Are you using deferred payment scorecard distributor point correctly ? If you have n’t taken a holiday on them lately , maybe not . We talked to Brian Kelly , a former Wall Street guy who now runs ThePointsGuy.com , a website pay to the art of making the most of credit card rewards programs . Kelly regularly pays $ 5 for flight from Miami to New York , and once spent just $ 204 for a first - class Singapore Airlines just the ticket respect at $ 8000 . “ I ’m an extreme , ” he says , “ but the advantage game is lucrative , and it ’s real . ” Here ’s how to get in on it .
1. TAKE SIGN-UP BONUSES SERIOUSLY …
Those offers of 10,000 or 20,000 points if you spend $ 3000 over the first three month of card ownership ? Worth it , says Kelly . At one cent per point , you could make $ 100 or $ 200 out of your even spending .
2. … ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT ONES.
While most really great sign - up fillip are targeted to consumers with high - spending histories , Kelly says that sometimes “ offer can leak out out through social medium . ” An American Express menu once offered a 50,000 - point sign up - up bonus through its own website , and , at the same time , a100,000 - degree bonus through CreditCards.com . Those who feel the higher one just lucked out ( or knew where to look ) .
3. SIGN UP ONLINE.
“ Never sign up for a credit card in an airdrome , ” Kelly warns . Or really , in individual anywhere . The distraction and sales imperativeness make consumers vulnerable to accepting defective hand .
4. CHOOSE THE CASH-BACK OPTION.
Kelly advises that if you desire perks that affect retail purchases , do n’t seek to make them redeeming points with computer storage . “ You ’re usually catch about 1 percent or less back , there . ” Instead , go with a cash - back calling card that offers an spare bonus on whatever you pass the most money on ( gas , grocery , travel , etc . ) . A good one should get you at least 2 pct .
