Episode 57: The Truth About Free Travel: What It Actually Costs

“Free travel” sounds amazing… but what if it’s not the full story?In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to travel using points and miles and why the word free can be misleading.After spending 23 nights in hotels for $0 out of pocket, Dr. Downes reflects on what made that possible and what it really cost her in return.Dr. Downes shares how she got started with points and miles and how this strategy helped her elevate not just how often she travels, but how well she travels. From leaving behind budget stays to prioritizing comfort, experiences, and quality time, this episode dives into what travel really means when your time is limited.But she also emphasizes something important:This game isn’t for everyone. If your finances aren’t in order or you’re carrying credit card debt, the costs can quickly outweigh the benefits.She breaks down the hidden costs that most people don’t talk about:The time investment it takes to learn and optimize the gameChange and cancellation fees that add up quicklyThe reality of paying for food, activities, and experiencesEveryday costs like transportationAnd the big one—credit card annual fees (yes, she spent nearly $6,000 in a year)If you’ve been curious about getting started or want to do it smarter, this episode will change how you think about travel.Find Dr. Courtney Downes here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/prescriptiontotravelmd/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@PrescriptiontoTravelMD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prescription to Travel MD- Doctor’s Lounge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/3717624291786190⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Free Credit Card Consultation Here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://prescriptiontotravelmd.com/credit-card-consultation-form⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinking of trying Rent the Runway? Use my referral code to get 50% off your first month.⁠https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/97a69a7ee29134c84069de3f62b0362e8f228252-payPerSwap-publicLink-1774374296424?utm_source=web&utm_medium=referral_share&utm_campaign=rtr_referral_program