If you’re new to the world of points and miles, it can feel confusing or intimidating. Many people worry about whether using credit cards will destroy their credit, how to choose the right cards, or how to actually maximize rewards for free travel. The good news? I’m here to simplify everything for you.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your strategy, earning points and miles is one of the best ways to turn your everyday purchases into amazing travel experiences for nearly FREE! In this post, I’ll guide you through the basics of how to make your everyday spending work for you and share my top recommended credit cards for earning valuable rewards.

The Basics: How Credit Card Rewards Work

Credit card rewards typically come in two forms: cash back or points/miles. While cash back is straightforward, points and miles can open the door to much more value, especially if you enjoy traveling. If you’ve been following me for a while or are new, I’ve received over $150,000 in nearly free travel since 2023 to some of my bucket list destinations, including Bali, Anguilla, Paris, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain.

Here’s how it works:

• Welcome bonuses: Many cards offer large sign-up bonuses when you meet a specific spending requirement in the first few months. You may have seen an offer similar to this “Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within three months“
• Earn points or miles for every dollar spent: Most cards offer a certain number of points or miles for every dollar you spend, with bonus categories offering extra points such as Dining, Travel, Gas etc.
• Redeem for free flights, hotel stays, or travel perks: These points can be redeemed for everything from flights and hotel stays to upgrades and exclusive travel experiences.

How to Choose the Right Credit Card for You

Choosing the right card depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. Here are a few things to consider:

• Travel vs. cash back: If you travel frequently, look for a flexible travel points card that can transfer points to various hotel and airline partners. If travel isn’t a priority, a straightforward cash-back card might be better suited for you.
• Bonus categories: Do you spend a lot on dining, groceries, gas, or travel? Choose a card that offers extra points in those spending categories.
• Annual fees: Many top travel cards come with annual fees but often include perks like free hotel nights, airport lounge access, and more. The fee may be worth it if you can take advantage of these benefits.

Will Using Credit Cards Hurt Your Credit?

A common concern is whether using credit cards will hurt your credit score. When used responsibly, credit cards can actually help improve your credit. Here’s how:

• Pay your balance in full each month: Avoid interest charges by paying off your balance in full, so you don’t carry debt.
• Keep your credit utilization low: Aim to keep your balances below 30% of your credit limit.
• Pay on time: Your payment history is one of the biggest factors in your credit score, so always pay on time, even if it is just the minimum payment

Maximizing Rewards with Everyday Spending

To really see the benefits of credit card rewards, you need to make everyday spending work for you. Here are a few tips:

• Use your credit card for everything: From groceries to utility bills, put as many purchases as possible on your card to maximize rewards.
• Take advantage of bonus categories: Choose cards that align with your biggest spending categories, like dining, travel, or gas.
• Stack your rewards: Use online shopping portals and apps to earn additional rewards in addition to what you’re already earning from your card.

Our Top Recommended Cards

Here are some of my top picks for credit cards that can help you maximize rewards for free travel:

1. Our Favorite Card for Beginners
   • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after meeting the minimum spending requirement.
   • Why we love this card: This card is the perfect entry into points and miles, as it is required to transfer points to various partners such as World of Hyatt, United Airlines, Marriott Bonvoy, FlyingBlue, etc. It also offers bonus points on dining, travel, streaming services, etc.
2. Best Card for Dining
   • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after meeting the initial spending requirement.
   • Why we love this card: Earn extra points on dining and groceries, making it ideal for food lovers and families who spend a lot on groceries each month.
3. Beginner-Friendly Premier Travel Card
   • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after meeting the spending requirement.
   • Why we love this card: This card is packed with travel perks and offers triple points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants. Plus, it has flexible points that transfer to several popular airline partners.
4. Best Card for Business Owners 
   • Welcome bonus: Limited Time Offer of 90,000 bonus points when you spend $6,000 in 3 months
   • Why we love this card: Ideal travel card with no annual fee; earns 1.5x points on all purchases, and offers 0% APR for the first 12 months.

Conclusion: Start Your Points & Miles journey NOW!

Once you start paying attention to how you’re spending and the rewards you’re earning, it becomes second nature to maximize your points and miles. Start with one or two cards that align with your spending, track your bonuses, and redeem your points strategically for maximum value.

Remember, it’s not about spending more—it’s about getting the most value out of what you already spend. If you’re ready to dive deeper into optimizing your credit card strategy, feel free to reach out for personalized recommendations or our Award Travel course! with LIMITED TIME OFFER!

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