Haven't you ever wanted to just pack your bags and go travel? You read stories of budget adventurers who leave their 9 to 5 jobs behind for a life on the road, roughing out odd chores for dinner and a place to stay for the night. Or perhaps you dream of embarking on a luxurious Caribbean cruise, or multi-city tour around Europe. However, you worry that you don't have the resources to simply indulge in the vacation of your dreams.

What if we tell you that you can take that trip to Venice, Japan, or Harry Potter Land! And you can fly there for free.

Want to know how?

Your credit card could be your ticket to your next vacation. It's a matter of proper planning and knowing which type of travel credit cards can take you there. There are Metrobank, BPI and BDO credit cards that cater to the budding jet-setter, for example, BDO's Cathay Pacific American Express, BPI's Delta SkyMiles Classic Card, and Metrobank's World MasterCard allows cardholders to collect or be exchanged to flyer points.

Simply use your credit card like you normally would, and earn points while doing so. Charge everything to your card (but make sure to pay it off immediately or before the deadline). Collect enough points and you may just have your plane ticket for free.

We've compiled a list of credit cards in the Philippines to get you those flyer perks:

How to earn points: Earn 1 Asia Mile for every ₱42.00 spent

Minimum points to fly: 10,000

Partner Airlines: Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, British Airways, Qantas Airways, and Qatar Airways

How to earn points: Receive 1 mile for every ₱45.00

Minimum points to fly: 10,000

Partner Airlines: Delta Airways, Thai AirAsia, Jetstar, Skymark Airlines and more

How to earn points: Earn 1 point for every ₱20.00 you spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Etihad Airways, All Nippon Airways, Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Autrian, Aviance Brazil, Avianca-TACA, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Vistara, Dragonair, British Airways, Qantas Airways, and Qatar Airways

How to earn points: Earn one Fly Point for every ₱200.00 spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500

Partner Airlines: Cebu Pacific

How to earn points: Earn 1 Premier Mile for every P40.00 spent

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Aer Lingus, Air China, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Finnair, Gulf Air, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Mexicana Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, S7 Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Adria Airways, Aegean, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Blue 1, British Midland International, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS International Airlines,  TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, Delta Air Lines, Aeroflot Russian Airlines,  AeroMexico, Avianca, AirEuropa, Air France, GOL, Hawaiian Airlines, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Olympic Air, Kenya Airways, V Australia, Korean Air, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines, Etihad, Airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Eva Air, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Aerolineas Argentinas, Middle East Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, China Airlines, Xiamen Air, Alitalia, MAS Wings, Sri Lankan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Firefly

How to earn points: Earn one Mabuhay Mile for every ₱33 spent

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Etihad Airways, and All Nippon Airways

How to earn points: Earn 1 point for every P25 spend

Minimum points to fly: 3,500 for local flights, 9,500 for international flights

Partner Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Etihad Airways, and All Nippon Airways

Points are not only limited to travel. Citibank's Premiere Miles credit card also allows you to exchange points for accommodation at Hilton and Intercontinental hotel brands.

What are you waiting for? Start planning and earning your dream vacation today.

Didn't find what you're looking for? iMoney helps you pick through various credit cards for travel that matches your needs.

Whenever one mentions the word Bicol, the usual things we associate with this region of the Philippines are Mount Mayon, Pili nuts and of course Bicol express. And in terms of tourist destinations, the Bicol region was usually overshadowed by its more popular neighbors like the beaches of Batangas and Puerto Galera, the world renowned tourist hotspot Boracay or other scenic destinations in the Palawan area.

But of course the Bicolanos would argue that their home province can also provide a one-of-a-kind experience for tourist, travelers and vacationers who may want to try to visit some the region's amazing offerings. Here are five amazing spots people can visit and enjoy whenever they are in area or would want to visit sometime in the future.

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CAMSUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX

Camsur Watersports Complex is a watersports park that caters to water sports enthusiast, specifically those interested in wakeboarding, wakeskating and waterskiing. The complex features amenities such as a 6-point cable ski system that provides guests with a facility to freely practice any of the water sports that the park is famous for. Thre are also restaurants, sand bars, spas, pro-shops and grandstands that cater to the other needs of its guests.

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CARAMOAN

Caramoan is a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur and has a population of about 70,000. The province has experience moderate increase in tourism in recent years due to the majestic scenes offered by the various beaches scattered throughout the peninsula. The province has been featured in numerous news shows, local television programs and in the movies.

Since then, foreigners and tourists have started going to Caramoan. Popular destination in the Caramoan peninsula include the Caramoan National Park and Gota beach where people enjoy activities like diving, snorkeling and spelunking.

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DONSOL, SORSOGON

The municipality of Donsol in Sorsogon was once unknown to the world and was merely described as a simple and unassuming fishing village in the province. But it all changed when people were made aware that the area is a sanctuary for whale sharks. Although locals were already aware of the presence of whale sharks in their area for the longest time, they misconception about these animals as dangerous has led the people to stray away from these creatures.

