Traveling frequently without breaking the bank is possible when you make the most of points and miles. Over the years, I’ve learned enough to never fly economy on long haul flights. I may not be the most knowledgeable resource at remembering the ins and outs of different hacks and travel parternships, but here’s the simple way I approach this game.

Step 1: Sign Up for Credit Cards Strategically

One of the best ways to accumulate a lot of points quickly is by signing up for new credit cards when they offer generous welcome bonuses. I only sign up when I know I can comfortably meet the spending requirement, which isn’t usually a problem for a family of four. However, I always check the terms carefully since spending requirements can vary. You can also sign up for various newsletters from sources such as The Points Guy to stay in the loop.

Step 2: Stay on Top of Offers

Credit card offers can change frequently, so I make it a habit to keep an eye out for the best deals. I look for cards that align with my travel goals, whether it’s earning flexible points, airline miles, or hotel rewards. If a card has a high spending requirement that doesn’t fit my current budget, I’ll skip it and wait for a better opportunity.

Step 3: Use Travel Freely to Track Cards

Keeping track of multiple credit cards can get complicated. That’s where the app Travel Freely comes in handy. I use it to manage my cards, track spending goals, and monitor upcoming annual fees. This way, I never miss out on a bonus or forget to downgrade or cancel a card before the fee hits.

While some cards come with high annual fees, you can often downgrade them to a lower or no-fee version if the benefits no longer justify the cost. Personally, I rarely do this since I find that the extra perks and rewards from most of my cards make the membership fee worth it.

Step 4: Understand How Airline Partnerships Work

Knowing how airline alliances and partnerships work can significantly expand your options when booking flights. Major airline alliances, like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld, allow you to use points from one airline to book flights on a partner carrier.

One important tip: some airline websites make it much easier to find partner flights than others. I always research how to book through the specific airline I plan to use before transferring any points to ensure a smooth booking process. For instance, I love Air Canada’s website for booking partner airlines. It’s especially handy because I can transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Air Canada’s Aeroplan points and book Air Portugal without any hiccups.

It might sound confusing at first, but sites like PointsYeah will basically walk you through the transfers you need to make, helping you find the best options without the headache.

Step 5: Use PointsYeah to Find Flights

Finding award availability can be a headache, but I use PointsYeah to simplify the process. This website helps me search for flights across multiple airlines and even lets me compare different reward programs.

I often search for flights from major hubs, even if it means taking a positioning flight to get there. For instance, if I’m looking to fly to Lisbon, I’ll check flights out of New York and Boston since they often have more direct and cheaper award options. Once I find the best route, I’ll book the positioning flight separately if needed.

Step 6: Be Flexible with Your Route

Sometimes the easiest way to maximize points is by being flexible with your travel dates or departure cities. I’ll try a few different city combinations before committing to a flight. For example, even though I live in Texas, I might fly to New York or Boston first if it means saving a significant number of points on a long-haul flight.

Step 7: Keep Learning and Adapting

The points and miles game changes frequently as credit card offers come and go, and airlines tweak their award charts. I make it a point to stay informed by following travel blogs, forums, and keeping my favorite tracking apps updated.

Final Thoughts

Using points and miles effectively requires some planning and strategy, but it’s entirely worth it when you can travel for a fraction of the usual cost. By signing up for credit cards when the time is right, tracking offers diligently, and utilizing tools like Travel Freely and PointsYeah, I maximize my travel opportunities without the hassle.

Happy travels!