The Ultimate Guide to Earning and Using Travel Points and Miles
Whether you’re dreaming of a business class seat to Tokyo or just want to shave a few bucks off your next hotel stay, travel points and miles can unlock a whole new level of adventure—if you know how to use them. This guide will walk you through the basics (and some not-so-basic tricks) to earning and redeeming points and miles like a pro.
What Are Travel Points and Miles?
Travel rewards come in many forms, but they usually fall into two categories:
Airline miles – earned through flying, credit cards, or airline shopping portals.
Hotel points – earned by staying at properties, spending with co-branded cards, or booking through hotel loyalty platforms.
Some programs are part of larger alliances (like Star Alliance or Oneworld), while others are more standalone. And then there are transferable points (like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards), which are often the most flexible of all.
Why Use Travel Points and Miles?
Because they make travel cheaper—or in some cases, free. Whether it’s saving money on flights, hotels, or upgrades, points and miles let you stretch your travel budget further. They also unlock access to things like airport lounges, priority boarding, and room upgrades you might not splurge on otherwise.
How to Earn Travel Points and Miles
Here’s where strategy comes in. You don’t need to be a frequent flyer to rack up serious points. In fact, many of the most dedicated travel hackers earn the bulk of their rewards without leaving home.
1. Sign Up for Loyalty Programs
Always sign up for the airline and hotel programs you use, even if you’re not a frequent traveler. Points add up over time, and it costs nothing to enroll.
2. Use Travel Rewards Credit Cards
These are often the biggest source of points. Look for cards that offer:
Large sign-up bonuses
Bonus categories (like groceries, dining, or travel)
Points that transfer to airlines or hotels
Top cards:
Chase Sapphire Preferred
American Express Gold
Capital One Venture X
Tip: Make sure to pay off your balance each month—interest charges cancel out any rewards benefits.
3. Shop Through Airline and Hotel Portals
Airlines like Delta and United have shopping portals that give you miles for purchases at big-name retailers. Same goes for hotels like Marriott or Hilton.
4. Book Travel Strategically
If you’re booking flights or hotels for work, friends, or family, offer to make the reservation—it’s a low-effort way to earn on someone else’s spend (with their permission, of course).
5. Dining Programs and Surveys
You can earn miles by linking your credit card to airline dining programs or participating in surveys. It won’t be much, but it all stacks up.
How to Redeem Travel Points and Miles
Now for the fun part. Redeeming points well is an art form—and a bit of a numbers game.
1. Understand Redemption Values
Not all redemptions are equal. A flight that costs 50,000 points but saves you $1,000 is a much better deal than one that saves $200.
In general:
Airline miles are best used for international or business class flights.
Hotel points shine for high-end redemptions or off-peak deals.
2. Book Early or Last-Minute
Award seats and rooms are often limited. Either book as far in advance as possible, or be ready to jump on last-minute deals.
3. Be Flexible
Flexibility with dates, times, and even destinations can help you unlock better value.
4. Use Award Search Tools
Websites like Point.me, Seats.aero, and AwardHacker can help you find availability across multiple programs.
5. Consider Transfer Partners
Transferable points from cards like Amex or Chase can be sent to airline or hotel partners. This usually gives you better value than redeeming them for cash or through travel portals.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Letting points expire – Keep accounts active with occasional activity.
Redeeming for poor value – Don’t use points for gift cards or low-value merchandise.
Chasing too many programs – Focus on 1–2 airline and hotel programs to keep things manageable.
Final Tips
Track your points using tools like AwardWallet or a simple spreadsheet.
Read the fine print—redemption rules can vary widely.
Always compare: Sometimes a cheap cash fare is a better deal than using miles
Real-World Example: A Business Class Flight for Less Than Economy
Let’s say you’ve earned 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points from the welcome bonus and everyday spending. You’re planning a trip from Amsterdam to Bangkok. A one-way economy flight might cost you around €600—but that same flight in business class could cost well over €2,000.
Here’s how you maximize:
Check Transfer Partners – Amex points transfer to dozens of airlines. You discover that Air France/KLM Flying Blue is running a Promo Rewards deal: a one-way business class flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok for 55,000 miles + ~€200 in taxes.
Transfer Points – You move your 60,000 Amex points to your Flying Blue account (most transfers are instant).
Book – You lock in the business class ticket. You’ve now redeemed your points for a flight that would have cost over €2,000, netting over 3.5 cents per point—a huge value compared to using those same points for a €500 economy ticket or redeeming for gift cards at 0.5 cents per point.
The kicker? You’re flying lie-flat to Thailand for what an economy seat might’ve cost, and still have 5,000 points left for a hotel discount.