Credit card points are the golden ticket to unlocking free flights, hotel stays, and other rewards. With the right strategy, you can accumulate significant rewards by using your credit card for regular spending. However, building a healthy points balance is not enough; you must spend your points wisely to get the most value.
We understand that getting your first credit card or, if you’ve had one for a while, using the said card can seem like a daunting prospect. If you carry a balance, there can be hefty interest fees involved. However, if you continually pay off any balance built up on your card and thus avoid any charges, you can open your world to a wealth of opportunities.
Pretty much every establishment accepts credit cards in the modern age, especially stateside. One lesser-known method of building up credit card points is through various online poker games found in online casinos. Poker games offer a unique opportunity to earn cash providing that you are disciplined with your strategy and if you choose to deposit and withdraw using your credit card, you will earn points on those payments, in addition to any potential winnings you may garner.
There are plenty of other ways to earn yourself points and in this ultimate guide, we will discuss five main methods for maximizing your credit card game.
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Know Your Credit Card Rewards Program
Every credit card has a unique rewards program with different earning and redemption options. Before you start building up your points, take the time to research your card’s rewards program. Double-check the points-earning rate on distinct categories of purchases to maximize the rate at which you accumulate points.
On the other hand, make sure to understand the assorted options for redeeming your points; some redemption options offer higher value than others. More lavish purchases such as flights and hotels will naturally cost more than other benefits. Each card provider is different, however, so ensure you check everything in detail before redeeming.
Pay Attention to Bonus Categories
Reward credit cards provide exciting offers to help maximize your point earnings. By providing higher rates of point earning in specific categories, such as restaurants or grocery stores, card issuers provide incredible value to their customers. Plan your spending patterns around these categories to earn a substantial number of extra points.
It’s also important to stay on top of rotating bonus categories. Many issuers have a quarterly rotating calendar of bonus categories that help cardholders earn double or triple rewards points. Some of the best reward credit cards provide bonus categories in popular areas of spending, such as office supply stores, gas stations, and streaming services.
Combine Credit Card Points
If you have more than one credit card, especially from the same issuer, you should consider pooling your points into one account. By doing so, you can accumulate points at a faster rate and potentially gain access to more exclusive rewards that are specifically available for cardholders with a substantial balance of points.
Consolidating your points into one account can also come in handy if you’re looking to redeem your rewards for a specific item or service. Rather than spreading your points across multiple accounts and lacking the necessary sum to unlock a particular reward, you can pool all of those earned points into one account to reach the necessary threshold faster. This technique not only saves time but may also result in a better redemption value.
When consolidating your credit card points, it’s important to carefully review the policies of the issuer. Ensure that the point transfer process does not result in a loss of any of your hard-earned rewards. Additionally, be aware that some issuers may place a cap on point transfers or only allow transfers within specific rewards programs.
Transfer Points to a Travel Loyalty Program
Most major credit card companies offer partnerships with airlines and hotels, meaning your credit card points are worth much more than you might have thought. Points can be transferred to a variety of loyalty program partners, so it’s essential to choose which partners to transfer the points to carefully. Select the partner and the reward carefully to make sure that the value of the points transfer is more than worth it and remember, every card may have different partners, transfer fees, and loyalty program benefits, so it’s important to read up on the best uses for your points with that specific card.
You may travel for little to no money while still getting luxurious accommodations, free breakfasts, or room upgrades at your preferred hotels by transferring your points. In most loyalty programs, there are other ways to redeem your points, such as for dining, shopping, or entertainment. Investigate your options and pick the ones that work best for you. You can stretch your points farther by participating in some programs that provide even more value than others.
