by Andrew Kunesh, Senior Reporter, Cards & Loyalty
As I bid adieu until my next newsletter rotation, I leave you with some practical knowledge to aid in your points and miles journey. When I started at TPG nearly three years ago, I had virtually zero experience with the points and miles game, and thus have relied on the expertise of my wonderful TPG colleagues to learn as I go.
One colleague I consider to be an expert among experts is senior writer Katie Genter, from whom I learn something every time we interact. She wrote a helpful guide on ways to meet the spending requirements on a new card to earn the welcome bonus.
If you are new to the world of points and miles, you may not be aware that many travel credit cards offer welcome bonuses for new cardholders who reach a certain spending threshold within a specific time period.
While welcome bonuses are generally an easy way to earn a lot of points quickly, here are three things to keep in mind:
Recognize that the amount of spending required to earn the welcome bonus might exceed the amount you typically spend in a few months.
Before you open a new card, be sure to read the fine print to verify your eligibility for the sign-up bonus or welcome offer. It would be a bummer to open a new card only to find out later that you didn’t qualify for the welcome bonus.
Also, know that paying the card’s annual fee does not count toward the minimum spending required for the bonus, while some purchases will not count either (like purchasing traveler’s checks or gift cards with The Platinum Card® from American Express).
As you keep those tips in mind, here’s more information about making the most of your credit cards:
Until we meet again, feel free to follow my travels on Instagram.
Caroline
Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Photo Credit: FAJRUL ISLAM/GETTY IMAGES.
TOGETHER WITH
Earn 175K Hilton Honors bonus points
Earn 175k Hilton Honors bonus points after you use the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card to make $8,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership. Cardmembers can also enjoy complimentary Gold status and get up to $240 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases with your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Terms apply.
The mobile lounges at Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., are getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul, ensuring they'll be around for years to come.
Some hotel credit cards offer an annual free night, and some loyalty programs offer a fourth or fifth night free on awards. But can you stack these benefits?
You are receiving this email because you opted in atthepointsguy.com.
Where to find us:
The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.
Advertiser Disclosure:
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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
