Exploring credit cards and reward points can be exciting, especially for young professionals and college students. But there’s a challenge – You might not have a lot of money to spend on fancy cards or big purchases for points. Yet, the real fun is using those points wisely.
As young adults step into the world of credit cards and start their journey into points-based travel, you often find yourselves really close to making your dreams come true, just a few points away.
Brady Yu, co-founder of TripPlus, and Ava Lee, a college student is going to discover together how to close that gap and make dreams happen! Follow the path on the board game, overcome each challenge, and embark on your Award Travel. Are you truly up for the challenge? Let’s go!
Ava: I got 10,000 points when I signed up, and 3,000 more from spending. But now, it takes 15,000 miles for a ticket instead of 12,500. That’s not fair!
My points might not be enough, and they could change the rules again. Brady, what should I do?
Brady: Airlines in the US now use dynamic pricing for miles. It means the miles for a ticket can change based on its cost. If a ticket’s pricier because your travel date is closer, you’ll need more miles.
So, grab a ticket at a fair price quickly! And don’t stress if you’re 3,000 points/miles short. You can earn them from various sources, not just credit card spending.
Ava: Wow! I’ve already used my card and got some points, Brady. What do you mean by “various channels”? How can I get miles from these channels? Do I have to spend more money?
Brady: Getting points is easy and doesn’t mean spending more money. Use rebate websites when you shop – they give you cash back!
One cool site, www.rakuten.com, gives you Amex Membership Rewards (MR) points instead of cash. Each point is worth 1 cent. So if you get a 1% rebate, it’s like getting 1 point for every $1 you spend.
Remember, you can decide how to use each Amex MR point, just like we talked about in Unlock the World of Credit Card. No extra costs when you shop through rebate websites, and you’ll rack up more points. Start now, and you’ll have plenty for your next trip!
Ava: Wow, using cash means we miss out on credit card points and rebates! Are there other ways to get mileage points? I don’t want to miss any chances!
Brady: Got it! Remember, those cashbacks are practically a gift with your name on it, so grab them! It’s not about taking from banks or stores – they’re cheering to give it to you, guilt-free.
Rebate sites are cool, but getting points might take a bit since they’re checking in with stores. It could be weeks, even months. If you want points pronto after a buy and know your airline miles, check out the airline’s shopping site!
Picture this: buying a new computer through American Airlines’ AAdvantage eShopping (https://www.aadvantageeshopping.com) gets you a whopping 9 American Airlines (AA) miles for every $1 (like in the pic), and they show up fast.
Compare that to Rakuten (https://www.rakuten.com), where you only get 5 Amex MR for the same cash – points pile up way quicker. So, before splurging, check out different cashback sites and airline shopping spots. Don’t miss out!
Ava: Brady, you said something about buying a computer. If you’re getting things like plane tickets, renting cars, or booking hotels, can you still get miles using those methods?
Brady: You bet! On Rakuten, find travel sites for flights and hotels.
Quick tip: buying plane tickets doesn’t give much reward, so pick a good credit card. Use airline portals for hotel and car bookings.
Another trick: some sites like Kaligo and Rocketmiles give lots of miles for hotel stays. Spend $40, get 800+ United Airlines (UA) miles — It is faster than cashback sites or airline portals. Easy peasy!
Don’t forget: Before you splash the cash, scope out the sweet cashback on various sites and portals!
Ava: Hey Brady, tried your tricks, got some points, but still a bit short for a flight. Give up or save for next time?🤔
Brady: Using points is like deciding when to spend your pocket money – no perfect time. Save for later? Sure, but rules might get stricter. Use points now!
Some airlines sell points at a discount. It might cost a bit, but turn a little into a lot. Example: You can buy miles from United Airlines. 2,000 UA miles for <$40. Make every point count! ✈️💰 #PointPower”
Download the board game and start maximizing your points-earning journey. 💫 Have fun!
“Why pay a credit card fee when it’s too pricey?” Brady and Ava are going to delve into this debate next week. Stay tuned!
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About Maria
Hi, I’m Maria, the founder of Maria Points The Way. I help families simplify award travel and turn points into extraordinary, luxury journeys to Asia Pacific. When I started out in Fall 2023, I created a special travel boxset—a curated 8-episode series designed to introduce my own kids (now in middle and high school) to the incredible world of miles and points.
To me, points are more than just travel perks—they’re part of financial awareness and literacy. Points are money. And that’s exactly how I teach families to think about their points: as assets to manage strategically through a personalized portfolio. I’ve woven real-life stories and practical tips into each episode to make it approachable and inspiring for families, newcomers, and curious travelers alike. Every graphic in this series was thoughtfully designed and created by me—with love—to make learning both beautiful and practical.
This guide is perfect for:
- Even high schoolers—it’s never too early to build strong financial habits and travel-savvy awareness (my kids started in elementary school!)
- Beginners exploring points and credit cards
- Recent arrivals to the U.S.
- Young professionals and college students
