You can get Big Travel with Small Money from miles and points credit cards. But do you know there are more than 50 ways you can earn miles and points?
Do You Know All the Ways You Can Earn Miles and Points?
Earning miles and points can be easy, especially if you know the secrets, which I’ll share with you below.
Before showing you 10+ ways to earn points by paying a fee, let’s look at the better way.
34 Ways to Earn Miles & Points WITHOUT Paying Extra Fees
You can use your credit card to earn miles and points on a regular basis without paying extra fees.
Note: Some of these bonus points offers change on occasion, so you should check to make sure the offer is still available.
Regular Expenses
1. Insurance
Some companies will let you pay your medical, vision, car, homeowners, or renter’s insurance with a credit card.
Folks who have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for medical expenses might be able to pay with a credit card and then submit a request for reimbursement.
Earn Miles and Points by Paying Your Medical Insurance With Your Credit Card
Tip: If you get an insurance company payment for car or home repair, you may be able to use your credit card to pay those expenses and use the money from the insurance company to pay your credit card bill. (Hat Tip to Roger Haynie)
2. Cable, Hulu, Netflix, or Satellite Television
You can earn miles and points paying your cable, Hulu, Netflix, or satellite television bills. And you can earn 25,000 United Airlines miles when you sign-up for DIRECTV.
You Can Get 25,000 United Airlines Miles Signing up for DIRECTV
3. Cell Phone and Internet
You can pay your cell phone and internet bills with a credit card.
Monthly Cellphone Bills Won’t Be That Scary When You’re Earning Miles and Points
The Chase Ink Plus and Ink Cash cards get you 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you use them to pay your cable TV and internet bills.
4. Utilities
The permanent way to earn miles and points is to pay your utilities with a credit card. Sometimes there are bonuses when you become a new customer and for your monthly utility charges.
Some folks might consider paying their utilities with online bill paying services like Evolve Money or Bluebird.
However, Evolve Money now charges a 3% fee for paying bills with prepaid debit or gift cards, and credit cards. So it’s no longer worth it for most folks.
Note: Not all utility companies allow you to pay by credit card. And some charge a fee.
Note: These offers are subject to change and some have expiration dates.
American Airlines:
5,000 American Airlines miles for Energy Plus customers in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and 2 American Airlines miles for every $1 in charges each month
5,000 American Airlines miles for Everything Energy customers in Texas and 2 American Airlines miles for every $1 in charges each month
20,000 American Airlines miles for Gexa Energy customers in Texas
Up to 27,000 American Airlines miles for Texas residents who sign-up for Reliant and 500 American Airlines miles per month
Delta:
5,000 Delta miles for Energy Plus customers in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania and 2 Delta miles for every $1 in charges each month
2,500 Delta miles for Ohio Natural Gas customers and 2 Delta Airlines miles for every $1 in charges each month
2,500 Delta miles for Georgia Natural Gas customers and 2 Delta miles for every $1 in charges each month
Georgia Natural Gas Customers Can Get 2,500 Delta Airlines Miles
JetBlue:
5,000 JetBlue points for Energy Plus customers in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and 2 JetBlue points for every $1 in charges each month
Southwest:
5,000 Southwest points for Energy Plus customers in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and 2 Southwest points for every $1 in charges each month (Southwest cardholders get 7,500 Southwest points and 3 Southwest points for every $1 in charges each month)
5,000 Southwest points for Everything Energy customers in Texas and 2 Southwest points for every $1 in charges each month (Southwest cardholders get 7,500 Southwest points and 3 Southwest points for every $1 in charges each month)
15,000 Southwest points for Reliant customers in Texas and 500 Southwest points each month for 24 months
You Can Get 15,000 Southwest Points as a Reliant Customer
United Airlines:
10,000 United Airlines miles for Energy Plus customers in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and 2 United Airlines miles for every $1 in charges each month (United MileagePlus cardholders get 12,500 United Airlines miles and 3 United Airlines miles for every $1 in charges each month)
Virgin America:
2,500 Virgin America points for Energy Plus customers in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and 1 Virgin America point for every $1 in charges each month
Energy Plus Customers in Some States Can Get 2,500 Virgin America Points
5. Dining
Dining out is another way to earn miles and points. And you can also pick up some bonuses.
Be sure to read the rules about the dining programs. For instance, you can NOT register the same credit card in more than 1 Rewards Network program. ex. Your enrolled Sapphire Preferred will earn American Airlines miles OR United Airlines miles but not both.
