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Prepare for an unforgettable journey through Bulgaria, a land with extraordinary diversity. Picture yourself wandering through cobblestone streets, surrounded by picturesque towns like Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, where centuries-old architecture and traditions come to life. Discover Sofia, the vibrant capital nestled at the base of the majestic Vitosha Mountain. This modern city is the gateway to Bulgaria’s wonders.
Immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s landscapes, from the breathtaking Rila and Pirin Mountains, to the awe-inspiring rock formations of the Belogradchik Rocks. Explore hundreds of lakes, including the enchanting Seven Rila Lakes, and immerse yourself in a wine-making tradition that spans centuries, sipping world-class wines in picturesque vineyards.
Sink your toes into golden sands along the Black Sea coast, and rejuvenate in natural mineral springs scattered across the country.
Indulge in Bulgaria’s culinary delights, savoring banitsa pastries, succulent kebabs, and world-class wines in rustic taverns.
Bulgaria’s affordability, warm hospitality, and diverse experiences make it an undiscovered gem in Europe. Prepare to be captivated by Bulgaria’s unique charm and make memories that will last a lifetime.
While we haven’t yet had the chance to thoroughly explore the optimal routes or accommodations to Bulgaria, we’re happy to help!
With just a little more information we can help design a plan that will get your adventure started.
Lost in a sea of lavender fields, where the fragrant purple blooms paint the countryside with their soothing beauty
Explore the enchanting streets of downtown Sofia
Discover the timeless charm of Lovech, where history whispers through cobblestone streets
Embrace the natural wonders of Pirin National Park, where pristine landscapes and breathtaking mountains take center stage
Enjoy the coastal wonders of Sozopol, where the sea offers endless beauty and relaxation
Marvel at the impressive Belogradchik Fortress, where history stands tall amidst the rugged Bulgarian landscape
If you want to keep things as simple as possible then we suggest applying for the American Airlines or United Airlines cards.
On the other hand, if you enjoy researching and are a bargain hunter like we are, then jumping into Chase Ultimate Rewards is the way to go.
To give you an example of how powerful Chase Ultimate Rewards points are, you could take the tag team approach where both spouses apply for cards. Doing so would mean you can end up 620,000+ Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That is the same as adding $6,200 in cash into your bank account or having $7,750 if used through the Chase Travel Portal or even more value if transferred into an airline or hotel program.
American Airlines connects major U.S. cities to destinations across the globe. It is also part of the Oneworld Alliance, which means you can use American Airlines points to book flights with partner airlines, expanding your choices and routes.
American Airlines also has partnerships with several credit card companies, offering credit cards with benefits like bonus points, priority boarding, and lounge access, enhancing your overall travel experience.
American Airlines does add on additional fuel charges, but even with this charge the simplicity of being able to travel from anywhere in the U.S. to most major cities makes it a top choice.
First, make an American Airlines account. It is free to make on their website.
Next, start searching for tickets. Remember to try different departure or arrival times to find tickets for lower points. We would highly recommend researching different cities to fly into since this could affect the amount of fuel surcharges they add to the price of your ticket.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
United Airlines has an extensive global network, providing access to numerous destinations worldwide. As a member of the Star Alliance, United allows you to use points to book flights with other member airlines, offering expanded options and flexibility when planning your travels.
United has partnerships with credit card companies, offering credit cards with benefits like bonus miles, priority boarding, and lounge access. These partnerships can add additional value for frequent travelers, making it more enticing to accumulate and use United points.
MileagePlus members enjoy various perks, including priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, and access to United Club lounges. These benefits can contribute to a more enjoyable and convenient travel experience.
First, make a United Airlines account. It is free to make on their website.
Next, now that you have an account, begin searching for tickets. Try different departure or arrival times since this can result in finding tickets for lower points. Depending on your circumstances, research flying in or out of different cities since this could also open up better options.
Flying to certain destinations could cost more points than your initial bonus, depending on the time of year you are traveling. If one card is not enough, we recommend applying for another card at least 30 days after receiving the first card. The easiest route would be getting the United Explorer Card followed by the United Gateway Card. This will allow you to have 90,000+ points while only needing to spend $4,000.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
Chase is not tied to one specific airline but is in fact partners with 11 different airlines.
However, even though this is usually the most flexible option, it is also the one that takes most amount of time and effort to organize. If you’re willing to invest the time, these cards offer the widest range of options to earn points for free travel.
We would begin with the first card on the list below, Chase Sapphire Preferred, since it provides you a good amount of points and the initial spend is possible for most. If you have a business, which can be anything as simple as selling things on eBay from time to time, you can apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card. The points of all of these cards can be combined into one of your Preferred cards. This will allow you the most flexibility. Important reminder: In order to transfer into an airline or hotel you must move your points into one of your Chase Preferred cards.
