How to Actually Get Started With Miles and Points

There is so much value to be had with miles and points but one of the most intimidating things can be actually knowing how to get started.

As you’ll see in the video, my five tips for getting started are as follows:

1. Decide on your travel goals and what kind of miles you should earn.
2. Sign up for frequent flyer account and hotel programs.
3. Use airline & hotel program shopping portals and dining portals.
4. If you really want to supercharge the points you’re earning pick a credit card that works for you.
5. Don’t over-diversify your points.

1. Decide on your travel goals and what kind of miles you should earn.

Are you hoping to redeem your miles for a simple domestic ticket in economy for your family? Or is your goal to fly international first-class to somewhere exotic?

2. Sign up for frequent flyer account and hotel programs.

Once you decide which airline you're going to fly most or which program makes the most sense for you, sign up for that program. Example this could be American Advantage if you fly American Airlines or Delta SkyMiles if you fly Delta.

3. Use airline & hotel program shopping portals and dining portals.

These aren't available in all countries but they are available in many including the US. The way this works is that if you go through an airline shopping portal you'll earn bonus miles for purchases you make with that retailer. All types of brands s offer bonus miles when you make those purchases online. All you have to do is through the airline shopping portal.

Sign up for links to Shopping and Dining Portals:

4. If you really want to supercharge the points you're earning pick a credit card that works for you.

Credit card companies are competing so fiercely for your business in 2 ways. One is they are offering huge welcome bonuses just for applying for a card and completing some amount of minimum spend. Some of these can be up to 100,000 points.

5. Don’t over-diversify your points.

You want to collect points currencies that can be transferred ideally to different airlines like a transferable points currency but try not to get points all at once in too many programs.

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♦ Earn miles. Fly first class. Stay in luxury hotels. Maximize elite status. Stretch your points. Choose the best credit cards. Find travel deals. One Mile At A Time.

About Ben Schlappig:

Lucky has been a travel blogger for over a decade and has flown over 4 million miles, visited more than fifty countries on six continents and has spent thousands of nights in hotels. He’s been chronicling his thoughts One Mile at a Time since early 2008.

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[michogg]

Let's reflect on how the duration of this video is 7 minutes and 47 seconds. 747

[maferogers]

Baby steps...I signed up Delta Sky Miles, AARP and IHG Holiday Inn memberships...

[SuperLeonard]

What miles card would you recommend for someone who doesn't have the best credit score or medium Credit 620 or higher ?

[AK-hihm]

wait so to earn 3x points on travel for your chase sapphire you need to book your trips through the chase website? or they just know from the bank statement you spent it with an airline or hotel? and then when you spend those points do you need to use the chase ultimate rewards website or could you just redeem for cash? is the payout the same?

[texasowl]

I like the way this guy talks. Very clearly and concisely.... easy subscribe from me

[gingeraroundtheworld]

Great intro! Currently investigating earning miles in China. In Dubai it was also pretty easy. Flew First on Etihad, Qatar and Singapore and business on Emirates, Oman, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, Malaysian, Qatar and Etihad after just one year of miles and cheap deals.

[applemauzel]

Is there any benefit to having more than one frequent flyer within the same airline alliance?

[jonathanp]

Ben good start! maybe next vid, focus on chase trifecta, amex tri, and hotels! start with chase as it seems to be #1 atm

[johnteutsch]

So whats the best card for travel for just me overseas like I want to plan a trip to veitnam

[khaliiffa]

I have been traveling all my life and I never used any points or miles. there is any way to get these flight history or something and get points for it?

[gestapoid]

I’m flying my wife to Europe business class solely on points after only 3 years collecting points, so it’s very possible.

[dkingg]

Good video. It’s important to have a goal in sight and stay disciplined. Rack up those miles.

[valmam]

HI! Thanks for all your advices...I'm new to this so I was wondering...If I am a frequent flyer of about 10 airlines, and some of them happen to be part of the same airlines alliance...Is it possible to put together all the miles accumulated in each airline and change/redeem them for a flight ticket through the airline alliance website??? I know this question could look like silly to you but I'm just starting to play this "miles" game...and I'd really apreciate you telling me if this is duable or not... Thanks and all the best!

[MsLadyLilian]

is this only one way to save your almost expiring miles is shopping
I thoght to book hotel will be another way Or perhaps open credit card ??

[breyes]

What are the best transferable currency companies? Each airline I go to are singular.

[arcadesmith]

how do you group miles from diferente airlines in one????

[oommenbiju]

I have 50k qmiles.. whats the best way to use it..?

[blesseveryonee]

Those people that dislikes this video is also your subscriber and your fan too....😂

[yysrj]

Thank you for the video, In what part of my account can add my miles or points from a flight? thank you in advance

[jahbariburton]

When I checked in with my miles number at the end of my trip I never got the miles…. Any suggestions?