Using Points For More Than Travel

Often we focus on all the amazing ways we can redeem our points for travel. This includes mostly free flights and hotels, whether luxurious or not, and the adventure of booking that next trip. Every once in a while, though, we can use points for things that save us money in other places instead. In the end, that can still help us pay for something else that ends up being travel-related. It could be taxes on that next business class flight, or something else related to travel. As we like to say, money is fungible, and using points for more than travel can be a blessing too. Sometimes it can even help make you money, like when Derrick used points to sell his house.

Why I Used Points For Something Other Than Travel

Just like travel, our life plans can sometimes catch us off guard. I found myself with an unexpected move, and as we all know, moving is not cheap.

Usually, I try to offset almost all of my travel strictly with points. That is unless it is a business-related trip that I can deduct on my taxes. While I have ditched a few of my much more frugal ways of yesteryear, I still love to save money where I can. This is despite any bougie trips I may take (that's for you Derrick & Sarah).

For this move, I devised a plan to get a card that would earn me cash back to offset the moving expenses. Cash back is a concept we don't focus on too much at ToP. However, it's important to remember there are cards out there too that reward you with cash back opportunities and they can serve a purpose on occasion.

Which Card Did I Go With

I reviewed plenty of card choices and options. Which card one eventually chooses depends on where you are in one's points and miles journey.

In the end, I opted for the Capital One Spark Cash Select card. The welcome offer, when I applied, was for $750 cash back after $6,000 in spend in three months. This card does count towards 5/24, but that was not a concern for me. Due to a lot of business purchases, I met the minimum spend on the card quickly.

Doubling Down On My Earning

After quickly hitting the spend on the Capital One Spark Cash Select card I decided to grab a second one for my remaining moving expenses. That is when I noticed the Bank Of America Alaska Airlines Business card had an elevated offer. I was able to put all my moving expenses on it. This allowed me to earn some free travel, and some cash back, in part from an unexpected expense.

Next up, I cashed out my Capital One welcome offer, which was almost $850 after the spend. You may be wondering, just how far does $850 go for moving these days? Well, for a bachelor in a small apartment with a short move it did the job. I was able to hire movers for the heavy lifting and cleaners for the apartment I was leaving. This might not be much for some, but it was a lot less stressful for me. Especially with my work weeks already stretched to the maximum between my day job and ToP.

Using Points for More than Travel: ToP Thoughts

Life happens, whether in travel or other places. Sometimes we can go beyond thinking about the next trip. Using points for more than travel is part of the hobby as well. This is regardless of what you are using the points or cash for. Don't be afraid to do something similar should the need arise.

Sometimes you are more points rich than cash rich, and that unexpected expense can cause stress. Points can help alleviate some of that pain. Other times, you end up spoiling yourself with something that you would have never bought otherwise. That can pay dividends that exceed travel highs, even if the cents per points feels shamefully low. The end measurement should be a joy after all!

Have you focused on cash back to pay for something other than travel? Come share your experience in our Facebook Group.