Traveling for free—or close to it—might sound too good to be true. But with the right credit
cards, some strategy, and a bit of patience, traveling with points is not only possible—it’s
smart. In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of using points to travel, how to earn and
redeem them, and why this world of credit card rewards might just change the way you book
your next trip.
💳 What Does It Mean to Travel with Points?
At its core, traveling with points means using credit card rewards to pay for flights, hotels,
and even entire vacations. By putting your everyday spending on the right rewards cards, you
earn points or miles that can later be redeemed for travel.
Instead of dropping $1,200 on a roundtrip to Europe, you might book it for 60,000 points + $5.60
in taxes. That’s the power of travel hacking.
💰 Cash Back vs. Points: What’s the Difference?
Let’s break it down.
● Cash Back: You get a percentage of your spending back as cash. It’s simple, flexible,
and ideal for people who prefer statement credits or direct deposits.
● Points & Miles: These are more valuable for travel. Depending on the program, you
can redeem them for flights, hotel stays, upgrades, and more.
⚡ Points Currencies You Can Earn:
● Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR)
● American Express Membership Rewards (MR)
● Capital One Miles
● Citi ThankYou Points
● Hotel/airline-specific points (Hyatt, Marriott, United, etc.)
👉 In general, points have more upside than cash back when used wisely.
💳 Team Travel vs. Team Cash Back: Which One Wins?
There’s always a debate in the credit card world:
Are you Team Travel (points/miles) or Team Cash Back?
Here’s the deal:
Team Cash Back
● Simple, flexible, and reliable
● You know exactly what you’re getting (e.g., 2% back = $2 per $100 spent)
● Great for people who want to reduce everyday expenses
BUT…
Team Travel (Points & Miles)
● More potential value—like turning 60,000 points into a $1,000+ flight
● Access to transfer partners, luxury travel, upgrades, and perks
● Sign-up bonuses often go way further than equivalent cashback
Let’s say both cards offer a $4,000 spend requirement:
● Cash back card: $200 bonus
● Points card: 60,000 points → $750–$1,200 in travel value
💥 That’s a huge difference.
Bottom line:
If you love travel (or even want to start), Team Travel offers more upside.
Cash back is safe—but points are powerful.
🔁 Transfer Partners: Unlocking Maximum Value
One of the best features of flexible points (like UR and MR) is the ability to transfer to travel
partners—usually at a 1:1 ratio. This gives you access to airline alliances and hotel chains
that offer more value than booking through a portal.
Example Transfer Partners:
● Chase UR → Hyatt, United, Singapore Airlines, British Airways
● Amex MR → Delta, ANA, Emirates, Marriott Bonvoy
● Capital One → Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Choice Hotels
How to Transfer Points:

1. Link your travel loyalty account (e.g., United, Hyatt)
2. Log into your card portal (e.g., Chase, Amex)
3. Select how many points to transfer
4. Confirm and book directly with the partner
   Always check availability before transferring—transfers are final.
   💡 Cents Per Point (CPP): Make Every Point Count
   CPP = cash value ÷ number of points used
   Let’s say you book a $500 flight for 25,000 points:
   ● $500 ÷ 25,000 = 2 cents per point
   That’s a great redemption! In contrast, redeeming 25,000 points for $150 in gift cards? That’s
   only 0.6 CPP, and it’s not ideal.
   📌 NEVER redeem your points for cash or gift cards unless it’s a last resort.
   🎯 Take Advantage of Transfer Bonuses
   Sometimes, credit card issuers offer bonus percentages when transferring points to specific
   partners. This boosts your value instantly.
   🔥 Current Transfer Bonuses (Expiring April 30th):
   ● Chase UR → 80% bonus to IHG Rewards
   ● Amex MR → 20% bonus to Aeromexico
   ● Amex MR → 20% bonus to Etihad Guest
   If you’ve been eyeing a hotel stay or an international flight, now’s the time to jump in. These
   deals don’t last.
   🏆 Top Travel Credit Cards Right Now
   If you’re ready to start earning travel rewards, here are some of the best premium cards for
   seasoned travelers:
5. American Express Platinum – Lounge access, 5x on flights, elite benefits.
   Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in 6 months Apply now!
6. Capital One Venture X – 2x on everything, $300 travel credit, Priority Pass
   Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months Apply now!
7. Chase Sapphire Reserve – 3x on travel & dining, great insurance, Priority Pass Apply
   now!
   These cards come with higher annual fees, but if you travel a few times a year, they more than
   pay for themselves.
   🎉 Best Welcome Bonuses Right Now (Elevated Offers)
   If you’re just starting out, these limited-time elevated bonuses are some of the best entry
   points into points travel:
   ● Chase Sapphire Preferred
   🔥 100,000 points after spending $5,000 in 3 months
   Apply Now!
   ● Capital One Venture
   ✈ 75,000 miles + $250 travel credit after spending $4,000
   Apply Now!
   ● American Express Gold
   🍽 90,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
   Apply now!
   These bonuses can fund your first big trip—or even two!
   ✈ Final Thoughts
   Traveling with points is not a gimmick—it’s a strategy. And with the right tools, timing, and
   cards, it becomes a way of life. From understanding points currencies to leveraging transfer
   partners and maximizing CPP, the game is yours to play.
   Whether you’re booking a weekend getaway or flying business class across the world, let your
   spending take you there.
   Follow @pointive.me on instagram and sign up for the newsletter to stay ahead of the best
   deals and hacks. ✌