We talk a lot at Daily Drop about how to use points — which cards to get, when to redeem, and how to squeeze every. last. drop. of value out of your stash.
But sometimes, the smartest move is actually to… not use points at all. 😱
I recently spent three nights in Bend, Oregon, with my husband and our 4.5-month-old husky/malamute puppy, Lumi (yes, it did kind of suck traveling with an insane puppy, thanks for checking on me 🫠) — and I paid for everything with my credit card.
No points, no miles, just vibes.
Here’s why that was the move, and how the trip ended up being the perfect dog-friendly road trip adventure.
Tumalo Falls — Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Why I Skipped the Points
I had just opened the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and needed to hit the minimum spend to earn the welcome bonus (which is $900Bonus Points… on a no annual fee card. 🤯)
We didn’t plan the trip because I got the card — I got the card because we were planning the trip. Between the hotel, food, and all our “we-deserve-this” gelato stops, I knew we’d get closer to the SUB naturally, without any forced spending.
💡 Pro Tip: I don’t have a massive business on the side, I just have a small side hustle selling old clothes on Poshmark. You might be surprised that you qualify for a business card too!
Best Cards to Earn Toward a Welcome Bonus
If you’re planning a trip too and want your spending to actually do something for you, here are a few cards that can help you hit a welcome offer and build a strong points balance along the way:
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — earn a solid welcome bonus and transfer them 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like Hyatt or United, or book flights directly through the Chase Travel℠ portal for flexible redemption options.
Chase Freedom Unlimited® — a great everyday earner that gets you 1.5x points on most purchases and higher rates on dining and travel booked through Chase, perfect for building points while you work toward your next bonus.
Ink Business Unlimited — Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. and 1.5x points on everything; simple, flat-rate earning makes it easy to hit your goal without overthinking categories.
American Express® Gold Card — ideal for food lovers, earning 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after that) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x after that); those points can be transferred to Amex airline partners or saved for your next big trip abroad.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — earn 2x miles on every purchase and use them to cover travel expenses like hotels, flights, or even gas (or EV charging) for your next road trip.
Bend, OR Road Trip Total
Before I get into the itinerary, let’s take a look at the total spend for the trip. Honestly, not too bad for a fun getaway for two people and a pup!
Category | Amount |
|---|---|
Hotel (3 nights) | $563.37 |
Food & Drinks | $393.76 |
Activities & Parking | $17.00 |
EV Charging | $76.13 |
Total | $1,050.26 |
That’s $1,050 closer to my Ink Business Unlimited minimum spend, and every dollar earned me 1.5x points along the way.
⭐️ Travel tip: My husband and I each put a small amount of cash into a shared “travel account” each month. We basically consider it one of our monthly bills. And when we travel, we just take money from there to pay for it. 10/10 would recommend for anyone else who likes to get away! In girl math, that’s free money when it comes time to pay for vacay. 💅
Why It Worked For Us
This trip was proof that cash spending can still be strategic:
I earned Chase Ultimate Rewards points on everything
I knocked out a big chunk of my minimum spend organically
I didn’t waste valuable points on a mid-tier redemption
I know I mentioned “mid-tier redemption,” but the best redemption is one that gets you on the trip you’re dying to go on! Don’t always stress the value. As long as you feel good about the trip and you have the points or miles, book that bad boy!
Where We Stayed: Wall Street Suites
Our home base was Wall Street Suites, a small boutique hotel that’s basically a dog paradise disguised as a motor lodge.
Cost: $563.37 (3 nights)
Dog-friendliness: Off the charts. They even have a fenced-in dog park that’s part of the property. Lumi approved.
EV charging: Free, which made my little electric car very happy after all our hiking drives.
The rooms were huge, with kitchenettes and cozy couches; basically an Airbnb vibe without the Airbnb anxiety. Plus, Pioneer Park was right across the street, perfect for puppy sniff walks.
🐶 Dog-Friendly Pick: Wall Street Suites nailed the pet-friendly experience. No weird rules, just happy tails all around. In the room was a dog bed, food and water bowls, a blanket to throw over the couch, dog treats, and local dog-friendly recommendations.
Our Weekend Itinerary for Bend, Oregon
Day One
We rolled into Bend around 4:30 p.m. and immediately took Lumi for a spin through Pioneer Park (she gave it 10/10 sniffs).
Then it was time to toast our arrival — and no more driving for the day — at Silver Moon Brewing Company ($11.50 for two beers) and grab dinner from the Tablas Mobile Cuisine food truck parked outside ($33).
Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Naturally, we capped it off with Bonta Gelato downtown ($13.22), because vacation calories don’t count. 😉
Day 1 Total: ~$58
Day Two
Breakfast at Bo’s Bagels ($23.60), aka the breakfast spot of Bend. We loved it so much we went every single morning — zero regrets.
Then it was off to Tumalo Falls for a short hike (free, thanks to a broken pay machine. Shoutout to good luck). We stopped in for lunch at Valentine’s Deli ($33) before heading up to Smith Rock State Park ($12 parking) for those jaw-dropping canyon views.
Smith Rock State Park — Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Pre-dinner beers at Monkless Belgian Ales ($14.16) hit the spot, and honestly, we earned it after TWO hikes in one day.
We re-fueled with dinner at Spork ($60) where we met up with an old friend. And of course, we ended the night the only way we know how — with more Bonta Gelato ($13.22).
Day 2 Total: ~$155
Day Three
Back to Bo’s for breakfast ($21.24) — it’s basically a tradition at this point — plus a Starbucks run ($7.50) before hitting the Ray Atkeson Trail at Sparks Lake ($5 parking).
This was our favorite hike by far. It looked like a Bob Ross painting. Clouds. Reflections. Zero people. 10/10 serenity.
Sparks Lake — Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Then we explored the Trail of the Molten Land, filled with dramatic lava formations and panoramic views of the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor (free entry thanks to the government shutdown).
We stopped by The Last Blockbuster because how could we not? It’s quirky, nostalgic, and gloriously analog. (We didn’t rent anything because… no VCR or DVD player. Next time, maybe.)
Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Lunch at McMenamins Pub at Old St. Francis School ($32.15), where we watched people stroll around in robes and realized there’s a soaking pool on site. Wild.
Afternoon beers at Bend Brewing Company ($17.25) where Lumi passed out in her puppy backpack mid-beer. Iconic. Then we capped off the night with glizzies at Bangers & Brews ($52.68).
Day 3 Total: ~$137
Day Four
One last Bo’s run ($21.44) and Starbucks ($7.50) before hitting the road.
Bo’s is seriously that good — Photo by Alison Carrico / Daily Drop
Total EV charging from Sacramento and back: $76.13. And hotel charging was free, which felt like winning the travel lottery with all the driving we were doing.
Traveling With a Puppy
We brought a dog backpack, which was maybe our best purchase ever. Lumi’s still a baby (a very big baby), so when she got tired mid-hike, she just hitched a ride.
She came everywhere with us (yes, even into Blockbuster), and Bend made it easy. Most restaurants and breweries welcomed dogs, and plenty of trails were pup-approved.
And in case you’re wondering, “okay, but where are the puppy-in-a-backpack pictures??” well, here’s your treat for making it to the very end:
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Final Thoughts
Not every trip has to be a redemption. Sometimes, paying cash now sets you up for more points later.
If you’re working toward a bonus, a domestic getaway like Bend is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and responsible swiping.
Points are power, but strategy is everything. Don’t be afraid to swipe when it serves the bigger picture.
