Starter Kit, Vol. 2: Mastering Credit Cards & Piling Up Points

If you want to get into redeeming points and miles, you need to earn them first. So in our second installment of our Starter Kit series, Gunnar and Kyle break down the best strategies for earning tons of travel rewards. While it might start with credit cards as the engine of an earning strategy - and the guys spend some time outlining their strategies and busting credit score myths - there are plenty of other ways to rack up all the points and miles you need, too. Watch us on YouTube! Our Starter Kit is sponsored by Thrifty Traveler Premium, the world’s best flight deal service. Get $20 off your first year of Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alerts - use promo code “START” at thriftytraveler.com/premium.  00:00 - What would do with a blank slate in points & miles? 02:35 - The most important step for earning tons of points 07:50 - Understanding award travel credit cards 15:40 - What to consider when signing up for a credit card? 22:20 - Our favorite starter travel rewards credit cards 29:30 - Go deeper: Sign up for our free Extra Mile newsletter! 30:00 - How to earn points & miles with strategic spending 37:30 - The ways to earn points & miles without credit cards Volume 2 Flight Plan:  Get Organized: Track and organize your points and credit cards using our credit card benefit tracker, a personal spreadsheet, or a note on your smartphone. Set a goal & work backwards: Set your travel goals first, then figure out what points, miles, and credit cards can get you there. Use the “Potter Pause”: Activate that mental block before you make any purchase so you can maximize every dollar you spend. Ramp up your “accidental earning”: Link your loyalty programs, sign up for shopping and travel portals, and nibble around the edges to stack up points and miles. Related Episodes: https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-67-record-card-bonuses/ https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/bonus-ep-chase-sapphire-preferred-update/ https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/ep-61-how-to-earn-a-million-points/ https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-46-whats-in-our-wallets/ https://thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/episode-30-award-travel-tools-of-the-trade/ Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.comGet 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!Follow us on…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.