Welcome to the world of points and miles—where luxury travel doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag, and family travel can actually be affordable. Whether you’re dreaming of a first-class flight to Paris or a week for your family at an all inclusive in Mexico, points and miles travel can make it happen for a fraction of the cost. But before you dive into the deep end, there are a few key things to understand.
Here are the top 10 things every beginner should know when getting started in points and miles travel:
1. Know Your Travel Goals First
Start with a destination in mind. Do you want to fly business class to Asia? Stay at luxury resorts in the Caribbean? Visit family more affordably? Your goals will shape the cards you apply for, the points you earn, and the programs you focus on. Without a goal, it’s easy to collect points that don’t align with how you want to travel.
2. Credit Is Queen
Your credit score is your most valuable tool in travel hacking. A score above 700 usually qualifies you for most premium cards. Check your credit report, pay your bills on time and in full. The benefits of points and miles travel are totally negated if you are paying interest or late fees to the creditors! Used responsibly, travel cards can boost your score over time by increasing your available credit, and decreasing your utilization ratio. If you are starting with zero credit card history, you may need to apply for a non-travel card first. Another way to establish a credit history is to ask a trusted family member or friend with excellent credit to add you as an authorized user to their oldest credit card. This will let you effectively “borrow” their credit history.
3. Not All Points Are Created Equal
There are transferable points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards), hotel points (like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors), and airline miles. Transferable points are the most valuable because of their flexibility. Learn the difference early to maximize your earning power.
4. Chase First, Then Amex
Many in the points game recommend starting with Chase cards because of their 5/24 rule—if you’ve opened 5 or more credit cards (of any kind – even that Banana Republic card for 10% off) in the past 24 months, Chase will deny you for most of their cards. In most cases, you should try to start with Chase cards before moving on to Amex or Citi.
5. Welcome Bonuses Are the Fast Track to Travel
Most of your points won’t come from everyday spending—they’ll come from the sign-up bonuses. These bonuses can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars in travel. Make sure you can meet the minimum spend requirements (usually in the first 3-6 months) without overspending.
6. Track Everything (Seriously)
Use a spreadsheet, app (like Travel Freely or CardPointers), or a notes system to track your cards, annual fees, minimum spend deadlines, and bonus categories. Staying organized prevents missed opportunities—and expensive mistakes.
7. Know Your Bonus Categories
Some cards give extra points for groceries, dining, travel, or gas. Use the right card for the right purchase to accelerate your earning. For example, the Amex Gold earns 4x points at grocery stores and restaurants, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel and dining.
8. Don’t Hoard Your Points
Points don’t always increase in value over time—in fact, airlines and hotels regularly devalue their programs. Once you’ve got enough for a trip you want, use them! Travel now, earn more later.
9. Learn Transfer Partners
Transferring points from credit card programs to airline and hotel partners can unlock incredible value. For instance, transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt can get you outsized value on hotel stays, while Amex points transferred to ANA can unlock round-trip business class to Asia for fewer points than other carriers.
10. Be Patient and Have Fun With It
Travel hacking isn’t instant gratification—it’s a strategy game. But with a little patience and planning, it can take you farther than you ever imagined. Join communities, read blogs, follow Instagram accounts (like @doctorpointsandpassports), and celebrate your wins—even the small ones.
Final Thoughts
Points and miles can seem overwhelming at first, but once you learn the basics, it becomes second nature. It’s like unlocking a superpower—one that can take you around the world in style, often for the price of a regular night out.
Have a question or want help picking your first card? DM me on Instagram @doctorpointsandpassports or send me an email. Let’s get you traveling in style!