Getting Started: The Basics
The Points and Miles Revolution: Your Guide to Free Travel
The world of points and miles offers a powerful way to unlock incredible travel experiences, from luxurious flights to unforgettable hotel stays, all without spending a dime on regular travel costs (well, maybe a dime…).
The goal with our Getting Started page is to offer you a glimpse at the points and miles world, explain the general concepts, and provide you with a solid enough foundation to where you’re comfortable taking the necessary steps to…well…get started.
To start, we’re going to break down the absolute basics, then explore different ways to earn and use points. We’ll follow up with a brief glossary to introduce you to key terminology, making you a confident points and miles traveler in no time.
Table of Contents
What are Points and Miles?
Think of points and miles as a special currency earned through various means, primarily credit card spending and travel activities. These points and miles can then be redeemed for travel rewards like:
- Flights: Redeem your points or miles for free flights on various airlines, potentially saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
- Hotels: Enjoy luxurious stays at hotels worldwide without paying cash by using your accumulated points.
- Car Rentals: Use your points to book rental cars using online reservation portals or by applying points to your credit card statement as a credit.
- Travel Experiences: Upgrade your travel experience with points, from airport lounge access to car rentals and unique excursions.
Easy enough so far, right?
Earning Points and Miles: Your Ticket to Free Travel
Now comes the exciting part: how do you actually accumulate these valuable points and miles? Here are some of the most common ways:
- Sign-up bonuses: Many credit cards offer lucrative sign-up bonuses for meeting minimum spending requirements, giving your points balance a significant boost.
- Travel: Booking flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements through specific programs or partners can earn you additional points and miles. We’ll teach you how to leverage your current booking methods to make sure your point-returns are supercharged for upcoming trips.
- Dining and shopping: Some programs allow you to earn points and miles through everyday activities like dining at specific restaurants or shopping at partner stores.
- Credit Card Spend: Many credit cards offer generous points and miles bonuses for everyday spending. Choose cards that align with your travel preferences and spending habits.
Not sure which one to start with? Set up a complimentary consultation with thePointsPage team to talk through your options.
Understanding Point Value
Not all points and miles are created equal. Their value can vary depending on the program, redemption options, and market fluctuations. However, you can generally estimate their worth using the following methods:
- Cash value: This refers to the approximate dollar value per point or mile. While it’s not always a perfect measure, it provides a basic understanding of their worth.
- Transfer value: Some programs allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel partners, potentially increasing their value for specific redemptions. Note: This is the most recommended method of using your points, and will be a focus of almost every award redemption discussed.
- Award chart: Some programs publish award charts outlining the point or mile requirement for different flight classes and hotel categories.
Points and Miles Terminology: Speak the Lingo
As you delve deeper into the world of points and miles, you’ll encounter various terms. Here’s a quick glossary to help you with some of the basics:
- Award travel: Using points and miles to redeem travel rewards.
- Award chart: A table outlining the point or mile requirement for different redemption options.
- Bonus points/miles: Additional points or miles earned through promotions, sign-up bonuses, or specific spending categories.
- Elite status: Achieving higher tiers in loyalty programs through frequent travel or spending, unlocking additional benefits like airport lounge access and priority boarding.
- Points transfer: Moving points between different programs, potentially increasing their value for specific redemptions.
- Minimum spending requirement: The amount you need to spend on a credit card within a specific timeframe to qualify for a bonus offer.
Time to Get to the Points: Take Flight with Points and Miles
The world of points and miles offers a powerful tool to unlock incredible travel experiences at a fraction of the cost. By understanding the basics, exploring different earning methods, and utilizing credit cards strategically, you can transform your travel dreams into reality.
Remember, knowledge is power in this game. Keep learning, exploring, and maximizing your points and miles potential, and watch your travel horizons expand!
Join 
Community on Facebook for the latest updates, exclusive content, and vibrant discussions with other like-minded travel hackers.
