A better way to Travel

What if your daily spending could unlock free flights, luxury hotels, and premium experiences? 

This week, we’re talking about the art of earning, tracking, and redeeming points for travel.

Let’s get started on your journey to smarter spending and luxury travel.

Points aren’t just perks—they’re a gateway to:

Saving thousands on travel. Leverage rewards to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Elevating your lifestyle. Fly business class, stay in luxury hotels, and skip the lines with elite status perks.

Maximizing your financial fitness. Turn regular expenses into valuable rewards.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a business owner managing expenses, rewards points get you more for every dollar that you spend.

Pro Insight: Did you know redeeming points for business class flights can get you up to 10x more value per dollar spent than economy flights?

1. Choose the Right Credit Card
The right card is key to optimizing your rewards. Here are a few tailored to different needs:

Pro Insight: For higher spending power, focus on business credit cards, which offer higher limits and don’t report to personal credit.

2. Leverage Welcome Bonuses
Unlock thousands of points upfront by meeting minimum spend requirements:

Pro Insight: Plan large expenses—like business investments or travel—to hit these bonuses faster.

3. Maximize Everyday Spending
Every purchase adds up. Use your credit cards for:

Pro Insight: Combine category bonuses (like 3x dining) with promotions for even more rewards.

4. Use Shopping Portals and Cashback Apps
Platforms like Rakuten and TopCashback offer extra points for online purchases. Pair these with your credit card to double-dip on rewards.

Pro Tip: Some cards offer higher points multipliers when shopping directly through their online portals, such as Amex or Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Without organization, points can expire or be undervalued. Here’s how to stay on top of it all:

1. AwardWallet
Consolidate all loyalty accounts in one place. Track balances, expiration dates, and upcoming offers.

2. CardPointers
A must-have for strategists, this app tells you which card to use for each purchase to maximize rewards.

3. Monthly Statements
Review your statements regularly to ensure points are credited correctly and identify missed opportunities.

Pro Insight: Contact your card issuer immediately if points aren’t credited correctly. Most programs allow retroactive adjustments.

The true power of rewards lies in how you use them.

1. Transfer to Travel Partners
Get the most value by transferring points to loyalty programs. For instance:

2. Avoid Low-Value Redemptions
Don’t use your points for gift cards, statement credits, or merchandise. Instead, redeem them for travel worth 2 cents or more.

3. Sweet Spot Redemptions
Certain programs offer incredible deals known as “sweet spots”:

Pro Insight: Sweet spots vary by airline and hotel. Regularly check award charts and partner availability for updates.

Tokyo offers some of the best value for first-class flights. Use it as inspiration for your premium redemptions.

To book your flights at the best rate, check out our Award Booking Service.

1. Start Small
Focus on one or two credit card ecosystems (like Chase or Amex) to avoid spreading points across too many programs.

2. Stay Flexible
Be open to adjusting travel dates and destinations. Flexibility unlocks high-value deals.

3. Learn the Rules
Each loyalty program has its rules—like transfer time or fees. Take time to review the ones you use most.

Ready to start earning points? Here’s your action plan:

Want personalized recommendations? Fill out the inquiry form and we’ll help you find the perfect strategy to maximize your rewards.

Here’s to unlocking premium travel experiences, one point at a time. 

See you next week in The Leverage Letter!

Thank you,

Ade O.