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New Beginner’s Guide Resource Page

by on September 22, 2011 · 16 comments

in Beginners Series, General TPG Business

I preach about miles and points pretty much wherever I go. Whether it’s the grocery store clerk who comments on my nifty Chase Sapphire Preferred card or the Canadian immigration official who this week grilled me on my “so called job as a blogger,” I feel like I’m talking about points all the time. And that’s okay – after all, my name is The Points Guy, right?

However, on more than one occasion I’ve gotten the feedback that the site is great – but very difficult to navigate for a beginner. Fair point – so starting today I created a new Beginner’s Guide tab, which will hopefully serve as a starting point for many people as they embark on their points journey.

The guide is in it’s beginning stages, but I thought I’d pull together some of the most salient posts on earning and redeeming so people can at least sit down and get a good idea of what this game is all about. I have grand plans for video guides and better technology, so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you have any feedback on the guide or what you’d like to see, feel free to comment on this post, Tweet me or email me.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author.s alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.

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  • Solo3

    Love it… THANKS, yet again.

  • Lifeandstylemadrid

    haha yay now I might be able to follow your posts :) thanks bk!

  • Cg

    excellent idea. i’ve been thinking of emailing you about this kind of thing anyway. for me, getting points and miles is easy. now how to best redeem? i love your guides to each airline’s rules, but they’re not always easy to find. so far, i go to the category of the airline and then start searching (and searching and searching). one place for all that would be great!

  • Mrcandoit

    Great work! Even though I am not a newbie, there were a couple of things there for me to learn. Thanks!
    P.S. Your blog helped me and my bride to be get to the Seychelles from ATL on Delta mostly on first/business class. On the one section of my trip I couldn’t get first/business class, I threw down for Economy Comfort. Total cost for the entire trip including taxes: about $650.

  • sharon

    Wow! Thanks your blog is one of my first morning reads. I started last year collecting HH points and after surfing the net in last couple of months I realized I’ve been leaving points/miles on the table. Now I just have to figure out how begin to get the most out of points/miles. Look forward to your beginners guide!

  • ClayD333

    AMAZING, PHENOMENAL, AWESOME, YES, YES, YES!! I am a pretty advanced ff mile user, and have been following your blog for the last few months (since your article on LifeHacker). But I have only found bits and pieces here and there to come up with my strategies. I do a lot of purchasing for my business and have been looking for more info on working that side of the system.. Well this a.m. when i hit your “beginners tab” I found the mother load.. Just wish I would have found it 5 years ago! Keep up the good work!

  • mikes

    Come on Brian, they wouldn’t want you taking a so-called job as a so-called blogger away from a Canadian, right?

    Anyway, good deal. I’ve been reading TPG and flyertalk for a couple of months, but it will be nice to have a more ccomprehensive and organized basis to review.

  • meghunterbell

    As a newbie – this may be a silly question – but how often can you re-apply for cards?? Or can you at all? For example, I had a United Mileage Plus card aver 5 yrs ago. I downgraded to a non-mileage-earning card back then because I didn’t want to pay the card fees as I wasn’t using it enough to actually earn anything. In any case, can I now apply for their card again? And receive the new mileage bonus they’re offering? Or am I in still in their system on some level? Thanks SOOO much for all of your info! I’m addicted!!

  • http://twitter.com/skyvan Andrew Fielding

    Just tell them you’re a “Credit Card Consultant”

  • http://twitter.com/skyvan Andrew Fielding

    Just tell them you’re a “Credit Card Consultant”

  • Me

    Thank you for taking the time to put something together for us just starting to peek into the Mileage world. Especially the sites that help you track all your accounts. I think seeing everything in one place would be a huge advantage.

  • Shahyan Ahmad

    Perfect! I’m a points newbie and the Beginners guide is going to be a great resource for me. Thanks.

  • Anonymous

    >>Canadian immigration official who this week grilled me…

    Same one, upon seeing my press credentials, barked at me, “Name three publications in which your work has appeared.”

    Beginner’s Tab = good move for ?most? of us getting left behind in all the twists & turns;

    also suggest two overall approaches:
    a. advice to “Extremointers” who seek maximum PPY (points per year)
    b. advice to “Utilitariointers” who seek maximum PPNPY (points per “normal$spent” per year)

  • Amanda

    Just wanted to let you know that I think the beginner’s page is a terrific addition! I am somewhat new to the game and although I’ve managed to make sense of everything, acclimating will certainly be easier for future newcomers thanks to your overview.

  • Mommy Points

    I love that you are adding a tab for beginners! Having all of that helpful info in one place is extremely valuable for newbies and “old hacks” alike. I couldn’t agree more about #10: Setting a goal and achieving it. I have found that it really helps to have trips in mind for the miles and points you earn, at least at first. It will help keep you motivated and focused. Thanks for helping the newcomers to the miles and points world, and also thanks for including Mommy Points as a resource. :)

  • Anonymous

    WOW! Impresive work. Thank you very much.