Moving cross-country is expensive, but if you’re strategic, it can also be one of the best opportunities to earn tons of points, miles, and rewards. Between moving services, travel, furniture, appliances, and all the little necessities you need to get settled, your expenses can add up quickly. On the plus side, this means you can earn serious travel rewards or cash back by charging those purchases to the right credit card.
By pairing your existing cards with a new card or two that offer a hefty welcome bonus, you can turn what’s often a costly switch into a powerful means of earning points.
Here’s how to maximize your credit card rewards the next time you move.
Related: Moving abroad? Here’s how to handle your credit card
Maximize current card while moving
The first step is to understand which of your existing cards earns the most rewards on each type of spending. cards like this American Express® Gold Card Earn 4 points for every $1 you spend at restaurants around the world and U.S. supermarkets, which is perfect for the takeout and grocery shopping that tends to surge during a move.
At the same time, an all-inclusive card with a fixed rate of return can also be useful, especially for purchases that don’t fit neatly into other reward categories. For example, a fixed rate card such as Citi Double Cash® Card (See Rates & Fees) – Offers 2% cash back on purchases (1% back on purchase, 1% back on payment) – and the Capital One Venture These types of purchases don’t fall into common reward categories, so a card that earns 2 points or miles per $1 spent on any type of purchase ensures you’re getting the most from your spending.
If your move requires hotel stays or flights, be sure to charge those costs to a card that earns bonus points on your travels. mine Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See Rates & Fees) was my first choice during my recent move to the West Coast, which included multiple hotels and Airbnb stays. I also use the card’s $50 annual hotel statement credit through Chase Travel℠ to offset some of my hotel stay costs.
If you’re spending the night along the way, it’s worth checking to see if points and miles can cover some of these costs. I redeemed 8,000 points for a one-night stay in South Dakota during a road trip—it wasn’t the flashiest redemption, but it saved me from paying $250 out of pocket.
Reward your inbox with the TPG daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Many cards also offer purchase protection and extended warranties, which can be especially helpful when buying big-ticket items like appliances or TVs.
Finally, keep an eye out for rotating or limited-time bonus categories. Some cards offer higher earnings for purchases at home improvement stores or gas stations or other large purchases. By choosing the right card for each type of expense, you can ensure that every dollar you spend during your move gets more benefit for you.
Related: Why the best points redemptions are sometimes the most practical
Maximize your rent or mortgage payments — earn points with the Bilt Card
Your housing payment (whether it’s rent or mortgage) is probably your largest ongoing monthly expense. While the Bilt Mastercard® has suspended new applications until February 2026, it’s still worth your attention if you’re planning on moving in the coming year.
Under the current version of the card, renters can earn rental points without paying any transaction fees, turning bills that normally don’t earn any money into valuable Bilt Rewards points. These can then be transferred to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards, World of Hyatt and other popular loyalty programs.
Even more noteworthy: Starting in February 2026, the updated Bilt Mastercard 2.0 will allow cardholders to earn points on qualifying mortgage payments. This means renters and homeowners alike can turn large monthly bills into ongoing rewards.
Related: Should you pay your rent with Bilt? We crunch the numbers
Unlock a huge welcome bonus with your new card
Moving cross-country is one of the best times to pursue a generous welcome bonus. The inevitable hefty expenses can easily help you meet the minimum spending requirements for your new card. They are often worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
To get the most out of it, be sure to schedule your application strategically. If you know you’ll be buying furniture, appliances, and decor and booking travel in quick succession, consider staggering the opening times on your new cards so that each set of purchases can qualify for a different welcome offer, rather than overlapping on one card.
Related: The Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Available Right Now
How I turned this action into over 200,000 points and miles
I used this strategy to my advantage when I moved across the country. I used the cost of my early move (including hotel stays, gas, and furniture purchases) to earn my 100,000 mile welcome bonus United Quest℠ Card (See Rates and Fees). According to TPG’s December 2025 valuation, those miles are worth $1,300.
After getting this bonus, I started making new purchases to meet the welcome offer on the Venture X card, which currently offers the best welcome offer of 2021. Between furniture, kitchen appliances, a TV, and other necessities, I’m steadily working towards my 100,000 mile bonus. This bonus is worth $1,850 when you transfer miles to any of Capital One’s hotel and airline partners, according to TPG’s December 2025 valuation. I’ve had my eye on this card for a while, and the combination of strong offers and high spend makes now the perfect time to apply.
By timing my application and adjusting my spending based on each card’s requirements, I was able to earn over 200,000 points and miles just from my actions. I plan to use these rewards for a trip to Europe next spring, turning what could have been a financial hit into a huge travel win.
RELATED: 15 Cards Currently Offering Welcome Bonuses of 100,000 Points or More
Increase your revenue with shopping portals and stackable offers
One of the most overlooked ways to earn rewards on moving expenses is by using airline shopping portals, cash back portals and targeted credit card offers.
When buying moving-related items like furniture, decor, and electronics, check to see if you can earn rewards by:
By stacking these offers with credit card rewards, you can significantly increase your points and miles balance. Retailers like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Target, Wayfair, and Macy’s regularly appear on the portal or offer card-related offers, making them ideal for moving-related purchases.
Related: Earn Points, Miles or Cash Back: How to Make the Most of Your Online Shopping Portal Purchases
Tips for organizing your spending
- Track everything: Create a spreadsheet to separate moving-related purchases and make sure they count toward the welcome bonus.
- Know your category: Focus on reward categories like home improvement, general purchases, and travel. Using the right card for the right category can maximize your points and miles.
- keep receipts: Save a file of all expenses. You may need it to confirm eligibility for a welcome offer or reimbursement.
Related: How to Track Your Progress towards Earning a Credit Card Welcome Bonus
bottom line
With some planning and strategy, your off-road adventures can pay off handsomely. You can turn major moving expenses into thousands of points and miles by combining your existing cards with new ones that offer welcome bonuses.
Track your spending, plan ahead, and take advantage of every opportunity—your next move could pay off in more ways than one.
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
