Points and Miles Mistakes That Are Costing You Free Travel

Earning travel credit card points and miles can feel like unlocking a secret world of discounted flights, free hotel stays, and luxury travel perks without spending extra money. But while the world of points is incredibly rewarding, it can also be confusing. And if you’re new to it, it’s easy to make mistakes that cost you value, time, or even your points altogether.

Before you dive in, here are the biggest things NOT to do when earning and redeeming travel credit card points. Avoid these, and you’ll get more value, redeem smarter, and stretch your points so much further.

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1. Don’t Open a Credit Card Without a Plan

It’s tempting to sign up for every travel credit card you see—especially when you spot a big sign-up bonus. But opening cards randomly can hurt more than it helps.

Instead, consider:

• What trips you want to take
• Which airlines or hotels you prefer
• Your everyday spending habits

Having a strategy ensures you’re earning points you can actually use instead of collecting random balances you’ll never redeem. There’s no universal “right” number of credit cards to open or close in a year, but there are safe ranges based on how credit scoring models, banks, and issuers behave.

For points, the maximum number of credit cards you should open a year is 3-5. On the flip side you should not close more than two credit cards a year. Your credit score also depends on how you manage these cards. Pay on time, keep utilization low, and avoid closing your oldest or highest-limit cards.

2. Don’t Ignore Transfer Partners

Many of the best travel cards (Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi) let you transfer points to airlines and hotels. This is where redemptions start to really shine and you see the most value.

For example, transferring points to an airline program may get you:

• Business class flights for fewer points
• Premium economy for a fraction of the price
• Better hotel stays using fewer points

Don’t limit yourself to the basic “book through the portal” option. Exploring transfer partners often unlocks way more value. In fact, I highly recommend only booking through transfer partners because of the value it provides per point vs. redeeming points in a credit card company’s travel portal (ie. the Chase Travel Portal).

3. Don’t Overspend Just to Earn Points

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is spending extra money just to hit a sign-up bonus.

Here’s the truth:
Points are not worth it if they push you into spending more than you normally would.

Always align your points strategy with your existing budget. Use the card for normal expenses you already have—groceries, gas, your phone bill, travel, etc. to reach the bonus without creating new expenses.

4. Don’t Forget to Register for Bonus Promotions

Airlines, hotels, and banks often run promos like:

• Extra points for hotel stays
• Double miles on certain routes
• Category multipliers for quarterly spending

These are free points, but only if you register. Most people forget and miss out! Marriott recently ran a bonus promotion where if you stayed three separate stays in the span of 3 months on a Saturday or Sunday night, you earned 18,000 points. That’s a huge bonus!

5. Don’t Redeem Points for Low-Value Rewards

Not all redemptions are created equal. Some options give you a great deal, while others are a total waste.

Avoid low-value redemptions like:

• Gift cards
• Merchandise
• “Cash back” at a super low rate
• Poor-value hotel or flight options

A good rule of thumb:
Aim for redemptions that give you at least 1.5–2 cents per point (or more for premium travel).

6. Don’t Mix Points From Different Programs Unless It Makes Sense

Some programs let you move points around, but once transferred, they often can’t be moved back.

Don’t transfer points “just because”. Only transfer when you’ve found an award you’re ready to book.

7. Don’t Ignore Annual Fees

Some of the best travel cards come with higher annual fees, but new users often underestimate them.
A card only makes sense if:

• You use the benefits regularly
• You earn enough value to offset the fee

If you’re not using the lounge passes, travel credits, or insurance perks, it may not be the right card for you.

8. Don’t Ignore Card Travel Insurance Benefits

A lot of people double-pay for travel insurance without realizing:

• Their card already covers trip delays
• Their luggage is insured
• They’re covered for rental car damage
• They have medical evacuation coverage

Know what your card includes so you don’t spend twice.

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BONUS: My favorite Travel Credit Cards

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a popular mid-tier travel rewards credit card issued by Chase Bank. Its annual fee is $95 which is relatively modest compared to premium travel cards, making it a good entry-level card for travel rewards. It’s designed for people who want flexible travel rewards and aren’t necessarily frequent luxury travelers. 

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks, elevated experiences, and flexible points redemption. With a high annual fee ($895 annual fee), the card delivers significant value through benefits like airport lounge access, hotel upgrades, elite status, and statement credits for travel, dining, entertainment, and wellness.

While it’s not ideal for casual travelers or those who won’t use its many benefits, the Amex Platinum can easily deliver exceptional value for anyone who travels often and takes advantage of its wide range of luxury perks. I use this card mainly for the comfort of worldwide lounge access.

Lastly, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card. I have had this card for about a year, and I recommend having a broad travel card (the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the American Express Platinum) and then a brand specific credit card. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is a mid-tier hotel rewards card that makes a lot of sense if you stay at hotels fairly often, especially within the Marriott Bonvoy network.

For a modest $95 annual fee, you earn 6× Bonvoy points per dollar at participating Marriott hotels. You also receive a Free Night Award every year (good for a one-night stay at a property up to 35,000-point level), automatic Silver Elite status, and 15 Elite Night credits yearly toward higher status, plus another Elite Night credit for every $5,000 spent, with a path to Gold Elite if you spend enough.

To view more travel blog posts, view my blog page HERE.