Our Credit Card Points Journey
We’ll take you guys back in 2017!
I’ve been really lucky to discover it through my wife when she bought an online course about Credit Card Points (through Creative Live).
It took about a year for me to watch the first episode as I was skeptical haha. But after seeing the first video, I binged watched the whole course and the rest they say is history!
We flew our very first First Class flight (worth $20,000+) using points the following year and at that very moment, I knew that this points thing works! ✈️
A little backstory about us - my wife and I were in a long-distance relationship for almost 8 years (I was living in the US and she was in the Philippines) and it’s been our dream to travel the world together. 🌎
Come join us in our adventures and learn some Credit Card Points tips and tricks along the way!
Thanks so much for being a part of our journey! Cheers!! 😊
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2017
DAX
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Earn 50K points after $4,000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $95, waived first year.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards - Earn 60K after $2,000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $69.
3. Hilton Honors Surpass Card - Earn 75K after $3,000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $75.
4. American Express Business Gold - Earn 50K after 5,000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $175 (Waived for first year).
5. Gold Delta SkyMiles - Earn 30K after $1000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $95 (Waived for first year).
6. American Express Platinum - Earn 60k after $5000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $550.
7. Alaska Mileage Plan - Earn 30,000 bonus miles + get a $100 statement credit after $1,000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $75.
8. JetBlue - Earn 60,000 Trueblue points after spending $1,000 in 3 months. Annual fee of $99.
9. Barclay Arrival+ - 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within 90 days. $89 annual fee, waived the first year.
10. American Airlines AAdvantage CitiBusiness Platinum Select - Earn 50,000 American Airline miles after $3,000 in 3 months. Annual fee of $95 is waived the first year.
11. IHG Rewards Club - Earn 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months. Annual fee of $45.
PAO
1. Applied for a Wells Fargo Secured Credit card to build credit
SUMMARY FOR 2017:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 54,000
American Express Membership Rewards - 120,000
Alaska Miles - 31,000
Southwest Rapid Rewards - 62,000
Delta SkyMiles - 31,000
Barclay Points - 53,000
AA Advantage Miles - 53,000
IHG Rewards - 61,000
Hilton Honors - 78,000
Total Points Earned:
543,000
Total Spend:
$29,000
Total Annual Fees:
$913
Manila, Philippines
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2018
DAX
1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard - Earn 60,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months. Annual fee of $95, waived for first 12 months.
2. AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard - Earn 40,000 miles after first purchase then another 20,000 after card anniversary. Annual fee of $95.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Premier Plus Business - Earn 80,000 on $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. $99 annual fee.
4. World of Hyatt Card - Earn 40,000 Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months. $75 annual fee.
5. Starwood Preferred Guest/Marriott Bonvoy - Earn 25,000 Starpoints® after $3,000 within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95 is waived the first year.
6. Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card / Amex Bonvoy Business - Earn 25,000 bonus Starpoints® $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
7. Alaska Airlines Visa® Business Card - Earn 30,000 bonus miles after $1,000 spend in 3 months. $75 annual fee.
8. Amex Business Platinum - Earn 50k after $10k spend, another 50k after $15k additional spend. All in the first 3 months. $450 annual fee.
9. Citi ThankYou® Premier MasterCard® - Earn 50,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $4,000 in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee, waived first year.
10. SPG Luxury/Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant - Earn 100K after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $450.
11. American Express Gold Card - Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. $250 annual fee.
PAO
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Earn 50,000 Bonus Points After you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee waived for the first year, after that $95.
2. Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card / Amex Bonvoy Business - Earn 100,000 bonus after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
SUMMARY FOR 2018:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 54,000
American Express Membership Rewards - 167,000
Alaska Miles - 31,000
Citi Thank You Points - 54,000
Marriott Bonvoy -351, 000
AA Advantage Miles - 123,000
World of Hyatt - 42,000
Total Points Earned:
822,000
Total Spend:
$52,000
Total Annual Fees:
$1,494
El Nido in Palawan, Phillipines
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2019
DAX
1. Alaska Visa Signature - Earn 40,000 bonus miles after $2,000 in the first 90 days. $75 annual fee.
2. American Express Hilton Aspire - Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in 3 months. $450 annual fee.
3. American Express Hilton Business card - Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
4. Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card - Earn 40,000 Mileage Plan miles after spending $2,000 within 90 days. $75 annual fee.
