Stacking Deals: The Secret Travel Hacking Strategy to Maximize Every Dollar
What if I told you there’s a strategy that lets you double, triple, or even quadruple the value of your everyday purchases—without spending a dime more? Welcome to the world of stacking deals, a travel hacker's ultimate secret to unlocking massive savings, luxury travel upgrades, and serious cashback.
If you’re serious about getting the most value from your purchases, mastering the art of stacking is essential. In the world of travel hacking, stacking means combining multiple promotions, discounts, and rewards to maximize value and save serious money.
This isn’t just about clipping a coupon — it’s about knowing where the deals are hiding and how to layer them like a pro.
In this post, I’ll walk you through real-life examples and proven techniques I’ve personally used to save hundreds (and sometimes thousands) on travel — and how you can do the same.
Ready to start? Download my free Beginner’s Travel Hacking Guide to get a step-by-step roadmap on turning points into paradise.
What Is Stacking?
Stacking means combining multiple rewards or savings strategies on a single purchase to maximize value. It’s how you take a regular purchase and squeeze out every bit of value from it. Instead of earning points or cashback in one way, you layer them: credit card rewards + shopping portals + discounts + targeted offers = magic.
For example:
Booking a hotel using a discounted gift card
Going through a shopping portal to earn cash back
Paying with a credit card that offers bonus points
Adding a promo code for extra savings
Each of these steps adds another layer of savings or rewards. When done right, you can dramatically reduce your out-of-pocket costs and earn valuable points or cash back.
It’s like building a multi-layered cake of savings—and the results are delicious.
Stacking Example: A $100 Online Purchase
Here’s how a simple purchase turns into a points powerhouse:
Step 1: Shopping Portal – Click through Rakuten to earn 5% cashback or 5x Amex Membership Rewards points.
Step 2: Credit Card Bonus – Use a card that earns 2x at online retailers for 200 points.
Step 3: Bank Offer – Activate a Chase or Amex Offer like “Spend $50, get $10 back.”
Result: You spend $100, get $10 back, and earn 700 points (worth ~$14). That’s $24 in value on a $100 purchase—all from stacking.
Best Tool for Stacking: CardPointers
CardPointers is my secret weapon. It tracks all your credit card offers across Amex, Chase, and Citi and shows you which card to use for each purchase.
It even allows you to add the same Amex Offer to multiple cards—something the Amex website doesn’t let you do!
Plus, it pops up while you’re shopping to alert you of active offers. For example, when I visit BlueApron.com, it reminds me which card has an offer so I never miss out.
🎯 Exclusive Offer: Get 30% off CardPointers Annual or Lifetime Plan
Check out my YouTube video below where I walk you through CardPointers step by step!
Your Stacking Toolkit
1. Use Shopping Portals
Always click through portals before buying online. Top choices include:
Use CashbackMonitor to compare current portal rates.
2. Choose the Right Credit Card
Maximize rewards with category bonuses:
Chase Freedom Flex: 5x on rotating categories
Amex Gold: 4x at restaurants
Ink Business Cash: 5x at office supply stores
If you’re working on a welcome bonus, prioritize that card—those points can be worth 10-20x.
Go HERE if you are ready to sign up for a new credit card
3. Activate Targeted Offers
Check your Amex Offers, Chase Offers, and Citi Merchant Offers regularly. CardPointers makes this super easy to manage and track.
4. Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Use Raise.com to buy gift cards at a discount, then shop through a portal for double-stack rewards. You’ll also earn $5 in Raise Cash with my link!
5. Use Bank Travel Portals and Transfer Points
Transfer points from Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Citi to airline or hotel partners for outsized value. Watch for limited-time transfer bonuses to boost your rewards.
6. Promo Codes & Coupons
Check sites like RetailMeNot, Slickdeals, or the brand’s newsletter
Don’t forget mobile apps often have exclusive codes!
Real-Life Stacking Examples
Blue Apron Meal Kit
Paid with Amex Blue Business Plus (2x points)
Amex Offer: Spend $50, get $25 back
Rakuten portal: 5,000 Amex points
Result: Paid $50, earned ~$102 worth of points and got a week of meals. A money-maker!
PetSmart Pet Food
Bought $100 gift card via Raise for $92
Used Rakuten for 20x = 2,000 points
PetsMart AutoShip: $20 off + $10 in Treat Rewards
Result: $92 out-of-pocket for $128 in food + rewards + 2,184 points.
GoCity Barcelona Pass
Original price: €378 for 2 passes
Sale: €40 off
Email code: €34 off
AAdvantage Shopping Portal: 304 miles earned
Final price: €304, plus miles and 74 euros saved!
Pro Tips for Smarter Stacking
Plan Ahead: Know what you’re buying, then plan your stack.
Track Everything: Use CardPointers to monitor and activate offers.
Double-Check Terms: Make sure portals and promo codes can be used together.
Stack While Meeting Sign-Up Bonuses: Supercharge your rewards by stacking while working on a new credit card welcome offer.
Final Thoughts: Start Stacking, Start Traveling
Stacking transforms everyday spending into rewards, savings, and unforgettable travel. It’s the #1 way I’ve supercharged my points without increasing my budget.
➡️ Want to dive deeper? Download my Beginner’s Guide to Travel Hacking for free.
➡️ Grab CardPointers with 30% off and automate your stacking strategy.
➡️ Sign up for Rakuten and Raise to get your first cashback and gift card discounts today.
