What is Traveling on Point(s)?
January 1, 2020
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Traveling on point(s) involves earning credit card points and using those points to travel the world for free or nearly free. Follow along to learn more!
Getting Started >>>>
A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Point(s)
Welcome to ToP and the exciting world of award travel! Points and miles can help you travel better and more often than you ever thought possible. Whether your goal is to visit far-flung destinations or see family across the country more often, award travel can make that happen. Take a look at our beginner articles and join our Facebook group, where you can ask all your questions and learn from fellow award travelers.
Travel on Point(s) has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Travel on Point(s) and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
» What We Do & Getting Started
The Most Important Rule in Award Travel
January 27, 2020
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We explain the most important rule in award travel. Following this one rule is crucial for traveling on points.
Understanding Credit Scores
February 1, 2020
5 Comments
One of the first questions people ask when learning about award travel is whether opening many credit cards hurts your credit score. The answer is NO. In fact, opening additional credits can even help your credit score!
How to Use Credit Karma
March 16, 2020
1 Comment
One of the first things we recommend to “newbies” is to figure out your 5/24 status. As a reminder, your 5/24 status is a rule
What is the 5/24 Rule?
February 7, 2022
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Every single blog that covers award travel discusses Chase, something called 5/24, and steers newbies towards Chase cards first. Why? The “5/24” rule is the reason behind this.
Points & Miles Glossary
February 8, 2022
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The points & miles world is filled with acronyms and abbreviations. Many of these become second nature after some time. But if you are starting out or saw a new acronym used in our Facebook group, here is a list of common abbreviations and acronyms
What is Traveling on Point(s)?
January 1, 2020
No Comments
Traveling on point(s) involves earning credit card points and using those points to travel the world for free or nearly free. Follow along to learn more!
The Most Important Rule in Award Travel
January 27, 2020
No Comments
We explain the most important rule in award travel. Following this one rule is crucial for traveling on points.
Understanding Credit Scores
February 1, 2020
5 Comments
One of the first questions people ask when learning about award travel is whether opening many credit cards hurts your credit score. The answer is NO. In fact, opening additional credits can even help your credit score!
How to Use Credit Karma
March 16, 2020
1 Comment
One of the first things we recommend to “newbies” is to figure out your 5/24 status. As a reminder, your 5/24 status is a rule
What is the 5/24 Rule?
February 7, 2022
No Comments
Every single blog that covers award travel discusses Chase, something called 5/24, and steers newbies towards Chase cards first. Why? The “5/24” rule is the reason behind this.
Points & Miles Glossary
February 8, 2022
No Comments
The points & miles world is filled with acronyms and abbreviations. Many of these become second nature after some time. But if you are starting out or saw a new acronym used in our Facebook group, here is a list of common abbreviations and acronyms
» Credit Card Basics
Credit Card Application Rules for Each Bank
January 22, 2022
4 Comments
Navigating all these different rules requires patience and long-term planning. For example, having a good 5/24 roadmap is important to maximize your points earnings with Chase cards early on. Meanwhile, it’s important to keep track of when you close any Citi cards because eligibility for sign-up bonuses for Citi cards is based on when you last opened or closed a particular card.
Am I Eligible for Business Cards?
February 7, 2022
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Am I eligible for business cards? With absolute certainty, we answer this question “probably.”
Knowing Which Business Cards Affect 5/24
March 2, 2022
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Knowing which business cards affect your 5/24 is essential in upping your points earning abilities.
Your Next Card: CSP or CSR?
April 20, 2022
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Now that you are ready for a CSP versus a CSR, how do you decide which one? This is your first decision, since you cannot hold both.
The Best Ways to Meet Minimum Spend
April 22, 2022
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Meeting minimum spend can be tricky when you open a new card without a plan. In this article, we outline a few of our favorite strategies.
Why Sign-Up Bonuses Beat Everyday Bonus Categories
May 20, 2022
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We analyze the strategy of sign-up bonuses and why they are so much more valuable than spending on bonus categories with everyday cards.
