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Getting \u2014 and using \u2014 credit cards is an essential component of any points and miles<\/a> strategy, yet there\u2019s still a lot of fear surrounding them. And that\u2019s understandable. Most of us have been taught at one point or another that credit cards are bad. They are often synonymous with debt, which can be debilitating.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s much more to credit cards than just debt. When understood and used responsibly, their rewards and benefits can unlock the world for you. <\/p>\n That\u2019s why, today, I wanted to dispel some of that fear surrounding travel credit cards by explaining exactly how credit cards work. By understanding the system, you\u2019ll be that much closer to making it work for you!<\/p>\n\n Credit cards allow you to borrow money from banks, which you then pay back later. They basically facilitate a short-term loan. When you open a credit card, you\u2019ll get a credit limit<\/em>, which is the limit up to which you can spend. Each month, you can then spend as much as your limit allows.<\/p>\n If you pay that money back at the end of the month, there is no penalty. Your “loan” is paid off and next month you can spend up to that limit again.<\/p>\n If you don’t pay off your card at the end of the month, you’ll be charged interest on the remaining amount. A lot of interest (likely around 20%).<\/p>\n The key to earning points and miles with credit cards is to never spend more money than you actually have, even if your credit limit is higher than that. You want to basically use your credit card like a debit card, spending only what you can actually afford, and then paying the balance in full each month. By doing so, you\u2019ll avoid those hefty interest charges. <\/p>\n When used this way, travel credit cards can be an incredible tool for earning free flights, travel perks, and hotel stays \u2014 and all without spending extra money. Simply buy your groceries, gas, dinners out \u2014 whatever you usually spend money on \u2014 with your travel credit card and pay off the balance each month. Do that, and you can enjoy all the positives (free travel) without the negatives (high interest rates). You’ll also improve your credit rating, which can help you down the road should you ever need to make a large purchase.<\/p>\n By using the system this way, you can get tons of free flights, hotel rooms, vacations, and even cash back. Best of all? It’s never been easier to earn points. You can even earn points on your rent now!<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to using credit cards, you might not have much of a credit history and may not be approved for the best travel cards<\/a>. If that\u2019s the case, you\u2019ll want to work on improving your credit. <\/p>\n To start, I recommend getting a secured credit card. This is when you pay a balance in advance (usually a few hundred dollars), which then becomes your credit limit. You can spend up to that amount and pay it off, thereby showing the credit card companies that you\u2019re a responsible credit user. <\/p>\n Capital One and Bank of America both have secured cards to help you build credit. You can also check with your local bank or credit union to see if it offers any options (many do). Check out this list for more suggestions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another way to improve your score is asking to become an authorized user on the card of someone with good credit. This can help your score, though keep in mind that that person will be on the hook for the balance. Only do this with someone you trust, and don\u2019t betray that trust by leaving them with the bill or hurting their credit score! <\/p>\n However you work on improving your score, as it goes up, you\u2019ll be able to apply and be approved for unsecured cards, which are typically what you think of what you think of a credit card. You\u2019ll likely want to start with no-fee travel cards<\/a> as you get the hang of the points and miles game. There\u2019s no perfect credit card, only the right credit card for you. Everyone has different goals, so first, you\u2019ll want to determine yours so you can figure out which card will get you there. Not having a goal is one of the biggest points and miles mistakes<\/a> you can make, because it leaves you unguided, like a ship without a rudder. <\/p>\n Do you want your points to cover your hotel stay for your friend\u2019s wedding next summer? Or maybe you want free flights to Mexico for a winter getaway. Maybe you care about making your travels more comfortable and want a more premium card<\/a> that offers perks like airport lounge access. <\/p>\n Whatever the case, there\u2019s a card out there for you. <\/p>\n Here are a few key things to look for when picking a card: <\/p>\n 1. A huge welcome offer<\/strong> \u2013 These offers, also known as sign-up bonuses, are the fast track to a lot of points in a relatively short period of time. By spending a certain amount of money after opening the card, you\u2019ll receive a bunch of points at once. For example, “unlock 60,000 points if you spend $3,000 USD within the first three months of having the card” is a standard welcome offer format you’ll see often. For reference, that amount of points could roughly be equal to a round-trip economy flight from the US to Europe, so these welcome offers should not be ignored. They’re the fastest way to get points and miles when you first start.