How to Start Using Points and Miles for Travel: Beginner Guide

I used to think travel like this was out of reach…

Now I’ve been to 46 countries and most of those trips were booked using points.

Flights, hotels, even luxury stays I never would’ve paid cash for.

I’ve used points to book everything from quick domestic trips to international business class flights and luxury hotels.

Using points and miles for travel can really change how you see the world, making trips cheaper and more attainable.

If you’ve ever wondered how people travel like that… this is exactly how it works 👇

What Are Points and Miles and How Do They Work?

Points and miles are rewards you rack up through spending or loyalty programs. Airlines typically give you miles, while credit cards and hotels usually offer points. You can use both for flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and a bunch of other travel perks.

How to Earn Points and Miles Fast

There are several ways to accumulate points and miles:

• Credit card spending: Many travel credit cards offer sign up bonuses and points for everyday purchases.

• Flying: Booking flights with an airline or its partners earns miles.

• Hotel stays: Loyalty programs reward frequent guests with points.

• Shopping portals: Some airlines and credit cards have online shopping portals that give extra points.

• Promotions: Keep an eye out for limited-time offers that boost your earnings.

  
  

The fastest way I earn points is through credit card welcome bonuses.

Instead of earning a few points at a time, I can earn 60,000–100,000 points from one card. That is often enough for two international flights or multiple hotel nights.

This approach has helped me rack up a million points a year for several years now.

Best Credit Cards for Travel (Beginner Friendly)

I like to prioritize flexible points. Flexible points and miles are awesome because you can transfer them to lots of different partners. I love collecting Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles since they’re super easy to transfer and use. Flexible points allow you to transfer to find the best deals.

What Are Transfer Partners and Why They Matter

Transfer partners are where the magic happens.

Instead of booking travel directly through your credit card portal, you can transfer your points to airline or hotel programs and often get way more value.

This is how people book business class flights for a fraction of the cost.

Every bank collaborates with several transfer partners.

Here are a few examples:

Chase transfers to United and Hyatt

Citi transfers to American Airlines

Amex transfers to Delta, Flying Blue, Hilton, and Marriott

Capital One transfers to Turkish, Flying Blue, and Virgin Atlantic.

Redeeming Points and Miles

Technically there’s no wrong way to use points but some ways are way more valuable than others.

For example, using points for gift cards usually gives you less value than using them for flights or hotels.

But in the end it's all about how YOU want to use them. I like to use my points and miles to help cut down travel costs.

Here are some ideas of ways you can use your points:

• Flights: whether you're into luxury travel or just want to snag as many flights as you can with the least amount of points

• Hotels: Whether you're dreaming of a luxury getaway or just want to cover your stay at a more budget friendly spot.

• Mix points and cash: Maybe you don't have enough points to cover both hotels and flights. You could cover what you can with points and pay cash for the rest. This is a great option that makes travel more affordable.

  
  

Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to points and miles, start simple:

• Sign up for one or two travel credit cards with good rewards.

• Join loyalty programs for airlines and hotels you use most.

• Track your points with apps or spreadsheets. ( I like Travel Freely!)

• Use points for flights or hotel stays you already planned.

• Learn about transfer partners and award charts gradually.

  
  

Final Thoughts on Traveling with Points and Miles

Traveling with points and miles opens up opportunities to explore anywhere in the world. It allows you to cut down on costs which makes travel more affordable. When you learn how to earn and redeem points you can start travelling more often, more luxurious, and turn your dream trip into reality.

If you want help figuring out which cards to open or how to actually book a trip with points, I offer 1:1 calls where I walk you through everything step-by-step.

You can DM me on Instagram @liltravler.