First, you will need to sort your everyday expenses into different categories like groceries, gas, restaurants, airlines, travel, etc. If you’re currently using a debit or credit card and can access it online, you can click on the transaction and see the business's classification according to your card.
*Pro-Tip: you can track this by creating a spreadsheet to outline the money you’re spending..or if you’re not Excel savvy (like us) we recommend using MaxRewards.
You will earn points on each purchase; however certain cards earn points faster depending on which category is being rewarded. Knowing this detail will help you select which card you will open first based on your spending habits.
Since we’re getting our free travel using credit cards, let’s talk about the basic requirements for your credit. There are minimums you need to meet regarding your credit score. Usually, you’d need to be at 680 or above to begin your pursuit of points. The other thing to note is the number of cards you have opened in the last 24 months across all banks. Some companies will deny you if you’ve opened too many within the last two years. *Pro-tip: if you haven't signed up for Credit Karma, we suggest you do so. It’s free and gives you a decent snapshot of your credit.
