--- title: "5 easy ways to capitalize on credit card travel rewards" description: "Travel rewards can take you further than flights and hotels, helping you maximize your points for cheaper or even free travel." date: "2026-10-30" modified: "2026-10-30" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil.md" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/sponsored-content/5-easy-ways-to-capitalize-on-credit-card-travel-rewards/" categories: - "Sponsored Content" --- # 5 easy ways to capitalize on credit card travel rewards ![U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Leandra Garcia, 33rd Fighter Wing public affairs specialist, poses next to a statue of Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, July 3, 2023. Garcia documented a celebratory flyover over Cinderella Castle on July 4, 2023. The flyover involved a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing and multiple F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing. The flyover was conducted in celebration of the Fourth of July and highlighted the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company and of air refueling, a capability that enables global reach for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings)]() *Air Force soars over Disney World for Fourth of July. Staff Sgt. Joshua Hastings.* *Sponsored content by Navy Federal Credit Union.* It seems like everyone has a travel rewards credit card to offer, and travel rewards are everywhere. Getting a card and earning rewards is easy, but maximizing those rewards is something else altogether. You can get cash back (always great in a pinch), or you can strategically use the points for more than their cash value by using them to purchase things you already want to buy. And if you’re a traveler, the points can take you even further—literally. Here’s what you need to think about when you know you want to use your points to get cheaper (or even free) travel. ### 1. The Opening Bonus When you first open a travel credit card, check out the bonus points being offered. Chances are, they’ll go a long way towards your first trip. They usually come with a minimum spending fee in a certain period of time, so you may want to consider switching your automatic payments to that card or time opening the card with a big purchase. The [Flagship Premier Visa Signature® credit card]() from Navy Federal Credit Union offers 50,000 bonus points (a $500 value) when you spend $4,000 in your first 90 days. ### 2. Double/Triple/Quadruple Points Earned The standard is a point earned per eligible dollar spent, so pay attention to the cards that offer more. If you know you dine out a lot, check that your card has bonuses on dining out. If you know you shop at a certain store or buy gas from a specific station, you can get rewarded for brand loyalty. Go into your credit card portal to see what kinds of rewards they offer and then opt in. Some of the bonuses may have a time limit (for example, 4X points for the month of December) so it pays to check in frequently or opt in to email notifications. The Flagship Premier Visa Signature card [offers 4X points on travel](), including hotels, flights, rideshare, parking, and more. Furthermore, it [offers 3X on dining]() and 1X on everything else. ### 3. Bonus Rewards From annual airline credits—straight up cash to spend on travel—to statement credits for TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry to mobile data plans and more, credit cards can come with a lot of bonus rewards. It’s worth it to frequently familiarize yourself with their partner programs and offerings and take advantage of them. Some will also have bonuses on travel days, such as going to a coffee shop or a parking terminal, so get to know those offers and treat yourself! The Flagship Premier Visa Signature® card offers a $100 annual airline credit, up to $120 in statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®, and a complimentary 3GB GigSky® global mobile data plan. ### 4. Travel outside of peak windows. If you book during low-demand seasons, you’re more likely to get deals for stays and flights, which means you’ll spend fewer total points for the trip you want. This can even allow you to enjoy luxury upgrades like business-class or first-class international flights and accommodations. ### 5. Understand the Cash Per Point Formula The Cash Per Point (CPP) Formula measures the monetary value you get from each loyalty point (or airline mile). To calculate the CPP, subtract any out-of-pocket cash taxes and fees from the cash price, divide by the points used, and multiply by 100. Here’s an example. Let’s say you want to book a flight that costs $400 or 25,000 points. (400/25,000) x 100 = 1.6 Which means you’re getting $1.60 per point. Anything under $1.00 is below baseline value, meaning you should just pay cash instead. $1.50-$2.00 is considered good value and is generally the standard for a domestic flight. Anything about $3.00 is considered elite value and is usually found on international premium flights or luxury hotels. You can also use an [online calculator]() if you don’t feel like doing the math. Start practicing with one card. Sign up for the card, earn the bonuses, pay off the balance entirely each month, track your rewards, opt in to bonuses, and watch those points accrue. Then, when you’re ready, start planning a trip and notice how great it feels to let the points pay your way. ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()