💳 How I Use Credit Cards to Maximize Travel Rewards Without Overspending

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ I don’t chase points. I chase value.
As a slow traveler designing a life with intention, every dollar I spend needs to work harder—not just for flights and hotels, but for flexibility, comfort, and real-world options. That’s why I’ve built a credit card strategy that’s less about flashy multipliers and more about true redemption value.

Here’s how I break it down across everyday spending categories:

🛒 Grocery Stores: The Multiplier Myth

I carry two credit cards that offer bonus points at supermarkets. One gives me 5x points, the other 3x. Most people would grab the 5x card without thinking twice.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

✅The 5x grocery card earns 5 points per dollar, but each point is only worth $0.10 → that’s $0.50 in value per dollar spent

✅The 3x grocery card earns fewer points—but each one is worth $0.25 → that’s $0.75 in value per dollar spent

So while the 5x card looks better on paper, the 3x card actually earns me more travel flexibility, more redemption power, and more real-world value.

This is the kind of insight that changes how I spend—not just where I travel.

🍽️ Dining Out

I use a card that earns 4x points at restaurants—but only because those points are worth $0.02 each. That’s $0.08 per dollar spent. If I’m dining with friends or treating a loved one, I’ll check which card gives me the best net value, not just the highest multiplier.

✈️ Travel Purchases

This is where point value really matters. I use a premium travel card that earns 5x on flights and hotels—but those points are worth $0.02 to $0.05 depending on how I redeem them. I always check the redemption portal or transfer partner before booking. Sometimes 3x with flexible transfer options beats 5x with limited redemptions.

🧠 The Value Mindset: Travel Smarter, Not Flashier

You don’t have to be a spreadsheet-tracking nerd about this—I am, and I own it. But what really matters is the mindset.
It’s not about gaming the system—it’s about understanding it, so you can make choices that support your goals, not just your wallet.

Multipliers are marketing. Value is math.
I don’t just ask “how many points will I earn?”—I ask “what are those points actually worth when I need them most?”

This shift—from chasing points to calculating value—is what makes travel sustainable, intentional, and unexpectedly rewarding.
It’s the difference between earning points that sit idle and unlocking a free night in Valencia, an upgrade to business class, or a hotel credit that finds you with a complimentary spa day.

👉 Be on the lookout for upcoming content where I break down the real-world value I’ve uncovered across a variety of silo-branded credit cards. Some of it’s surprising. Some of it’s game-changing. All of it’s practical.
Possibly. Nerd Alert. Definitely. Value Unlocked.

This isn’t about chasing points. It’s about being intentional with every dollar I spend—so when I’m ready to travel, I’ve already built the value I need.
👉 Want to see how different cards stack up by category? Tap the button below to explore a few examples and start building your own strategy.

🔍 Be on the lookout for upcoming content where I break down the real-world value I’ve uncovered across a variety of silo-branded credit cards. Some of it’s surprising. Some of it’s game-changing. All of it’s practical.
Possibly. Nerd Alert. Definitely. Value Unlocked.