Your Complete Guide to Credit Cards, Points & Miles
Learn how to choose the right cards, earn more points, and travel for less. Whether you're brand‑new to points or ready to optimize your entire wallet, this hub brings all my best guides together in one place.
Travel hacking doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right credit card (or two), you can earn points on the purchases you’re already making and redeem them for real trips. I’ve used points and miles to book flights to Europe, cruises, Southwest trips, and luxury hotel stays — all without changing my lifestyle.
This guide breaks down the best travel credit cards for beginners, the cards I personally use, and how to choose the right one for your goals.
I started this blog to help beginners and families unlock their dream travel. Whether you're dreaming of a free cruise, a luxury hotel stay, or want to stretch your budget further, I’ll show you how to turn everyday spending into extraordinary travel.
This page is your launchpad. I’ve curated the best credit cards for travel rewards, explained how they work, and shared my favorite strategies to help you travel smarter, not harder.
This blog contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for supporting NO POINT LEFT BEHIND — it helps me keep sharing savvy travel hacks and family adventures.
I’m not a financial advisor. Everything here is based on my personal experience with points and miles. Please make sure any credit card fits your own budget, goals, and comfort level before applying.
✈️ How Travel Credit Cards Work (Beginner Breakdown)
Travel cards reward you with points or miles for your everyday spending. You can redeem those points for:
Flights
Cruises
Hotels
Rental cars
Excursions
Statement credits
Upgrades
The key is choosing a card that matches your spending habits and travel goals — not the one with the flashiest perks.
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Beginner Cruise Credit Card Guide
Our step‑by‑step roadmap to choosing the right card for cruising.
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Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles
How rewards work, what to avoid, and how to earn your first free trip.
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No Annual Fee Starter Cards
Great beginner options that still earn solid rewards.
BEST CARDS BY TRAVEL STYLE
Choose the right card based on how you travel — cruises, hotels, flights, or everyday spending.
TIPS, STRATEGY & HOW‑TO GUIDES
Quick, helpful guides to help you earn more points and avoid common mistakes.
✨ Why Credit Card Strategy Matters
Credit cards aren’t just for emergencies or cashback. When used strategically, they unlock free cruises, flights, hotels, and perks most people overlook. I’ve booked Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyage cruises using points, casino matches, and smart card combos—and you can too.
🤔 New to points and miles? I’ve got answers to your most common questions. Read the FAQ → Frequently Asked Questions
👩👧 Stay-at-Home Moms Can Get Credit Cards
Yes, you can qualify—even without a traditional paycheck. Most banks allow you to list household income, which includes your partner’s salary or shared resources.
Great starter cards:
Chase Freedom Unlimited – easy approval, great multipliers
Amex Everyday – no annual fee, flexible points
These cards build your foundation as Player 1—the strategist behind your family’s travel wins. Learn more ->Credit Cards Stay at Home Mom
🎮Player & Player 2 Strategy
Think of Player 1 as the lead travel hacker. Player 2 (your partner, spouse, or trusted friend) supports the strategy.
How to play smart:
Stagger applications to earn multiple welcome bonuses
Add Player 2 as an authorized user to boost spend and perks
Split cards to cover more categories (groceries, travel, dining)
This duo strategy helped me book back-to-back cruises with stacked perks. -> Player 1 Player 2 Credit Card Rewards
🔄 Strategic Downgrades & Retention Offers
Don’t want to pay high annual fees forever? You don’t have to.
Smart moves:
Downgrade premium cards to no-fee versions
Call for retention offers before canceling
Product change to cards that better fit your current strategy
This helps maintain a strong credit history while rotating benefits
🧃 Stack & Save: Layering Offers
This is where the magic happens.
Stack like a pro:
Book through travel portals (Chase, Amex, Rakuten) for extra points -> Online Shopping Portals
Use promo codes from cruise lines + credit card perks
Combine casino status, portal cashback, and onboard credit
Examples: I break down all my trips here ->Real Points & Miles Adventures
Stacked my way to a FREE Southwest flight! Learn how I used gift card credits, quarterly reimbursements, and Amex points to cover a $176 ticket—zero out of pocket! This travel hack is perfect for beginners, moms, and anyone looking to fly smarter. -> Stacking Credit card rewards
🕵️ Hidden Travel Credits You Might Be Missing
Your cards may offer perks you’ve never used:
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck reimbursements
Airline incidental credits (seat upgrades, baggage fees)
Cruise onboard credits via travel portals
Lounge access, priority boarding, and trip insurance
🧩 Two-Card Combos That Work Hard
You don’t need 10 cards to win. Just two smart ones can unlock serious value.
My favorite combos:
Chase Sapphire Preferred + Freedom Unlimited
Pick a combo that fits your spend—and watch the points roll in.
Learn more about this powerful duo -> What is the Two-Card Combo
Real Trips I Booked With Points & Miles Text:
See exactly how I use credit card points to book cruises, hotels, and flights for little to no cash.
Examples:
Caribbean Cruises booked with points
Hyatt stays booked with points
Flights booked using Chase Ultimate Rewards
The information on this page is for educational purposes only. I’m not a financial advisor, and nothing here should be taken as financial, legal, or tax advice. Credit card rewards can be incredibly valuable, but they’re not right for everyone. Always review the terms of any card, consider your own financial situation, and make decisions that align with your budget and goals. Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which help support my work at no additional cost to you.
🚀 Ready to Start Earning Points for Your Next Trip?
If you’re new to travel hacking, these are the two best starter cards:
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® → See current offer
2. Capital One Venture → See current offer
Both are beginner‑friendly, flexible, and powerful enough to take you from your first free flight to your first big bucket‑list trip.
What’s in My Wallet (and Why)
These are the cards I personally carry and how I use each one in my real travel strategy.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
My go‑to for travel protections, lounge access, and premium perks.
Amex Platinum
My airport lounge workhorse — especially Centurion Lounges.
Hyatt Credit Card
I’m loyal to Hyatt because their points stretch far. This card helps me earn free nights quickly.
Hilton Aspire
A powerhouse for Hilton loyalists with automatic Diamond status and annual free night certificates.
Capital One Venture
A premium card with an easy‑to‑use travel credit and Priority Pass access.
Southwest Priority
I fly Southwest often, and this card helps me earn toward the Companion Pass.
Alaska Airlines Visa
The annual Companion Fare is worth the fee all by itself.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
My everyday earner that feeds points into my Sapphire Reserve.
