Earn Smarter. Redeem better.
A beginner‑friendly guide to points and miles—how they work, why value changes based on redemption, and how brownie helps you squeeze the most from every dollar.
How points work (the short & sweet version)
Points, rewards, and miles are generally interchangable terms. They're credits that come from bank, airlines, and hotel loyalty programs to incentivize you to use their cards and products. You earn them when you spend, and you trade them later for travel or other rewards.
1) Earn
Spend on a card that offers rewards → get points. The number of points you earn per dollar depends on which card(s) you use.
2) Redeem
Use points for discounted and even free* flights, hotels, cash, gift cards, and more. The amount of value you get depends on how you redeem.
* Redeeming points for any benefit is rarely truly "free." There are often still taxes and fees, as well as the opportunity cost of using your points.
How do I earn points?
There are several (and we really do mean several) ways to earn points. The simplest ways include traveling, putting spend on rewards credit cards, and shopping portals.
Credit cards
For most people, rewards credit cards are the fastest, most consistent, and most convenient way to earn. Earning on cards can be broken down into two main categories: sign-up or welcome bonus, and everyday spend.
Welcome Bonus
These are bundles of points you earn for opening a new card and hitting a minimum spend within a set window (usually 3-6 months). It's the fastest way that most people build a starter balance.
This can require smart planning. Time your larger expenses to coincide with the card's minimum spend. Don't buy extra stuff just to hit the goal.
Everyday Spend
There are two main types of earn rates for every day spend:
Base earn: the default rate your card pays on all purchases.
Bonus multipliers: the special rate you earn if your purchase falls into a bonus category (e.g., dining, groceries, travel).
If you have multiple cards with different bonus categories, optimizing your spend can help you accrue points very quickly.
Travel
Traveling is perhaps not the most convenient way to earn rewards, but when you do travel, it's easy to rack them up and get some additional benefits.
When you book flights or hotel stays, make sure to log in to your loyalty account or add your loyalty number to the booking to earn miles/points directly with the airline or hotel. Points earned this way are often in addition to the credit-card points earned on the purchase.
Shopping Portals
Shopping portals are a great tool for online shoppers to earn additional bonus points, miles, and cash back for making purchases through their links. Some shopping portals, like Rakuten or TopCashback, offer cash back, while other shopping portals owned by airlines offer you miles deposited into your loyalty account.
Start your purchase via a portal (airline, hotel, or issuer like Chase or Capital One) to stack extra points on top of your card's points earnings. Dining programs, like Delta's Skymiles Dining, work similarly when you link a card and eat at participating restaurants.
Earning Optimizer
See how different credit cards perform based on your spending patterns. Adjust your monthly spending below to compare points earned.
Your Wallet
Chase Freedom Unlimited
1.5x on all purchases
3x on dining & drugstores
Chase Sapphire Preferred
3x on dining
3x on streaming services
1x on everything else
Citi Strata Premier
3x on restaurants
3x on supermarkets
3x on gas stations
1x on everything else
Spend Plan
Dining
$400/mo
Groceries
$500/mo
Gas/EV Charging
$150/mo
Pharmacy
$50/mo
Streaming Services
$50/mo
Points Earned
Total Points Per Month
2400 pts
≈ $36 value
Points by Category
What can I do with points and miles?
Points and miles open up a world of travel and lifestyle benefits. Here are the most popular ways to redeem your rewards for maximum value.
Fixed-Value redemptions
Cash back, statement credits, and gift cards offer predictable value but often provide the lowest redemption rates.
Credit Card Travel Portals
Book flights, hotels, and car rentals directly through your credit card's travel portal for enhanced point values.
Transfer to airline/hotel partners
Move points to loyalty programs for potentially higher value redemptions, especially for premium travel experiences.
"Pay with points" at checkout
Use points directly during online shopping or at participating merchants for instant gratification.
Upgrades & special Awards
Access premium cabin upgrades, lounge passes, and exclusive experiences that money often can't buy.
Combine Strategies
Mix different redemption methods to maximize value across various travel and lifestyle needs.
The Value of a Point depends on how you redeem
Not all redemptions are created equal. The same 10,000 points could be worth $50 as cash back or $200+ toward premium travel. Understanding redemption values helps you maximize your rewards.
100,000 Points = Different Values
The same points can be worth 4.5x more when redeemed strategically!
How brownie maximizes your points
Brownie takes the guesswork out of earning and redeeming points. Our intelligent system helps you optimize every aspect of your rewards journey.
Smart Card Recommendations
We analyze your spending patterns and suggest the best cards for your lifestyle, maximizing points on every purchase.
Real-Time Optimization
Track all your points in one place and get alerts when redemption opportunities offer exceptional value.
Personalized Insights
Receive tailored tips and strategies based on your goals, whether it's free flights, hotel stays, or cash back.