Credit card points are one of the most underused tools available to everyday travelers. Used correctly, they can cut the cost of flights and hotels by 50–100%. We're not exaggerating when we say we've used credit card perks and point transfers to fly business class, stay in nicer places than we'd normally book, and take trips that would have been out of reach on cash alone.
The system isn't complicated once you understand how it works, but there's enough nuance that we've put together a dedicated guide that covers it properly. That includes the specific cards we use, how we've transferred points for real trips, and how to think about sign-up bonuses without getting into trouble.
The core idea
Use cards for your normal, everyday spending: groceries, gas, bills. Pay the balance in full every month. Let the points accumulate, then use them to cover the most expensive parts of a trip: flights and hotels.
The critical rule
This strategy only works if you never carry a balance. The interest on an unpaid balance will always cost more than the points are worth. If you're not confident you can pay the full balance every month, hold off on this strategy until your financial footing is more stable.
What to know before you dive in
Ready to go deeper?
Our full points guide covers exactly which cards we use, how we think about sign-up bonuses, and real examples of transfers we've done.
Read the full guide: How Points Actually Work