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made possible with points & miles

Points & Miles 101

Melissa's beginner guide to travel hacking: seven short lessons, from your first welcome bonus to the Player 2 strategy that doubles everything. One free PDF — just leave your email.

The guide downloads instantly. No spam — just the occasional genuinely useful update.

7 lessons · about 13 minutes total · Free today — it'll be a paid guide eventually.

What's inside

  1. 01Why Welcome Bonuses Are The Whole GameThe quickest way to earn points and miles — and the math that shows why one card is never enough.2 min read
  2. 02Your Credit Score (And Why This Won't Wreck It)What travel cards require, how a new card actually affects your score, and the five factors that decide it.2 min read
  3. 03Goals, Point Types, And Why You DiversifyWhere do you want to go? The three kinds of points, why they are not equal, and the case for spreading them around.2 min read
  4. 04Choosing The Right Card(s)What to look for, my favorite personal and business cards, and why business cards are the quiet superpower.1 min read
  5. 05Apply Responsibly, Hit The SpendThe 5/24 rule, Amex's once-per-lifetime, Capital One's quirks, and how to meet a minimum spend without spending more.2 min read
  6. 06Redeem Strategically (YAY!!)Earning is the easy part. Where the value actually is, what to avoid, and what a sweet spot looks like.2 min read
  7. 07Player 2, And Your Next MoveThe couples strategy that doubles every bonus, what to do with a card after year one, and the habits that keep it all working.2 min read

The whole thing is one free PDF — drop your email at the top of this page and it downloads instantly.