Points and Postcards

08/30/2026

Did you know that you could turn your Starbucks visits into points and miles for travel?

From earning extra credit card points to Marriott Bonvoy points and Delta & United airline miles, this is a super easy way to earn towards your next trip.

Details here:

Learn how to earn Starbucks Stars, airline miles, and credit card rewards on every Starbucks purchase using simple stacking strategies.

08/23/2026

Got a furry friend at home? Then you obviously have expenses: toys, beds, food, kitty litter, medicines, etc.

Why not turn those recurring charges into future travel? We're all about turning spending you're already doing into points and miles for your next trip, so here are all the ways you can use your pet purchases to earn more points and miles without spending more money:

08/16/2026

Ever feel like you just can't bear to cook dinner and just decide you're going to order in? While it's not the most economic decision, delivery convenience just can't be beat.
And so if you're spending that money anyways, why not turn that spend into points and miles for travel? Whether you use DoorDash, GrubHub, or UberEats, it's super easy to capitalize on that spend for your next trip.
Here's how:

Learn our top strategies to earn the maximum amount of points and miles on food delivery to turn your spend into trips!

08/09/2026

There's a perception that travel hacking means frequently opening new credit cards. And while that's how you can earn the most amount of points and miles quickly, it's not the only way to earn points and miles.

Just dipping your toe in? Don't want to open a new card? Can't hit the minimum spend? Here are easy ways to earn points and miles without opening a new credit card.

Learn how to earn points and miles without opening a new credit card. From shopping portals and dining programs to referral bonuses and retention offers, these are the strategies we use to earn hundreds of thousands of points each year.

08/02/2026

I was apprehensive about opening a credit card with an annual fee. But as I got more into travel hacking, they became inevitable as I wanted to accrue points and miles quickly for travel.
Is every annual fee worth it? No, and worth it means something different for everyone.
Check out my latest post for more:

Wondering what an annual fee for a credit card is? Learn when annual fees are charged, how they work, and when paying one is actually worth it.

07/26/2026

Want to learn how to travel hack but aren't sure where to start?

I put together a beginner's guide that covers the basics, from what travel hacking actually is to how to earn and redeem points for flights and hotels. If all of it seems overwhelming, this post breaks it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Travel hacking has completely changed the way we travel, and it can do the same for you.

Read the guide here:

Learn how to start travel hacking with this beginner-friendly guide to points, miles, loyalty programs, credit cards, and free travel.

07/19/2026

When people hear "travel hacking," they usually assume it means opening a bunch of credit cards quickly and spending a ton of money.

There are plenty of ways to start earning points and miles without paying an annual fee, changing your spending habits, or even opening a new credit card. You may earn points slower without a new card with a high sign-up bonus, but it's entirely possible to start travel hacking with the spending you're already doing (groceries, bills, online shopping)

I put together some of my favorite ways to get started for free. Some of these are things our family still uses to earn extra points and miles on purchases we were already making.

Read it here:

Learn four free ways to start travel hacking using loyalty programs, partner links, shopping portals, and autopay optimization to earn points fast.

07/13/2026

The United Club Card has a pretty hefty annual fee, so the big question is... is it actually worth it?

In the post, I cover:
• United Club lounge access
• Free checked bags and other travel perks
• The statement credits that help offset the annual fee
• Whether it makes sense if you already have another premium travel card
• Why we decided to keep it in our lineup

If you fly United even a few times a year, especially if you're based at a United hub like we are in Chicago, it's worth considering.

Read the full review here:

United Club Card review: Sign-up bonus, $695 annual fee, miles earnings, lounge access, free checked bags, and credits. Is the United Club Card worth it?

07/05/2026

The Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex Q3 2026 bonus categories are live.

I'll admit, I'm not too excited. Gas stations, public transit, live entertainment, and United Way donations aren't exactly the strongest lineup we've seen in terms of earning the maximum amount of points for travel.

If you have a Chase Freedom or Freedom Flex, it's worth taking a few minutes to see what qualifies before you start spending.

Read the full breakdown here:
https://pointsandpostcards.com/chase-freedom-q3-2026-categories/

Are you planning to max out these categories this quarter, or are you hoping Chase does better in Q4?

Chase Freedom Q3 2026 categories include gas stations, EV charging, public transit, live entertainment, and United Way donations. Learn how to maximize 5x Chase points this quarter.

06/28/2026

If you've been getting into points and miles, you've probably wondered whether airline and hotel credit cards are actually worth it.

The answer? It depends (like most things in travel hacking).

We have several co-branded cards that save us hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars every year through perks like free checked bags, hotel free night certificates, and lounge access. But there are also plenty of cards that aren't worth keeping after the welcome bonus.

In my latest post, I break down when co-branded credit cards make sense, when I'd choose a flexible points card instead, and how we decide which cards stay in our wallet year after year.

Read the full post here:

Are co-branded credit cards worth it? Learn how airline and hotel cards work, their pros and cons, and when they make sense for your travel.