7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Points and Miles
By Suzi Barrett | Posted: Feb. 7, 2025
My first two years in the points and miles game? Total facepalm. I was doing everything wrong. If I could go back in time and give my newbie self some advice, here's what I'd whisper:
1. Earning Multipliers
I used to be a points-hoarder, slowly accumulating rewards on one card for a single trip. Talk about slow travel!
Now I know the secret — a few strategically chosen cards can get you globetrotting way faster and way more luxuriously. Think 10 times the points in less than half the time!
I went from a basic Aruba trip for two after a year of earning to an 8-day extravaganza for six (flights, hotels, and a cruise!) in just six months. The magic? Earning multipliers!
Most cards offer bonus rewards in specific spending categories. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3 times the points for dining. That means, if you dine out and use that card to buy a $50 meal, you’ll earn 150 points.
Chase Ink Business Preferred earns 3 times on internet and phone bills. By just automating those payments on this card, you’re earning 3 times the points on autopilot month after month. Earn more points for the same spend by understanding your cards!
Do your research and find the cards that reward your spending habits. Chase Sapphire for dining, Amex Blue for gas and groceries, Chase Ink Business for utilities, and Capital One Venture for everything else — that's my winning combo.
You can also shop through your bank’s shopping portal to earn more points! Each bank has a “shopping portal” you will see when you’re logged into your account. By simply accessing the website through your bank’s portal, you can exponentially acquire points with the exact same purchase.
Instead of going to Walmart.com, go to your Chase portal and go to Walmart.com from there! Yesterday, I went through the Chase shopping portal to Walmart.com and earned 5 times the points on the exact same purchase!
2. Player 2
I used to think being a stay-at-home mom meant no credit cards for me. Wrong!
You apply for a card with your household income if you’re married! Or if you have adult children who live with you, same thing! Household income.
Plus, having two cardholders is a game-changer. Double the sign-up bonuses and a built-in referral buddy means more points!
My husband and I went from one free trip a year using points to planning adventures for our entire family of six every four months!
For our trip to San Diego, we each snagged a Southwest Rapid Rewards personal card (referral bonuses, baby!). Two months later, hubby got Capital One Venture for the rental car, and I got an IHG Traveler card for the hotel. Total cost for flights? $68 (taxes only). Hotel? Free. Rental car? Free. We saved over $3,500 in just four months!
3. Credit Age
Banks aren't giving away free flights to just anyone. Opening and closing cards willy-nilly? They'll notice.
The key is to keep about half your accounts open long-term. Call and ask about waiving annual fees or downgrading to free cards.
Free cards are great for building credit, while paid cards unlock those sweet rewards. A good credit age (the average age of your accounts) is crucial, so don't close everything after a year! For more tips, check out these tips from Experian.
4. Upgrades
Always ask for upgrades! Hotel room? Plane seat? A little kindness goes a long way.
On that San Diego trip, we scored a free hotel room upgrade (worth $350!) just by being polite and asking at check-in!
For flights, check for upgrades online after booking, or ask at check-in. It's not guaranteed, but it's worth a shot!
5. Card-Specific Offers
Many cards have hidden perks. Remember when my husband and I got Southwest cards? We could have gotten a Companion Pass (fly one person free). Ugh. We missed out! Don't be like us. Free hotel nights are another common perk. My IHG card got us a free night in San Diego! Do your homework and know your card's powers.
6. Business Cards
You can qualify for a business card even if you're just selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace! Seriously! Use your social security number instead of an EIN and boom – a whole new world of cards opens up. Business cards often have better perks (lounge access, bigger bonuses) and don't count towards Chase's 5/24 rule (a limit on how many Chase cards you can get).
7. Redemption Multipliers: Maximize Your Spending
Just like earning multipliers, you can maximize how you use your points. Inside your account, your bank values your points more. Truth be told, your bank’s portal is not the best way to save on flights and hotels, but it can save big on car rentals and cruises and sometimes can save you when you’re in a bind!
Instead of booking my Hertz rental car directly, I used the Capital One portal. There, my points were worth 1.25 cents each, compared to just 1 cent each on the Hertz website. The Capital One portal price was $80 cheaper for the same car at the same company, and my points stretched 25% further!
I know I said booking hotels through the portal isn’t the best redemption, but sometimes, portal deals are even better than anywhere else. On a last-minute Grand Canyon trip, I snagged a hotel for $160 a night when it was either sold out or $260 everywhere else!
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