We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

“Hoarding Points Seems Like a Lot of Fun…but Avoid the Temptation!”

  • Million Mile Secrets

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Welcome to the next installment of our interview series where folks share their thoughts about Big Travel with Small Money!

    Miles & Points Interview:   Wallet Hacks

    Jim writes Wallet Hacks to give folks tips for achieving financial independence.

    You can also follow him on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.  Or sign-up here to receive his newsletter.

    Jim & His Wife Chowing Down on Sandwiches During a Bus Tour Through London

    How and when did you start collecting miles and points?

    I started collecting miles and points years ago after moving to Baltimore, home to an airport with lots of Southwest flights.

    I’d say 99% of my domestic flights are on Southwest, so I wanted to learn how my loyalty could be rewarded.  That led to becoming savvier about the different airline programs.

    Why did you start your blog?  What’s special about it?

    Wallet Hacks is actually my 2nd personal finance blog.  After a few years off, I decided I wanted to get back on the horse and share my thoughts about money management, investing, living a much richer life, and achieving financial freedom. I love to travel, but don’t want to spend a ton of money to get to new destinations.  So having a good credit history to take advantage of travel rewards is crucial because I love to travel.  But I don’t want to spend a ton of money to get to places!
    Youth Hostel Patio in Bacharach, Germany

    What’s the one single thing people can do to get more miles?

    I believe knowledge is extremely powerful and knowing good resources, like Million Mile Secrets, is helpful.

    Promotions change.  Programs change.  If you know where to get good information and learn how to analyze different programs and promotions, you will know the most efficient way to earn more miles and points.

    What’s your most memorable travel experience?

    My wife and I spent nearly 4 weeks traveling around Europe right before she started working towards her Ph.D.

    We went everywhere from the UK, to Germany, to Cinque Terre, Italy.  The most memorable part of that trip was taking the scenic train in the Swiss Alps – absolutely amazing views.

    View of Lake Geneva From Our Train Through the Swiss Alps

    What do your family and friends think of your miles & points hobby?

    They love it!  I get to be half guinea pig, half filter on a lot of new things and keep them up to date.

    Sometimes the programs can be complicated and just one mistake can drastically reduce the value of your points.  So people like having me help guide them through the right order and timing of things.

    Is there any tool or trick which you’ve found especially useful in this hobby?

    Sometimes I feel like my engineering background has helped me because my favorite tool is just a spreadsheet.

    Keeping things straight on paper means you don’t have to keep track of them in your head.  It also means you’re less likely to miss deadlines!

    What was the least expected way you’ve earned miles or points?

    The different partnerships some airline and hotel programs have.

    For example, Southwest (and many others) have a dining program where you link your credit cards and earn points when you eat at participating restaurants.

    We also earned points by signing-up with an electricity supplier that was cheaper than our existing one!  Double win!

    At Tickets, a 1-Michelin Star Restaurant in Barcelona

    What do you now know about collecting miles and points which you wish you knew when you started out?

    Hoarding points seems like a lot of fun, everyone loves big numbers, but avoid the temptation!

    They can and will get devalued over time.  It’s nothing nefarious, inflation is a real thing in the real world – and it exists in the travel points and miles world too.

    What would your readers be surprised to know about you?

    I’m relatively frugal when I’m at home.  But I throw that out the window whenever I travel.

    I feel like life is a series of trade-offs and by saving money at home, I can spend more when I’m on vacation.  I still try to get where I’m going for less, usually through points and rewards.  But when I’m there I’m indulging.

    Any parting words?

    Never give up the thirst for knowledge, that’s what separates the folks who succeed and the ones who complain about their lot in life.

    If sites like Million Mile Secrets have taught us anything it’s that you don’t need to spend a ton to live an extravagant travel lifestyle, if you are prudent, clever, and hard-working enough.

    Jim – Thanks for sharing your thoughts on having Big Travel with Small Money!

    If you’d like to be considered for our interview series, please send me a note!

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)