Why I Keep Talking About Travel Points

At the risk of sounding like the friend who won’t let a subject go, I’m going to talk about travel points one more time. Not because I’m trying to sell anyone on a system or turn travel into a competitive sport, but because I want you to have the same travel opportunities.  I know there’s curiosity.  Who wouldn’t want to travel for less or free?

Even if you love economy, chances are you could be flying on points, with very little cash out of pocket, if you understood how the system works. And in many cases, the cost difference between an economy seat and a business-class seat—when booked with points—is far smaller than people expect.

Let me say this clearly: it is complicated. But it’s not impossible. What it really requires is patience and a willingness to learn something new, two things that are increasingly hard to come by in a world that encourages instant answers and eternal scrolling.

The First Time I Slept on a Plane

The first time I truly slept on a long-haul flight—not nodded off, but actually slept and dreamed at 40,000 feet—it completely changed how I thought about flying. (I’m not that person who can sleep sitting up.) Before that, overnight flights meant arriving stiff, foggy, and exhausted, with the first day of a trip essentially lost to recovery.

I don’t have much flexibility with my travel dates, and I’m certainly not a points expert. My calendar is often dictated by charter weeks, which means I don’t always snag the most glamorous redemptions you see posted online. I often pay more points and sometimes a bit of cash.

And I still choose to do it. The difference in how I feel when I land—rested, clear-headed, and ready to enjoy the trip—makes the effort worthwhile every single time.

How This All Started

This whole journey began about five years ago when I attended the Women’s Travel Fest in New York City. The travel world was changing rapidly, and I knew I needed to catch up. Social media, solo travel, blogging, and travel hacks—especially points—were reshaping how people moved through the world.

I was one of only a few women over 60 in a room full of smart, driven women building modern travel-focused businesses. By chance, I was seated next to someone who traveled the world almost entirely on points.

She was one of the speakers that weekend, in her late 20s, and had built a lifestyle around hotel points—sometimes staying a month at a time in properties around the world. (Not bad for a twenty-something and traveling the world.) That lifestyle wasn’t something I aspired to, but during a break she asked what credit cards I was using.

When I showed her my cash-back card, she was blunt. She told me to get rid of it and explained that points-earning cards—particularly those from Amex, Capital One, and Chase—open up far more valuable travel opportunities. She talked about airline partnerships, transfer bonuses, and why experienced travelers keep points across multiple programs so they’re ready when award seats become available. That single conversation fundamentally changed how I think about travel.

Complicated, but Manageable

There is a learning curve, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But learning how points work is much like learning a new language. You don’t need fluency; you just need enough understanding to navigate comfortably.

The best approach is to start small. Pick one podcast or one newsletter and listen while walking the dog or making dinner. Over time, the terminology starts to make sense, patterns emerge, and the process becomes far less intimidating.

There are also genuinely smart tools available now—apps like CardPointers and AwardWallet—that help track points, benefits, and expiration dates, especially for premium cards where the perks often justify the annual fees.

Turning Everyday Spending into Travel

All the expenses I once ran through a cash-back card now earn me airline seats instead. Even for someone who travels internationally only once or twice a year, this shift makes a real and noticeable difference.

One important clarification: I’m not talking about booking flights directly through the credit card travel portals. While that is one option, it’s often the most expensive way to use points. The better value usually comes from transferring your credit card points to an airline’s frequent-flyer program and booking directly with the airline.

To do that, you need to have frequent-flyer membership numbers with the airlines you currently use—or might use in the future. When you’re ready to book, you transfer your points from your credit card to the airline and purchase the ticket that way. There’s much more to explain here, but I wanted you to understand the basic idea.

Hotel points add another layer of value. Stays that once cost hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars can often be booked for free or for a fraction of the price. This isn’t hype or trickery; it’s simply how the math works when points are used strategically.

One particularly overlooked option is the Bilt card, which allows you to earn points currently on rent and soon, mortgage payments without fees. Earning travel rewards on the largest monthly expense most people have, is a powerful place to start.

You can also use award-search websites that do the heavy lifting for you by showing which airlines have seats available for points. This makes the entire process far easier. Some popular options include PointsYeah and Seats.aero (my personal favorite), along with several others. I pay for both of these memberships, they are hugely worthwhile and save lots of time.  Start out with the free versions!

The Business Perspective

Here’s a piece that often gets missed in the conversation. I now put nearly all of my expenses on credit. For business owners, annual credit card fees are generally tax-deductible, and everyday operating expenses now serve double duty by earning points.

When you step back and look at the bigger picture, this isn’t just about travel. It’s about being intentional with money that’s already leaving your account and allowing it to work harder in return.  

Why I’ll Never Fly Economy to Europe Again

I used to land in Europe exhausted and disoriented, needing a full day to recover before I could truly enjoy the trip. Now I arrive rested and ready, which changes the entire experience of travel.

That said, this approach only works if you’re responsible with credit. Carrying balances or paying interest will erase any benefit points provide. Cards must be paid in full and on time, always

If You’re Curious to Learn More

If this topic sparks even a little interest, there are excellent resources available. A few newsletters and podcasts can provide a solid foundation without overwhelming you.

Newsletters:The Points Guy

Daily Drop 

MaxMilesPoints

Podcasts:Award Travel 101, All the Hacks, Frequent Miler on the Air

An Invitation, Not a Push

I’m not suggesting anyone turn points into a hobby or a second job. I am suggesting that travel doesn’t have to cost what we’ve been taught it costs, and that patience often pays off.

Even if you cross the ocean only once a year, arriving rested and staying longer can completely change the experience. You don’t need to master everything at once—starting slowly is more than enough.

And if you already have points but don’t want to figure it all out, there are services that will help book award flights for a reasonable fee. In many cases, the savings far outweigh the cost.

This is simply an invitation to look at travel differently—and to let everyday spending work a little harder for you and gift you back.

Until the next journey! Joy