How I’m Earning 500,000+ Points and Miles in 2026

Over the years, I’ve accumulated millions of points and miles, redeeming them for tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of travel, which has presented me with opportunities I could only have dreamed of years ago.

At the start of each year, I review new ways to earn more points and miles while continuing to rely on the proven strategies that have worked well for me, including strategic credit card applications, maximizing personal and business spend, and referring friends and family.

Together, these strategies have allowed me to take a streamlined approach to earning rewards. Here’s a quick look at how I plan to use them to earn more than 500,000 or more points and miles in 2026.

Earning Points With New Credit Cards (350,000+ Points)

While there are countless ways to earn points and miles, there’s no easier path to a large balance than by earning welcome offers on travel rewards cards. I plan to earn nearly 400,000 points by just applying for new cards and meeting the spending requirements for each card. 

Despite already holding more than 20 credit cards, I still plan to apply for at least 2 more in 2026.

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a solid option for business owners who want flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards, offering elevated earning across several categories, including bookings through Chase Travel, flights and hotels booked directly, and advertising on social media and search engines.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Apply Now

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card is perfect for frequent traveler business owners who want premium perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening and access more than $6,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$3,000

Annual Fee

$795

APR

Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 25.74%

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card is a great pick for business owners who can easily make use of the annual credits for travel, Google Workspace, ZipRecruiter, and more. Plus, it offers helpful bonus categories such as ad spend and offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges — including Chase Sapphire Lounges.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8x points on Chase Travel purchases
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (uncapped)

Cons

• $795 annual fee

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Card Highlights

• Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
• $6,000+ in value your first year. 150K points, valued at $3,000 for select flights and hotels through Chase Travel℠, plus $3,000+ in annual value through travel and business benefits.
• Earn 8x points on Chase Travel℠ for airline tickets, hotels, including The Edit℠, car rentals, cruises, activities and tours.
• Earn 5x total points on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
• Earn 4x points on flights & hotels booked direct.
• Earn 3x points on social media & search engine advertising.
• Get the most flexible travel credit compared to any other card, with up to $300 in statement credits each anniversary year on travel purchases.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club network and Priority Pass™ Select membership. Two guests may accompany the Primary Cardmember to the lounges free of charge.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Flex for Business Variable APR: 17.74% - 25.74%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The card also includes several premium perks and benefits, such as airport lounge access, Priority Pass Select membership, and IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, among others.

To support these benefits, this card has a substantial annual fee of $795, though a variety of statement credits can help offset that cost.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Business card also has a massive welcome bonus offer:

• Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in your first 3 months and access more than $6,000 in total business and travel value in your first year.

After meeting the $20,000 minimum spending requirements, I’ll earn at least 170,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which we value at 2 cents per point, making the bonus and required spend worth around $3,400.

American Express^® Business Gold Card

The Amex Business Gold card is a strong option for business owners with high spending in a few key categories. It earns 4x points on the top 2 eligible categories (from 6 total) where your business spends the most each month, on up to $150,000 in purchases each calendar year.

It also earns 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Business Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

100,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $2,200

Annual Fee

$375

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.

The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
  • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

• $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.*
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and White Gold. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

The Amex Business Gold card also comes with a solid welcome offer:

• Earn 100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

However, Upgraded Points staff members have come across even larger welcome offer opportunities — upwards of 200,000 points. (Please note that these offers are not available to all applicants. Any information related to targeted offers has been collected independently and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.)

After meeting the $15,000 minimum spending requirements, I’ll earn more than 215,000 American Express Membership Rewards points.

Earning Points Through Credit Card Spending (100,000 Points)

After opening new rewards cards, the next biggest opportunity to earn points is everyday spending. The key is using the right cards in the right categories to maximize your earning potential.

Dining is one of my largest expenses, with spending that often exceeds $2,000 per month. To boost my earnings, I plan to put that spend on the Amex Business Gold card, which earns 4x points in the top 2 monthly spending categories, including U.S. restaurants.

I also focus on how purchases are made, and by stacking promotions and online shopping portals, I can earn thousands of extra points on purchases I was already planning to make.

In one case, a shopping portal earned me an extra 4,000 points on a single purchase, and similar stacks have resulted in 5,000+ points from a single order.

Earning Points Through Credit Card Referrals (Varies)

Credit card referrals are another reliable way I earn a meaningful number of points and miles each year. Most major card issuers offer referral programs that award points or miles when someone you refer is approved.

Over time, points and miles have completely changed how I travel, and my friends and family naturally took notice. Now, when they’re ready to open a new card, many come to me for guidance, which consistently results in tens of thousands of points annually with little extra effort.

Final Thoughts

Earning half a million points in a year is impressive, but the real value lies in what those points can unlock — from premium travel to meaningful savings. With the right mix of welcome offers, category bonuses, and referrals, earning at that level is both realistic and repeatable.