One of the biggest myths in the points world is that earning meaningful rewards requires spending more money or turning credit cards into a full‑time hobby. In reality, most beginners don’t need to spend more — they just need to spend smarter. Here’s the good news: You can earn 2–3x more points using the sameContinue reading “The Beginner’s Guide to Earning 2–3x More Points Without Changing Your Spending”
Tag Archives: PointsGameForBeginners
Help! I’m Drowning in Amex Points — What Do I Do Now? (2026 Guide)
You earned the welcome bonus, maybe a few of them! Now you’re staring at a huge American Express Membership Rewards balance wondering: “Okay… what am I actually supposed to do with these?” In 2025, the biggest mistake people made was redeeming points poorly. After redeeming hundreds of thousands of Membership Rewards points myself, I’ve learnedContinue reading “Help! I’m Drowning in Amex Points — What Do I Do Now? (2026 Guide)”
How to Take Your First Step Into the “Points Game” (2026 Edition)
If you’ve ever wondered how people earn free flights or hotel stays without obsessing over credit cards, the answer usually starts with one simple step: choosing the right first card. The good news?You don’t need to turn this into a hobby. In this post, we’re focusing on what I call “Level 1 spenders”: people whoContinue reading “How to Take Your First Step Into the “Points Game” (2026 Edition)”
The Minimalist’s Approach to Travel Hacking: How to Start With Just Two Cards
Most travel-rewards advice sounds like a part-time job: five cards, rotating categories, spreadsheets, and constant optimization. But what if you could earn most of the rewards — with almost none of the effort? Here’s the good news: You don’t need a complex setup to earn great travel rewards.In fact, one of the smartest strategies isContinue reading “The Minimalist’s Approach to Travel Hacking: How to Start With Just Two Cards”
Are Premium Cards Worth It If You Use Only One?
For beginners, credit card complexity often kills a rewards strategy before it ever gets started. Most people want things simple: one card, one statement, no juggling bonus categories or managing multiple accounts. And honestly, that’s totally fine. But here’s the real question: If you only want to carry one credit card, is a premium cardContinue reading “Are Premium Cards Worth It If You Use Only One?”
The Hidden Cost of Using Only One Credit Card
A lot of beginners start their financial journey with one credit card — and for good reason. It’s simple, it’s clean, and it doesn’t require any learning curve. But here’s the surprising truth most people don’t realize: Using only one credit card can quietly cost you hundreds — and in some cases thousands — ofContinue reading “The Hidden Cost of Using Only One Credit Card”
Hoarding Points?…You’re losing money!
As someone who has been guilty of this in the past, the idea of having “a million points” seems like a great goal! After all, the more points you have, the less you have to spend out of pocket- or so the theory goes. However, is hoarding points a smart move, or does it haveContinue reading “Hoarding Points?…You’re losing money!”
What’s In My Wallet for 2025?
It’s always a delightful surprise meeting folks who have never ventured into the world of credit card points, happily swiping their trusty debit card for every single purchase. It’s like discovering a hidden land where points aren’t a currency! On the flip side, chatting with fellow “Points Game” enthusiasts is equally thrilling—whether we’re comparing playbooksContinue reading “What’s In My Wallet for 2025?”
What Topics Should I Cover?
I have been rather bad at keeping this updated but after chatting with several folks on our cruise we just finished, it became clear that I need to start this up again! In today’s current environment with inflation on the rise and consumer debt at an all time high, the easiest thing to blame isContinue reading “What Topics Should I Cover?”
Expecting A Tax Bill? Open A New Credit Card!
It’s everyone’s favorite or least favorite time of year again… Tax preparation season! For most small businesses and individual’s who elect to have less taxes taken out of their paychecks, January 15th is your final quarterly payment due date for the 2021 tax year. These large payments are often one of the easiest ways toContinue reading “Expecting A Tax Bill? Open A New Credit Card!”
The Points Authority: Mastering The Points Game 