Saving Money with Credit Card Rewards Points: Travel, Cash Back and More

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Get answers to common questions that will allow you to maximize your credit card rewards points and avoid common point planning pitfalls with our Nerdy expert tips.

How can you travel more while spending less?

How could changes in airline loyalty programs affect your travel plans?

What are the benefits of co-branded airline or hotel credit cards versus flexible rewards cards?

NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles and Erin Hurd dive deep into credit card rewards points, addressing a range of topics that will resonate with anyone eager to maximize their credit card points and travel perks. They discuss recent changes in airline loyalty programs, including Delta and Alaska Airlines, and explore the advantages and drawbacks of co-branded airline or hotel credit cards and the benefits of using flexible rewards cards.

They also present strategies for maximizing credit card sign-up bonuses while avoiding common mistakes that can lead to fewer rewards, and offer tips for how you can track and manage credit card points and perks. Sean and Erin also explain the pitfalls of carrying a balance on travel credit cards, the implications of credit card fees and surcharges at local stores, potential industry changes, such as interest rates and fee structures, and the potential impact of the Credit Card Competition Act on rewards programs.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card points, travel rewards, personal finance, airline loyalty programs, Delta, Alaska Airlines, co-branded credit cards, flexible rewards cards, sign-up bonuses, spending traps, unused points, strategic spending, credit card portfolio, tracking perks, minimum spending requirements, bonus categories, carrying a balance, credit card fees, everyday purchases, travel booking, annual fees, credit card industry, interest rates, reward system changes, credit card perks, value of points, credit card bonuses, and the Credit Card Competition Act.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [e-mail].

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Show Note Links:

What Is the ‘Chase Trifecta’?

How to Maximize Rewards With the AmEx Trifecta