How can I make a staycation special using a travel card?

Most people get a travel card because they want to vacation across the world or United States. The dream is to rack up bonus miles and escape the mundane. But did you know that a travel credit card is good for more than just travel expenses?

Enter the staycation: an inexpensive way to escape from your daily life without the hassle of planning a big trip. When you use your travel rewards card from Discover for your mini-break purchases, you can collect and redeem Discover Miles without ever leaving home.

Collect Discover Miles with these staycation ideas

A travel rewards card from Discover® lets you earn rewards on all your credit card purchases, whether they’re related to travel or not. Then you can redeem your Miles later for things like cash or a travel statement credit.²

Here are some fun ways to earn rewards during your staycation:

1. Play an arcade or arena game
   Laser tag, mini golf, trampolines, roller skating, bowling—let your inner child free and have some fun. When you use your Miles credit card to pay for admission, rental equipment, and snacks, you’re stockpiling rewards to use later.
2. Make mealtime exciting
   You could try that new restaurant and earn rewards with your Discover it® Miles credit card. Or, if you’re watching your spending, make your kitchen “vacation meal central.” Find some unusual recipes online and have fun shopping for the ingredients. The groceries you purchase with your travel credit card also earn Miles. And getting the family together to make an unusual meal will be almost as fun as eating it.
3. Catch a live event
   Sporting events, musical performances, festival or fair, live theater, comedy or stand-up…you might be surprised by the entertainment options within driving distance from your home. Purchase your tickets with your travel credit card to earn Miles during your staycation.
4. Visit a museum, aquarium, or zoo
   Use your Discover credit card to buy tickets, snacks, and gift shop items commemorate your staycation, and earn Miles with every purchase.
5. Change your surroundings
   Use your rewards to transform your home. Candles, throw pillows, new bedding, or even funky lampshades or tchotchkes, can make your home feel out-of-the-ordinary.

Five fantastic ways to redeem your Miles on staycation

Miles are a great way to have vacation-style fun on a budget at home. Just use your Discover it® Miles card to turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.²

1. Get a hotel room or home rental
   Stay at a vacation rental, hotel room, bed and breakfast, or other unique lodging to make it feel like you’re far away from home. Stay on the other side of town, or someplace that has amenities (steam shower and sauna, anyone?) that you don’t have at your place. Pay for your lodging with your Discover it® Miles Card and then redeem you Miles. However you redeem, Miles have the same value.²
2. Rent a “splurge” car
   If you don’t usually drive, or if you want a unique car for your staycation, rent a vehicle to make getting around your hometown feel special. (Plus, you can redeem Miles for the rental AND for gas.)
3. (or) Take a break from driving altogether
   Rideshares, commuter transportation, car rental, taxis…there are many ways to get around your own town that are eligible travel expenses.
4. Outfit your retreat from Amazon.com or using PayPal
   With the Miles you’ve accumulated on your Discover Card, you can order items for a spa day, game night, craft-a-thon, or anything else. 100 Miles equals $1 to spend³ at Amazon.com⁴ checkout and with PayPal⁵.
5. Take out cash for spontaneous fun
   Feel like going with the flow? Redeem Miles for cash.² You can deposit the rewards from your Miles card into your bank account, and you can use them for expenses that come up as you enjoy your staycation.

Fun ways to staycation for free

Sometimes not spending any money at all can be the ultimate reward! If you decide not to use your travel card to earn or redeem rewards, you can try these free activities instead.

1. Camp out (or in!)
   You don’t need fancy gear, bug repellant, or even a backyard to go camping. You can build a pillow fort, stream nature sounds on your smart home device, and cook up some classic camping food. Suddenly the indoors becomes an outdoors adventure.
2. Hold a cook-off
   Can your family to make meals with ONLY the ingredients that you already have? Peanut butter and pasta? Ketchup and lettuce? Who knows what (hopefully) edible creations you cook up.
3. Toss your schedule
   One of the best things about vacation is the break from normal. Your staycation can do the same! Sleep in, turn off your devices, have breakfast for dinner—see what kind of fun you can have when you take a break from your routines.
4. Become a tourist in your own neighborhood
   Instead of your favorite parks, walking routes, and places, consider switching it up. Who knows what you’ll encounter if you take the long way home.
5. Give back
   Whether you donate unused items to local charities or get involved with volunteer activities in your community, your staycation can be the perfect time to connect with organizations in your area.

If you’re ready for a vacation without the hassle of coordinating schedules and planning a trip, a staycation is an excellent choice. And you don’t have to sacrifice your ability to earn and redeem travel rewards just because you stay home. The Discover it® Miles credit card gives you flexibility with no annual fee. So you can enjoy time away without having to go away.