Maximize Every Purchase: The Key to Traveling on Points

If you want to travel using points, you need to ensure that every single purchase is earning you the maximum number of credit card points possible. It’s not just about having a great travel rewards card—it’s about using the right card for the right purchase, stacking rewards, and optimizing bonus categories. Here’s how to make sure every dollar you spend is working toward your next trip.

1. Use the Right Card for Each Purchase

Not all credit cards earn the same amount of points on every purchase. Many cards have bonus categories that reward you more for specific spending. For example:

• Dining & Restaurants: The Amex Gold earns 4X points, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 3X.

• Flights: The Amex Platinum earns 5X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.

• Groceries: The Amex Gold earns 4X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25K per year).

• Gas Stations & Transit: Some cards, like the Citi Premier, offer 3X points on gas, while others reward rideshares and public transportation.

  
  

If you’re swiping your Amex Platinum at the grocery store instead of your Amex Gold, you’re leaving points on the table. Know your cards’ categories and maximize them accordingly.

2. Take Advantage of Temporary and Rotating Categories

Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Flex, offer rotating 5X categories every quarter (e.g., gas stations, grocery stores, or PayPal). If you have a card like this, make sure you activate these bonuses and adjust your spending accordingly.

Similarly, many credit cards offer temporary elevated earning rates for specific categories, such as 10X points on Uber Eats or 5X on Amazon purchases. Always check your card’s promotions and take advantage of them.

3. Stack Offers for Even More Points

Use Shopping Portals

Before making an online purchase, check shopping portals to see if you can earn additional points. Shopping portals are websites that partner with retailers to offer bonus points, miles, or cashback when you shop through their links. Instead of going directly to a store’s website, you click through the portal first, and your purchase earns extra rewards on top of what your credit card already earns.

Some of the best shopping portals include:

• Rakuten – Earn cashback or Amex Membership Rewards points on online purchases.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal – Earn extra Chase points when shopping at partnered retailers. Available only to Chase cardholders. You must log into your Chase account to access this portal and earn extra Chase points when shopping at partnered retailers.

• Citi Bonus Cash Center – Earn extra Citi ThankYou points or cashback on purchases. Available only to Citi cardholders. You must log into your Citi account to access this portal and earn extra Chase points when shopping at partnered retailers.

• American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping – Earn AA miles when shopping through the portal.

• United MileagePlus Shopping – Earn United miles for online shopping.

• Delta SkyMiles Shopping – Earn Delta SkyMiles for purchases.

  
  

To find the best earning rates for each retailer, use Cashback Monitor—it compares different portals to show you where you can earn the most points or cashback (example below).

Use Card-Linked Offers

• Amex Offers and Chase Offers give additional statement credits or bonus points for shopping at certain retailers. Always check your accounts and add these offers before making purchases.

  
  

Buy Gift Cards Strategically

• If a store doesn’t fall into one of your bonus categories, buy a gift card from a store that does.

  • Example: Buy an Amazon gift card at a grocery store using your Amex Gold to earn 4X points instead of the standard 1X Amazon points.

4. Avoid Using Cash or Debit Cards

Every time you use cash or a debit card, you're missing out on potential points. Even small purchases—like your daily coffee—can add up over time if you’re earning 3-5X points per dollar. If you're worried about credit card spending, pay off your balance in full each month so you’re not paying interest.

5. Take Advantage of Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to accumulate points. If you're not working toward a bonus at any given time, you might be missing out on tens or even hundreds of thousands of points. Always plan your spending to hit the minimum spend requirements efficiently.

6. Consider Paying Bills with a Credit Card

Many bills (utilities, insurance, taxes, rent) allow credit card payments. Some charge a small fee, so it’s worth doing the math to see if the points earned outweigh the fee. For example, if a biller charges a 2.5% fee but you’re earning 3X or 5X points, it could still be worth it.

One of the best options for rent payments is the Bilt Mastercard, which earns 1X points on rent with no transaction fee (up to 100,000 points per year). If you’re a renter, this is a great way to earn points on an expense that typically doesn’t earn rewards.

7. Choose Transferable Points Over Fixed-Value Points

Not all points are created equal. Flexible points programs allow you to transfer to airline and hotel partners for higher value:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Amex Membership Rewards

• Citi ThankYou Points

• Capital One Miles

Instead of redeeming for cash back or gift cards, transferring to airlines for premium flights can yield huge savings.

Transferable Points Program	Specific Cards	Annual Fee	Best for Earning Points	Ideal Card Pairing
Chase Ultimate Rewards	Chase Sapphire Preferred	$95	3X Dining, 2X Travel	Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5X on everything) + Chase Freedom Flex (5X rotating categories)
	Chase Sapphire Reserve	$550	3X Travel, 3X Dining, 10X Hotels & Car Rentals (via Chase)	Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5X on everything) + Chase Freedom Flex (5X rotating categories)
	Chase Freedom Unlimited	$0	1.5X on All Purchases	Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve (for bonus travel/dining points)
	Chase Freedom Flex	$0	5X on Rotating Categories, 3X Dining	Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve (for bonus travel/dining points)
Amex Membership Rewards	Amex Platinum	$695	5X Flights (Booked Direct/Amex Travel), 1X on Other Purchases	Amex Gold (4X Dining & Groceries) + Amex Green (3X on Transit & Travel)
	Amex Gold	$250	4X Dining, 4X U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25K/year)	Amex Platinum (for flight perks) + Amex Green (for 3X on transit)
	Amex Green	$150	3X Transit & Travel	Amex Platinum (for flight perks) + Amex Gold (for dining and groceries)
Citi ThankYou Points	Citi Premier	$95	3X Airfare, Gas, Groceries, Restaurants, Hotels	Citi Double Cash (2X on everything) + Citi Rewards+ (rounds up to 10 points per purchase)
	Citi Rewards+	$0	2X Groceries, 1X Everything Else	Citi Double Cash (2X on everything)
	Citi Double Cash	$0	2X on All Purchases	Citi Premier or Citi Rewards+ (for bonus categories)
Capital One Miles	Capital One Venture	$95	2X on All Purchases	Capital One SavorOne (for 3% on dining & groceries)
	Capital One Venture X	$395	2X on All Purchases, 10X Hotels & Car Rentals (via Capital One)	Capital One SavorOne (for bonus dining & grocery points)
	Capital One SavorOne	$0	3% Dining & Groceries, 1% on All Other Purchases	Capital One Venture or Capital One Venture X (for travel-related purchases)
Bilt Rewards	Bilt Mastercard	$0	3X Dining, 2X Travel, 1X Rent	No pairing needed—Bilt is a standalone card for rent earners!

Final Thoughts

By strategically using the tips above—choosing the right credit cards, using shopping portals, stacking offers, and taking advantage of sign-up bonuses—you’ll rack up points quickly and get closer to your next free trip.

💡 Don’t leave points on the table—make every dollar work for you!