She Strengthens

Earning Air Miles Without Breaking the Bank

As I continue on my journey to financial independence, I’m always on the lookout for innovative ways to boost my income and reduce my expenses. One strategy I’ve found particularly effective is leveraging credit cards to earn rewards. Recently, I set my sights on accumulating air miles, and I’m excited to share my approach with you.

The Challenge of Meeting Spending Requirements

Airline credit cards have been around for years, but the real challenge lies in meeting the spending requirements to unlock the bonuses. As a frugal individual, it can be tough to justify increasing your spending to hit these targets. However, with careful planning and strategic thinking, it’s possible to earn rewards without compromising your financial discipline.

Key Considerations

Before diving into the world of air miles credit cards, it’s essential to remember two crucial points:

• You must spend less than you earn to avoid overspending and accumulating debt.
• You should only use these credit cards once you’ve cleared your consumer debt.

My Approach to Earning Air Miles

To earn 22,000 British Airways air miles, I need to spend £2,000 (around $2,600) within the first 90 days of having the card. Here’s how I’m strategically allocating my expenses to meet this target:

One-Off Big(ish) Expenses

I’ve identified essential items that need replacing, such as bed sheets, towels, and winter coats. By timing my purchases strategically, I can ensure I’m not overspending while still meeting my spending requirements.

Refundable Expenses

As a tennis umpire, I incur transport costs that are fully refunded. By booking my train tickets in advance, I can claim the money back later and earn air miles in the process.

Travel Expenses

I regularly visit my parents and travel abroad, so I’ve booked my journeys in advance to ensure I meet my spending target while still adhering to my normal travel schedule.

Gift Cards

Buying gift cards for regular expenses like groceries and online shopping is a clever way to meet my spending requirement without deviating from my usual spending habits.

Typical Shopping Expenses

By using cashback websites and earning rewards on my typical shopping expenses, I’m maximizing my opportunity to spend less while still hitting my spending target.

The Bigger Picture

So, what will 22,000 air miles really get me? With my existing balance of miles from work travel, I’ll be able to fly business class internationally on the return leg of trips. While I’m not sure when I’ll use these miles, they’ll certainly come in handy when I retire early and embark on more leisurely travels.

Experimenting with Rewards

As a personal finance enthusiast, I’m always looking to experiment with different ways of earning rewards. By trying out this air miles credit card, I’m expanding my knowledge and exploring new opportunities to boost my income. Who knows what other rewards await?