How to rack up points and miles for travel

I never spend a dollar without making sure it’s earning me points or miles. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a bucket-list trip, I use the right airline or hotel credit card so my everyday purchases help fund my next adventure. Right now, I’m packing for a Caribbean trip that will cost me… exactly $0.

Here’s how I pulled it off

• Hotel: I booked with World of Hyatt points, covering my entire stay with free breakfast and no resort fees.
• Flights: I found a one-way award on Delta using miles from my Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and booked my return on American in first class using the fewest possible miles.
• Pro tip: I almost never book round-trip award flights. One-way often gives you better value, especially for premium cabins. If you’re flexible, last-minute awards for business or first class can be surprisingly cheap.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by points, miles, and all the rules that come with them, don’t worry, I’ll walk you through how to make the most of them using some of the best cards available right now.

1) Understand your travel rewards tools

Airline miles

Airline miles are earned by flying or using a co-branded airline card. The right card depends on your travel habits:

• Fly Delta often? The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card gives you a free checked bag, priority boarding, and 15% off award flights when booking through Delta.

Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card

If Delta is your preferred airline, the Delta Skymiles® Gold Amex card offers a range of perks that enhance your travel experience. You’ll earn bonus miles on Delta flights, restaurants worldwide, and U.S. supermarkets, making it versatile for everyday spending. The free first checked bag for you and up to eight others, along with priority boarding and an annual flight credit, adds even more value, making it a top choice for frequent Delta flyers.

• • Best for: Delta Air Lines
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
  • Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
  • Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
  • Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
  • Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
  • Terms and limitations apply.
  • See rates and fees.

View details here

• Want premium perks? The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card adds Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, a companion certificate (even in first class), and complimentary upgrades.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Whenever I fly Delta, I want to make the experience as comfortable as possible, and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Amex card helps me do just that. The access to both Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges is a huge perk when I’m on the go, and the companion certificate—even in first class—is a great bonus. If you fly Delta as often as I do and love premium perks, this card is definitely worth it.

• • Best for: Premium airline card
  • Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
  • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
  • With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
  • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
  • Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
  • When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge.
  • Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
  • Terms and limitations apply.

View details here

• Prefer flexibility? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® let you earn points on all purchases and redeem with multiple airlines.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for frequent travelers who prefer straightforward miles.

The Capital One Venture Rewards card is a no-brainer for me when I want to keep things simple. Earning unlimited 2x miles on every purchase means I never have to think about categories or spending limits. Plus, I can redeem those miles for travel purchases or transfer them to over 15+ travel loyalty programs. It’s super straightforward, which is exactly what I need when I just want to book a hotel and get on with my trip. With an annual fee of $95, it’s a strong option for uncomplicated travel rewards.

• • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

View details here

See our picks for the best airline credit cards of 2025.

Hotel points

If you stick with one hotel brand, a co-branded card can unlock free nights, upgrades, and elite status:

• Hilton loyalist? The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns up to 12x points on Hilton stays and comes with Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton statement credits per year.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Best for Hilton loyalists who want high rewards and elite status.

If you’re someone who frequently books with Hilton, the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card delivers impressive rewards. You earn 12x points on Hilton stays, 6x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations, and 4x points on U.S. online retail purchases, making it easy to rack up points. Gold status and the chance to earn a free weekend night are valuable extras that enhance your hotel experience. This card is an excellent choice for those who want to get the most out of their Hilton stays and enjoy elite perks.

• • Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
  • Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
  • Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
  • Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
  • Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
  • Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with your Card. Plus, spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. Terms and Limitations apply.
  • As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See rates and fees.

View details here

• Luxury stays: The Platinum Card® from American Express gives you elite status with Hilton and Marriott, plus up to $200 in annual hotel credits when booking through Amex Travel.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for luxury travelers seeking premium benefits and rewards.

When I’m in the mood for luxury, the Amex Platinum Card is my go-to. Earning 5x points on hotels booked through Amex Travel is great, but it’s the extra perks that really make a difference for me. With access to Centurion Lounges and automatic hotel elite status, I’m treated like a VIP at every step of my journey. The up to $200 airline fee credits are a nice touch, and the card’s premium benefits make it perfect for those indulgent getaways. Keep in mind the annual fee is $695, so it’s tailored for serious travelers who want the best.

• • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world’s most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See rates and fees.

View details here

• All-around value: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers 10x miles on hotels booked through Capital One Travel, $300 in annual travel credits, and lounge access, all for a lower annual fee than most premium cards.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Best for premium travelers who want luxury benefits at a lower fee.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card offers premium travel perks at exceptional value.

• • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass  lounges, after enrollment
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

View details here

See our picks for the Best hotel credit cards of 2025.

Best Hotel Credit Cards 2025

2) Manage your cards like a pro

• Know your credit score: Most top travel cards require a score of 720+. Improve yours before applying to unlock the best offers.
• Pay in full each month: Interest charges can wipe out the value of any rewards you earn.
• Use your cards for everyday purchases: Groceries, dining, gas, put it all on the card that earns the most points in that category.

3) Maximize your earnings

• Sign-up bonuses: Time your application around big purchases to meet spending requirements quickly. For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spent in the first three months.
• Dining programs: Link your cards to airline or hotel dining programs for extra miles every time you eat at participating restaurants.
• Travel portals: Book flights and hotels through your card’s travel portal to earn bonus points. Amex Travel, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Travel often have exclusive rates and offers.
• Opt for a cash-back credit card: Cash-back credit cards are a versatile option because they allow you to earn rewards on purchases you’re already making, like groceries, gas, or dining out. They give you the flexibility to use your rewards as you see fit, whether that’s a statement credit, a deposit into your bank account, or even applying the money toward future purchases.

See our picks for some of the best cash-back cards here.

Best Cash-Back Credit Cards 2025

Related Links: 

• The Best Travel Gear for 2025
• Best prepaid SIM & eSIM cards for travelers
• Best travel adapters of 2025

Kurt’s key takeaways

Mastering travel rewards takes a bit of effort, but the payoff is worth it. By understanding the different types of rewards, managing your finances responsibly, and taking advantage of easy earning opportunities, you can build a robust points balance to fund your dream trips. Remember to stay organized, track your loyalty programs, expiration dates, and credit card benefits to maximize your rewards. With a little planning and consistency, you’ll be jet-setting in no time without breaking the bank.

What’s your best tip for maximizing miles and points? Let us know in the comments below.

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