Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles
Welcome! I’m Braiden, founder of Zero to Miles. Over the past few years, my family and I have flown across the country, stayed at luxury resorts, and taken dream vacations for pennies on the dollar — all by using credit card points and airline miles.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to start. Take notes along the way and finish with your personalized plan!
Section 1 - Before you Begin
Get Set for Success
Before jumping in, make sure you’re ready to play the points and miles game responsibly:
- Always pay your credit cards in full every month (interest will kill your savings).
- Aim for a credit score of 700 or higher (750+ is ideal).
- Space out applications by about 90 days for the best approval odds.
- Don’t open cards if you’ll be applying for a mortgage or big loan in the next year.
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Also think about: What’s the #1 place you’d like to visit first using points and miles?
Section 2 - The Zero to Miles Method
The 3-Step System for Free Travel
Here’s the simplified version of how I book incredible trips for almost nothing:
1. Apply for a travel rewards credit card with a great welcome bonus.
2. Meet the minimum spend within the required time frame to earn that bonus.
3. Use your points for flights, hotels, or both — then repeat with your next card.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have a partner/spouse, don’t just add them as an authorized user. Have them apply for their own card. You’ll both earn big bonuses and can combine points for even more value. Plus on many cards you will also earn a referral bonus if your spouse/partner applies with your referral link and is approved.
Think about: Who would I most often travel with on my points and miles adventures and how does that work into my strategy?
Section 3 - Choosing Your First Card
Which Type Fits You Best?
Two main types of travel rewards credit cards:
- Co-Branded Cards — Tied to a single airline or hotel chain (like Hyatt, Southwest, Delta). Great if you’re loyal to one brand.
- Flexible Points Cards — Earn points you can move to many partners (like Chase Ultimate Rewards). Perfect for beginners because you have more options.
I recommend most people start with a flexible points card so you aren’t locked into one brand.
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Section 4 — Unlocking Maximum Value
Why Transferring Points is a Game-Changer
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You can book travel in your credit card’s portal (like Expedia) — simple, but not always the best value.
Example: 100,000 Chase points could get you ~$1,250 in the portal OR over $4,500 in value if you transfer to Hyatt and book a high-end resort like the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
🔑 Only transfer points when you’re ready to book, because transfers are final.
Section 5 — The Best First Card for Most Beginners
Because of Chase’s 5/24 rule (approval is unlikely if you’ve opened 5+ cards in the last 24 months), it’s smart to start with Chase cards before moving to other banks.
My #1 beginner recommendation: Chase Sapphire Preferred
- Flexible, valuable points
- Strong travel partners like Hyatt, Southwest, United
- Reasonable annual fee for the benefits you get
Section 6 — Double Your Earnings with Business Cards
Yes, You Might Qualify
Even without an LLC, you can apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor (using your name as the business name). Selling items online, freelancing, or any side hustle counts.
Why I love business cards:
- Huge welcome bonuses
- Don’t count against your 5/24 limit
- Typically don’t impact your personal credit history after approval
Section 7 — Credit Scores & Annual Fees
Staying Responsible
- Your credit score might dip a few points when you open a new card, but it often rebounds in a month or two.
- Annual fees can be worth it if perks outweigh the cost (like free hotel nights).
- Downgrading or keeping older cards open helps maintain credit history.
Tip: Keep every new card open for at least one year before deciding to downgrade or cancel.
Section 8 — Your Next Steps
Let’s Get You Started
1. Pick your travel goal.
2. Choose your first (or next) rewards card.
3. Track your spending to hit the minimum spend without overspending.
4. Repeat the cycle to stack rewards year after year.
