Harlan Vaughn

Harlan Vaughn, lead editor, brings over a decade of experience to the credit cards and travel rewards team at Forbes Advisor. His deep understanding of credit cards fuels his passion for travel strategies.

With millions of points and miles redeemed for travel, Harlan has used credit card rewards to visit incredible destinations including Iceland, Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand and Chile. Now, as a dad of three, he’s committed to helping others maximize their credit card rewards and benefits, with a background in writing and editing for distinguished points and miles websites.

Harlan also is interested in personal finance, investing and financial independence. When he’s not digging into those topics or earning rewards with a portfolio of nearly 40 active credit cards, you can find him hiking, enjoying live music or traveling with his family.

Harlan is currently based in Memphis, Tennessee, and continues to empower readers to create their own memorable adventures around the round using credit cards and travel rewards.

Expertise

• Credit card rewards and benefits
• Travel award bookings
• Stacking deals to save money
• Family travel

Achievements

• Over a decade covering credit cards, points, miles and travel for several esteemed publications
• Presenting introductions to points and miles for beginners at conferences and special events
• Hosted a series of popular points meetups in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
• Dozens of incredible once-in-a-lifetime trips all over the world

Other Publications

• The Southwest credit card offers can help you earn the Companion Pass, one of the best deals in travel — but timing is important
• Use these 3 Amex cards to earn maximum rewards points for every purchase you make
• I Grew Up Poor and Learned Financial Literacy Late. Now, I’m Investing for my Children and Teaching Them to Become Millionaires
• 18 Things Everyone Should Know About Airline Miles
• New net worth high, at 60% of goal, and the march to $300K invested – July 2023 Freedom update
• These Are the 7 Chase Credit Cards I Have and Why – Harlan (And How I Use Each One)

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Studio Art, Columbia College Chicago