“Hey Ade, I found a ticket to Thailand but it’s Only 1.7 Cents Per Mile. Does It Make Sense to Book It?”
I got this text earlier this month, and my answer was simple: “It depends.”
People love to talk about “getting the best value” from points and miles, but here’s the truth:
Free travel is NOT free!
Your points are rebates on spending - you earned them.
How you redeem them determines their actual value and understanding this is the key to making the most of every point you accumulate.
So, when should you burn your points, and when should you hold onto them?
Let’s break it down.
The Two Types of Travel Hackers
1. The “Zero Cash” Traveler
Their goal is to Pay $0 out of pocket with no exception.
They redeem points through bank travel portals (Chase, Amex, Capital One).
They cash out at fixed rates (1.25–1.5 cents per point).
They avoid out-of-pocket costs, even if it means less value per redemption.
This method is great for eliminating travel expenses altogether, but it often means missing out on significant travel value.
2. The “Freemium” Traveler
Their goal is to fly in business class for less than economy prices.
They transfer points to airline partners for better value.
They aim for business and first-class redemptions where points can be worth more.
They’re willing to pay some cash to unlock luxury experiences.
This approach stretches points further and delivers insane value, like flying business class for 95% off.
Neither method is wrong, but knowing which type of traveler you are will help you make better redemption choices.
So Does “Cents Per Mile” Really Matter?
Many travel influencers will tell you to never redeem points for economy flights. They swear business class is the only way. But here’s the reality:
It’s your trip, your points, your vacation–do what works for you.
A free flight is a free flight whether it’s economy or business class and redemption value is personal. What makes sense for someone else may not work for you.
If you want to stretch every point for maximum value, business class is the play. But if you’re happy getting where you need to go for $0 out of pocket, that’s a win, too.
The real key is knowing your options and making informed choices.
Award Booking of the Week
United Polaris Business Class – U.S. to Italy (One-Way)
Retail Price: $3,143
Points Used: 70,000 miles
Taxes & Fees: ~$60
Total Savings: $3,000+
Imagine flying United Polaris Business Class from Chicago to Rome, relaxing in a lie-flat seat, sipping champagne—all for pennies on the dollar.
This is what a smart points strategy can unlock.
Anybody can build credit and everyone spends money. Why not leverage both to fund your business and travel?
Where You Book Matters
Want to maximize your points and get business-class flights for next to nothing? We’ve got you covered.
Custom Award Booking – Get premium travel for minimal cost.
Credit Strategy Consulting – Earn the most points possible for your lifestyle.
Business Funding Guidance – Use credit to scale your business and travel smarter.
Reply to this email if you’re ready to fund your business and travel for less.
How to Earn More Points Without Spending More
The biggest lie about travel hacking is that you need to spend more to earn more points.
🚫 False. 🚫
You don’t need to change what you buy—you just need to change how you buy.
Three Ways to Supercharge Your Points Earning
Optimize Your Everyday Spending
Dining & Food Delivery - Amex Gold earns 4x points.
Business Expenses - Chase Ink Preferred earns 3x points.
Gas & Groceries - Citi Premier earns 3x points.
Leverage Business Credit
Business cards don’t report to personal credit and often have higher limits.
If you’re not using business credit, you’re leaving money on the table.
Stack Bonus Offers & Shopping Portals
Many issuers offer temporary 5x bonuses on select spending.
Shopping portals like Rakuten and airline shopping portals stack additional points.
Point-Earning Mistakes to Avoid
Using one card for everything: Diversify cards to maximize category bonuses.
Ignoring sign-up bonuses: These are the fastest way to get huge chunks of points.
Redeeming points for gift cards: Horrible value. Transfer points to travel partners instead.
These small tweaks can earn you 3–5x more points without increasing your spending.
Ready to Start?
Want a custom strategy to turn your everyday spending into free premium flights?
Let’s make it happen.
Reply to this email and let’s get started.
Fund your Business. Fund your Life.
– Ade O.