In this episode Mark explores the intricacies of using credit card rewards for travel. He emphasizes the importance of paying off credit card balances each month to truly benefit from the rewards. Mark shares his strategy for maximizing points through various credit cards, including Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Gold Card, detailing how he uses them for different spending categories to optimize rewards. He also mentions the significance of sign-up bonuses, tracking expenditures meticulously, and monitoring annual fees.  Additionally, Mark provides practical examples from his travel plans, showcasing how to leverage points for flights, cruises, and hotel stays, highlighting the potential of rewards programs for achieving financial savings on travel expenses. If you would like me to answer your question on the show, or if you would like me to send you a referral link, send your e-mail to [email protected] Episode Links: ChooseFI Travel Rewards 101 The Points Guy Timestamps: 00:58 The Golden Rule of Credit Card Rewards: Pay Off Monthly 02:56 Maximizing Rewards: Strategies and Tools 04:50 Exploring the Best Credit Cards for Travel and Rewards 05:23 A Deep Dive into My Credit Card Arsenal: Maximizing Every Dollar 22:13 Planning the Ultimate Trip with Points: A Case Study 25:36 Maximizing Travel Rewards with Credit Cards 30:37 Insights into International Flight Bookings and Future Plans 32:38 Navigating Cash Back and Travel Rewards Cards 36:03 Choosing the Right Cash Back Cards for Everyday Purchases 44:03 Exclusive Hotel Stays Through Point Redemption