The Easiest Way to Rack Up a Ton of Credit Card Points (Without Going Into Debt)

If you’ve ever dreamed of flying first class to Europe or staying in a luxury hotel for free, good news — you don’t need to be rich or travel constantly to make it happen.

You just need to be smart with your credit card points.

After years of maximizing rewards for myself and coaching others to do the same, here’s what I can confidently tell you:

The best and easiest way to rack up a ton of credit card points is through strategic welcome bonuses.

Let’s break it down so you can start stacking points — without overspending or getting overwhelmed.

What’s a Welcome Bonus?

Most travel credit cards offer a generous bonus when you're approved and spend a certain amount in the first few months, usually within 3–6 months.

These bonuses can be worth hundreds (even thousands) of dollars in travel.

For example:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months. That’s worth at least $750 in travel when booked through Chase Travel or even more when transferred to partners like Hyatt or United.

Now imagine earning 2–3 of these bonuses per year. It adds up fast.

Step-by-Step: How to Earn Big With Bonuses

1. Choose the Right Card for You

Start with a card that fits your lifestyle and spending habits. Here are a few strong options I often recommend:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred – great for beginners and flexible points

• Chase Ink Business Preferred – huge bonus and valuable for any side hustle

• Amex Gold – excellent for groceries and dining

Tip: You might be eligible for a business card even if you just freelance, sell on Facebook Marketplace, or have a small side gig.

You can browse my favorite cards on this page, all chosen with strategy in mind.

2. Hit the Minimum Spend Without Overspending

The goal is to earn the bonus without going into debt. Here’s how:

• Time your application around large, planned expenses (vacations, insurance premiums, annual subscriptions)

• Pay for utilities or internet with your card

• Prepay some bills or make family purchases and have them Venmo you back

If you're close to the spending requirement but don’t think you will quite make it under the given timeframe, the last resort I recommend is buying a gift card that you know you will use. I usually do stores like Walmart, Amazon, or any grocery stores near me since I know I will spend that money there in the future and it won’t force me to spend money on something that I don’t want or need to.

If you are still unsure on how to hit these spending minimums well and need help strategizing, I’d be happy to help you plan it out during a quick 1-on-1 call.

3. Keep the Momentum Going

Once you’ve earned your first bonus and given your credit score a little time to stabilize, you can repeat the process with another card, either personal or business.

Here’s a potential lineup over a year:

• Sapphire Preferred (60,000 pts)

• Amex Gold (60,000 pts)

• Ink Business Cash (75,000 pts)

That’s 195,000+ points!! Enough for a roundtrip business class flight to Europe or multiple hotel stays.

4. Involve Your Partner (If You Can)

If you’re married or have a travel partner you trust, they can apply for the same cards too, which means doubling your bonuses.

Even better? You can refer each other and earn even more through referral links.

5. Use the Right Card for Everyday Spend

Once you’ve hit a welcome bonus, continue using the card where it earns the most:

• Dining & groceries: Amex Gold (4x)

• Travel: Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x)

• Internet & office supplies: Ink Business Cash (5x)

But remember: welcome bonuses are where most of your points will come from, especially in the beginning.

What About My Credit Score?

Handled responsibly, credit cards can actually help your credit score. Here’s why:

• Paying in full each month builds a positive history

• More available credit lowers your utilization ratio

• Responsible use over time boosts your creditworthiness

I admit, in the beginning of this journey I was also really nervous and skeptical about opening so many cards. However, I’ve opened dozens of cards over the years, and my score has never been higher — because I treat my cards like debit cards and never carry a balance.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be a full-time traveler or financial wizard to unlock amazing trips. You just need a solid plan and a little help getting started.

By focusing on strategic welcome bonuses, meeting spending requirements naturally, and repeating the process responsibly, you’ll build up a stash of points that can take you anywhere.

Ready to start?

👉 Book a free 1-on-1 call and I’ll help you pick the right card and create a custom plan to hit your first big bonus.

Or if you’d rather browse on your own:

• Check out my top recommended travel cards

• Read more blog posts for tips and hacks on maximizing points

Let’s make your dream trip a reality — one card at a time.