It was only when an amateur video of a group of SCUBA divers were passed on to the media showing their interaction with the whale sharks did the people started to change their way of thinking. After that, the municipality of Donsol, started attracting tourists from all over the world for the same whale shark interaction experience that the diver group had. And since then Donsol has been synonymous with whale sharks or "butanding" and has become one of the most known tourist destinations in the Philippines earning the distinction as the "Whale shark capital of the world".

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KAWA-KAWA NATURAL PARK

Another amazing tourist spot in Bicol is the Kawa-Kawa Natural Park in Tuburan, Ligao city. It is one of the most well-known local tourist spots in Bicol especially during the Lenten season. This is because the park features 14 life-sized statues of the 14 stations of the cross in which Christian believers go to to renew their faith every year.

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MISIBIS BAY

And finally, there's Misibis Bay, a luxury resort along the southern tip of Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay. This 5-hectare property offers luxury accommodations that include 37 luxurious Asian-inspired villas with high end interiors that feature various luxury amenities. Of course all these luxury come with a price - with room rates starting at over $400 a night, Misibis bay isn't exactly an affordable option. But for those with money to splurge, this resort offers possibly the best accommodation in the area.

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So there you have it guys! Take your pick among the best locations in Bicol. If you have other suggestions, please do leave them in the comment box below. You might also want to add TFL on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus or better yet subscribe using their RSS feeds for more Filipino lifestyle stories about fashion, beauty, tech and gadgets, food and of course travel. Till next time!

In line with the country’s celebration of its 114^th year of independence, the TFL team has decided to feature posts that show the very best of Filipino living. From Pinoy made gadgets and apps, best travel locations in the Philippines, traditional Filipino cuisine and fashion and beauty tips fit for the average Juan, TFL will be featuring them this entire week.

For the gadgets and technology section of TFL, we’ll be featuring Pinoy made apps that are currently available for download in various mobile platforms. If you own an iPhone, an Android, a Blackberry or a Windows phone do check out some of these apps.

Apple iOS

The Filipino News – created by the people of Pinoyhaus.com, the Filipino News app brings you the latest information on current events and top stories currently happening in the Philippines. It includes news from sources like GMA, ABS-CBN, Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Asian Journal, Business Mirror, Business World and PEP.ph.

The app costs $0.99 on the Apple App store.

Who Am I??? – This app was created by Marek Foss and is the digital version of the popular segment in Eat Bulaga – Pinoy Henyo. The app was designed to be used by 2 to 4 people and makes use of the device’s screen to project a word or group of words that other players can guess by asking questions answerable by yes, no or maybe.

This app is currently free for download on the Apple App store.

My Travel Philippines – is a comprehensive mobile travel guide to the Philippines. It was created by 2RMobile and features images and descriptions of various attractions and hotels in the country. It also has mobile hotel booking functionality and can serve as a map by using your device’s GPS transceiver. And just like the Who Am I??? App this is totally free.

Google Android

Sweldong Pinoy – sweldong pinoy was created by Jomar Tigcal. It is a salary calculator for Filipinos to help them in computing their gross and net income. It also calculates the amount of withholding tax, SSS/GSIS, Philhealth and PAG-IBIG contributions.

Computations of the deductions are based on computation tables for each agency so you can be sure that it’s quite accurate. And again, it’s totally free.

Pinoy Food Recipe (created by Renz Cacas) – This is simply a digital recipe book.  The app provides recipes as well as images of Filipino recipes and serves as a beginner’s guide to Pinoy cooking.

SM Malls Maps and Directories – created by All Filipino Apps, this application serve as a guide to a Filipino culture shopping staple – SM. It’s also a free app on Google Play.

RIM Blackberry

PH Weather – is a Playbook app that features current weather conditions in the Philippines. It displays current as well as seven-day forecasts in different locations in the country, with satellite images mostly covering locations in the Philippines, Taiwan and other neighboring south east Asian countries.

The app showcases animated images and supports zooming, panning and pinch-to-zoom. It’s free for download on the BlackBerry App World and was developed by Matang Rolly.

Dama – created by John Bibal III, Dama is another Playbook app inspired by the Pinoy version of checkers of the same name. The app features and 8x8 board that simulates the actual board game plus two playable modes, the typical dama game and perdigana.

Again, it’s free on BlackBerry’s App world.

Philippines Mass Schedules – created by Raymond Balingit, this app as the name implies, collects all mass schedules available in highly urbanized cities and nearby locations from the website of Philippine mass schedules (www.mass-schedules.com) and downloads it to the local database of your device.

Again it’s free for download on BB’s App World.

Microsoft Windows Phone

ABS-CBN – Windows phone users are not so lucky in the apps department compared to the other mobile platforms in the market. Being the newcomer in the group, the Windows Phone Market place only has a couple of thousand apps compared to that of iOS and Android.

In terms of Pinoy apps available for download, there is only a handful apps you can choose from. One of them is ABS-CBN’s app that aggregates all relevant content in the field of business, sports, lifestyle and entertainment. The app s relatively new, barely a month old, so expect a few bugs and crashes when you download it.

And there you have it. Just do note that the apps mentioned in this post is not extensive and that there are still a number of Pinoy apps (especially in the Android Market and Apple App Store) that you can choose from. So if you’re feeling the Independence Day spirit, feel free to download these apps for your phone and tablets.