Flowchart for Chase Credit Card Applications
June 15, 2022
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If your Chase application isn’t instantly approved, there’s no need to panic. This handy flowchart offers some pointers on navigating towards approval.
How to Handle Reconsideration Calls
June 25, 2022
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Learn how to handle reconsideration calls so you can earn your next welcome bonus and continue to see the world through points and miles.
Setting Up a Plan
July 1, 2022
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Creating and sticking to a plan of which credit cards to open is essential to earning the most points you can so you can travel for free.
Credit Card Application Rules for Each Bank
January 22, 2022
4 Comments
Navigating all these different rules requires patience and long-term planning. For example, having a good 5/24 roadmap is important to maximize your points earnings with Chase cards early on. Meanwhile, it’s important to keep track of when you close any Citi cards because eligibility for sign-up bonuses for Citi cards is based on when you last opened or closed a particular card.
Am I Eligible for Business Cards?
February 7, 2022
No Comments
Am I eligible for business cards? With absolute certainty, we answer this question “probably.”
Knowing Which Business Cards Affect 5/24
March 2, 2022
No Comments
Knowing which business cards affect your 5/24 is essential in upping your points earning abilities.
Your Next Card: CSP or CSR?
April 20, 2022
No Comments
Now that you are ready for a CSP versus a CSR, how do you decide which one? This is your first decision, since you cannot hold both.
The Best Ways to Meet Minimum Spend
April 22, 2022
No Comments
Meeting minimum spend can be tricky when you open a new card without a plan. In this article, we outline a few of our favorite strategies.
Why Sign-Up Bonuses Beat Everyday Bonus Categories
May 20, 2022
No Comments
We analyze the strategy of sign-up bonuses and why they are so much more valuable than spending on bonus categories with everyday cards.
Flowchart for Chase Credit Card Applications
June 15, 2022
No Comments
If your Chase application isn’t instantly approved, there’s no need to panic. This handy flowchart offers some pointers on navigating towards approval.
How to Handle Reconsideration Calls
June 25, 2022
No Comments
Learn how to handle reconsideration calls so you can earn your next welcome bonus and continue to see the world through points and miles.
Setting Up a Plan
July 1, 2022
No Comments
Creating and sticking to a plan of which credit cards to open is essential to earning the most points you can so you can travel for free.
Why Transferable Points Are So Valuable (Part 1: Flexibility)
January 1, 2021
No Comments
We often discuss in our Facebook group how transferable points are so much more valuable than miles or points with a single airline or hotel. This is because transferable points are the key to unlocking incredible value from credit card points.
Why Transferable Points Are So Valuable (Part 2: Redemption Value)
January 1, 2021
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With transferable points, you gain flexibility and high redemption value. With access to different transfer partners, you can opt for the partner that will give you the most value.
Why You Should Create Loyalty Accounts Ahead of Time
February 25, 2021
No Comments
We recommend creating loyalty accounts ahead of time to avoid the common issues relating to brand new accounts, such as delayed transfer times. Having your loyalty accounts set up when you’re ready to book makes everything easier.
How to Combine Ultimate Rewards
March 12, 2021
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ToP walks you through how to transfer Ultimate Rewards among your Chase cards and how to combine them with members of your household.
How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Travel Partners
March 26, 2022
5 Comments
While there are several ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) including their travel portal and Pay Yourself Back; one of the most beneficial is by transferring to their travel partners.
How to Transfer Amex Membership Rewards to Partners
May 23, 2022
No Comments
ToP walks you through how to transfer Membership Rewards to Amex’s hotel and airline partners to get you the most value for your points.
Why Citi ThankYou Points Deserve Your Attention
May 27, 2022
No Comments
Citi ThankYou Points are an underrated transferable points currency. Yet it provides great value and flexibility. Citi’s cards offer an excellent earning structure with a baseline of 2x on every purchase. Having so many transfer partners in common with Chase and Amex is actually a strength of Citi’s. Lastly, for those looking to cash out their points, Citi offers ease and flexibility.
