Getting started
How to Keep Track of Credit Card Points (Without Losing Your Mind)
THE QUICK ANSWER
Keep one list of every card and points balance, check it once a month, and track five things: balances, welcome bonus deadlines, monthly and yearly credits, expiration dates, and yearly fee dates. A simple spreadsheet beats memory, and it's how I keep my own points organized.
I've flown business class to Italy, the UK and France using credit card points. Here's the part nobody tells you: earning the points isn't the hard part. Keeping track is.
Which card has a spending deadline? Which credit resets this month? Are my Hyatt points about to expire? Can I even get another Chase card? If you're juggling that in your head, points get wasted.
The five things to track
- Balances. Every program, every person. Bank points, airline miles and hotel points.
- Welcome bonus deadlines. How much you still need to spend, and by when. Missing one is the most expensive mistake in this hobby.
- Card credits. Dining, ride and hotel credits often reset monthly, quarterly or yearly. A $10 monthly credit you forget is $120 a year gone.
- Expiration dates. Bank points are usually safe while your card is open, but many airline and hotel points expire after 12 to 36 months with no activity.
- Yearly fee dates. Know when each fee hits so you can decide whether to keep, downgrade or cancel before you're charged.
My 10-minute monthly routine
- Log in to each program and update your balances.
- Reset any credits that just started a new period.
- Check what's due: spending deadlines, fees coming up, anything about to expire.
- Write down your total points so you can watch it grow.
App or spreadsheet?
Apps can be great, but many want you to link your bank and loyalty logins. A spreadsheet keeps everything private, works for two people, and lets you track things apps often skip, like your 5/24 count and which card to use where. For beginners, simple wins.
The mistakes I see most
- Hoarding. Points don't gain value sitting there. Airlines and hotels raise prices over time. Use them.
- Cashing out cheap. Gift cards and Amazon checkout are some of the worst ways to use points.
- Transferring before finding the seat. Transfers are one-way. Find the award first.
- Forgetting the fine print. Credits with monthly limits, bonus deadlines, fees. Write it all down.
Keep it all in one place
The Beginner Points and Miles Tracker: your cards, points, perks, 5/24 count and trip goals in one plain-English spreadsheet. Excel and Google Sheets.
Frequently asked questions
Do credit card points expire?
Bank points like Chase, Amex and Capital One usually don't expire while your card is open. Many airline and hotel programs expire points after 12 to 36 months with no activity, and some expire on a fixed date.
What's the best way to track credit card points?
Keep one list of every card and program, update it monthly, and track balances, bonus deadlines, credits, expiration dates and fee dates. A spreadsheet works well and keeps your data private.
How often should I check my points?
Once a month is enough for most people. Ten minutes covers balances, credits and anything coming due.
Can I track points for my partner too?
Yes. Track each person separately, since most programs don't let two people pool points into one account.
Liane Jamason is a St. Petersburg, Florida real estate broker who has flown business class to Italy, France and the UK on credit card points. She founded Points & Provisions to make points simple for beginners. Read her story or follow along on Instagram.
