Points and miles enthusiasts spend a lot of time talking about high-value redemptions, such as lie-flat business-class seats and multinight stays at luxury hotels. These redemptions often cost tens of thousands of points, which we generally earn through lucrative welcome bonuses.
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.
Here’s how to create a points and miles strategy that can work for any budget.
Find affordable welcome bonuses
Despite what you may think about how heavily premium welcome bonuses are marketed, there’s plenty of value to be had in offers that ask for less spending.
Two great examples I love to recommend are the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) and Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees).
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 $200 back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Earn $200 back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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.
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Other solid credit cards with inexpensive welcome bonuses include the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®, Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Citi Strata℠ Card (see rates and fees).
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.
For additional options, check out our picks for the easiest welcome bonuses to earn.
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
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.
For example, I could fly from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) for 8,500 American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
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.
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.
These strategies can help make welcome bonuses much easier to earn and may even bring certain higher-spending requirements within reach.
Of course, always aim to pay off your credit card statement in full each billing cycle. Accruing interest will rapidly lower the value you get out of the rewards you earn.
Bottom line
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.
Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards: How to choose a credit card
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
