In today’s world, accumulating travel rewards isn’t limited to frequent flyers or globetrotters. Even if you don’t travel often, there are numerous strategies to earn valuable points and miles. By leveraging everyday activities and financial tools, you can build a substantial rewards balance without setting foot on a plane. Here’s how to earn points without traveling:
1. Leverage Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
One of the most effective ways to earn a significant number of points quickly is through credit card sign-up bonuses. Many credit cards offer substantial bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a generous bonus after you spend a certain amount on purchases in the first three months from account opening. It’s essential to align these spending requirements with your regular expenses to avoid unnecessary debt. Timing your application around major purchases can help you meet these thresholds more comfortably.
2. Maximize Everyday Spending with Rewards Credit Cards
Utilizing rewards credit cards for your daily expenses is a straightforward way to accumulate points. Cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offer a flat rate of miles per dollar spent on all purchases, making it easy to earn rewards without adjusting your spending habits. By charging routine expenses—such as groceries, utilities, and dining out—to a rewards card, you can steadily build your points balance. Just ensure you pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
3. Utilize Online Shopping Portals
Many airlines and credit card issuers have online shopping portals that reward you with bonus points for shopping with affiliated retailers. By accessing your favorite stores through these portals, you can earn additional points on purchases you were planning to make anyway. For example, the AAdvantage eShopping portal allows you to earn American Airlines miles when shopping online at participating merchants. This strategy effectively turns your online shopping into a points-earning opportunity.
4. Participate in Dining Rewards Programs
Dining rewards programs offer another avenue to earn points without traveling. By registering your credit or debit cards with programs like AAdvantage Dining or Delta SkyMiles Dining, you can earn miles when you dine at participating restaurants. The process is simple: sign up for the program, register your cards, and use them to pay at eligible eateries. You’ll earn points automatically, adding value to your regular dining experiences.
5. Engage with Financial Products Offering Points
Some financial institutions offer points or miles as incentives for opening new accounts or maintaining certain balances. For instance, Bask Bank provides AAdvantage miles instead of traditional interest on savings accounts. By depositing funds into such accounts, you can passively earn miles over time. Additionally, some banks run promotions where you can earn points for opening checking or savings accounts, though these offers often come with specific requirements and potential tax implications.
6. Take Advantage of Referral Bonuses
Many credit card issuers offer referral bonuses when you refer friends or family members who are approved for a card. Sharing your referral link can earn you bonus points, sometimes amounting to thousands of miles. This method allows you to boost your points balance by simply encouraging others to take advantage of the same rewards opportunities you enjoy. Ensure that the referred individuals understand the card’s terms and benefits to make informed decisions.
7. Pay Bills with Rewards Credit Cards
Whenever possible, use your rewards credit card to pay for recurring bills such as utilities, streaming services, and insurance premiums. While some service providers may charge a fee for credit card payments, many do not. By directing these expenses through a rewards card, you can earn points on payments you need to make regardless, effectively turning necessary expenses into opportunities for earning points without traveling.
8. Engage in Surveys and Market Research
Several airlines and rewards programs partner with survey companies, allowing you to earn miles in exchange for your opinions. Platforms like e-Rewards and Miles for Opinions offer points or miles for completing surveys. While this method won’t yield a massive number of points quickly, it’s an easy way to supplement your earnings during your spare time. Be mindful of the time investment relative to the rewards earned to ensure it’s a worthwhile endeavor.
9. Utilize Cashback and Rewards Apps
Cashback apps and browser extensions like Rakuten (formerly Ebates) offer opportunities to earn cashback on your purchases, which can be converted into points with certain programs. For example, Rakuten allows users to earn Membership Rewards points instead of cashback when shopping through their portal with a linked American Express card. This approach enables you to earn points on top of the rewards from your credit card, maximizing your earnings without additional spending.
10. Purchase Gift Cards for Regular Expenses
Buying gift cards to retailers you frequently shop at can be a strategic way to earn points. Some rewards programs and shopping portals offer bonus points for purchasing gift cards to specific stores. By buying these gift cards through the appropriate channels and using them for your regular shopping, you can earn additional points without increasing your spending. Ensure that the retailers are ones you regularly patronize to avoid tying up funds in unused gift cards.
11. Monitor Special Promotions and Limited-Time Offers
Rewards programs frequently run promotions that offer bonus points for specific actions, such as shopping at particular retailers, dining at certain restaurants, or using your card for specific categories of spending. Keeping an eye on these promotions and aligning them with your planned spending can lead to significant bonus points. Subscribing to newsletters or regularly checking the websites of your preferred rewards programs can help you stay informed about these opportunities.
For example, Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program often runs limited-time promotions where you can earn extra points at select merchants. Similarly, American Express sometimes offers Amex Offers, allowing you to earn bonus Membership Rewards points or statement credits when spending at specific brands. These promotions are a great way to boost your earnings while making purchases you would have made anyway.
Final Thoughts on How to Earn Points Without Traveling
Accumulating travel rewards isn’t exclusive to frequent flyers. By leveraging strategic credit card spending, online shopping portals, dining rewards, and various promotions, you can earn valuable points without leaving your home. Understanding how to maximize these opportunities allows you to build a significant points balance and unlock future travel benefits.
Whether you’re saving for a dream vacation or looking to redeem points for other rewards, the methods outlined here will help you earn points without traveling while maintaining your regular spending habits.
For more in-depth strategies and expert advice, check out The Points Guy, NerdWallet, and Bankrate. If you’re looking for more ways to optimize your points strategy, visit We Do Points for additional insights and earning techniques.
By staying informed and using these strategies, you can make the most of your rewards programs—no travel required!
Accumulating rewards points doesn’t require frequent travel; strategic use of certain credit cards can help you amass points through everyday spending.
Here are five top credit cards to consider:
1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, making it simple to accumulate travel rewards without tracking specific categories.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Additional Benefits: No foreign transaction fees and flexible redemption options for travel-related expenses.
This card is ideal for those seeking straightforward rewards on all purchases.
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Additional Benefits: Access to Chase’s Ultimate Rewards® program, offering flexible redemption options including cash back, gift cards, and travel.
This card offers a high rewards rate on everyday spending categories without an annual fee.
3. Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3 points per dollar on dining, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans; 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Additional Benefits: Cell phone protection and access to Visa Signature® Concierge services.
This card is suitable for those looking to maximize rewards across a variety of everyday spending categories.
4. Citi® Double Cash Card
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and an additional 1% as you pay off those purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Additional Benefits: No caps on cash back earned and no category restrictions.
This card is ideal for those seeking a straightforward, high flat-rate cash back on all purchases.
5. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Rewards Rate: Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% at U.S. gas stations and on transit, and 1% on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Additional Benefits: Access to Amex Offers for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
This card is beneficial for those with significant spending on groceries and streaming services.
By selecting a card that aligns with your spending habits, you can effectively earn points without traveling, turning everyday purchases into valuable rewards.
