Editor's Note: In January 2026, Qantas announced changes limiting the ability to book Emirates first class with Qantas points and increasing award rates. Changes include implementing a minimum age of nine years old for first-class passengers (effective for bookings made Jan. 21, 2026 or later) and limiting the ability to book first-class awards to Qantas Frequent Flyer members who hold Silver status or higher (beginning for bookings made Feb. 18, 2026).

For those fresh to the points and miles hobby, it’s natural to wonder when you’ll be able to fund your first trip using points. Traveling is an adventure, and doing it for (almost) free makes it even more exciting.

However, the answer to the question depends entirely on what your travel plans are. For instance, the number of points and miles required for a domestic award trip is going to be lower than that required for an international award trip, all things remaining equal.

All information about the American Express® Green Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by MileValue.

Given generous welcome bonuses and valuable benefits associated with premium credit cards, these cards have become increasingly popular with points and miles enthusiasts. 

It’s not unusual in our community for an individual or household to have credit cards with annual fees totaling over $1,000 (and sometimes significantly more). That’s not bad if you have the disposable income and realize more benefits from your credit cards than the annual fees.

Australia is high on every traveler’s bucket list. And it’s hardly a wonder why—world-class beaches, tropical rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef, the Outback and more make Australia a dream come true for all travelers alike.

Yet, while Australia has much to offer, the one thing it doesn’t is proximity to other continents. A trip to Australia from the United States is a long journey whatever way you cut it, and cash prices for flights typically run high.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel.

I love planning and taking complex trips using points and miles to fly in international business class and stay at luxury hotels for a fraction of the retail cost, but sometimes all I want is a relatively close destination for a quick and inexpensive trip.

The world of points and miles can be massively rewarding. With the right strategy, you can land yourself free hotel stays, mile-funded flights, cabin upgrades, and much more.

As hobbies go, earning points and miles is one of the most lucrative ones. However, it’s not without complications. Whether you’re an experienced points and miles collector or just starting out, it’s only a matter of time before rewards chasing gets the better of you.

Let’s take a look at the top 12 mistakes to avoid when collecting points and miles.

1.