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Every January, I tend to think of all the amazing things I’m going to do with my life that year: get fit, prioritize sleep, be more present, etc.
If there’s one goal you should make for this new year, it’s to make a new year travel goal to learn points and miles. And I’m here to help!
You might be thinking it’s too complicated, or there’s just no way. But I promise you, it’s totally doable. You can make travel cheaper for your family, without turning it into a second job.
If you’re reading this because points and miles sound amazing in theory but overwhelming in practice, you’re exactly where most people start.
If you’re brand new, my free Beginner’s Guide walks through the basics and is a great place to start.
Why Most New Year’s Travel Goals Fall Apart
Most people don’t quit points and miles because it’s too complicated; they quit because they try to do everything at once.
Most often, I see a few different trends.
- They chase points without a plan, then are frozen with indecision on how to use them.
- They aren’t organized.
- They immediately get overwhelmed and don’t even start.
What actually works is setting simple, realistic goals that fit real life.
Start With One Trip
Where do you actually want to go? Really think about it. And not someday, this year.
Do you want to take a real spring break? Visit another country? See a national park? Attend a festival? Swim with sea turtles?
Once you decide, you can start to plan the type of points you need to earn. It’s getting exciting already!
Here is a road map on how to look for flights and hotels once you pick your location. As a bonus, the article also explains what to do if you end up stumbling on a really great deal!
Points tend to work best when they’re tied to a real goal, not a vague idea of “free travel.”
Break Big Goals Into Small, Manageable Milestones
Once you have a trip in mind, the next step is breaking it down.
Instead of thinking:
“I need to know everything there is to know about points travel right now, including advanced strategies.”
Think:
“What’s one thing I can accomplish in the next few months?”
A great starting to do list
- Sign up for a great card with a great welcome offer
- Change your accounts to that card
- Meet your minimum spend
- Earn 50,000 plus points
That’s it. One step at a time.
And as a bonus, each one of those linked articles will give you just a bit more information to get you started. You are already on your way!
Tracking Progress Matters
One reason people feel like points “aren’t working” is because nothing feels tangible yet.
Tracking changes that.
You don’t need anything fancy, just something that lets you see:
- Which cards you’ve opened
- How many points you’ve earned
- What you’ve already used
Travel Freely is my favorite option for staying organized without spreadsheets. It helps you track when you open cards, when annual fees are due, and even when you earn your welcome bonus.
Seeing progress, even small progress, keeps motivation high.
Set a Loose but Doable Timeline
After you start tracking your progress, you actually start trusting yourself a little more.
You can see what’s working, which is when you know it’s time to give yourself a sense of direction.
When I say this, I don’t mean rigid timelines or anything that stresses you out. I mean simple, real-life goals that keep you moving instead of endlessly researching.
Things like:
- booking a flight for the next school break
- learning how to use the Companion Pass
- narrowing your wish list down to two possible destinations instead of ten
Those little anchors give your brain something concrete to work toward. You’re still moving at your own pace; you just have a bit more clarity about what the next step is.
Read Best Times to Use Points for Travel Purchases to get just a little more information to help with these goals.
Progress Beats Perfection (Every Single Time)
This is one of the hardest mindset shifts, but also the most freeing. SO MANY people I have talked with feel like they need to get the absolute best redemption for their points. I will say it again and again, the best redemption is the one that is best for YOUR family. There will always be more points to earn.
You do not need:
- The “best” redemption
- The highest cents-per-point value
- A perfect strategy
A good redemption that gets your family traveling is always better than a perfect one that never happens.
Your first win matters more than optimization.
A Simple New-Year Points Goal You Can Borrow
If you want something concrete, here’s a goal I recommend to beginners all the time:
Earn and use points for one family trip this year.
Not five trips.
Don’t try to master every program.
Just book one thing on points.
If you want help choosing beginner-friendly cards that fit that goal, here’s a list I’ve put together.
Want Support While You’re Learning?
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
If you want weekly tips, real examples, and reminders that you’re doing just fine:
- Join my email list
- Follow along on Instagram
- Join our Facebook group
This community is full of people learning at different speeds, and supporting each other at the same time.
Quick Final Summary
You don’t need to become a points expert this year.
You just need one trip, one plan, and a few small steps forward.
Your Simple Points Goal Game Plan
A calm, beginner-friendly approach you can come back to anytime.
Pick one destination
Choose a trip that genuinely excites your family (not the “perfect” deal).
Break it into milestones
Turn the big goal into small steps you can actually finish.
Track what you’re building
Keep a simple record of points earned and what you’ve used.
Use gentle direction
Set a loose “next step” so you don’t get stuck researching forever.
Don’t chase perfect
The best redemption is the one that works for your family. Progress beats perfection.
If this is the year you finally want to turn points into real trips, you’re already off to a great start.
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