Millennial credit cards, points and milestone tips

We all started our points and miles somewhere, even experts at TPG.

Reward travel, premium credit cards and ideal redemption aren’t limited to high spending or elites. If you are ready to unlock free flights and discounted luxury hotel accommodation, you must also be ready to take the first step.

Cardholders of any age can find incredible value in reward credit cards. Our staff at TPG covers many generations and offers a variety of perspectives.

In this guide, I will introduce you to some of the millennial staff, detailing how they get into points and miles, and sharing their advice for beginners.

Sofia Fen

Role: Director of Partnership

The first transferable point card: Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See rates and fees)

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

My trip started when I remember it. My dad is from Germany, so I flew internationally when I was a kid and I have always loved traveling ever since. I’m from Minneapolis, so I’m mainly flying out of the airlines of the Delta from Minneapolis-st. Paul International Airport (MSP), my mom added me to her as an authorized user Delta Skymiles® Platinum American Express Card.

I started my journey with my perspective and Miles since I graduated from college. I got my first real job in San Francisco, and I could hardly afford the rent at altitude, let alone traveling. I used the same Delta Amex to earn Skymiles so that I can still travel with an entry-level salary.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

Start with a transferable points card in Chase, Capital One or American Express and then before a common branded airline or hotel card. This is what I wish I knew. While I love my Delta Amex, if I had started with another card at the time, I could have earned more points (and more flexible).

Also, unless there are rare exceptions, don’t redeem your point of view through the card’s travel portal or “pay yourself”. These usually don’t offer good value – especially compared to what you can get when transferring points.

Giselle Gomez

Role: Advanced Credit Card Editing

The first transferable point card: Chase Sapphire’s preferred card

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

Growing up, I was lucky to visit some states and countries with my family. In college, I wanted to start taking my own risks and quickly realized that my small budget wouldn’t get me too far. In what I think is a full circle moment, I actually met those people and thought, “Okay, I can do it too.”

When I applied for Citi®/Aadvantage®PlatinumSelect®WorldEliteMastercard®, I was initially rejected Citi tier ℠ card (See Rates and Fees) Help build my credibility and show that I am a responsible borrower.

A year later, I was able to make sure the Aadvantage Platinum Select (still a staple in my wallet) has been a journey of over 20 cards over the past decade.

Information for Citi/Aadvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

Just the beginning. It’s better to have any kind of point or mileage than not. Consider your spending and which cards are best for you. Recognize that sometimes your habits change, which means your card usage may change as well.

Think about your travel experience and what matters to you. When it comes to redemption, I’m a big “stretch my points and miles” while others like to splurge on business-grade seats. I do love the airport lounge, though.

Travel cards come in all shapes and sizes, and what works for you may be different from what works for me. Over time, your wallet is diversified and ensures that you include transferable reward cards so you can choose when redeemed.

To read more from Giselle Gomez, check out her author page.

Carly Helfand

Role: Director of Points, Miles and Credit Card Content

The first transferable point card: Citi Prime Minister – has since changed to Citi Layer Premier® Card (See rates and fees). I took it out in 2013!

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

My father is a road fighter at United Airlines and American Airlines, so he was inserted points, miles and credit cards from the early stages of his loyalty program. I got my mileage prous and Aadvantage numbers when I was 2 years old and I grew up when I found reward space for the entire family of five easily (and cheaper!).

When I got my first full-time job in the US, he sent me some credit card applications to fill out, and reading TPG from there taught me the rest.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

Find a credit card that truly suits your lifestyle, develop habits and travel goals, and learn its ins and outs before pulling out another one. Once you really understand the first card and everything you can do for you, you know the gaps that need to be filled (if there is) and can be strategic in future applications.

At the same time, mistakes are part of the journey and we all make mistakes. There are no “Error” cards that can be applied or “bad” points and miles redemption. If these things are easy, everyone will do them!

To read more from Carly Helfand, check out her author page.

Daisy Hernandez

Role: Credit card editing

The first transferable point card: Chase SapphireReserve® (See rates and fees)

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

I traveled alone for a while in my 20s and as a college student on a budget, I thought about how to save money differently and (I think) is a very expensive hobby.

My first dabbling with points and Miles was with cash cards, and once I saw the value there, I started looking at points and miles of card cards that could cut the cost of flights and hotels or cover them completely.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

If you are on the start of a point, mileage and cash journey and feel stuck, that’s totally normal. You don’t have to sneak in and get a premium card and get a high annual fee. The cash folding card is very simple. Start here and see what it feels like to make money and redeeming cash.

There are some cards that earn transferable points and miles, and are not allowed annual or very low annual fees. If you want to prioritize these reward currencies, consider BiltMastercard® (See rates and fees) (especially if you are renting), Capital One Ventureone Rewards Credit Cards and Chase Sapphire’s first choice.

Our website has a large amount of free resources that they want to make money with priority transfer points and mileage priority cash staff. We use cards that earn cash, points and miles every day and turn these rewards into weekend trips, dream holidays and beyond.

To read more from Daisy Hernandez, check out the authors page.

Zoe Jablow

Role: Engineering Manager

The first transferable point card: My first card for unauthorized users is Chase for Freedom® (See rates and fees), then Chatong Sapphire Reserve Within one year.

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

I was born. My perspective and Miles’ journey began with watching my dad use them. Growing up, my family went to the Caribbean every year during Christmas breaks, mostly subsidized by points and miles!

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

I’ve had a long view for a long time thinking I shouldn’t spend them on smaller trips, but so Real. The deals you can get today are likely not going to be encountered tomorrow, so use them if it makes sense!

Stephanie Stevens

Role: Associate Credit Card Writer

The first transferable point card: Chase Sapphire’s preferred card

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

My journey started with a free airline rewards program – I love traveling as long as I can remember, so earning a few miles felt like a effortless one. Once I realized I could make a few miles with my money and I had spent a lot of time booking a trip, I was fascinated.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

Start with a multi-function card that earns transferable points. The amount of information there can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to know everything at once – learn a program, book a prize and build it from there.

To read more from Stephanie Stevens, check out her author page.

Emily Thompson

Role: News and Partner Editors

The first transferable point card: Chase Sapphire’s preferred card

How did you start your perspective and mileage journey?

I’m really lucky! My dad has been in points and miles for years, so most of our family vacations are booked on points. When I graduated from high school, my dad helped me choose my first student credit card. He has been my opinion and mileage coach ever since.

Recommendations for reward travel beginners

Don’t worry about getting the “best” redemption. Simply use your points and miles for whatever you need or want to do! When I was in my 20s and got my first real job, I redeem all my points to buy a gift card to buy a professional wardrobe. Most experts call gift cards bad redemptions, but I think it’s great because it gives me what I needed at the time.

To read more from Emily Thompson, check out her author page.

Bottom line

There are many ways to go when you get into points and miles, but the most important step to take is the first one.

Our experts all come from different backgrounds and find their own ways to maximize their rewards. Ultimately, the best redemption is the redemption from which you get value.

Related: Key Travel Tips You Need to Know – Whether You Are a First Time or a Frequent Traveler

For the rates and fees of Bilt MasterCard, click here.
For the rewards and benefits of BILT Mastercard, click here.