Note: These offers are subject to change and some have expiration dates.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining gets you 500 Alaska Airlines miles and up to 5 Alaska Airlines miles for every $1 you spend
American Airlines AAdvantage Dining Program by Rewards Network up to 5 American Airlines miles for every $1 you spend, and sometimes you can earn a 2,000 mile bonus
American Express iDine gets you up to 15% back
Delta SkyMiles Dining gets you 3,500 Delta Airlines miles and up to 5 Delta Airlines miles for every $1 you spend
Hawaiian Airlines Mogl gets you up to 25% cash back redeemable only for Hawaiian Airlines miles (But Mogl has a very limited number of participating restaurants)
Hilton HHonors Dining gets you 2,000 Hilton points and up to 8 points for every $1 you spend
IHG Rewards Club Dining gets you 1,000 IHG points and up to 8 points for every $1 you spend
Orbitz Rewards Dining gets you up to 5% in Orbucks for every $1 you spend (Orbucks is Orbitz’s rewards program.)
Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining gets you 3 points for every $1 spent; 10 points for a dining review; 500 bonus points after earning 1,500 points; and 300 bonus points for every 1,000 points you earn after the first 1,500 points
Spirit Free Spirit Dining gets you 1,000 Spirit Miles and up to 5 Spirit Airlines miles for every $1 you spend
Earn 1,000 IHG Points With IHG Rewards Club Dining
A few cards that earn bonus points at restaurants:
Chase Sapphire Preferred (2X points, 3X on the 1st Friday of the month)
Chase Ink Cash (2X points)
Citi ThankYou Premier (2X points)
Citi Prestige (2X points)
Chase Freedom (5X points when it’s a quarterly bonus category)
6. Groceries
Pay for your groceries using a miles and points earning credit card. You can also buy grocery store gift cards and use them later.
Some cards give you extra points or cash back at grocery stores:
American Express Blue Cash Preferred
American Express Blue Cash EveryDay
American Express EveryDay Preferred
American Express EveryDay
American Express Hilton
American Express Hilton Surpass
American Express Premier Rewards Gold
Citi Hilton
Earn Miles and Points Buying Groceries
And remember you can buy gift cards to some supermarkets such as Whole Foods at office supply stores such as Staples. And there you’ll get 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points with your Chase Ink Plus, Ink Bold, or Ink Cash card.
7. Gas
Use your new credit card at the pump instead of paying cash or using your debit card. Although some gas stations may charge more for using a credit card at the pump instead of a debit card.
I’d recommend you avoid using your credit card if you have to pay more unless you have to meet minimum spending on new credit cards.
Instead consider buying gas station gift cards inside at the cashier, or at the grocery store or office supply store. Then use those gift cards to fill your tank.
Buying Gas Can Earn You Miles and Points
A few of the cards that earn extra points at gas stations are:
American Express Premier Rewards Gold (2X at US gas stations)
AMEX EveryDay Preferred (2X at US gas stations or 3X when you use your card 30+ times in a billing cycle)
Chase Freedom when gas stations are a quarterly 5X category
8. Shopping Online
A. Online Shopping Malls
Most airlines have an online shopping mall where you can earn additional miles and points for shopping:
Alaska Airlines has Mileage Plan Shopping
American Airlines has AAdvantage eShopping
Barclays Rewards Boost
Chase Ultimate Rewards Mall
Delta has SkyMiles Shopping
JetBlue has Shop True
Southwest has Rapid Rewards Shopping
United Airlines has MileagePlus Shopping
Virgin America has Elevate Fly Store
You can use Evreward or CashBackMonitor to see which shopping portal has the best bonus.
Shop Online and Get Bonus Miles and Points
B. Flowers
Most of the airlines have flower companies in their online shopping malls. When you buy flowers for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, you can use these links to find the best bonuses.
Note: Bonuses change so keep checking for the best offers.
Alaska Airlines partners with 1-800-Flowers and Teleflora
American Airlines partners with FTD, Teleflora, and 1-800-Flowers.com
Delta partners with FTD
Hawaiian Airlines partners with 1-800-Flowers, FTD, Hana Flower Company, and Teleflora
United Airlines partners with FTD
Southwest partners with 1-800-Flowers
Virgin America partners with Teleflora
Send Flowers to Brighten Someone’s Day While Earning Miles and Points!
C. Thanks Again Network
You can also earn miles and points with the Thanks Again network.
Thanks Again lets you earn miles and points with your enrolled credit card when you shop at participating Thanks Again locations (usually in airports).
You Can Earn Miles and Points at the Airport
10. Gifts
Paying for gifts, including store gift cards, for the holidays, birthdays, graduations and other special events on your credit cards will earn you lots of miles and points.
