How to Maximize Point Earnings with a Player Two
Updated June 2024
The biggest challenge I faced when I got into points travel (with four kids) was trying to figure out how we could earn enough points for all of us to travel for nearly free. The key was to get my husband involved. If you have a partner, you both carry a bank debit card, and you are both making purchases on that card.
It makes total sense that you should both be putting that spend on new credit cards to earn the lucrative sign-up bonuses. Double points mean double the annual fees, but for us, the sign-up bonuses are worth the $95 annual fee (x2) for those flight to Europe.
Let me show you how we do it:
I am Player 1. I’m applying for credit cards and earning the welcome bonus. But it would be almost impossible for me to earn enough points for my family to travel on points this way. I need help. That’s where my spouse (if you aren’t married, this could be anybody you want to travel with) comes in.
They are Player 2. They will apply for the same credit cards from my referral link (when possible) and earn the same welcome bonus that I am, so we are earning double points to travel.
Here’s an example of how we do it:
Player 1: Applies for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The card has a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Ultimate Rewards® Points after meeting the spend requirement of $4,000 in three months from account opening and pays the annual fee of $95.
After Player 1 meets the sign-up bonus, they will send a referral link to Player 2 to apply
Player 2: Applies for the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Player 1’s Referral link, earns the 60k Ultimate Rewards points after meeting the spend requirement of $4,000 in three months after account opening and pays the annual fee $95.
Points Earned from this Method:
Player 1: 64k points from welcome bonus and min spend of $4k + 10k points from referral bonus.
Player 2: 64k points from welcome bonus plus min spend requirement of $4k
Total points: 133k Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be combined to redeem for flights or hotels
TAKE IT UP A NOTCH:
If you qualify for business cards, you can supersize your points earnings. Sign up bonuses are higher and, on some cards, like the Chase Business Ink cards, the referral bonus is higher. This is a fantastic way to earn more of my favorite point currency and it helps keep us under 5/24.
Keep in mind
When we do this, we alternate applications. One person applies, earns the bonus, then the second person applies. This gives each person a break from constant credit pulls.
If you or your partner are listed as an authorized user on a card, call in to remove them, they are still eligible for the bonus as long as they weren’t the primary applicant
Each spouse will apply for their own credit card under their own social security number
If you are a stay at home parent, you will list “combined income” on your application
Another way Two Player mode is beneficial is when it comes to bonus promos from the credit card companies. Every so often a credit card company will offer bonus points for spending a certain amount on your card within a certain time period. Being able to each participate in these bonus promos can be very lucrative.
Another example of earning double points is the Chase Freedom Flex℠ 5% Quarterly bonus promos. Every quarter, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ earns 5% back (or 5x points) on different categories like gas stations, groceries or Amazon.
The 5% cash back bonus will give 5% back (or 5x points per dollar) up to $1500 each quarter. If you and your Player 2 both have the card, you can multiply that by two and earn 30,000 Chase points each, every year that you can combine as long as you live at the same address. These points can be transferred to your Chase Sapphire Preferred to book travel. The Freedom Flex is a no annual fee card so there is no additional cost for both of you to hold this card.
Are you doubling your points yet?
Happy Travels!
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
