You’ve opened a credit card, claimed a sign-up bonus, and maybe even booked your first trip. Congrats, you’re officially in the game. That first trip, maybe a quick getaway to Florida or a weekend at Disneyland, was proof that you can travel with miles and points, and I’m sure it felt pretty good saving hundreds of dollars along the way.
Now the big question: what’s next? How do you turn that first win into a system that helps you travel more often, farther, and smarter? This guide is about taking the next step: showing you how to set goals, research strategically, and start earning the points you need to reach them.
Identify Your Next Goal
The obvious next step is that you need to earn more miles and points. But you don’t want to do that without a plan. You can certainly continue to earn on whatever credit card you have, but if you want to take it further, you need to think further. Your next step should be to pick your next destination. Where do you actually want to go? Europe? Asia? A tropical island? Your goal will shape every decision you make after this, from which points to focus on to which airlines and routes to research.
For example, if you want to get to travel with miles and points to Paris, your goal is clear. That means you need to figure out which points programs give you the best access to flights there, what airlines fly those routes, and how many points you’ll realistically need.
Research How to Get There
Once you know your goal, it’s time to figure out how to actually get there using points. This is the research phase, and it’s where a little homework goes a long way.
Here’s what I do:
Use PointsYeah – This is an incredible resource for seeing which airlines and programs can get you to your destination, how many points it costs, and whether transfers are needed. It saves a ton of guesswork, but it doesn’t cover everything. It’s a great starting point and typically the first one that I use.
Two options seem to be the best: Aeroplan and Virgin Atlantic. As you can see, both show the miles needed, where you can transfer points from, and the taxes and fees associated. As mentioned in the previous post in this series, transferable points currencies tend to be the most versatile and valuable.
Check award charts and transfer partners – From there, whether you have the specific points or not, it helps to see which airlines fly to your destination and which programs offer the best redemption rates. I’ll reiterate again, some cards let you transfer points to multiple airlines, and knowing which programs give you the best value can make a big difference. From my own knowledge, I know that KLM, with its Flying Blue program, flies from Salt Lake City to Paris with a stop, so I looked there as well for options. Most transferable currencies transfer to Flying Blue.
Read blogs and trip reports – Other travelers’ experiences are invaluable. They often share sweet spots, mistakes to avoid, and timing tips. Search for things like “best way to get to Paris with miles and points” or “Europe business class award tips.” The online resources are endless. This works with any destination.
Look for promotions and deals – Sometimes airlines run limited-time offers or transfer bonuses that can save thousands of points. Researching these opportunities can be the difference between a good redemption and an amazing one. Flying Blue will have monthly promos, and these flights can drop as low as 15,000 miles.
Research isn’t about being perfect. It’s about knowing your options and understanding the levers you can pull. When you combine a clear goal with solid research, you’ll see exactly how to maximize your points and make that dream trip happen.
Earn the Right Points
Now that you know which programs can actually get you to Paris, it’s time to earn the points that will make it happen. This is where a lot of people get held up. It’s simple enough to have one credit card, but the thought of possibly getting a second seems daunting.
Here’s how I think about it. If I know Flying Blue is one of the best ways to get to Paris, then I want to focus on cards that earn transferable points that can move into Flying Blue, like Amex, Capital One, or Citi. That way, the points I earn today can turn into a ticket to Paris tomorrow.
If you read our beginner post and already have a Capital One Venture card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you’re on the right track. Keep using it for everyday spending, but know that you might eventually hit a wall. At some point, you’ll need more points than one card can comfortably generate. That’s where a few smart strategies come in:
Stick with the same bank
If you started with Chase, you could add a Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited. They don’t have annual fees, and they earn Ultimate Rewards that combine with your Sapphire points. Same with Capital One, consider adding a SavorOne or VentureOne that builds your balance faster. Both banks have premium cards as well, which can be a great way to hit larger sign-on bonuses.
Go Player Two
If you have a spouse or partner, this is a game-changer. Have them open the same card you already have, or a complementary one, and double up on sign-up bonuses. You can even use referral links to earn extra points when they’re approved. Two people earning in tandem can rack up points much faster than one.
Branch out strategically
Once you’re comfortable, consider diversifying. If you started with Capital One, you could add an Amex Gold or Citi Premier to get access to different transfer partners. These miles and points will be in different accounts, but they can be combined once transferred to airline programs like Flying Blue.
The main point here is simple: don’t be afraid of adding another card when it makes sense. Earning points through sign-up bonuses is the fastest way to grow your balances and actually take the trips you’ve been dreaming about. You don’t have to go wild with 10 cards at once, just build slowly, with your next goal in mind.
Booking the Trip
Now that you have earned the points you need, it is time for the best part: actually booking the trip. This is where all that planning and earning pays off.
Start by checking award availability. Most airline programs release seats about 350 days in advance. For economy, this is not as critical, but for business or first class, booking early can make a big difference. Some programs use dynamic pricing, so points needed can fluctuate depending on demand. Also, some programs are distance-based, so repositioning to a nearby airport or city can open up availability and even lower the points required. Flexibility is key. A day or two earlier or later can make a huge difference in both availability and cost.
Compare your options. Sometimes it is better to transfer points to an airline partner for a slightly cheaper ticket. Other times, booking directly through your card’s travel portal is easier and still gives great value. Check everything. Multiple airlines, multiple programs, and multiple routes. Seeing the full picture helps you pick the best option.
Transfer points carefully. Once points move into an airline program, they cannot come back. Double-check the dates, fees, and exact points required before transferring. This is especially important for big trips like Paris or Tokyo. You do not want to waste points because of a rushed transfer.
Finally, book it. Once you see the right flight at the right price in points, pull the trigger. Waiting too long often means the award space disappears. The satisfaction of seeing that ticket booked with points is what makes all the effort worth it and turns miles and points from numbers on a screen into real experiences in the world.
Closing: Turning Points into Your Next Adventure
You’ve dipped your toes, set a goal, researched your options, earned the right points, and learned how to book strategically. That first trip was just the beginning. Now you know how to take the next step and travel with miles and points like a pro.
Remember, this is a journey, not a race. Each trip you take teaches you something new about which programs work best for you, how to maximize sign-up bonuses, and how to find sweet spots for award travel.
The most important part is to keep playing the game. Pick your next goal, do your research, earn smartly, and book strategically. Over time, you will see how miles and points open doors to incredible travel experiences that were once out of reach.
Your next adventure is waiting. All it takes is a plan, a few points, and the courage to take the next step.
My Strategy
We follow this strategy on a slightly deeper level. Every card we open has a purpose, usually tied to a specific travel goal, but always with the understanding that transferable points are the most valuable to accumulate.
When we have a big trip in mind, like Japan or South Africa, we select cards that align directly with the airlines or programs that will get us there most efficiently. For other trips, like Tahiti, we rely on points we’ve already built up across multiple programs, putting them to the best use possible.
The key is consistency and focus. We know the value of miles and points, and we are working hard to always be able to travel with miles and points. We are always looking for opportunities to earn more, through sign-up bonuses, everyday spending, and referrals when it makes sense. Each new card, each transfer, each redemption is part of a bigger plan to travel farther, smarter, and more often.
At the time of this writing, we are about to have twins, and our travel is going to be on hold for a little while. During this time, we are working on our Africa trip, and once we have what we need, we will continue to earn transferable points so we can use them in the future. So, even if you’re not traveling now, don’t think it’s worthless to earn miles and points.