PAO
1. World of Hyatt Card - Earn 40,000 after you spent $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, plus an additional 20,000 after you spent a total of $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening.. $95 annual fee.
2. Chase Ink Business Preferred - Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
3. Alaska Visa Signature - Earn 40,000 bonus miles after $2,000 in the first 90 days. $75 annual fee.
4. Chase Ink Business Cash - Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
5. IHG Premiere - Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $89 annual fee.
6. Amex Business Platinum - Earn 50k after $10k spend, another 50k after $15k additional spend. All in the first 3 months. $595 annual fee.
SUMMARY FOR 2019:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 138,000
American Express Membership Rewards - 115,000
Alaska Miles - 126,000
IHG Rewards - 128,000
World of Hyatt - 69,000
Hilton Honors - 282,000
Total Points Earned:
858,000
Total Spend:
$29,000
Total Annual Fees:
$913
Private Bar in Emirates, First Class
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2020
DAX
1. Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card - Earn 40,000 Mileage Plan miles after spending $2,000 within 90 days. $75 annual fee.
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card - Earn 40,000 Mileage Plan miles after spending $2,000 within 90 days. $75 annual fee.
There’s was an awesome hack where you can apply for the same Alaska Business card and get the bonus every 3 months!
Not sure if this still works in 2023.
PAO
1. Chase Ink Business Unlimited - Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
2. Amex Hilton Business Card - Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
3. United Business Card - Earn 100,000 bonus miles after $10,000 in the first 3 months. $99 annual fee.
4. CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard - Earn 70,000 miles after $4000 spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $99 waived for the first year.
5. American Express Hilton Aspire - Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in 3 months. $450 annual fee.
6. Citi Premier Card - Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $4,000 in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
7. AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard - Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full within the first 90 days.
SUMMARY FOR 2020:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 53,000
Citi Thank You Points - 64,000
United Airlines Miles - 110,000
Alaska Miles - 84,000
AA Advantage Miles - 134,000
Hilton Honors - 282,000
Total Points Earned:
727,000
Total Spend:
$32,000
Total Annual Fees:
$988
Venice, Italy
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2021
DAX
1. Amex Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business - Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and a $100 statement credit after spending $3,000 in your first 3 months. $250 annual fee.
2. Chase Ink Business Cash - Earn $750 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
3. Chase Ink Business Unlimited - Earn $750 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
4. Alaska Airlines Visa Business Card - Earn 40,000 Mileage Plan miles after spending $2,000 within 90 days. $75 annual fee.
5. Chase Ink Business Preferred - Earn 100,000 Bonus Points after you spend $15,000 on the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
6. American Airlines AAdvantage CitiBusiness Platinum Select - Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. Annual fee $99 waived for the first 12 months.
7. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - Earn 100,000 after $4K spend in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
PAO
1. Amex Gold - Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 in 6 months. $250 annual fee.
2. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant - Earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after $5,000 spend in 3 months. Plus, earn up to $200 in Statement Credits for eligible purchases at U.S. Restaurants within the first 6 months. Annual fee of $650.
3. AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard - Earn up to 75,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles Earn 65,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Earn 10,000 miles when a purchase is made on an employee card. $95 annual fee.
4. American Express Blue Business Plus - Earn 50,000 membership rewards points after $15,000 after 12 months. $0 annual fee. Earn 2X membership points on the first $50,000.
5. American Express Platinum - Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 in 6 months. 10x on Gas + Groceries. Annual fee of $695.
6. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card - Earn 50,000 bonus miles after $2,000 spend in 90 days. $75 annual fee.
7. Amex Blue Business Cash Card - Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months. $0 annual fee
SUMMARY FOR 2021:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 384,000
Amex Membership Rewards - 224,000
Marriott Bonvoy - 130,000
Alaska Miles - 94,000
Delta SkyMiles - 93,000
AA Advantage Miles - 145,000
Total Points Earned:
1,070,000
Total Spend:
$78,000
Total Annual Fees:
$2,280
Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings) Movie Set in New Zealand
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2022
DAX
1. Capital One Venture X - Earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening. $395 annual fee.
2. United Business Card -Earn 75,000 bonus miles for spending spending $5,000 in 3 months and another 75,000 bonus miles for spending another $15,000 in 6 months.. $99 annual fee.
