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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
On a low or modest budget? How you can still make a points and miles strategy that works
Olivia Mittak is a credit cards editor at TPG. She specializes in maximizing earn for points and miles, finding the best welcome bonuses and choosing the right credit cards for your wallet.
May 7, 2026 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
High-value points and miles redemptions, such as premium flights and luxury hotels, often require significant spending to earn large welcome bonuses.
Affordable credit cards with lower spending requirements can still provide valuable rewards, making them accessible for those on limited budgets.
Cards with low or no annual fees may offer strong earning rates in everyday categories, sometimes rivaling premium options.
Strategic approaches like using rent payments, adding authorized users or covering group expenses can help meet bonus requirements more easily.
What to consider
Some welcome bonuses require only modest spending, making them suitable for students, retirees or those on fixed incomes.
Certain cards may require membership in external programs to qualify for their offers.
Using credit cards for large expenses like rent may incur service fees, which should be factored into your strategy.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed tactics for maximizing rewards on a limited budget, including specific strategies to meet spending requirements efficiently.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
These welcome offers often require thousands of dollars in spending in exchange for the bonuses they offer, which can be too much of an ask for many. I know that was the case for me before I got my first "big girl" job and moved out on my own.
However, just because the highest-value welcome offers are out of reach doesn't mean you need to give up on the idea of getting into credit card rewards. There are still ways to earn plenty of points and miles for a reasonable amount of spending, and cash-back cards are always an option, too.
Despite what you may think with how heavily premium welcome bonuses are marketed, there's plenty of value to be had in offers that ask for less spending.
Both of these cards have consistently required $500 in spending for their various bonuses over the past several years. Their current welcome offers are:
Chase Freedom Flex: Earn $250 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Freedom Unlimited: Earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
MIXMEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
Whether you're a college student, a retiree or on a fixed budget while trying to pay down debt, both of these welcome bonuses should be very easy to earn. Each card requires just $167 in monthly spending to earn the bonus.
Of note, the Prime Visa doesn't require any spending to earn its welcome bonus, but you will need an Amazon Prime membership to qualify for the card.
The information for the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard and Prime Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Choose low- or no-annual fee cards with strong earning rates
While welcome bonuses are the best way to earn a heap of points, miles or cash back, solid earning rates can go a long way toward helping you earn tons of rewards after.
The Citi Strata Card is a great example of a card that earns in a variety of bonus categories. With this card, you'll earn:
5 ThankYou points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through cititravel.com
3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets, select transit, gas and electric vehicle charging stations
3 points per dollar spent in your choice of one of the following categories: Fitness clubs, select streaming, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons or pet supply stores
2 points per dollar spent at restaurants
1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
JULPO/GETTY IMAGES
I always stress that everyone should try to earn more than 1 point per dollar spent or 1% cash back on all their purchases. That won't always be possible, but a no-annual-fee card like the Citi Strata can cover most of your everyday spending with its bonus categories.
It's a misconception that affordable credit cards always have worse earning rates than premium cards. In fact, I generally find that my low- and no-annual-fee cards have stronger earning rates than my premium cards.
Premium cards focus heavily on statement credits, lounge access and elite status. Lower-annual-fee credit cards don't offer those perks, so they usually focus on earning rates instead.
You don't need to redeem your rewards for luxury
While lie-flat business-class seats and stays at high-end properties will always be the best ways to get maximum value from your rewards, these redemptions also cost tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of points and miles.
When you get down to the root of this hobby, the point is simple: Using credit card rewards and benefits to save money on travel. That can take many forms, including low-cost redemptions in economy class and at budget hotels.
One of my travel goals is to visit all 50 states. There are many flights that only cost a few thousand points or miles one-way from my home base in Portland, Oregon.
An American Airlines jet at Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
That's a little more than half the miles you can earn with the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card's welcome bonus: Earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
The information for the AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Be strategic with the cost of welcome offer spending requirements
There are ways to strategize your spending toward welcome bonuses to lessen the pressure on your wallet. One of my favorite methods is to use my rent to cover all or most of a spending requirement.
With how high the cost of living is, most people are probably paying at least $1,000 per month for their apartment, even with a roommate or partner. Just keep in mind that you may have to pay a service fee if you charge your rent to a credit card.
Another option is to add authorized users to your account. Any spending an authorized user makes will count toward the welcome bonus's spending requirement.
MOMO PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
Just make sure you can trust whoever you add to pay you back before your bill is due, since any charges they make are your responsibility to pay off as the primary cardholder.
Finally, you can offer to cover the cost of group outings or purchases. For example, you can offer to pay the tab at a restaurant and have your friends or family pay you back before your credit card statement is due. Or, if you're traveling with a group and paying for some of your trip in cash, offer to put those expenses on your credit card.
Points and miles are for everyone, whether you're on a very limited budget or an ultra-high spender. They're a great way to open doors to experiences you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford, even if it's as simple as visiting a distant friend or relative.
The key is to keep it simple. Look for affordable welcome offers, avoid redemptions that cost tens of thousands of points or miles and be strategic about the spending you put on your card.
Remember, too, that cash back is always an option if you aren't traveling regularly but still want to get more out of every dollar you spend.