Why Transferable Points Are So Valuable (Part 1: Flexibility)
January 1, 2021
No Comments
We often discuss in our Facebook group how transferable points are so much more valuable than miles or points with a single airline or hotel. This is because transferable points are the key to unlocking incredible value from credit card points.
Why Transferable Points Are So Valuable (Part 2: Redemption Value)
January 1, 2021
No Comments
With transferable points, you gain flexibility and high redemption value. With access to different transfer partners, you can opt for the partner that will give you the most value.
Why You Should Create Loyalty Accounts Ahead of Time
February 25, 2021
No Comments
We recommend creating loyalty accounts ahead of time to avoid the common issues relating to brand new accounts, such as delayed transfer times. Having your loyalty accounts set up when you’re ready to book makes everything easier.
How to Combine Ultimate Rewards
March 12, 2021
No Comments
ToP walks you through how to transfer Ultimate Rewards among your Chase cards and how to combine them with members of your household.
How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Travel Partners
March 26, 2022
5 Comments
While there are several ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) including their travel portal and Pay Yourself Back; one of the most beneficial is by transferring to their travel partners.
Why Citi ThankYou Points Deserve Your Attention
May 27, 2022
No Comments
Citi ThankYou Points are an underrated transferable points currency. Yet it provides great value and flexibility. Citi’s cards offer an excellent earning structure with a baseline of 2x on every purchase. Having so many transfer partners in common with Chase and Amex is actually a strength of Citi’s. Lastly, for those looking to cash out their points, Citi offers ease and flexibility.
How to Choose between Using a Travel Portal, Transferring to Partners, or Cash Back
August 1, 2021
No Comments
How should you choose when to use points through a travel portal, transfer to a travel partner, or convert to cash back? ToP analyzes the pros and cons of each approach to help you maximize your credit card points.
Understanding the Different Types of Award Charts
August 11, 2021
No Comments
This article teaches you how to best use your miles and we explain the differences among the main types of award charts: zone-based, distance-based, and dynamic pricing.
How to Use Award Hacker
March 21, 2022
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ToP explains how to use Award Hacker, which is a helpful tool for redeeming your points and miles for flights.
ToP Guide to Booking an Award Flight
March 23, 2022
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How to Book an Award Flight Using Points We get a lot of questions in the ToP Facebook group about how to book an award
What Is Saver Availability?
April 26, 2022
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Saver award availability is crucial for booking cheap award flights. ToP explains what saver awards are and how to find them.
How to Book United’s Excursionist Perk
May 18, 2022
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ToP explains how to search and book United Airlines’ excursionist perk award, which can get you a free one-way award within a multi-city itinerary.
List of Airline Codes
June 20, 2022
No Comments
IATA airline codes can be confusing, but this list spells out the codes for most of the major airlines in the U.S. and the rest of the world.
How to Choose between Using a Travel Portal, Transferring to Partners, or Cash Back
August 1, 2021
No Comments
How should you choose when to use points through a travel portal, transfer to a travel partner, or convert to cash back? ToP analyzes the pros and cons of each approach to help you maximize your credit card points.
Understanding the Different Types of Award Charts
August 11, 2021
No Comments
This article teaches you how to best use your miles and we explain the differences among the main types of award charts: zone-based, distance-based, and dynamic pricing.
How to Use Award Hacker
March 21, 2022
No Comments
ToP explains how to use Award Hacker, which is a helpful tool for redeeming your points and miles for flights.
ToP Guide to Booking an Award Flight
March 23, 2022
No Comments
How to Book an Award Flight Using Points We get a lot of questions in the ToP Facebook group about how to book an award
How to Book United’s Excursionist Perk
May 18, 2022
No Comments
ToP explains how to search and book United Airlines’ excursionist perk award, which can get you a free one-way award within a multi-city itinerary.
List of Airline Codes
June 20, 2022
No Comments
IATA airline codes can be confusing, but this list spells out the codes for most of the major airlines in the U.S. and the rest of the world.
