How Couples Can Maximize Credit Card Rewards

Points and miles can be more fun—and more rewarding—with a partner. In the world of travel credit cards, “player two” is when you and a partner work together to earn and redeem points.

Of course, you don’t need a Peach to your Mario (or a Peach to Daisy) to use these strategies. You can use many of these same strategies with a child, parent, or other loved one. You can even adapt many of these strategies as a solo traveler.

How to maximize travel as a player two

When it comes to a “player two” in points and miles, there are generally two different strategies you could take. One is to open separate accounts and refer each other for cards, and the other is to make your partner an authorized user on one of your cards.

Open two separate accounts and earn double the welcome offers. 

The first strategy is like the ‘90s commercials for Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum: “Double the pleasure, double the fun.” 

In the case of points of miles, this means double the welcome offers, double the bonus rewards—but also double the annual fees. 

After you have earned your card’s welcome offer, you refer your partner for the same card. Your partner will then have the opportunity to earn a welcome offer on the card, and you can rinse and repeat. 

This strategy is great when you might already be an existing cardholder, but that card is offering an elevated offer for a limited time. By referring your partner to the card, you’d be able to benefit from the higher welcome offer. 

Referring your partner for a card—rather than them just applying independently—allows you to earn extra bonus points, too. Card issuers give you a unique referral link that you can use to refer others to open the same card, or cards within that same brand. (Rules vary by card issuer.)

Pros:

• Can earn two welcome offers
• You can refer each other to get even more points
• If the card offers a companion pass or a free night’s stay, you can double up

Cons:

• Holding two cards means paying two annual fees
• Each card application counts as a credit inquiry

Make them an authorized user.

Maybe your partner is anxious about opening a new credit card. They could be anxious about juggling another credit card, having another hard credit inquiry on their credit report, or just coming up against one bank’s unwritten rule that limits you to five credit card applications in a 24-month period. 

Whatever the reason, one alternative is adding your partner as an authorized user on one of your cards. The points the authorized user earns would be added to your account, so you and your partner would be working together to earn more rewards.

 Also, be aware that authorized users’ actions may affect your own personal credit report. 

Pros:

• No hard credit inquiry
• Less costly than paying two annual fees for the same card
• All points earned flow to the same account of the primary cardholder
• Authorized users get access to all the card’s perks, like lounge access and checked baggage
• Can help to build or rebuild the authorized user’s credit profile

Cons:

• No welcome offer to earn on authorized user cards
• No referral bonus points to earn from adding an authorized user
• Authorized users may still come with an additional annual fee

How to get a reluctant partner into travel rewards

OK, so the above assumes that your partner is equally as excited and interested in points and miles as you. But what if they aren’t so eager to open a new travel credit card or optimize spending? 

Here are a few strategies you can try.

1. Let your partner pick the travel destination. Then season with points.

Remember how we did show and tell in elementary school? This is basically the points and miles version. 

Let your partner pick where you’ll travel to, and then you use your points to fly there. Speaking from experience, this is a great way to show your partner the power of points!

2. Start them off with just one travel credit card. 

If your partner is willing to open a new card in their own name, help them pick one card that matches their spending habits. 

Do they eat out a lot or love grocery shopping? The American Express® Gold Card is especially rewarding for food lovers.

Other ways to show love to your partner while traveling

• If you hold an airline card that gives you a free checked bag, use it on your partner. Or, if you hold the Platinum Card from American Express, use your $200 annual airline fee credit to pay your partner’s checked bag fee. (Enrollment required.) 
• If your card has a Priority Pass membership, you can use it to get your partner into a lounge with you. Check your card for its guest policy. (Enrollment required.) 
• Make them an authorized user on your card to get airport lounge access anytime they fly. 
• Avoid paying an overweight fee on checked baggage by putting some of your partner’s items into your own luggage.
• If you hold multiple cards that offer a Global Entry statement credit, use one to pay for your partner so you can both zip through security and customs.