If you’ve spent any time reading The Points Authority, you probably already know that I’m a Delta guy. I fly them regularly, I’ve earned Diamond Medallion status, and over the years I’ve gotten some genuinely great value out of both SkyMiles and the Medallion program. That doesn’t mean I think Delta has the best loyaltyContinue reading “The Complete Guide to Delta SkyMiles: How to Earn, Redeem & Maximize Your Status”
Category Archives: The Points Game
The Biggest Lie in the Points World
Stop Trying to Maximize Every Point Spend enough time reading about credit card points and you’ll eventually get the impression that you need to maximize absolutely everything. Which card earns the most on groceries? Which one should you use for gas? What about dining? Is 2X good enough, or should you be getting 3X? AndContinue reading “The Biggest Lie in the Points World”
The Easiest Redemption Beginners Overlook
Most beginners think redeeming points has to be complicated. Transfer partners. Award charts. Sweet spots. And while those can be valuable later, they’re not where most people should start. Because the easiest redemption is also the one most people ignore. The Overlooked Option: Booking Through Amex Travel Instead of transferring points to airlines or hotels,Continue reading “The Easiest Redemption Beginners Overlook”
How to Hit a Credit Card Welcome Bonus Without Spending Extra
One of the biggest misconceptions in the points game is this: “You need to spend more money to earn a welcome bonus.” You don’t. In most cases, you can hit a welcome bonus using the same spending you already do—just with better timing. What a Welcome Bonus Actually Is When you open a new creditContinue reading “How to Hit a Credit Card Welcome Bonus Without Spending Extra”
When You Should Get a Third Credit Card (And When You Shouldn’t)
At some point, most people ask: “Should I get another card?” What they’re really asking is: “Am I ready to make this more complicated?” Because adding a third card isn’t always progress. Sometimes, it’s where things start to break. The Short Answer Only get a third card when your current setup feels effortless. Not whenContinue reading “When You Should Get a Third Credit Card (And When You Shouldn’t)”
The Only 3 Spending Categories That Actually Matter
One of the fastest ways to overcomplicate the points game is to focus on too many categories. Gas. Groceries. Dining. Travel. Streaming. Online shopping. Rotating bonuses. Before long, you’re trying to remember which card to use for every single purchase. And that’s where things start to break. Here’s the reality: You don’t need to trackContinue reading “The Only 3 Spending Categories That Actually Matter”
Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Which Card Should You Actually Use?
One of the biggest mistakes Delta flyers make is assuming the more expensive card is automatically the better everyday card. I thought that too. For a long time, I used my Delta SkyMiles Reserve card for almost everything because I assumed premium card = maximum value. In reality, the better card depends entirely on yourContinue reading “Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Which Card Should You Actually Use?”
Rakuten Big Give Week: The Easiest Points You’ll Earn All Year + $50 for using my sign up link!
If you’re buying anything online this week and not using Rakuten, you’re leaving free travel on the table. Rakuten Big Give Week is live, and this is one of the best times all year to stack serious rewards with almost no extra effort. What Is Big Give Week? Rakuten partners with hundreds of retailers toContinue reading “Rakuten Big Give Week: The Easiest Points You’ll Earn All Year + $50 for using my sign up link!”
Why Most People Quit Credit Card Points (And How to Avoid It)
Most people don’t quit the points game because it doesn’t work. They quit because it becomes too complicated. What starts as a simple idea—earn points on everyday spending—quickly turns into: And eventually, they stop using it altogether. The Real Problem: Too Much Too Soon The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to optimize before theyContinue reading “Why Most People Quit Credit Card Points (And How to Avoid It)”
How to Pick Your First Credit Card (Without Overthinking It)
Most people make credit card points way harder than it needs to be. They start comparing 10–15 cards, reading endless Reddit threads, and trying to “optimize” before they’ve even earned a single point. Then they do nothing. Or worse—they pick the wrong card for the way they actually spend. Here’s the truth: Your first creditContinue reading “How to Pick Your First Credit Card (Without Overthinking It)”