This travel memory highlights why I pursue points and miles—and why you should consider it too.

Sometimes, a memory unexpectedly sweeps in and transports you to another time. That kind of time travel struck me during a TPG meeting last week.

In an instant, I was seven years old again, standing in a motel parking lot. It had to be somewhere on the route to Florida, as that was our annual family road trip. Back then, that was pretty much the extent of our travel, and we typically stayed at Days Inn or Super 8 motels.

In this specific memory, the trunk of our white Ford LTD was open, and I was struggling to grab my suitcase while my dad checked us in at the front desk.

My brother, sister, and I gazed enviously at the Howard Johnson's across the street. We would often plead with our parents to book a room there, but they always refused. It was too pricey. At least, that's what I believed at the time—only rich people stayed there.

We never did manage to stay at the hotel with the orange roof. We couldn't even persuade our parents to take us to a HoJos restaurant, as my mom always packed sandwiches, drinks, and snacks for our road trips. We usually ate in our room or enjoyed meals outside by the pool whenever our motel had one.

Those trips were simple yet wonderful, and now that my parents are gone, I would give anything to turn back time and check into a Super 8 with them once more. But time continues to move on, and it’s been ages since I last stayed at a motel.

So, what triggered this particular memory? I was in a meeting with a group of TPG editors who were engaged in a lively debate. Everyone was talking over one another when I heard a colleague mention, 'We vacationed in Hawaii every year during my childhood.'

In an instant, I was transported back to that motel, because while my childhood certainly didn’t feature tropical island vacations, it was filled with motel stays and long car journeys.

At TPG, our team members come from a variety of backgrounds, and our travel experiences reflect that diversity. We’ve all mastered the skill of using miles and points to explore the world in a first-class way, though this is a relatively new experience for some of us.

Over the last 15 years, points and miles have transformed my travel experiences. I’ve had the pleasure of 'turning left' as I board planes often enough to feel truly thankful. Additionally, I’ve stayed in enough five-star hotels to appreciate the contrast with the motels of my childhood.

Six tips to transform your travel profile

During my childhood, staying in a motel felt like the pinnacle of glamour for the Rotondo family. How did I manage to change that for myself and my family? Here are six strategies that helped me, and these tips can enhance your travel profile as well.

Explore the potential of points

Start by researching hotel points, airline miles, and bank rewards to grasp the real value they offer. Familiarize yourself with these programs and choose the one(s) that align with your travel aspirations.

Additionally, don’t miss these beginner’s guides covering all aspects of points, miles, and credit card rewards:

• TPG's beginner's guide: Everything you need to know about points, miles, airlines, and credit cards
• TPG's beginner's guide to credit cards: All the essentials
• The beginner's guide to airline shopping portals
• Beginner's guide to locating award space with ExpertFlyer
• Four of the best starter travel credit cards of 2021

Pressed for time? Choose a transferable points program.

As you begin exploring the world of reward travel, you might feel daunted by the apparent complexity of these programs. If that’s the case, opt for a versatile transferable points program that fits most needs.

The most popular transferable points programs are:

• American Express Membership Rewards
• Capital One Miles
• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• Citi ThankYou

In each of these programs, you can accumulate loyalty points by using a credit card associated with them. These points can then be utilized to book travel directly or transferred to partner programs for hotel stays or flights.

Maximize credit card bonuses

Banks frequently offer enticing welcome bonuses to encourage you to choose their rewards program over others. A single excellent sign-up bonus can unlock an amazing travel experience without requiring a significant cash outlay.

There are currently some attractive bonus offers available, regardless of the type of points you’ve chosen to earn.

If you're looking to earn Capital One Miles: You can currently receive an introductory bonus of 75,000 miles with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of opening your account. The annual fee is $95.

If you want to earn Citi ThankYou points: The Citi Premier® Card offers an introductory bonus of 60,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of account opening. The annual fee is $95 (see rates and fees).

If you aim to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points: To obtain a 60,000-point welcome bonus, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months. The annual fee is $95. (For business owners, there’s a 100,000-point introductory offer with the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months.)

Collaborate in two-player mode

If your household consists of two or more, devise a plan that enables you to work towards an exciting travel goal together. If one fantastic credit card welcome bonus can set you on the path to free travel, think about the potential when you multiply that bonus by two, three, or even four. Pooling resources is a breeze for couples and multigenerational families alike.

Here are additional tips for enjoying this hobby in multiplayer mode:

• Two-player mode: Credit card strategies for couples
• Two-player strategy: How couples can leverage the power of Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve
• 7 tips for making award travel a multiplayer experience
• Your ultimate guide to family points pooling
• How to transfer Marriott points between accounts

Invest in experiences, not just things

The TPG App indicates that my collection of points and miles is valued at tens of thousands of dollars. However, I also set aside cash for vacations. Why? Because I seek extraordinary experiences while traveling.

I’ve invested in experiences such as:

• a small group tour of Borneo's rainforest led by Dr. Biruté Galdikas, who is to the orangutan what Dr. Jane Goodall is to the chimpanzee
• a Paul Gauguin Cruises journey around French Polynesia with specialists, including Mark Eddowes, a recognized authority in Polynesian anthropology
• a yacht trip through Alaska's Inside Passage with just a dozen other guests and naturalist guides, ensuring we saw whales, bears, sea lions, seals, and more—up close from a skiff

Thanks to the TPG App, I can maximize the value of my miles and points, often covering my flights and hotel stays, while adding other paid experiences on top.

If you haven't downloaded the app yet, now is the time!

Utilize your points in a way that suits you

When newcomers dive into this hobby, they often wonder about the value of a mile or point. TPG offers insights on this topic. Be sure to bookmark this page to discover what points and miles are worth. (This page is refreshed monthly with new data that TPG analyzes.)

Some individuals are passionate about extracting the absolute best value from their points and miles—which can be quite exhilarating. However, I prefer to use points for what truly matters to me at that moment, even if I’m not maximizing every cent. Here's why mile-and-point valuations don’t dictate my choices.

In summary

As you gain more knowledge in this hobby, you'll become more adept at deciding how to utilize your loyalty currency. But if an opportunity for a dream trip arises—even if it doesn’t offer great value—take it!

The pandemic has shown us that circumstances can change rapidly. Don’t delay experiences that will create lasting happy memories. Now is an excellent time to build your points and miles so you're prepared to embark on that once-in-a-lifetime journey when the moment is right for you.