The Chase Trifecta (2022)
June 17, 2022
No Comments
How do you maximize earning Chase points? That’s easy. Obtain the Chase Trifecta. CSP/CSR, the Freedom Flex and the Freedom Unlimited (or Ink Unlimited) make an almost perfect trio of cards for bonus and non-bonus spending!
Credit Card Free Ways to Save Money in 2021
June 1, 2022
No Comments
The Travel on Points team explores ways to earn cash and gift cards back using methods other than credit cards.
How to Maximize Spending at Grocery Stores
May 10, 2022
7 Comments
Our spending habits may have changed during this time of social distancing, but everyone still needs to eat. If you’re like my family, you’re spending
How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards on Dining
April 15, 2022
5 Comments
As we spend more of our time in social distancing, many of us are cooking more. However, we all need a break sometime. Grabbing takeout or delivery can be a nice alternative for each of us.
Maximizing Points & Miles in One Player Mode
April 10, 2022
No Comments
Earning points in one player mode can be different. Explore strategies on how you can still earn significant points and miles to travel on!
ToP Guide to Amex Offers
March 21, 2022
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Amex Offers walks you through the uses and benefits of this great Amex program that can yield some big savings.
ToP Guide to Chase Offers
March 5, 2022
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Chase Offers walks you through the basics of how to use and maximize this great Chase program that can help you save money.
The Chase Trifecta (2022)
June 17, 2022
No Comments
How do you maximize earning Chase points? That’s easy. Obtain the Chase Trifecta. CSP/CSR, the Freedom Flex and the Freedom Unlimited (or Ink Unlimited) make an almost perfect trio of cards for bonus and non-bonus spending!
Credit Card Free Ways to Save Money in 2021
June 1, 2022
No Comments
The Travel on Points team explores ways to earn cash and gift cards back using methods other than credit cards.
How to Maximize Spending at Grocery Stores
May 10, 2022
7 Comments
Our spending habits may have changed during this time of social distancing, but everyone still needs to eat. If you’re like my family, you’re spending
How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards on Dining
April 15, 2022
5 Comments
As we spend more of our time in social distancing, many of us are cooking more. However, we all need a break sometime. Grabbing takeout or delivery can be a nice alternative for each of us.
Maximizing Points & Miles in One Player Mode
April 10, 2022
No Comments
Earning points in one player mode can be different. Explore strategies on how you can still earn significant points and miles to travel on!
ToP Guide to Amex Offers
March 21, 2022
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Amex Offers walks you through the uses and benefits of this great Amex program that can yield some big savings.
ToP Guide to Chase Offers
March 5, 2022
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Chase Offers walks you through the basics of how to use and maximize this great Chase program that can help you save money.
Guide: Shifting Credit Between Cards
July 26, 2020
No Comments
Many times, especially after you’ve been in the award travel world for a while, you may be approved for a smaller credit limit than you wanted or expected. This could be for various reasons, such as issues on your credit report, credit extended to you with that specific credit card company, total available credit, or low credit utilization or non-use of your existing credit cards.
ToP Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers
April 30, 2021
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers walks you through how to ask for a retention offer when your annual fee comes due.
Deciding Whether to Pay a Credit Card’s Annual Fee
October 8, 2021
No Comments
Credit card annual fees can be obnoxious, but ToP shares some factors to consider when deciding whether to pay them.
Guide: Shifting Credit Between Cards
July 26, 2020
No Comments
Many times, especially after you’ve been in the award travel world for a while, you may be approved for a smaller credit limit than you wanted or expected. This could be for various reasons, such as issues on your credit report, credit extended to you with that specific credit card company, total available credit, or low credit utilization or non-use of your existing credit cards.
ToP Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers
April 30, 2021
No Comments
The ToP Guide to Credit Card Retention Offers walks you through how to ask for a retention offer when your annual fee comes due.
Deciding Whether to Pay a Credit Card’s Annual Fee
October 8, 2021
No Comments
Credit card annual fees can be obnoxious, but ToP shares some factors to consider when deciding whether to pay them.