Beginner's Guide
By, Courtney from Travel Sports Savings
Travel on Points,
the Sports Parent Way
If you're spending weekends in hotel rooms, airports, and packed minivans, you know travel sports aren't cheap. I was feeling overwhelmed by the costs, so I started learning how to earn points and miles through credit cards — and now we rarely pay out of pocket for flights and hotels.
​
Here’s the deal: when you open the right credit cards, they offer welcome bonuses like “Earn 60,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months.” Those 60,000 points can easily be worth $600–$1,000 in travel when redeemed smartly.
​
You spend like normal, earn the bonus, and use those points for flights, hotels — even free breakfast. It’s how I’ve covered 99% of my family’s travel costs during a full season of meets and tournaments.
​
Let me walk you through the basics...
What is a Minimum Spend?
This is the amount you need to spend (usually within 3 months) to get the card’s welcome bonus. You meet it by putting all your normal expenses on the card: groceries, gas, sports fees, insurance, even braces or new uniforms.
​
Pro tip: If you know a big purchase is coming — like a hotel block payment, equipment upgrade, or holiday shopping — time your card application for maximum benefit.
Our Strategy: Start Small, Think Big
When I got started, I didn’t try to do everything at once. I picked a travel goal — a nationals trip for gymnastics — then opened the cards I needed to get there. That’s it.
​
If you don’t have a trip in mind yet, that’s okay too. Start with a flexible points card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and build from there.
​
We also keep an eye on limited-time offers. When bonuses go up, that’s the best time to grab a new card and earn more for the same spend.
Types of Cards to Know
-
Hotel cards (like Hyatt or Marriott)
-
Airline cards (Southwest, United)
-
Flexible cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Ink Business Cash®
​
We love flexible cards best because you can transfer points to different hotels and airlines depending on what you need.
What About Annual Fees?
Yes, many travel cards have them — usually $75–$100 per year, though some go higher. But they often come with perks that easily cover the cost: free nights, lounge access, credits, and more.
​
You’ve got 3 options after the first year:
-
Keep it and get the value (like a free hotel night).
-
Downgrade to a no-fee version.
-
Cancel — but always ask about retention offers first.
​
Important: Keep the card for at least 12 months so you don’t risk losing your bonus.
Two-Player Mode (Team Effort!)
If you have a spouse or partner, you can double your rewards:
​
-
You open the card, earn the bonus.
-
You refer them, they open the same card.
-
They earn their bonus and you get a referral bonus.
Boom — more points, more savings.
The Chase 5/24 Rule
Here’s the simple version:
​
If you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months, Chase won’t approve you for most of their cards.
Since Chase offers many of the best cards (Hyatt, Southwest, Sapphire), it’s smart to start there.
​
Note: Most business cards don’t count toward your 5/24 total.
Which Card Should
I Start With?
I recommend starting with the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. It earns flexible points (Ultimate Rewards), which you can use for hotels, flights, rental cars, and more.
​​
​
​​
​
For business owners or side hustlers, the Ink Business Cash® is another great option.
Can I Open
A Business Card?
Even if you don’t think you “own a business,” you might qualify:
​
-
Coaching or private lessons
-
Selling gear online
-
Direct sales (Scentsy, Beautycounter, etc.)
-
Tutoring, babysitting, or freelance work
​
If you earn income on the side, you can usually apply.
Will This Hurt My
Credit Score?
I totally get this concern — I had it too. But here’s the truth: done responsibly, this hobby can actually improve your credit score.
​
Your credit score is based on:
-
Payment history (35%) – Pay on time. Always.
-
Credit utilization (30%) – Keep balances low.
-
Credit age (15%) – Don’t close old cards.
-
Account mix (10%) – Variety is good.
-
Inquiries (10%) – Opening cards causes small, temporary dings.
​
Since I started, my credit score has gone up.
Organization =
Peace of Mind
Use the Travel Freely app — it’s free and tracks everything for you: your cards, 5/24 status, bonus deadlines, annual fees, and more. You don't have to STRESS about remembering anything else.
​
​​
​
And always set your cards to autopay in full so you never miss a payment.
​​
​
Is This for You?
​
Only if you can pay off your cards in full every month. If you’re carrying a balance, this isn’t saving — it’s spending.
​
Also, a credit score of 700+ is ideal before you start.