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Points 101: Sign up to learn the basics of points and miles with 10 beginner-focused emails

Oct. 26, 2023
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3 min read
Young casual female traveler with suitcase at airport
Points 101: Sign up to learn the basics of points and miles with 10 beginner-focused emails
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If you're relatively new to the points and miles world, you might feel overwhelmed or confused as you strive to learn more. We 100% understand, and it's why TPG has created a free, beginner-friendly email series, Points 101, to help you learn the basics and gain the tools you need to make your first points and miles redemption.

Points 101 was written by an experienced team of TPG staffers, including Summer Hull, Andrea Rotondo, Madison Blancaflor and me. We all frequently redeem points and miles for travel and enjoy leveraging our rewards to travel more or in greater comfort without spending more.

However, we also remember what it felt like to get started with points and miles and how difficult it was to gather knowledge and feel confident in our redemptions. So, we've written the 10-part Points 101 email series to cover the following topics:

  • Different types of points and miles
  • How to earn points and miles
  • How to redeem points and miles for hotel stays and flights
  • When, why and how to use transferable rewards and transfer partners
  • Picking the right credit card (and credit card bonus) for you
  • How to determine when it's best to use points or miles versus paying cash

If you sign up for our Points 101 email series, you'll receive a new topic in your inbox every few days. This series is designed for those newer to earning and redeeming points and miles. By the end of the series, we expect you'll feel confident enough to make your first points and miles redemption. Even if you've redeemed points or miles before, this series may help you improve your knowledge and make even better and more rewarding travel redemptions.

I wish the Points 101 series existed when I was a beginner, but I'm thrilled it's available now for travelers new to points and miles.

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Sign up for the free Points 101 series now to start your points and miles journey.

Sign-up link: Points 101 series

Related reading:

Featured image by VIROJT CHANGYENCHEM/GETTY IMAGES
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.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5XNew! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

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Cons

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  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
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  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.