The Points Rookie Manual
1. Set Clear Travel Goals
- Luxury experiences (first-class flights, 5-star hotels)
- Budget-friendly family trips
- Flexible travel for conferences or adventures
2. Learn the Basics of Travel Rewards
- Airline Miles: Linked to specific airlines
- Hotel Points: Earned via hotel stays or co-branded
- Transferable Points: Flexible-transfer to multiple partners
3. Why Transferrable Points are the foundation
What are Transferable Points?
- Points from major bank programs that can be moved to multiple airlines and hotels
- Examples: Chase Ultimate Rewards®, AmEx Membership Rewards®, Citi ThankYou Points ®, Capital One Miles
Why They Matter
- Flexibility: Not locked into one airline or hotel
- High Value: Unlock premium flights and luxury stays
- Booking Options: Transfer to partners or use travel portals
How to Earn Them
- Apply for a flexible-points credit card
- Earn through bonus categories (dining, groceries, travel)
- Hit welcome bonuses for fast points
How to Redeem Them
- Transfer to airline partners for award flights
- Transfer to hotel partners for free nights
- Book through travel portal for simplicity (Example: 50,000 Chase points = $750 in portal value OR $5,000 first-class flight via transfer partners)
4. Choose Your First Flexible Points Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® - 60,000 point bonus
- AmEx Gold Card - 4x on dining & groceries
- Capital One Venture® - simple flat-rate rewards
5. Earn Points Through Everyday Spending
- Dining: 2x-4x points
- Groceries: Up to 4x points
- Travel: 2x-5x points
Pro Tip: Use for planed expenses to hit minimum spend
6. Understand Transfer Partners
- Chase: United, Southwest, Hyatt
- AmEx: Delta, ANA, Hilton
- Citi: Turkish Airlines, Wyndham
7. Redeem Points Strategically
- Flights: Transfer to airline programs
- Hotels: Free nights or upgrades
- Travel portals: No blackout dates
8. Annual Fees: Worth It?
- $95 fee can return $900 + in value
- After year one: keep, downgrade, or cancel
9. Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don't carry a balance
- Don't hoard points
- Don't chase "perfect" redemptions
10. Easy Wins for Extra Points
- Use shopping portals
- Enroll in dining programs
- Add loyalty numbers to bookings
11. Stay Informed
- Subscribe to newsletters and podcasts
- Watch for transfer bonuses
- Join online communities
Travel Your Way
We understand that everyone has different travel needs and preferences. That's why we offer fully customizable travel packages to suit your unique requirements. Create your dream trip with Points Rookie.