If you’re looking to get points now, you might consider buying gifts in advance and stocking up on store gift cards to use later. You can also buy American Express, Visa or MasterCard gift cards (for a fee) to give as gifts.
Earn Miles and Points Buying MasterCard Gift Cards to Give as Presents
11. Amazon & Store Gift Cards
You can earn miles shopping on Amazon and at local stores.
A. Amazon
I love Amazon because it has almost everything I need! You can buy things now or stock up on Amazon gift cards (no expiration date) to use later. (Hat Tip to Gary Steiger)
Earn Miles and Points Buying Amazon Gift Cards
And you’ll get 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points when the Chase Freedom card has Amazon as its bonus category!
B. Stores
Buying store gift cards are a great way to earn miles and points.
You can get MORE miles and points buying gift cards in office supply stores using your Chase Ink Cash, Chase Ink Plus, or Chase Ink Bold cards.
Some gas stations and grocery stores also sell gift cards. So be sure to use a card that gets you a category bonus.
Stock up on Gift Cards to Use Later and Earn Miles and Points
12. Gym Memberships
Pay for your gym membership with a credit card.
You can earn 2,000 United Airlines miles when you joint select gyms.
Get in Shape While Earning Miles and Points
13. Spa
Emily and I love the spa and being able to earn miles and points for spa treatments makes it more enjoyable!
American Airlines offers 3 American Airlines miles per $1 spent via Spa Finder
JetBlue offers 3 points per $1 spent via Spa Finder
Relax While Earning Miles and Points
14. Car Repairs
Save your checks and debit cards to pay for other things. Use your credit card for that oil change or car repair.
Consider buying an AAA membership with your credit card. Not only do you get flat tires and batteries replaced, but you get hotel discounts.
Ouch! Pay for Car Repairs With Your Credit Card
15. Contractor Supplies
Some contractors may let you buy the supplies needed for your construction project directly from places like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
And during some quarters, Home Depot and Lowe’s is a 5X bonus category on the Chase Freedom card.
Pay for Your Remodeling Materials With Your Credit Card
16. Toll Transponders
You can load your automated toll transponder account (I-Pass, K-Tag, FastTrak, etc.) with a credit card. (Hat Tip to Gary Steiger)
Use your Chase Sapphire Preferred card and earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Save Your Cash and Use Your Credit Card to Pay Tolls
17. Buy, Refinance, or Sell
If you’re buying, refinancing or selling a home, you can earn American Airlines miles:
1,250 American Airlines miles for every $10,000 of purchase or refinance
2,000 American Airlines miles for every $10,000 of purchase or sale price from a SIRVA-referred real estate agent
2,000 American Airlines miles for every $10,000 or purchase or sale price; 5,000 American Airlines miles when you move
Note: Some offers are limited in certain states.
Buying or Refinancing a Home Can Get You 1,250 to 2,000 American Airlines Miles for Every $10,000 of the Purchase Price or Refinance Amount
18. Banking and Investments
A. Opening Bank Accounts
You can earn bonus miles and points for opening bank accounts. Although, different banks have different offers depending on your deposits, so it pays to shop around.
Note: Promotions constantly change and some have expiration dates.
Bank of America – Up to 25,000 Alaska Airlines miles for new checking accounts
BankDirect – thousands of American Airlines miles monthly
Citi – up to 30,000 American Airlines miles for new accounts offered periodically throughout the year, check for promo codes
UFB Direct – up to 120,000 American Airlines miles per year
Note: Citi sends a 1099 for the value of American Airlines miles you receive.
B. Investments
You can earn up to 50,000 American Airlines, Delta Airlines, or United Airlines miles when you open and transfer money into a non-retirement brokerage account with Fidelity. You can even get the miles when you add money to an existing Fidelity account.
Up to 50,000 American Airlines, Delta Airlines or United Airlines Miles When You Open a Non-Retirement Account With Fidelity
19. Charitable Contributions
Instead of writing a check or using cash to make donations and regular religious contributions to your church, temple, etc., many charities let you use a credit card. (Hat Tip to Megan)
Some charities accept gifts from PayPal making it easy for you to use your credit card. And you can use your US Bank FlexPerk Travel Rewards card to earn 3X FlexPerks points.
You can earn airline miles donating to the National Foundation for Cancer Research:
Up to 10 American Airlines miles per $1 for donations of $25 or more
Up to 10 Delta Airlines miles per $1 for donations of $25 or more
Up to 10 United Airlines mile per $1 for donations of $25 or more
When you donate to the USO, you’ll earn 10 American Airlines miles for every $1 donated (minimum $25 donation).
