flights, hotels, transportation, and other fun experiences, and how to maximize everything you do with rewards.
I also enjoyed the story portions since it made it relatable, funny, and easy to read. I loved the sections on beating jet lag and fear of flying tips as well - since I do, actually, have a bit of a fear of flying at times despite being interested in travel and aviation in general.
This book really set itself apart from other books about points and traveling with the narrative and extras.
I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out to have on my shelf, and take with me when I travel!
In this book, he details how one can use credit card points for flights, hotels, transportation, and other fun experiences, and how to maximize everything you do with rewards.
I also enjoyed the story portions since it made it relatable, funny, and easy to read. I loved the sections on beating jet lag and fear of flying tips as well - since I do, actually, have a bit of a fear of flying at times despite being interested in travel and aviation in general.
This book really set itself apart from other books about points and traveling with the narrative and extras.
I will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out to have on my shelf, and take with me when I travel!
February 1, 2025
As someone who loves to travel but often feels overwhelmed by redeeming points: The Points Guy book was a game-changer. What I loved most is how the book broke down everything into manageable steps—whether I was learning how to choose the right credit cards, leveraging points for travel, or finding the best ways to use miles. Brian's anecdotes and examples made it feel like I was learning from a trusted travel expert who genuinely wanted to help people travel smarter.
The book covers a wide range of tips that go beyond just earning points. There is great advice on travel hacks, booking strategies, and navigating airline and hotel loyalty programs. I'd call this a must-read for those who are looking for an essential resource to travel more affordably.
The book covers a wide range of tips that go beyond just earning points. There is great advice on travel hacks, booking strategies, and navigating airline and hotel loyalty programs. I'd call this a must-read for those who are looking for an essential resource to travel more affordably.
March 26, 2025
Very Helpful
I’d rate myself as an intermediate traveler, so I wasn’t sure how helpful this book would be going in. However, I’m happy to say there was so many helpful tidbits in here and so many parts of the book I’ve highlighted so I can go back and refer to them later. The one thing I wish was addressed more was elite status for different airlines and hotels. He briefly went over the advantages but didn’t go into detail on how to best get that status. Lots of wonderful tips of international travel, racking up additional points, travel safety, travel rights, credit card benefits, and more.
I’d rate myself as an intermediate traveler, so I wasn’t sure how helpful this book would be going in. However, I’m happy to say there was so many helpful tidbits in here and so many parts of the book I’ve highlighted so I can go back and refer to them later. The one thing I wish was addressed more was elite status for different airlines and hotels. He briefly went over the advantages but didn’t go into detail on how to best get that status. Lots of wonderful tips of international travel, racking up additional points, travel safety, travel rights, credit card benefits, and more.
March 3, 2025
Good useful information about earning/spending points, booking the best flights, credit cards, and elite programs. Lots of details, and a bit of math for point valuation. In some ways, the book gave me homework to better understand which types of programs and credit cards I should use. Also - good overview of current tools.
Would be curious to hear whether new parents found those sections useful. This is not what I'm doing, so I eventually fast-forwarded through that. This book is best consumed in physical book form, which will permit you to leaf back and forth easily.
Would be curious to hear whether new parents found those sections useful. This is not what I'm doing, so I eventually fast-forwarded through that. This book is best consumed in physical book form, which will permit you to leaf back and forth easily.
March 5, 2025
The Points Guy finally put it all down on paper! An excellent resource for anyone interested in maximizing their travel and getting the most from credit card rewards. Kelly goes further than this, though, and offers many general travel insights and insider tips for any itinerary. This is a resource I will be referring back to often.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.
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