The Points Guy lets you in on the credit card shopping secret you had no idea about

Beth Delany, The Morning Breath
·The Morning Breath

It’s all because of points and rewards that Brian Kelly, aka The Points Guy, was able to fly first-class round trip without spending much. In fact, Kelly admits that he was practically poor but that his savvy points skills landed him luxury travel.

Having turned the game of credit card spending and travel rewards into a career, Kelly sat down with the hosts of The Morning Breath to spill secrets on where and how to effectively spend money, earn points, and access rewards.

One thing we had no idea about? You can shop online via major airlines associated with your credit card. And no, not through the antiquated SkyMall – we’re talking Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and more.

“Never, ever, ever go to a retailer’s website,” Kelly says. “Airlines have these shopping portals. For AAdvantage, you enter your [American Airlines] number and it takes you directly to Bloomingdale’s or any other site.”

You earn miles there, in addition to the miles from your credit card.

“If you spend a thousand dollars, they’ll give you 3,000 AA miles directly into your account, plus what you earn for putting it on your [credit card].

I’m sorry, what? How have we been living without this knowledge for all these years? So many wasted dollars, miles, and points we could dwell on, but we’re not trying to have a complete breakdown here.

Claudia vows, “I’ve got to get into this.” Same, Claud.

So before your next shopping spree, Google your selected airline to make sure its shopping portal is available to you. Then splurge on a new bikini and plan a luxurious trip to wear it on.

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