Lesson 4 of 6
Earning faster without spending more
Portals, bonus categories, and the everyday habits that quietly double your balance.
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Save my infoShopping portals
Most banks, airlines, and hotel programs run an online shopping portal. Click through it before buying something you were already buying online and you earn extra points on the same purchase. It takes about fifteen seconds.
Rotating and bonus categories
Some cards rotate quarterly bonus categories that must be activated. Put a recurring calendar reminder on the first of January, April, July, and October. Unactivated quarters are the most common way people leave points on the table.
Put the boring bills to work
Insurance, utilities, streaming, tuition, veterinary care, and taxes can often go on a card. Watch for processing fees — if the fee exceeds the value of the points earned, pay another way.
Dining and hotel programs
Free dining reward programs link to your existing card and pay points for eating at participating restaurants. Always credit hotel stays to the hotel's loyalty program, even award stays, and add your airline number to every booking.
Take this with you
- Click through a shopping portal before online purchases.
- Set a quarterly reminder to activate bonus categories.
- Never take a stay or a flight without your loyalty number attached.
Sit with this
Name one recurring bill you could move to a rewards card this week.