#5 $15,880 Trip for $221: How Points Made It Happen

Ever dream of visiting Japan (and neighbors) without draining your wallet? In this episode, I break down how we turned $15,880.20 of flights and hotels into a trip that cost just $221.62 out of pocket step by step. You’ll hear the big picture strategy behind our Orlando → San Francisco → Seoul → Busan → Tokyo route: why we used positioning flights, how airline alliances & partners unlocked seats (think Virgin → Korean)(Alaska → JAL) and when I chose Hyatt redemptions over cash.

I keep it simple and practical: what cards fueled our balances, how the “Player 2” system helped and the decision making you can copy for your own trip.

Along the way I’ll point to tools and creators that helped us plan smarter Klook.com for shuttles and tickets.

@tdrexplorer on YouTube for theme park strategy.

If you want photos, reels, and behind the scenes from this exact itinerary follow me on Instagram @rewardingroutes.

If you’re new to points and miles this episode shows the why and the how in one tidy story so you can start building your own rewarding route, one trip at a time. Tune in!

#4 Mistakes happen. And when it comes to points and miles, they can cost you more than you realize whether it’s wasted rewards, missed opportunities, or setbacks that slow down your travel goals. The good news is that most of these mistakes are preventable once you know what to look out for.

In this episode of Rewarding Routes, we explore the most common mistakes people make in the world of points and miles and how you can avoid them. From the basics of managing your cards responsibly to the bigger-picture strategies that keep your travel plans on track, this conversation is all about helping you learn smarter and travel farther.

We’ll talk about the importance of paying your balances in full, why applying for cards without a strategy can derail your goals, and how certain rules like Chase’s 5/24 can shape your approach. You’ll also learn why retail store cards usually aren’t worth it, what to consider before paying annual fees, and how downgrading cards can protect your credit history and relationships with banks.

Beyond the basics, we’ll look at mistakes people make with everyday spending and earning. Using the wrong card, relying on just one account, or leaving rewards on the table can all add up to lost value. You’ll discover how to keep things simple at first, when to expand, and how to build confidence as you go.

Redemptions can also be tricky, and this is an area where many people trip up. Holding on to points too long often leads to devaluation, booking through portals can leave value behind, and transferring without checking availability can lock your rewards into the wrong program. Knowing these pitfalls ahead of time can save you frustration and help you get the most out of every point you earn.

This episode isn’t about being perfect it’s about being prepared. Mistakes are part of the process, but when you understand the common ones, you’ll be ready to make better choices and keep your focus on what really matters: turning your everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences.

If you’ve ever worried about making the wrong move in this hobby, or if you’ve already made a few mistakes and want to get back on track, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward.

#3 When you’re diving into the world of points and miles, one of the first questions that comes up is: “If I start opening multiple credit cards, won’t my credit score drop?”

It’s a fear that stops a lot of people from even getting started. And I get it your credit score is a big deal. It influences whether banks approve you for new cards, the rates you get on loans, and even how much trust lenders place in you. The idea of putting all that at risk just to chase points sounds scary… until you understand how credit scores really work.

In this episode of Rewarding Routes, we’re taking a deep dive into the truth about credit cards and your credit score. I’ll walk you through the five key factors that make up your score, how much weight each one carries, and what actually happens when you apply for new credit cards. Spoiler: it’s not nearly as bad as you think. In fact, if you use cards responsibly, opening more can actually help your score in the long run.

Here’s what we’ll cover in detail:

Why your credit score matters in the world of points and miles, and how it directly affects your ability to travel more often.
The five factors that make up your credit score:

Payment history (35%) Why paying in full and on time is non-negotiable.

Credit utilization (30%) How much of your available credit you use, and why having more cards can actually lower this ratio and improve your score.

Length of credit history (15%) Why closing old accounts can hurt, and how to let your oldest cards quietly work in your favor.

New credit/inquiries (10%) How hard pulls work, why the dip is temporary, and how to space out applications strategically.

Credit mix (10%) What it means to have different types of credit, and why you don’t need to stress about this one.

Real world examples of how utilization and average account age are calculated, so you can see exactly what lenders see.
Best practices that protect your credit score while still allowing you to rack up the welcome bonuses and ongoing rewards that make repeat travel possible.

I’ll also share my own experience: despite opening multiple new cards over the years to maximize points, my credit score has consistently stayed strong often at or above 800. That’s not because I did anything special, but because I followed the same practices I’m sharing with you in this episode: pay on time, keep balances low, and don’t close your oldest cards.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why your credit score isn’t something to fear. Instead, it’s a tool you can manage and protect while also using it to unlock flights, hotels, and experiences in Japan and across Asia. This knowledge takes away the fear and gives you the confidence to keep building toward your dream trips, not just once, but over and over again.

So if you’ve ever worried that applying for more credit cards might ruin your score, this episode is for you. By the time we’re done, you’ll see how to keep your score strong while stacking the points and miles that will get you back to Tokyo, Seoul, or wherever your rewarding route takes you next.