How to earn, understand, and use credit card points and miles to book flights and hotels you couldn’t otherwise afford.
Best Cards for Travel Rewards
These are the cards most travelers should consider first. Always check current offers before applying.
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Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best for Beginners
3x on dining & travel. Points transfer to United, Hyatt, Southwest, and more. $95/yr — often offset by a single point redemption.
Best for: Flexible travel, first rewards card
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Amex Gold Card
Best for Foodies
4x at restaurants & US supermarkets. Points transfer to Delta, Air France, and hotel programs. $250/yr with dining credits.
Best for: Earning points fast on food spend
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Capital One Venture X
Best Value Premium
2x on everything. $300 travel credit + 10k anniversary points basically covers the $395 fee. Priority Pass lounge access included.
Best for: Simple earning, lounge access
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Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best for Heavy Travelers
3x on all travel & dining. $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, Global Entry credit, and best-in-class transfer partners. $550/yr.
Best for: Frequent travelers who maximize perks
How to Use Points: A Quick Start Guide
The basics of earning and redeeming — most people leave thousands of dollars on the table.
1
Pick one ecosystem and focus
Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles are the three most flexible programs. Pick one based on which airline or hotel you prefer, then consolidate your spending there.
2
Transfer to partners for outsized value
Booking through the portal gives 1–1.5 cents per point. Transferring to airline/hotel partners can give 2–5+ cents per point. Example: 60,000 Chase points → United → business class to Europe ($3,000+ ticket).
3
Use perks you’re already paying for
Most premium cards come with Global Entry reimbursement ($100), lounge access ($600+ value), and hotel status. These perks often cover the annual fee on their own.
🤝 Recommended Travel Partners
Fora
AI-powered travel advisor network. Great for complex trips.