Is this Hobby for Me?

If you’ve been curious about opening credit cards to earn points and miles, you’re probably wondering: is this actually for me? The truth is, this little “travel points” hobby works best for people who already have certain money habits in place.

Here’s the quick gut check:

1. You always pay off your credit cards in full.

   If you’re carrying balances month to month, the sky-high interest rates will wipe out any free travel you earn. Rule number one: points only make sense if you never pay interest.

   
   

2. You spend at least around $1,500 a month on things you could put on a card.

   Think groceries, daycare, insurance, utilities, day-to-day expenses. If most of your life already goes on plastic, you’re in great shape.

   
   

3. Your credit score hangs out in the mid-700s.

   That’s the sweet spot for getting approved for the top cards with the biggest bonuses.

Did you answer “no” to one of these? Don’t panic—it’s often fixable. A lot of recurring bills can easily be switched from ACH or debit to credit card (usually with no extra fee). And if your credit score isn’t quite there yet, you can bump it up fairly quickly by paying off existing balances (starting with the smallest ones) and never missing a due date. Timely payments are the fastest way to see your score climb.

Final Thoughts

If you’re disciplined about paying your bills and your spending already flows through cards, this hobby can open the door to free flights, hotel stays, and adventures you might not have thought possible.