4. Chase British Airways - Earn 100,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Also earned the Travel Ticket Companion Pass the next year after spending $30,000. $95 annual fee.
5. Chase Ink Business Cash- Earn $900 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $6000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. $0 annual fee.
6. Chase Ink Business Unlimited - Earn $750 Bonus Cash Back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
7. World of Hyatt Business card - Earn 60,000 Bonus Points you spend $5,000 in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $199.
8. IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card - Earn 140,000 bonus points after $3,000 in 3 months. $99 annual fee.
9. Aadvantage Business Aviator - Earn 80,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles and a $95 statement credit after $2,000 on purchases in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
PAO
1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard - Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in first 3 months. Annual fee of $99 is waived the first year
2. Amex Hilton Surpass- Earn 130,000 points plus a Free Night Reward after spending $2,000 in three months. Annual fee of $95.
3. Amex Business Gold - Earn 90K points after $10K in 3 months. $295 annual fee.
4. Hotels.com Card - Get 3 reward nights worth $375 total (max $125 per night). $0 annual fee.
SUMMARY FOR 2022:
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 179,000
Amex Membership Rewards - 100,000
Capital One - 110,000
Avios - 130,000
IHG Rewards - 143,000
World of Hyatt Points - 65,000
United Miles - 175,000
AA Advantage Miles - 135,000
Hilton Honors Points - 132,000
Total Points Earned:
1,169,000
Total Spend:
$88,500
Total Annual Fees:
$1,372
Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island
Cards Opened And Points Earned
In 2023
DAX
1. Alaska Visa Signature - Earn 70,000 bonus miles after $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days. $95 annual fee.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus - Earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/24 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $69 annual fee.
3. Alaska Business Card - Earn 70,000 after $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days. $70 annual fee.
4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®- Earn 100,000 after $10k spend in 3 months. $595 annual fee.
PAO
1. Chase Ink Business Unlimited - Earn 90,000 after $6K spend in 3 months. $0 annual fee.
2. Chase Ink Business Cash - Earn 75,000 after $6K spend.. Annual fee $0.
3. Chase Ink Business Preferred - Earn 100,000 points in $8k spend after 3 months. $95 annual fee.
4. Chase Ink Business Cash - Earn 90,000 after $6K spend. Annual fee $0.
5. World of Hyatt Business - Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Additionally, earn 15K Bonus Points after you spend $12,000 in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $199.
SUMMARY FOR 2023 (may still open some cards before the year ends):
Cards Opened
(Will also add the minimum spend required on top of the sign up bonus):
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 391,000
Southwest Rapid Rewards - 34,000
Alaska Miles - 147,000
World of Hyatt Points - 65,000
American Airlines Advantage Miles - 110,000
Total Points Earned:
747,000
Total Spend:
$52,000
Total Annual Fees:
$1,123
Total Points Accumulated as of October 2023 for 2 Players:
7,016,000
Mt. Fuji in Japan
PLAYER 3
I also wanted to share that having my mom as our “Player 3” helped us earn points much faster.
A little backstory about her - she was against opening up credit cards and doesn’t love the idea of traveling at first.
But after booking a First Class flight for her (that’s worth at least $10,000+ one-way if paid in cash), she has now caught the travel bug and asking us when will travel again next! :)
I mean, look at her just having an awesome time relaxing in First Class:
My mom’s very first First Class experience ever with Lufthansa
My mom joined in 2018 and here’s the summary of the cards opened and the total points she has earned ever since:
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.. $95 annual fee.
2. Chase Ink Business Cash - $500 bonus cash back after you spend $3,000 on purchase in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
3. SPG Business / Marriott Bonvoy Business - Earn 100K after $5,000 in the first 3 months. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
4. Aviator Business Mastercard - Earn 60,000 miles after first purchases. $95 annual fee.
5. The Business Gold Rewards - Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after $5,000 in purchases on the Card within first 3 months. $0 iannual fee for the first year, then $175
6. SPG Preferred / Marriott Bonvoy - Earn 75,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. $0 Intro for First Year, then $95
7. Alaska Airlines Business Card - Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1000 in 3 months. $75 annual fee.
8. Chase Ink Business Preferred - 80,000 Bonus Points After you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
9. CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard - Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months. $89 annual fee.
