10 Essential Tips for Beginners in Points & Miles
10 Essential Tips for Beginners in Points & Miles
Whether you're just starting your credit hacking journey or already mastering the art of stacking welcome bonuses, this guide has something for you. Credit hacking is a game-changer when it comes to making the most of your everyday spending. By strategically using credit cards, you can earn free flights, luxury hotel stays, and even business-class international travel—all without spending extra money. If you’re new to points and miles, here are the 10 most important lessons to help you start strong.
1️⃣ Always Be Earning (ABE) – Every Dollar Counts
If you’re not earning points or miles on every purchase, you’re leaving money on the table. Every swipe of your card should be earning rewards, whether it’s a simple grocery run or booking a family vacation.
The key is to always have a credit card that’s working toward a welcome bonus or maximizing rewards in key spending categories like dining, travel, gas, and groceries. If you’re using a debit card or a basic credit card that only earns 1 point per dollar, it’s time to upgrade your strategy and start earning 10-20X more per dollar spent.
2️⃣ The Power of Welcome Bonuses – The Fastest Way to Earn Points
Most people think earning travel rewards happens slowly over time—but that’s not true! The biggest points and miles come from welcome bonuses, not everyday spending.
A typical rewards credit card earns 1-3 points per dollar, but a single welcome bonus can be worth 60,000–150,000 points in one shot. This can be worth $750 to $2,000 in free travel if used correctly.
To get these bonuses, you’ll need to hit the minimum spend requirement, which is usually something like “spend $4,000 in 3 months.” You should only apply for new cards when you know you can meet the requirement using your normal expenses, not by spending extra money.
Redeemed my points for a business class seat from HNL ✈️ NRT on my recent trip to Japan!
3️⃣ Earn in Flexible Points, Not Just Airline Miles
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is collecting points in a single airline or hotel program instead of earning flexible points that can be used across multiple travel partners.
Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points allow you to transfer your points to different airlines and hotels, giving you more booking options and better redemption rates.
For example, instead of being locked into only earning Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus, you can transfer Chase or Amex points to the airline offering the best award deal at the time you book. Flexibility is key to getting maximum value from your points. With Southwest Airlines removing free bags and Wanna Get Away fares, it’s now even more beneficial to earn transferable points rather than being stuck with a ton of Southwest miles!
4️⃣ The 5/24 Rule is Real – Plan Your Applications Carefully
Chase has some of the best travel credit cards, but they have a strict rule: If you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months, they will automatically deny your application for a new card—no matter your credit score.
Since Chase cards are some of the most valuable for beginners (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Ink Business Preferred), you should prioritize them before opening too many cards with other banks.
This rule is why it’s important to be strategic about your applications. Don’t rush into getting cards randomly—instead, follow a plan to maximize your approvals.
5️⃣ Never Carry a Balance – Pay in Full Every Month
Points and miles are only valuable if you’re not paying interest on your credit cards. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the costs will quickly outweigh any rewards you earn.
To make sure you never pay interest, always pay your statement balance in full every month. The best way to do this is to set up autopay for the full amount, so you never risk missing a payment.
Credit card companies make money from people who carry balances—but we’re here to play the game differently. Earn the rewards, but never pay them a dime in interest!
6️⃣ Learn How to Redeem Wisely (Cash Back vs. Travel)
Not all redemptions offer the same value. Many beginners make the mistake of cashing out their points for gift cards or statement credits, but this often cuts their value in half.
For example, 60,000 Chase points redeemed for cash back will only give you $600. But if you transfer them to a travel partner like United Airlines or Hyatt, those same points could be worth $1,200 to $2,000 in flights or hotels.
The best redemptions are usually airline miles for flights, hotel points for stays, and premium travel experiences—not low-value options like gift cards or merchandise.
Our view from the Prince Park Tokyo tower, booked with Chase points.
7️⃣ Don’t Get Stuck in One Loyalty Program – Stay Flexible
Loyalty programs are designed to keep you locked in, but true travel hackers know that flexibility is key.
Instead of being loyal to one airline or hotel brand, be open to using multiple programs and earning transferable bank points. Airlines and hotels change their award pricing all the time, so sticking to just one brand could mean overpaying when better deals are available elsewhere.
For example, instead of always using Delta SkyMiles, you might find that transferring Amex points to Air France Flying Blue gets you the same Delta flight for fewer points. Keeping your options open will help you get the best deals every time.
8️⃣ Use Shopping Portals & Dining Programs for Extra Points
Earning points isn’t just about credit card spending—there are ways to boost your earnings without spending extra money.
Many airlines and credit card programs have shopping portals where you can earn extra points just for clicking through their site before making a purchase.
For example:
If you shop at Nike.com, you can go through the United MileagePlus shopping portal and earn 3-5 extra miles per dollar spent.
Dining programs let you register your credit card and earn extra points when dining at participating restaurants.
Stacking these bonus opportunities with your normal spending helps accelerate your points earnings without extra effort.
9️⃣ Think About Business Cards – Even If You Don’t Own a Business
Business credit cards offer huge welcome bonuses and don’t count against Chase’s 5/24 rule. Many people qualify for business cards without even realizing it.
If you’ve ever sold anything on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Etsy, or done freelance work, you may be eligible. Business cards don’t require a registered business—a sole proprietorship (using your name and Social Security number) often qualifies.
Adding business cards to your strategy can double the points you earn, opening up even more free travel opportunities.
🔟 Be Patient & Stay Consistent – This is a Long Game
Earning points and miles isn’t an overnight win—it’s a long-term strategy.
The people who travel for free in first class didn’t do it by accident. They followed a system—applying for the right cards, meeting the minimum spends, and using their points wisely.
In 12-15 months, you can earn 400,000+ points—enough for business class flights, luxury hotels, or even an entire family vacation for free. The key is to stay consistent and keep moving forward in the strategy.
Want to Take This to the Next Level?
If you’re ready to fast-track your rewards journey, join my FREE Accelerated Client Program, where I will personally guide you through:
✅ Choosing the right credit cards at the right time
✅ Mapping out a strategy based on your travel goals
✅ Maximizing every dollar you spend for free flights and hotels
✅ Keeping track of deadlines, offers, and redemptions
✅ Avoid getting the wrong credit cards & increase your approval odds with banks
Spots are limited! Apply now and let’s start earning your first free vacation together.
