Learn how to get started with points and miles and travel the world for nearly “FREE” using credit card rewards and loyalty programs.
If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling more for less, you’re in the right place. The world of points and miles is all about using credit cards and loyalty programs to earn rewards – aka points and miles – that you can use for travel. By being strategic with your everyday spending, especially on cards linked to airlines, cruise lines or hotels, you can stack up enough points to book flights, hotels, and more – sometimes for “free”, or at a huge discount.
I discovered the world of points and miles in summer 2021 and little did I know at that time how much it would change my whole world. Four years later, it not only has changed my life, it has impacted the life of my husband and my kids in a way I could have never imagined.
Hi, I’m Stacy from Stacy’s Travel points. I opened my very first travel credit card not having a plan or an idea on exactly what I was going to do with those first 100,000 points, but after I made that very first redemption in January of 2022, I was hooked and knew I could duplicate the earning of points and spending of them over and over and OVER again. Once I saw how far those points could take us, I knew I had to learn everything I could about this game – and I’ve been earning, redeeming, and helping others do the same ever since. If you want to find me outside of this blog, you can find me on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Facebook. I share real life tips and tricks within this points and miles world so you can maximize your value in your earning, redeeming in this life changing hobby. And if you want a more personal touch and a group to ask your questions and share your wins, I would love to see you join my private Facebook group.
What exactly is the points and miles world?
In a nutshell, it is the art of opening up travel credit cards, earning the points and miles associated with them and then using those points and miles to book travel, whether it is flights, cruises, hotels or etc. I say “art” because the people in this world have learned how to maximize their credit card spend and sign up bonuses to earn points and miles to use for that free or nearly free travel.
Some people call this a hobby and others call it a game. Whichever camp you fall into, there are those that are very serious about this space and have learned how squeeze out thousands and thousands of dollars worth of travel with as few points or miles they can. Personally, I have been able to book business class flights for 29,000 points and $450 in taxes and fees with a face value of $10,000 cash, had we spent full price on them. I’ve also been able to spend 35,000 points on a hotel room that would have cost me $1500 per night with no additional fees or costs out of pocket.
Would I have spent $10,000 for a flight or $1500 for one night in a hotel, Cash?! HECK NO! But, would I use the points and miles I earn and spend a little bit in cash to make these things happen for a serious fraction of the price. ABSOLUTELY!
A bit of “real talk” though. It’s not always that luxurious. I have booked some hotels that I would never recommend and we personally don’t always book first class or business class flights. I know there are some that do, or at least that’s all that they publish. I am just your average friendly neighbor who is obsessed with points and miles and the lifestyle of travel that it gives me. I’m not the bougie bougie girl who has to have everything “top shelf”.
THE BEST PART, of this hobby though, I am able to repeat this process over and over again by maximizing the use of my credit card spend and opening a few credit cards year after year. AND my credit score has only gone UP since I started.
But let’s find out if this “game” or “hobby” is right for you.
- Do you know your credit score? You want a credit score of 670+. If it is “poor”, let’s say 580 or below, go and work on your credit score and come back to us. No shame. Improve that score and I will see you soon 😉.
- Do you carry debt on your credit cards or do you pay them off monthly? If you pay them off, then this hobby may be for you, if not, work on that and come back to us. If you carry a balance, then the credit card fees that are associated with these travel credit cards – believe me they are EXORBITANT – offset the points and miles we earn. DON’T DO IT!! Trust me! Figure it out then come back to us. No worries, you can do it.
- How disciplined and organized are you with credit cards? Can you track your spend and the requirements for a sign on bonus and for future travel goals and the benefits of each of these cards? Yes? Then this hobby might be for you. After four years in this hobby, I’ve learned the more detail oriented about this hobby I get, the better redemptions and points earning I can do.
- What are your future financial commitments? Are you looking to buy a house or other major financial commitments? You may want to find out how opening credit cards may affect your purchase or ANY credit card. Speak to the professionals first.
If you have some deficiencies in the above areas, go figure them out. Don’t worry. This hobby has been around for decades before I got started (sadly, I wish I had known), so it will be here when you are ready to get started.
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We have established that you are ready for the worlds of points and miles, so what’s next?
You sign up for your very first credit card – that’s it. Ha ha If only it were that simple. Most people, however, start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. It is a $95 annual fee card and gives you access to an amazing world of transfer partners. Most people start within the Chase ecosystem because that bank has some of the most valuable transferable currencies out there, some of the best complimentary credit cards and they also have some of the hardest rules. It is one of the most well rounded and beginner friendly ecosystems to start in.
As you can imagine. This is just the start of your journey. This world is as simple or complex as you want it to be. The one thing I have learned over the last several years is that it has and can take you places and give you as much freedom in the travel world as your heart can imagine. Over the last 4 years we have saved nearly $137,000 in travel on flights and hotels alike. Never in my WILDEST dream did I ever think I would redeem points and miles for such an exorbitant amount.
I hope you keep coming back to learn more. Until next time .. Happy Travels!
This post was written by a guest contributor in collaboration with iCruiseApp Travel & Tours. While the author is not a travel agent, our travel agency is proud to support diverse voices and perspectives that inspire your next journey.