And for every $1 you donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, you’ll get 10 American Airlines miles (up to 60,000 American Airlines miles in a 12-month period).
Get American Airlines Miles When You Help the Fight Against Breast Cancer
20. Surveys
Folks with spare time can pick up extra miles completing surveys. I don’t think this is worth the time involved but you might!
A. e-Miles
You earn e-Miles miles when you complete surveys which you can convert to airline miles and hotel points:
Alaska Airlines
Frontier
Hilton
IHG
United Airlines
Earn e-Miles for Completing Surveys, Then Convert to Airline Miles, Like United Airlines
B. e-Rewards
You can earn airlines miles, hotel points, and gift cards for completing surveys. However, most programs are by invitation only.
Aeromexico (by invitation only)
Alaska Airlines
Avios (can use on British Airways and Iberia)
Choice (by invitation only)
Club Carlson (by invitation only)
Etihad (by invitation only)
Flex Perks (by invitation only)
Flying Blue
Frontier
Hertz (by invitation only)
Hilton (by invitation only)
Iberia (by invitation only)
LaQuinta (by invitation only)
IHG (by invitation only)
LeClub Accor
Southwest
United Airlines
Virgin America
Virgin Atlantic
Wyndham
You Can Earn Frontier Miles (and Other Airlines Miles) Completing Surveys on e-Rewards
C. Other Survey Sites
Here are a few other survey sites where you can earn airline miles and points:
JetBlue points with Points For Surveys
Southwest points with Valued Opinions
Spirit miles with Miles for Thoughts
United Airlines miles with Opinion Miles Club and My Points
Earn 400 Spirit Miles When You Join Miles for Thoughts and Complete Your 1st Survey
21. Home Security
In the market for a home security system?
You can get 15,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles from Alert Alarm Hawaii
Earn 15,000 Hawaiian Airlines Miles When You Buy a Home Security System
22. Golf
Book your tee time with Golfmiles and earn miles and points in your choice of 10 frequent flyer programs:
American Airlines
Etihad
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
IcelandAir
JetBlue
Southwest
United Airlines
Virgin America
Virgin Atlantic
Earn Airline Miles When You Book a Round of Golf With Golfmiles
23. eBooks
I love reading, especially eBooks. When you subscribe to Entitle eBook, you can get 750 JetBlue points.
750 JetBlue Points When You Subscribe to Entitle eBooks
24. Car Services
You can get airline miles using a car service.
And you can get 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points for using your Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
A. GroundLink
When you use Groundlink’s car service you can earn:
200 American Airlines miles
200 United Airlines miles
Use Groundlink and Get 200 United Airlines Miles
B. Zipcar
Sign-up and use for Zipcar and earn:
500 JetBlue points for a new membership
1,000 United Airlines miles for a new membership
500 JetBlue Points for Signing-Up With Zipcar
C. Uber
You can pick up miles and points using Uber:
2 American Express Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent
2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you use your Sapphire Preferred card (because it’s a travel expense)
Up to 4 Starwood points for every $1 spent, including bonus points for Uber rides during Starwood hotel stays
Earn Miles and Points While Using Uber
25. Business Reimbursements
If you travel for business, you may be able to charge your expenses to your credit cards and submit for reimbursement from your employer.
Why Should Your Employer Earn Miles and Points, When You Can Instead?
26. Web Services
Starting an online business, blog, or just want a personal email address? You can earn 1,000 American Airlines miles when you purchase web services through Network Solutions.
Earn 1,000 American Airlines Miles for Each Domain, Email Address, or Website You Purchase Through NetworkSolutions
27. Wedding Expenses
Get ready for your big day by paying for your flowers, photographer, and other wedding expenses with your credit card!
Start Your Marriage With Lots of Miles and Points by Paying for Your Wedding Expenses With Your Credit Card
28. Broadway Shows, Concerts, and Sports
You can earn miles when you buy tickets to different events.
A. Audience Rewards
You can earn bonus miles & points when you buy Broadway show tickets:
American Airlines
Delta
Starwood Preferred Guest
United Airlines
Earn up to 100 American Airlines Miles When You Buy a Broadway Ticket
B. Score Big
Buying sports tickets can earn you United Airlines miles.
Hit a Home Run With United Airlines Miles Buying Tickets Through Score Big
29. Online Searches
Turn your computer time into miles, points, and gift cards.
A. Bing Bar
You can earn JetBlue points when you install and use the Bing Bar when surfing the internet.
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