There are two basic ways to use these points. The first way to use your Chase points is to move points from your Chase account to an airline where you may have found cheap rewards tickets. For example, in your research you find tickets on a partner airline. Once you are ready to purchase the tickets you can transfer the points from your Chase Ultimate Rewards account into that airline’s account. Important reminder: once you transfer points into a partner program, you can’t transfer them back to Chase.
The other way is by using the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal to search for flights. It works in a similar way to searching for tickets on Expedia. How much are the points worth? As an example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 when used to buy tickets through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
If you want to keep things as simple as possible then we suggest applying for the American Airlines or United Airlines cards.
On the other hand, if you enjoy researching and are a bargain hunter like we are, then jumping into Chase Ultimate Rewards is the way to go.
To give you an example of how powerful Chase Ultimate Rewards points are, you could take the tag team approach where both spouses apply for cards. Doing so would mean you can end up 620,000+ Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That is the same as adding $6,200 in cash into your bank account or having $7,750 if used through the Chase Travel Portal or even more value if transferred into an airline or hotel program.
♦ Important Reminder: In order to transfer into an airline or hotel you must move your points into one of your Chase Preferred cards.
Chase is not tied to one specific hotel but is in fact partners with 3 different hotels Marriott, IHG and also Hyatt. This makes Chase Ultimate Rewards the most flexible and powerful option. That being said, it will take a bit of time and effort to research. If you’re willing to invest the time, these cards offer the widest range of options to earn free nights in Bulgaria.
We would begin with the first card on the list below, Chase Sapphire Preferred, since it provides you a good amount of points and the initial spend is possible for most. If you have a business, which can be anything as simple as selling things on eBay from time to time, you can apply for the Chase Ink Business Preferred card. The points of all of these cards can be combined into one of your Preferred cards. This will allow you the most flexibility.
There are two basic ways to use these points. The first is by using the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal to search for hotels. It works in a similar way to searching for tickets on Expedia. How much are the points worth? As an example, 100,000 points are worth $1,250 when used to buy tickets through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
The other way to use your Chase points is to move points from your Chase account to Marriott, IHG or Hyatt hotel where you may have found cheap nights. For example, in your research you find hotel nights in Paris at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile for 21,000 points a night. When you are ready to book transfer 21,000 points from your Chase Ultimate Rewards account to your Hyatt account. Important: once you transfer points into a partner program, you can’t transfer them back to Chase.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
There are 2 Marriott hotels in Bulgaria.
Marriott Bonvoy points are highly advantageous for travelers due to their versatility and extensive benefits.
The price per night averages 40,000 points a night. This means one credit card alone can get you several nights at a hotel.
Marriott Bonvoy’s absence of blackout dates ensures flexibility in travel planning, while the consistent quality and service standards across their properties instill confidence in travelers. The program’s multiple earning sources, allow you to easily accumulate points.
To start collecting Marriott Bonvoy points, begin by signing up for a Marriott Bonvoy account on their website. One of the quickest ways to earn points is by getting a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, which often offers sign-up bonuses and point-earning opportunities for everyday spending.
Moreover, Marriott Bonvoy allows you to transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards and airline loyalty programs like United Airlines, providing further opportunities to boost your point balance.
To keep your points active and prevent them from expiring, ensure there’s some account activity at least once every 24 months, which can be as simple as earning or redeeming points on any of your credit cards.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
There are 2 Hilton Hotels in Bulgaria.
We found Hilton to be particularly advantageous due to its easy-to-accumulate points system and the ability to share and combine points from multiple individuals.
If you and your spouse apply for Hilton credit cards, you can maximize your earning potential by pooling your points into a single account. By utilizing this two-person strategy, you can consolidate all your points and have a significant balance at your disposal.
Another significant advantage of the Hilton program is the ability to pool points from up to 10 different people. This feature allows you to gather points not only from your spouse but also from family or friends that may be feeling generous. In fact, you can combine up to 2 million points per year, making it easier than ever to accumulate a substantial number of points.
Hilton credit cards also offer a convenient way to accumulate points for travel rewards. With various cards available, you can earn points through everyday purchases, hotel stays, and travel expenses. Redeem these points for complimentary stays, upgrades, and more within the Hilton Honors program.
The initial step involves creating a Hilton Honors account through their website.
Cards: (click on the links to apply)
The Clever Tourists recommend Chase Ultimate Rewards as the most versatile choice thanks to its partnerships with 3 hotels, providing a wide range of possibilities.
Marriott Hotels are the runner-up recommendation, with Marriott Bonvoy points providing diverse benefits like free nights, elite status perks, and the option to transfer points to airlines.
Hilton Hotels is also another top choice for its easy-to-accumulate points system and the option to pool points from multiple individuals, making it convenient for couples and groups.
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