The 5 Biggest Reasons People Hate Points and Miles
Hey friends, what’s up? Phillip here with Points with Phillip — and let’s be honest, not everyone loves points and miles. Some people think it’s too complicated, too much work, or even a scam.
But the truth is: most people only hate points and miles because they don’t fully understand them — and sometimes, the banks want it that way.
So today, I’m breaking down the five biggest reasons people hate points and miles, and more importantly, how you can flip each one into free or luxury travel.
1️⃣ “It’s Too Complicated”
Let’s be real — the points and miles world can look intimidating. You hear about “transfer partners,” “award charts,” and “sweet spots,” and your eyes start to glaze over.
But here’s the secret: you don’t have to learn everything. You just have to learn what gets you where you want to go.
When my wife and I first started, we wanted to visit Paris and London. Instead of memorizing every program, I focused on that trip. I researched which airlines flew those routes and how to book them using transferable points.
We ended up flying into London on Virgin Atlantic (because taxes are cheaper flying into the U.K. than out of it) and flying home from Paris on Air France business class — for 50,000 points per person.
👉 The key?
Don’t study points like it’s a college course. Start with a dream trip, and reverse-engineer it. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress.
2️⃣ “The Points Just Aren’t Worth It”
A lot of people say, “Why not just get 2% cashback and keep it simple?”
That’s fair — but here’s the math.
That Air France business class flight I just mentioned? It retailed for nearly $8,000 roundtrip. By using points, we got that same seat for 50,000 points each — about 8 cents per point in value.
If I’d used my Fidelity Rewards Visa for 2% cashback, I’d need to spend $400,000 to get that same $8,000 trip. With transferable points, I did it for a fraction of that.
It’s not just flights, either. My wife and I once redeemed 45,000 Hyatt points for a night at the Park Hyatt New York during Christmas season — a room going for $2,400 a night.
No, we’d never pay that in cash. But the point (pun intended) is that points can unlock experiences cash never could — if you learn how to use them.
3️⃣ “The Annual Fees Are Too High”
Yep — some cards are pricey. The Amex Platinum is $895, the Hilton Aspire is $550, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve is $795.
But here’s what people miss: you’re not paying for the card — you’re pre-paying for benefits.
When my wife and I stayed at the Canopy by Hilton in Paris, we used our Hilton Aspire’s free-night certificate to cover one night ($350 value). Because the Aspire comes with Diamond status, we got:
A suite upgrade with an Eiffel Tower balcony view, and
Free made-to-order breakfast every morning.
That same upgraded room easily went for $600–700 a night. Between the free night, breakfast, and upgrades, we were getting thousands in value for a $550 annual fee.
So yes — annual fees sting if you don’t use the benefits. But if you do, they’re one of the most powerful tools in the game.
4️⃣ “It Takes Too Long to Earn Enough Points”
If you’re relying on everyday spend alone, that can feel true. But that’s not how most of us earn big.
The real power comes from:
Signup bonuses, and
High-multiplier categories.
This year alone, we’ve earned over 1 million Membership Rewards points, mostly from signup and upgrade offers — like:
250K on the Amex Business Platinum,
150K on the Business Gold,
125K on the Personal Platinum.
That’s several business-class trips right there.
And for everyday spending? Use the Amex Gold (4X on dining & groceries) or Rakuten (which lets you earn Membership Rewards points instead of cashback).
Example: if Verizon runs a 50,000-point Rakuten promo for switching carriers, that’s a business-class seat to Europe just for paying your cell bill.
5️⃣ “Redemptions Are Too Hard”
Finding flights can be frustrating — but that’s usually because people don’t know where to look or how to search.
My rule: book early, be flexible, and use the right tools.
For example, when my wife and I booked spring break flights to England, I found premium economy seats from Atlanta to London for 13,000 Virgin points each, and business class seats home from Manchester to Orlando for 35,000 points each.
Tools like Seats.aero, Point.me, or AwardHacker help you find those hidden gems fast.
And don’t forget: even if your preferred flight isn’t available, transferable currencies (Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bilt) give you multiple partners to try — flexibility is everything.
Bonus Reason: “Programs Always Devalue!”
Yep — devaluations happen. That’s why it’s smart to earn transferable currencies instead of locking yourself into one airline or hotel.
If one program tanks (looking at you, Hilton 250K nights), just pivot. Flexibility is the antidote to devaluation.
💡 The Bottom Line
Points and miles can seem overwhelming at first — but once you understand the basics, it’s like unlocking a cheat code for travel.
You can:
✈️ Fly business class for coach prices.
🏨 Stay in luxury hotels for free.
🍸 Enjoy elite perks without elite spending.
You just have to start.
If you want personalized help setting up your strategy, book a credit card consultation at PointsWithPhillip.com. I’ll help you pick the right cards, build a plan, and start traveling smarter.
And hey — if you learned something new today, hit that like button, subscribe, and I’ll see you next time right here on Points with Phillip.