Reward credit cards can be an excellent way to accumulate the points and miles you need for a free flight or hotel stay. However, it’s perfectly normal to feel like you’ve gone months with a rewards balance worth only a few dollars.
But don’t worry – you can earn tens of thousands of points per year without spending thousands of dollars on your credit card. Here are simple tips for accumulating more credit card points.
Meet the Minimum Spending Requirement to Receive a Sign-Up Bonus
Most credit cards provide a sign-up bonus: An influx of points for making certain purchases within a specified time frame. Sign-up bonuses are typically large enough to dent your spending significantly.
Although sign-up bonuses are often hundreds of dollars, you should never go over budget or incur debt to get the bonus. If possible, avoid carrying credit card debt.
Use Additional Bonus Offers
There are other ways to earn points besides the sign-up bonus, which is frequently the best option.
– Authorized user bonuses
Some credit cards provide extra rewards for adding an authorized user. Add authorized users with caution because, while that person can use the credit account, they are not legally obligated to make payments.
– Referral bonuses
Some cards provide bonus points if friends apply for credit cards through your referral link.
– Bonuses for additional spending
Some credit cards provide bonus points regularly to encourage continued spending. These offers can be lucrative if you don’t have a better earning rate on another credit card. Other cards provide benefits that aren’t points for meeting spending goals — and these benefits are often more valuable than points.
Use Online Shopping Websites
Use online shopping portals for purchases you would have made anyway, as they can earn you additional points. Many loyalty programs, particularly frequent flier programs, have online shopping portals.
This is how it works: You shop on the merchant’s website, but first, you must navigate to their online shop via a link associated with your frequent flier account. When you do this, a cookie is placed in the browser that tracks your shopping activity and credits you with miles based on your purchase.
For Anything that Doesn’t Involve a Fee, Use Your Credit Card
Use your credit card to accumulate rewards whenever you can. Examine your automated payments and ensure all your bills and subscriptions are linked to your credit card.
You don’t even need to carry physical credit cards with you. Configure your mobile device to accept mobile payments. Even if you don’t have your wallet, you can pay with your smartphone at a convenience store that accepts mobile payments.
Use Temporary Bonuses to Your Advantage
Pay attention to when it’s time to use a specific credit card or to activate bonuses. Some credit cards provide bonus rewards in rotating categories every few months. You can keep track of which card to use and when by simply affixing a sticky note to your card that reads, “Restaurants and PayPal, June through August.”
