Travel is expensive.

No surprise there.

But what might surprise you is how many people miss out on a much cheaper way to take the exact same trips.

There is a simple 3 step method anyone can use to cut travel costs by 90 percent or more. This works whether you want to fly business class to Europe or relax at a five star hotel for the price of a budget stay.

Here is how to use it.

Step 1: Earn the Right Kind of Points

Not all points are created equal.

A lot of people earn cashback or bank specific points without realizing those currencies rarely unlock luxury travel.

What you want are transferable points. These come from cards that let you move your points to airline and hotel partners. This gives you far more value than using a cash portal or redeeming for statement credits.

The best ones to focus on are Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.

A little planning goes a long way. If you pick a few cards that earn these currencies, you set yourself up to save a lot of money on every trip.

Step 2: Earn Enough Points for the Trip You Want

You do not need millions of points to take amazing trips.

You just need enough points based on the trip you want. Here is an example.

If you are flying from San Francisco to Paris, the cash price in business class might run you 5,000 to 6,000 dollars round trip. Sometimes more.

But with transferable points, you can book the same route for a fraction of the cost.

You might find business class space for around 60,000 points each way.

You might find economy seats for around 30,000 points each way.

Either way, you can use the same money you already spend in your day to day life to earn the points you need.

No extra spending. You just shift the spending you already do onto the right cards.

Step 3: Redeem Using Partner Airlines and Hotels

This is where the real magic happens.

When most people book travel with credit card points, they go through the bank portal. This is almost always the least valuable option.

The best deals come from transferring points to airline or hotel partners, then booking directly through that program.

If the flight to Paris is 5,000 dollars in cash, you could transfer 60,000 points to a partner airline and book the exact same seat for just the taxes. That is how you unlock 90 percent savings.

The same goes for hotels. Luxury properties that cost 700 dollars a night might charge just 20,000 to 30,000 points a night.

Once you learn how to transfer points and book with partners, doors start opening everywhere.

Luxury travel does not need to be expensive.

It just requires knowing the right steps.

Follow this method and your next trip can cost far less than you think.

Talk soon,

Your Maestro Concierge

Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are only the author’s and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity.