FAQ

Credit card points and miles are rewards earned through spending on certain travel-friendly credit cards. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and even cash back. Airlines and hotel chains also have loyalty programs where you earn miles or points based on your travel activity.

💡 Tip: The best way to maximize value is by redeeming points for travel rather than cash back, as this usually provides a higher return per point.

The best credit card depends on your spending habits and travel goals, but here are great options for beginners:

• My Favourite Beginner Card – A flexible travel card with valuable points and no foreign transaction fees.
• Capital One Venture Rewards – Easy-to-use miles with a solid welcome bonus.
• Citi Strata Card – Great for those who spend a lot on dining and groceries.

💡 Tip: Look for a card with a high sign-up bonus, reasonable annual fees, and flexible redemption options.

To get the most out of your points, follow these best practices:

• Use transfer partners (airlines & hotels) instead of redeeming points for cash back.
• Look for award travel sweet spots, where points cover premium flights for fewer miles.
• Book flights and hotels during off-peak times to get better availability and lower redemption rates.

💡 Example: Instead of redeeming 60,000 points for $600 cash back, you could book a $1,500 business-class flight using the same amount of points.

Yes, but positively if managed correctly! Factors that impact your score include:
✅ On-time payments – Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest.
✅ Credit utilization – Keep your balance low compared to your total credit limit.
✅ Credit history – The longer you have credit accounts open, the better.

💡 Tip: Applying for multiple cards in a short period may cause a temporary dip in your score, but responsible usage will improve your score over time.

Most travel cards require you to spend a certain amount (e.g., $4,000 in 3 months) to earn a sign-up bonus. Here’s how to hit the requirement:

• Pay everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and bills with the new card.
• Prepay certain bills (insurance, utilities) if possible.
• Use your card for big purchases like travel, electronics, or home upgrades.
• Split expenses with family or friends and have them pay you back.

💡 Warning: Never spend more than you can afford just to earn points!

Absolutely! Many programs allow you to book flights and hotels for family members. Some key benefits:

• Airline family pooling – Programs like British Airways and JetBlue let you combine points into one account.
• Companion passes – Southwest’s Companion Pass lets one person fly free with you.
• Hotel stays – Book family-friendly hotel rooms using points.

💡 Tip: Always check availability early, especially for peak travel times and school holidays!

• Earn points with transferable programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards.
• Look for award chart sweet spots (some airlines charge fewer miles than others).
• Book in advance – Business-class seats go quickly!
• Consider positioning flights – Flying out of a different airport may require fewer points.

💡 Example: Instead of paying $5,000 for a business-class seat, you could redeem only 70,000 miles for the same ticket!

It depends on the card:

• Bank-issued points (Chase, Amex, Capital One) – You’ll lose your points if you don’t use them before canceling.
• Airline or hotel points – If transferred to a loyalty program, they stay in your airline/hotel account even if you close the card.
• Downgrade instead of canceling – If the annual fee is high, consider downgrading to a no-fee version to keep your points.

💡 Tip: Always redeem or transfer points before closing an account!

• Use a points-earning credit card regularly.
• Transfer a small number of miles from one program to another.
• Book an award ticket (even if you later cancel it).
• Earn points from other activities, like dining programs or shopping portals.

💡 Tip: Some programs, like United and Delta, have no expiration policy!

❌ Carrying a balance – Interest charges cancel out the value of points.
❌ Applying for too many cards at once – This can hurt your credit score.
❌ Letting points expire – Keep track of expiration dates!
❌ Not having a plan – Earning random points without a goal may not lead to free travel.

💡 Tip: Always pay in full, be strategic, and set reminders for point expirations!