Signs You're Overdoing It
- Checking award availability becomes a daily obsession
- You feel stressed about minimum spend deadlines
- Tracking cards and points feels like a second job
- You're spending money you shouldn't to earn points
- The hobby creates tension with family or partners
- You haven't actually traveled—just accumulated
If any of these resonate, it's time to recalibrate.
The Point of Points
Points exist to fund travel experiences. If you're accumulating millions of points but never taking trips, something's wrong.
The goal isn't the largest balance. It's the memories, adventures, and experiences that points enable.
Sustainable Practices
Set Limits
- Maximum cards per year (2-4 is reasonable)
- Time spent on points activities (maybe 30 min/week)
- Never spending extra just for points
Simplify Your System
- You don't need 10 cards—3-4 well-chosen cards work
- Pick one or two ecosystems to focus on
- Automate what you can (recurring bills on right cards)
Actually Use Your Points
- Book trips, even if they're not "perfect" redemptions
- A used point is worth more than a hoarded point
- Programs devalue over time—don't wait forever
Take Breaks
- It's okay to go a year without a new card
- Step back if it feels overwhelming
- The opportunity will still be there later
The Best Strategy
The best points strategy is one you can maintain for years without stress. A simple system you stick with beats a complex system you abandon.
Permission to Be Casual
You don't have to maximize everything. It's perfectly fine to:
- Use a simple 2% cash back card for everything
- Get one welcome bonus per year instead of four
- Book through the portal instead of transferring
- Pay cash when points availability is frustrating
"Good enough" points strategy that you enjoy beats "optimal" strategy that makes you miserable.
Key Takeaways
- Watch for signs of burnout: stress, obsession, tension
- The goal is better travel, not bigger point balances
- Simplify: 3-4 cards, focused ecosystems, automated spending
- Actually book trips—used points beat hoarded points
- Take breaks when needed; the hobby will wait