10, Chase Ink Business Unlimited - $500 Bonus Cash Back after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months after account opening. $0 annual fee.
11. Chase IHG Premiere - Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months. $89 annual fee.
12. Chase United Business - 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
13. Amex Hilton Business Card - 125,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
14. World of Hyatt - 25,000 points after $3k spend in 3 months, another 25k points after $6k total spend in 6 months. $95 annual fee.
15. Citi Premier® Card - 60,000 points after $4k spend in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
16. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard - 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases in first 3 months. $99, waived for first 12 months.
17. American Airlines Aviator Red - Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full. .$0 intro for the first year, then $99.
18. Alaska Business Card - Get 70,000 bonus miles after $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days. $75 annual fee.
19. Amex Business Platinum - Earn 170,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 in 3 months. $695 annual fee.
20. Chase Ink Business Cash - Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
21. Chase Ink Business Unlimited - Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $0 annual fee.
22. Alaska Visa Signature - Earn 70,000 after $3000 in 3 months. $95 annual fee.
23. IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card - Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. $99 annual fee.
24. AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard - Earn 60,000 bonus miles after $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days, and earn 10,000 bonus miles after a purchase is made on an employee card. $95 annual fee.
25. Amex Business Gold - Earn 90,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10K in 3 months. Then additional 5,000 once employee spends $1K. Annual fee of $395.
26. Chase Sapphire Preferred - Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
27. Chase Ink Business Preferred - Earn 100K after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. $95 annual fee.
28. World of Hyatt Business card - Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. $199 annual fee.
29. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® - Earn 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $10,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. $595 annual fee,
2018 - 2023 SUMMARY:
Chase Ultimate Rewards - 1.272,000
Amex Membership Rewards - 345,000
Citi Thank you Points - 64,000
Marriott Bonvoy - 183,000
American Airlines Advantage Miles - 408,000
Alaska Miles - 178,000
United Mileage Miles - 110,000
AA Advantage Miles - 145,000
Alaska Miles - 147,000
World of Hyatt Points - 121,000
IHG Rewards - 286,000
Hilton Honors - 128,000
Total Points Earned:
3,387,000
Total Spend:
$133,000
Total Annual Fees:
$3,356
Total Points Accumulated For
3 Players:
10,403,000
(and counting…)
Additional Points Earned Besides Signing Up For A Credit Card
There are also ways of earning a ton of points without having to sign up for a new credit card. Below are some ways to do it and I attached the links so you read more about them:
1. Referral links - Whenever you signup for a card, you can create your own referral link and share it to others to earn extra points (this can range from 10,000 to 40,000 points per approved referral). I unfortunately did not track all of my successful referrals and if I have to guess, it may be at least around 350,000+ points.
2. Bank Bonuses - American Express Business Checking 60,000 Points Signup Bonus - Earned 180,000 points (60,000 per person - myself, wife and my mom).
3. Hotel Timeshare Presentations - Hilton Timeshare Presentation - We earned 150,000 Hilton Honors Points by attending a timeshare presentation. Need to have your poker face on and say no at the end of the presentation haha. Paid $299 plus tax for a 5 days / 4 night stay in Orlando, Florida.
4. Online shopping portals - An online shopping portal is a website that rewards shoppers with bonus miles, points or cash back for making online purchases through hundreds of merchants. One great example is to sign up with Rakuten, and you can earn cashback or points. You'll still make the purchase on the merchant’s website. But you’ll navigate to a site only after logging in to the shopping portal and clicking a link that sends you to the retailer. Earned at least 50,000+ points.
5. Taking advantage of other offers like the 100,000 Brex Points ($1,000) With PayPal Merchant Processing Signup - Earned 200,000 points (100,000 per person).
6. Buying Gift Cards- This is one of my favorite hacks where you use the Chase Ink Business Cash at office supply stores to earn 5x per dollar. There was a point where I had about $30,000+ gift cards and used them to pay a contractor when we were renovating one of our rental properties. Additional points earned I’d say about 150,000+ points doing the gift card strategy. : )
Take a look:
