Why am I transferring from cash returns to points and mileage cards

My wallet has come a long way.

I have always believed that credit cards are the portal to smart spending, which ultimately leads to top rewards.

But when I first started, I couldn’t simply apply for a premium card American Express Platinum Card®. I need to start with options that are more suitable for beginners, such as cash reserve cards.

When I was 18, my mom set me up as an authorized user Disney® Visa Card (See rates and fees).

I swiped more on my Disney visa instead of making money because the Disney-centric income of this card doesn’t necessarily fit my mother’s preferences. Nevertheless, I learned to spend it within my means. I spent some time turning the TPG’s credit card commandment into a habit: Credit cards are not “free money”. Don’t let the reward expire.

Once my basics are lowered, I am ready to dig deep into everything that a proper credit card strategy can unlock – cash rewards, transferable points, and mileage and quality benefits – but I still take one step at a time.

I personally value earning multiple currencies because I want to unlock the ability to transfer as many loyalty programs as possible to as many loyalty programs as possible, so this is the path I took.

Choose a simple cash card

Let’s be a reality – In my 20s, I was frightened by the point and the mileage. My time is full of internships, job applications and final programs to complete my college degree. I care about credit cards, but cherish simplicity in settings.

Enter the DiscoverIT® Cash reply card, an unfamiliar card for cashback of $1,500 for your first purchase every quarter using a select spinner (after school admission).

Information on Discover IT Cash Card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

I like this card that makes me think about my spending. I’m happy to know what categories will be covered by the 5% bonus for each quarter. While there is no traditional welcome quote, Discover matches all the cashback I received at the end of the first year.

It was a very sweet deal because it means I made at least 2% of all my first year spending. Even better, when you consider the dollar-dollar match at the end of the year, the 5% spin category actually gets a 10% return.

Discovering its cashback is a perfect middle ground for me. I want to dip my toes into the rewards, but don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking about how to redeem them. I specifically redeem my cash rewards to get a stated credit.

Once my lifestyle shifted, I started to prioritize rewards differently. I have time to understand the key points and miles and how to redeem them for a trip, which is my goal.

So I started looking at each issuer’s card and adding it to my wallet, with two goals: earn multiple currencies and maximize my daily expenses.

Related: Pros and cons of cash backing credit cards

The perfect travel card for beginners

My first travel credit card is Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees).

First, Chase Ultimate Rewards is a very valuable currency (according to TPG’s September 2025 valuation, worth 2.05 cents per point). Plus, the card’s high income rate on dining (3 points per dollar) and general travel (2 points per dollar) lure me.

When I think about how to value Chase Points and the $50 annual hotel credit booked by Sapphire Preferred via Chase Travel℠, I can easily justify its $95 annual fee.

I’ve transferred my chase points to improvised weekend hotel accommodation in Hyatt World and have fun in the redemption scheme of Chase Travel Portal.

New Sapphire Preferred Applicants can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months of purchase in the first three months of opening.

I recommend this card to anyone who wants to play what a travel reward card can offer without paying over $100 annual fee.

Related: Why Chase Sapphire’s top pick should still be your first reward card after more than 15 years

No effort

My next priority is finding a credit card to maximize my maximum monthly fee: rent. If I have to pay, why not earn a reward? I applied BiltMastercard® (See rates and fees) and never look back.

TPG founder Brian Kelly is a BILT consultant and investor.

You can access the BILT rewards ecosystem without a card, but having a slim fee Bilt Mastercard allows you to earn 1 point per dollar on rent payments without any transaction fees (see rates and fees). You can earn up to 100,000 points per calendar year, and you must make at least five transactions during each statement period to earn points (see Rewards and Benefits).

Bilt Mastercard doesn’t offer traditional welcome bonuses, but I found that as part of the BILT Rent Day promotion, you can easily earn rewards on the first day of each month.

The TPG value BILT reward point is 2.2 cents per dollar, and I like Bilt Rewards due to the transfer partner’s transfer partner.

Specifically, I often transfer BILT points to Atmos Rewards, which rewards do not work with any other major currencies. I used Atmos Rewards Points to book American Airlines flights and found some reliable deals on domestic economic flights.

Related: Should you use binary rental? We correct the numbers

A card for my cooking hobby

Next, I started focusing on earning more than 1 point per dollar to get more spending. I already have options in the Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards programs and I am interested in earning new currencies.

When it comes to the bonus category, I noticed the gap in the grocery department. I often cook at home and find myself running to the supermarket multiple times a week so I want to earn more points for this expenditure.

this American Express® Gold Card Buy 4 points per dollar per dollar at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

Good news: My Amex Gold application was accepted.

I redeem membership reward points, everything from financial tickets to London via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to Hilton Hotel. The TPG value is 2 cents, making membership rewards one of our most valuable currencies.

For me, Amex Gold is a big step because I care about annual expenses. Given how often I take it to the grocery store to run, the $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) makes a lot of sense to me, so I won’t let it go.

Related: Is Amex Gold worth the annual fee?

My first premium travel card

At this point, my wallet has been optimized for my most common expenditure categories. However, I am missing a truly quality travel card and while my proficiency in the airport lounge space isn’t that good, I want to give it a try.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is ideal for me, Capital One Lounge Access and Priority Pass membership. When I consider the annual $300 Capital One Travel Portal Credit (reducing the valid annual fee to $95), I can easily justify this $395 annual fee.

I really enjoy visiting the lounge before the flight, especially at my airport, Uber Relaxing Essce Lounge at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina.

According to TPG’s valuation, Capital One Mile is worth 1.85 cents and transferred to over 15 partners, and my flexibility is more flexible when I search for reliable deals on reward travel.

Related: 6 Things to Do When You Get Capital One Enterprise X

Determine a common hotel card

My latest addition is Hilton Honors American ExpressSupasspass® Card. I didn’t seriously consider hotel cards until I really got to know its benefits. I’m not particularly loyal to any chain (I still like to book Hyatt Hotels and stay with my chase points).

But why not try a card with Hilton Honor Gold Medal, National Car Rental Status, Gasoline Bonus Category and a reliable welcome reward? Also, the $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) didn’t bother me with the value.

Hilton Gold isn’t top-notch status, but I really like the daily food and Oktoberfest treatment or continental breakfast (depending on where I live), room upgrades available for space and 80% points bonus.

Related: Why Hiltons surpass me is someone who doesn’t want a common brand

Bottom line

I have built my wallets with the intention of collecting money, diversifying my rewards and keeping the annual fee relatively modest. I am now happy with my card, although I may consider adding a Citi card in the near future – especially since Citi thanks for recently adding American Airlines Aadvantage as a transfer partner.

Everyone’s needs are different. The best way to make your card work for you is to take the time to logically think about your own value, what you spend and what you need.

Related: Why You Should Master Some Credit Card Transfer Partners And (Most Probably) Put the rest

For Amex Gold rates and fees, click here.
For Hilton rates and fees, click here.
See BILT Mastercard Rates and Fees here.
See BILT Mastercard Rewards and Benefits here.