Syllabus & Introduction
Course Syllabus and General Information
Excellent! You have taken the first step in making your dream trip come true. Before you begin the course, here are some things you need to know about how to navigate the course. Think of the course as a bookshelf with each unit being a book of information on the shelf. Each book is important to master because they lay the foundation of a travel point earning strategist. Let's get started with some basic information about how to successfully navigate the course.
A Little About Me...
My name is Ana Marie. My family and I have traveled to many of our bucket list destinations over the last three years. Before then, I didn't know the value of points and how to use them strategically. Most of the resources in the market tell you what you need to do, but they don't build you from the ground up. I am here to do just that. I created this course for the people that need the foundation to get started and the wings to fly on their own.
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Course Summary
The goal of this course is to help you plan your vacation on credit card points through the use of a travel plan. Each unit represents core competencies of a travel point earning strategist. The units are self-paced, so there is no rush to finish fast unless you want to. We will reference just a few credit cards and reward programs available in the market as basic reference points, but there are so many more out there. Although programs do vary, some of the basic concepts are similar.
Course Outline
The course is broken down into five units. Take your time with each unit, because this is not a race. The better you work on your foundation the more success you will have for a lifetime.
- In the first unit you will create a vision board and the first draft of your travel plan draft to narrow your focus on a destination.
- Units two and three are about personal development, revising your travel plan draft accordingly, and begin to understand travel point earning strategies.
- In the fourth unit, you will learn more about reward programs and ways to efficiently earn points over time. You will also begin your research with information currently in the market for your trip.
- In the last unit, you will apply what you learned and finalize your action plan. You will also learn ways to collaborate with others through the Facebook social media group for questions beyond the class.
Course Units
Introduction: Course overview and information about how to successfully navigate the course.
Unit One: Jump-start your creativity with a vision board and travel plan rough draft.
Unit Two: Learn about credit scores, your current credit score, and free credit repair services.
Unit Three: Learn about budgeting tools that help you earn travel points.
Unit Four: Research and apply expert tips to your travel plan.
Unit Five: Connect with social media and revised your final travel plan.
Unit One: Jump-start your creativity with a vision board and travel plan rough draft.
Unit Two: Learn about credit scores, your current credit score, and free credit repair services.
Unit Three: Learn about budgeting tools that help you earn travel points.
Unit Four: Research and apply expert tips to your travel plan.
Unit Five: Connect with social media and revised your final travel plan.
The last two options in the course units drop down menu bar are for reference purposes.
Course Questions & Answers: Common course questions and answers.
Course Survey: Let us know how we are doing and what we can do to improve?
Course Survey: Let us know how we are doing and what we can do to improve?
Required Reading
The eBook Family Travel on Points: 5 Day Plan To Improve Your Finances While Earning Travel Points is included with your course fee. Click on the PDF file to download. You can also purchase a hard copy by clicking on "Buy Now" to the right of the book cover.
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Important Questions and Topics
How do the Toolbox units work?
Units two and three are called toolbox units, because they are core strengths of a travel point earning strategist, but may not be necessary for all students to take. For example, if you already have great score and keep up to date with a credit monitoring service, you can skip that unit and still be successful in the course.
What is self-paced course?
This course was created to fit a variety of lifestyles. Self-paced means that you can start and stop at any time. One student can start one day, while another student can start another day. Everyone has their own timeline to complete the course based on their schedules and how fast they want to complete the course.
How does the travel plan work?
Throughout the entire course, you are going to build upon your travel plan in each unit as it applies to your specific circumstance. In the first unit you are going to brainstorm and define your destination goal. Once you have a goal in mind you will continually revise your plan in each unit until you complete a final action plan for your perfect trip. Here is an information graph to help you visualize the travel plan expectation.
Can I pause the course?
Always! Everyone’s journey is different, and every student has a unique personal finance circumstance. Some students may need to pause the course to work on a specific area such as credit repair, while others can skip sections they have already mastered.
Unrealistic versus Realistic Expectations
Travel "hacking" is not a travel agency that customizes to your needs. You have to adjust to the "deals" in the industry. Sometimes you have to be flexible, change planes, find alternative methods to get there, fly red eye flights, take a bus or train, and be open to driving to different airports. The more flexible you are with your travel, the less you will pay. Once you are a travel point earning strategist, last minute deals may be possible, but are never best. Even the most experienced travel hackers book well in advance.
Unrealistic
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Realistic
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Good Rule of Thumb
A good rule of thumb is to think outside the box. While the travel industry may surprise you with specials during holidays or high peak times, those unbelievable deals are not common and very limited. Want to travel for the Memorial day weekend? Take at least 3-4 days off prior to or after the holiday is over to avoid high peak times and of course book in advance. For example, leave Tuesday or Wednesday prior to or after the holiday. This allows you to take less vacation time off and still take advantage of the holiday.
Netiquette (Facebook Group Communication)
This course is a safe place for all types of students. Everyone is expected to engage in discussions with other students in a respectful manner. We are all here to learn and improve our lives. Please contact me if you have questions about the online community ground rule. Appropriate online communication includes:
- Develop and Share Ideas Related to the Course
- Ask Meaningful Questions Related to the Course
- Contribute and Receive Respectful Feedback
- Share Your Experiences Relevant to the Course
- No Advertisements, Personal Services, or Promotions Unless Approved by the Instructor.
Access and Accomodation
The experience of every student is important to me. This course was designed to be all inclusive. However, if you have a reasonable accommodation request the course does not offer, please contact me with your specific needs.
How can I contact the instructor?
You can reach me by using the form in the Contact page of this website. Please visit the Questions &Answers section before submitting a question. Your question may have already been answered.
Good Luck!
I wish every student the best of luck as they embark on this life changing course. Once you understand the principles, the rest is easy. You are left to travel to any destination of your choice. You should be thrilled!