The One Thing You Need to Succeed with Points and Miles

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Earning points and miles seems easy, right? A few hacks, a few swipes, and you’re rolling in rewards. But here’s the harsh truth: without common sense, your “easy wins” could land you in big trouble.

I’ve seen it all—enthusiastic beginners pulling off risky stunts and then wondering why things go south. Let me tell you, navigating the points and miles world takes more than just knowing the latest tricks. It takes a little patience, a lot of knowledge, and—above all—common sense.

Some People Just Don’t Get It

I don’t want to sound like a prude, but I shake my head every time I see posts like this online:

“I just signed up for a card and met the $10,000 spending requirement in 8 days by buying money orders and gift cards. When can I cancel the card and what do I do with these gift cards?”

Or worse:

“I cycled $50,000 through my card with a $5,000 limit by cashing in gift cards for money orders in one month. Chase just shut down my account. WHY??? Who can I complain to?”

Really? What are you thinking? Did anything about this seem normal? Especially when you’ve had the card for less than a week?

Banks notice this stuff. They have algorithms, risk teams, and yes, actual humans reviewing accounts. What do you think they’ll do when you game the system in ways that scream suspicious activity?

Why Common Sense is Essential

This isn’t Monopoly money. It’s real money with real consequences. If your credit score is just a tool for racking up rewards, that’s a short-sighted approach. Your credit history affects major life decisions:

• Getting approved for a mortgage or car loan.
• Renting an apartment.
• Insurance rates.
• Even landing certain jobs.

Imagine you maxed out 20 cards, canceled half of them within a few months, and left your credit file looking like a mess. That’s going to hurt.

Forget about how you look to banks—because, honestly, if you keep gaming them, they will catch up to you. Whether it’s AMEX’s RAT team or stricter rules from Chase and Citi, your risky behavior will backfire sooner or later.

You might be thinking, “Who cares? There are plenty of cards out there. I’ll move on to the next thing.” But trust me, banks and credit card companies are smarter than you think.

The Right Way to Approach Points and Miles

I don’t think there’s a single “right” way to approach earning points and miles. Everyone’s journey is different, and that’s one of the main reasons Sharon and I started Your Mileage May Vary. What works for one person might not work for another. That said, being financially irresponsible isn’t the right approach for anyone.

If you’re new to the game, here’s how to keep it smart and safe:

1. Start Slow: Don’t dive in headfirst. Learn the ropes and understand how the system works before you try advanced strategies.
2. Stick to What You Know: If you’re a Marriott fan, maximize Marriott rewards before branching out. It’s better to master one program than dabble in ten.
3. Avoid Small Balances in Every Program: Having 5,000 points in ten programs won’t get you far. Choose a few programs and stick to them.
4. Never Risk Your Financial Security: This is the most important rule. Take a step back if you can’t pay off your cards in full or struggle with financial discipline. There’s a big difference between having $500,000 in credit available and using it responsibly.

Manufactured Spending: A Word of Caution

This isn’t a post about manufactured spending (MS)—I’ve already shared my thoughts on that topic here. But here’s the bottom line: MS is like wizardry. Done right, it can be incredibly rewarding. If done wrong, it can blow up in your face.

Think of it this way: before you try to make feathers float like Harry Potter, maybe start with learning the basics of the points world.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to this hobby or a seasoned pro, the key to long-term success is using common sense. Sure, there are flashy tricks and advanced techniques, but they’re not worth it if they jeopardize your financial stability or reputation.

Do you have questions about starting your points journey? Or maybe a tip that’s worked for you? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

Feature photo from Frits Ahlefeldt