How to Start With Points in 2026 (Beginner Guide)
Barcelona with my boys 2015
Written by Julie Davis, No Point Left Behind
If you’ve ever wondered how people fly for almost free, book beautiful hotels with points, or stack perks to save hundreds on trips — you’re in the right place. And the best part? You don’t need to be a credit‑card expert, a frequent flyer, or someone with hours to spend researching.
I’m a travel‑hacking mom who started with zero knowledge and a whole lot of curiosity. Today, points and miles help us take more trips, spend less, and make travel feel easier — and I want the same for you.
This guide breaks down exactly how to start with points in 2026, step by step, without overwhelm.
Heads up: This post has affiliate and personal referral links. If you use them, I earn a tiny commission — the kind that fuels coffee, not private jets. Thanks for supporting my travel‑obsessed corner of the internet.
My Beginner Travel Hacking Resources - Beginner Guide to Points and Miles
Start here if you’re new to points - Travel Hacking 101
✨ Step 1: Know Your Travel Goals
Before you open a card or chase a bonus, ask yourself:
Do you want free flights?
Free hotel nights?
Cheaper family trips?
A big bucket‑list vacation?
More comfort (lounges, upgrades, perks)?
Your goals determine which points matter most.
Examples:
Want free flights? → Chase, Amex, Capital One
Want free hotel nights? → Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton
Want simple cash‑back? → Chase Freedom cards
You don’t need to know everything — just what you want.
✨ Step 2: Start With One Flexible Points Program
Flexible points are the easiest way to begin because they work with multiple airlines and hotels.
The big three:
Chase Ultimate Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards
Capital One Miles
Why beginners love them:
Easy to earn
Easy to redeem
Easy to fix mistakes
Great for families
Stackable with portals + offers
Pick ONE program to start. You can always expand later.
✨ Step 3: Open ONE Beginner Card
You don’t need five cards. You need one good starter card that earns flexible points.
I’m not a credit card affiliate — these are my personal referral links. If you choose to use them, I may earn bonus points at no extra cost to you. I only share the cards I personally use and love.
Great beginner options:
Choose the one that fits your lifestyle — not the one with the biggest bonus.
✨ Step 4: Earn the Welcome Bonus
This is where beginners see their first “wow” moment.
Most cards offer:
40,000–90,000 points
after spending a certain amount in 3 months
Use your card for:
groceries
gas
dining
bills
insurance
kids’ activities
subscriptions
You’re already spending this money — now it earns you trips.
How I stack everyday spending for more points
✨ Step 5: Use Shopping Portals + Rakuten
This is the easiest beginner win.
Before you shop online, go through:
Rakuten(Amex points or cash back)
Chase Shopping Portal
You can earn:
5x
10x
sometimes 15x
…on things you were already buying.
Pro tip: I use TrackRak to catch Rakuten spikes automatically so I never miss the best payouts.
Keep Learning
✨ Step 6: Stack Your Credits
If your card comes with perks, use them intentionally.
Examples:
Amex Gold: dining + Uber credits
Chase Sapphire Preferred: hotel credit + travel protections
Capital One Venture: TSA PreCheck + travel credit
These perks help offset annual fees and stretch your budget.
Don’t miss my Stack and Save Credit Card Strategy - Credit Card Stacking Guide 2026 | Stack & Save Hub
✨ Step 7: Book Your First Trip With Points
Once you’ve earned your first 40,000–60,000 points, you can book:
a round‑trip domestic flight
a weekend hotel stay
a family trip with discounted flights
a cruise flight using airline miles
a bucket‑list destination with transfer partners
This is where everything clicks.
✋ Beginner Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
When I first started with points, I made every classic mistake — not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t know what actually mattered.
1. Opening too many cards too fast
More cards = more confusion. Start with one.
2. Chasing bonuses I didn’t need
If a card doesn’t fit your lifestyle, skip it.
3. Ignoring flexible points
I wasted time earning airline‑specific points. Flexible points are easier.
4. Not using shopping portals
I left SO many points on the table.
5. Letting credits expire
Dining credits, Uber credits, hotel credits… I missed them all. Now I track everything with CardPointers.
🚫 What NOT to Do When You’re Starting With Points
❌ Don’t open a premium card first
Start simple.
❌ Don’t overspend to earn points
Points should reward your normal spending.
❌ Don’t try to learn everything at once
You don’t need to understand transfer partners yet.
❌ Don’t compare your progress to influencers
You’re building a system that works for your family.
❌ Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment
The best time to start is now.
🗓️ Your First 30 Days With Points (Beginner Roadmap)
Week 1: Set Your Foundation
Choose your travel goal
Pick ONE points program
Choose ONE beginner card
Apply + activate
Week 2: Start Earning Points
Put normal spending on your new card
Set up autopay
Add your card to Apple Pay / Google Pay
Create Rakuten + portal accounts
Install browser extensions
Week 3: Learn the Basics
Read your card’s perks
Add your card to CardPointers
Try your first portal purchase
Browse transfer partners
Week 4: Get Your First Win
Track your welcome bonus progress
Book a small redemption
Try your first stack
Save your first $20–$50
By the end of 30 days, you’ll feel confident, organized, and ready for your first real trip booked with points.
✨ Real Example: How We Saved $1,400 on a Norway Cruise
We used:
airline miles for flights
a cruise deal
hotel points for pre‑cruise stay
lounge access on travel day
stacking portals + credits
This is what points can do — even for families. Read the full breakdown of this trip → How to Book a Norway Fjords Cruise on a Budget (Our $1,300 Strategy)
✨ Julie’s Beginner Toolkit (2026 Edition)
These are the exact tools I use and recommend to beginners:
CardPointers— tracks every credit + perk
Rakuten — earns Amex points on everyday shopping
TrackRak— alerts me when Rakuten spikes
Rove Miles - earn points on everyday purchases my 2nd choice after Rakuten
✨ Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Be an Expert — You Just Need a Starting Point
Travel hacking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about using the tools you already have to make travel more affordable, more comfortable, and more fun.
Start with one card. Earn one bonus. Book one trip.
That’s how every expert — including me — began.
If you want help choosing your first card or building your beginner plan, I’m always here to help.
New to points and miles and want a place to learn without overwhelm? Join my Travel Hacking Moms Group on Facebook. It’s a supportive space for beginners, families, and anyone who wants to travel smarter in 2026.
About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families and beginners how to make travel more affordable through simple, approachable points‑and‑miles strategies. What started as one mom trying to stretch a vacation budget has grown into a community of travelers learning how to book flights, hotels, and cruises for less — without overwhelm or complicated jargon.
Julie specializes in beginner travel hacking, cruise planning, and deal stacking, sharing real‑life examples from her own adventures, including her family’s cruise to the Norwegian fjords and national park trips. Her goal is to make travel feel doable for everyone, no matter your starting point.
