How to Earn Over 100,000 Points in Your First Year

Today, I’m going to explain how I went from 0-100 in the world of miles and points. 

Maybe you’re new to this side of travel? Maybe you’re in college or a fresh grad like me?

Or maybe you’ve been reading Daily Drop for a year and have been too overwhelmed to get started? 

Well, friend — that was me only a year ago.

And now…

I’m planning a three-week trip to the U.K. for essentially free… all thanks to points and miles.

If you’re:

• New to this whole world

• In college or freshly graduated

• Or someone who’s been reading Daily Drop for months but hasn’t pulled the trigger yet

…this one’s for you.

Below is my real, honest timeline, the beginner strategies that worked for me, and the biggest lessons I learned along the way.

My Personal Miles and Points Timeline

• July 2023: Literal credit virgin

• Aug. 2023: Applied for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®
  World Elite Mastercard®. Was initially denied. Called and requested a reconsideration. Pleaded my case. Was accepted. 👊

• Nov. 2023: Within three months, met the $3,000 minimum spend and earned my first welcome offer of 50,000 AA points with a credit score of 720.

• Jan. 2024: Credit score of 736. Slowly but surely… These things take time.

• (Also) Jan. 2024: Applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and was initially denied. Called for reconsideration, and the application was approved. Maybe I should’ve gone to law school 🤷‍♀️
  
  Side note: The Sapphire Preferred was my goal from the beginning, mainly because of its massive transfer partners list.

  

• Feb. 23, 2024: Credit score dropped to 726 (but not to worry, these things are normal) AND it was worth it because…
  
  I was now the proud owner of the coveted Sapphire Preferred only a year after having my very first credit card!
  
  One. year.

• Later in Feb. 2024: Same credit score. Applied for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card ...and was initially denied. Called for reconsideration. Was still denied. 😎 
  
  This makes total sense. Chase had given me a $5,000 line of credit just a month ago... I just really wanted that Companion Pass. But I digress.

Phewwww… There you have it. 

If you read that whole timeline, you’re a real one.

After less than a year, here’s what I was working with:

• 57,712 American Airlines miles

• 67,216 Chase Ultimate Rewards points

👉 Total: 124,928 points

Beginner Strategies That Worked for Me

I’m not claiming to be an expert, but these are the things that made the biggest difference early on.

Choose the Right Card

The Sapphire Preferred was my first big “yes” card in the points world. It earns flexible Ultimate Rewards points and can easily get you to 100,000+ points in your first year.

If you’re new and want one card that does a lot, this is it.

Plan Card Applications Around Big Expenses

I timed my first card around moving apartments, which naturally came with larger expenses.

And if you’re short on spend? Ask for help.

Friends, family, roommates… most people don’t mind helping you hit a minimum spend, especially with Venmo or Zelle. You can even have someone temporarily attach your card to their Amazon account.

(Shoutout to my mom ❤️)

Always Call Reconsideration

If you’re denied, call.

This is especially important if:

• It’s your first card

• You have a thin credit profile

• You don’t have many open accounts

More often than not, banks want to help. You just need to get a human on the line who’s willing to take a chance.

Worst case? They say no. Best case? You get approved. 😌

Be Intentional With Everyday Spending

This one feels obvious, but this is where soooo many people miss out on free points.

Know what cards have the best points back on gas, and use that card (and ONLY that card for gas).

Know what cards earn the best points on groceries and use that card for groceries…

You get the point.

I actually keep a list on my phone of which card to use for each purchase. That way, if I’m out and can’t remember, I’ll just check my notes. 

Get Creative With Earning Points

Please, I beg you… use online shopping portals.

They’re free points for things you’re already buying. Drink the Kool-Aid.

I also use MilesforOpinions, which earns American Airlines miles for quick surveys. Is it glamorous? No. Does it add up over time? Absolutely.

Any free moment I have (when I’m not working, writing, watching Game of Thrones, or roaming NYC in search of a $7 almond croissant)… I’m taking surveys.

There are so many random side hustles like this, and they really do help.

Have a Trip Goal From Day One

This one is huge.

Before earning most of my points, my husband and I already knew we wanted to visit Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

So I roughly mapped out flights, accommodations, and the estimated points we’d need to make it happen.

Having a goal made everything feel intentional and motivated me to use portals, surveys, and smart spending to get there faster.

Moral of the Story

Have fun with it. ❤️

You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay.

When my first Citi card had shipping delays, my three-month spending window was nearly cut short by a full month. Not ideal.

I called Citi, explained the situation, and they happily granted a short extension.

Always call. More often than not, someone wants to help.

Miles and points can feel intimidating at first, but people are booking incredible trips with them every single day. So… why not you?

Two More Resources For You

If you’re brand new, these made all the difference:

1. Miles and Points 101, by Nate and Mike

2. Our free Miles and Points course, by Megan

These articles and courses break down everything from cards and credit scores to earning and redeeming, all of which were once big, scary words. 

So, for all the newbies out there, there is never a better time to start than now. 😊