<\/p>\n 2. Bonus earning categories<\/strong> \u2013 These are categories in which you\u2019ll get more points than just one point per dollar spent (the default for most cards). For example, the Bilt Mastercard\u00ae<\/a> (See rates and fees<\/a>) offers 3x Bilt Points per dollar spent on dining, 2x points per dollar spent on travel, and 5x points on Lyft when you link your Bilt and Lyft accounts (you just have to use your card 5x per statement period to earn points – see rewards & benefits here<\/a>). If a lot of your spending falls in those categories, you can see how much easier it is to rack up points than if you were only getting 1x point for each dollar spent. Never accept one point per dollar spent. Look for at least two. If you want something simple, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card<\/a> gives you a straight 2x on everything\/<\/p>\n 3. Travel perks that you\u2019ll actually use<\/strong> \u2013 Travel cards are continually trying to outdo each other by adding different perks. Make sure that the card you choose comes with perks you\u2019ll actually use! I personally prioritize lounge access, free checked bags, and priority boarding (on my airline credit cards<\/a>), free hotel stays (on my hotel credit cards<\/a>), and no foreign transaction fees (you should never ever get a card that charges these fees). But your priorities might be different, so find a card that works for you.<\/p>\n For a more in-depth look at picking a credit card, head to my dedicated post on the subject<\/a>. Travel rewards credit cards come with a variety of perks geared toward travelers. Generally, the higher the annual fee, the more perks you\u2019ll receive, though even no-fee cards come with some rewards and benefits. <\/p>\n Here are some rewards and benefits that you can expect from most travel credit cards: <\/p>\n While many people are initially reluctant to pay an annual fee, cards with fees give you more perks, which can greatly outweigh the annual cost. In addition to the perks above, cards with higher fees also usually include: <\/p>\n Hotel and airline cards come with perks like early check-in, free checked baggage, and priority boarding for that specific hotel or airline. <\/p>\n As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to having a credit card (or several) that\u2019ll make your travels that much easier! Do I have to pay off my balance as soon as I purchase something? <\/strong> The average interest rate for credit cards in the US is 20%, so you always want to pay your debt in full each month.<\/p>\n Does opening a lot of credit cards hurt my credit?<\/strong> How is my credit score calculated? <\/strong> How do I find my credit score?<\/strong> How old do you have to be to get a credit card?<\/strong> Over the years, I\u2019ve enjoyed tons of free flights, free upgrades, free hotel stays, and other perks just by using credit cards. There\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t be enjoying those too. As long as you pay off your balance each month, you can use your everyday purchases to earn free travel and other incredible perks \u2014 all without extra spending. <\/p>\n Don\u2019t leave money on the table. Start earning points and miles today<\/a>!<\/p>\nHow Do Credit Cards Actually Work?<\/h3>\n
How to Get Started Using Credit Cards<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nPicking a Credit Card<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\nCommon Travel Credit Card Perks<\/h3>\n
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\n <\/p>\nFAQ About Credit Cards<\/h3>\n
\nYou don\u2019t have to pay off your balance after every purchase. There is usually a grace period of a few weeks between your purchase and when the payment is due. As long as you pay your balance in full by the statement due date, you\u2019re fine. \u201cCarrying a balance\u201d means paying past the due date \u2014 in which case, you\u2019ll incur interest charges, something you never want to do as those negate the benefits of the card.<\/p>\n
\nWhile it\u2019s true that opening and closing a lot of cards at once can briefly hurt your credit, applying for a few over a period of time won\u2019t kill your score, which slightly dips every time there is an inquiry, whether that is applying for a credit card, home loan, or car loan. It\u2019s how the system is set up. As long as you space out your applications and pay your bills each month, your credit won\u2019t sustain any long-term damage. <\/p>\n
\nMany people mistakenly think that credit scores only have to do with whether you pay your credit card off on time. But credit card bureaus consider a variety of factors, including: your payment history, your credit usage (the percentage of your available credit that you\u2019re using), how long you\u2019ve been building credit, your credit mix (the different types of credit you have), and inquiries for new credit. <\/p>\n
\nYou can see your credit score and report for free by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. (Federal law requires each of the credit bureaus to give you a free report once every 12 months.) You\u2019ll then be able to see what areas you need to work on, so you can start improving them. <\/p>\n
\nTechnically, you can start applying for credit cards at age 18, though requirements make it difficult to actually get approved. You\u2019ll likely have no credit history at this age and so will have to prove income, which can be difficult if you\u2019re a student. Your best option for building credit if you\u2019re between the ages of 18 and 21 is to get either a secured credit card or a student credit card<\/a>, or become an authorized user on someone else\u2019s card. After age 21, these restrictions fall away, and it becomes easier to get a \u201cnormal\u201d credit card. <\/p>\n
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