Page Contents<\/p>
- Why Start Collecting Points and Miles While Enrolled in College<\/a><\/li>
- Earning Points and Miles on Tuition<\/a><\/li>
- Earning Points and Miles on Your Spending and Living Expenses<\/a>
- Food, groceries, and everyday expenses<\/a><\/li>
- Rent<\/a><\/li>
- Shopping portals<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Tips for Earning More Airline Miles and Hotel Points<\/a>
- Consolidate your loyalty to a short list of programs<\/a><\/li>
- Take advantage of easy opportunities when they come around<\/a><\/li>
- Keep an eye out for point-boosting promotions<\/a><\/li>
- Join a student-focused airline benefits program<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Learn How to Keep Track of Your Points and Miles Balances<\/a><\/li>
- Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
Why Start Collecting Points and Miles While Enrolled in College<\/span><\/h2>\n
College is one of the best times to start collecting points and miles. Everyone\u2019s situation is different, but for many people, the door to earning meaningful rewards really opens during these years. You might have some income but not a lot, and getting strategic about how you earn and redeem points can help you reach travel goals<\/a> that might otherwise seem impossible.<\/p>\n
Maybe you\u2019re ready to graduate from the secured card you opened in high school to something a little more rewarding. Or perhaps the income from a part time job or tutoring gig is enough to qualify you for a student card that actually<\/em> earns rewards.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not just about income. College often comes with major expenses that can open the door to copious amounts of rewards. Tuition and rent are two of the biggest examples.<\/p>\n
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Credit: John Schnobrich \/ Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n But the bigger picture matters even more. Building a habit of earning rewards naturally goes hand-in-hand with learning how to use credit responsibly<\/a>. That can set you up for better travel rewards cards down the road and help you secure more favorable terms on things like auto loans. It can even make you a more attractive applicant when it\u2019s time to sign a lease on an apartment.<\/p>\n
It might not seem like it, but the travel you\u2019re able to book or the cash back you earn along the way is really just the icing on the cake.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s talk about how to earn those rewards. We\u2019ll start with what\u2019s probably most synonymous with college: tuition.<\/p>\n
Related: How to Set and Track Goals Using AwardWallet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Earning Points and Miles on Tuition<\/span><\/h2>\n
With the average yearly tuition in the United States<\/a> hovering just under $40,000, college isn't cheap. Even if your out of pocket cost is lower, paying for school can present a lucrative opportunity to earn a heap of points and miles<\/a> if you\u2019re able to use a credit card.<\/p>\n
Of course, this isn\u2019t something you\u2019ll want to do without some planning. At a minimum, here are two things to consider:<\/p>\n
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- Credit card processing fees:<\/strong> Most schools let you pay tuition with a credit card, but processing fees, typically 1.5% to 3.5%, can quickly offset the value of the rewards you\u2019d earn. Before making a payment, it's worth doing the math to make sure the rewards you're earning are worth the cost to get them in the first place.<\/li>\n
- Interest rates:<\/strong> Always pay your statement balance on time and in full, especially when there are large charges on your statement, like tuition. With APRs north of 25% on many rewards cards, carrying a balance can make that tuition payment far more expensive. Missed or late payments can also damage your credit score, which can have negative down-the-line effects on getting future credit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you\u2019re able to pay tuition with a credit card responsibly, though, a large payment like this can be a great way to rack up a sizable stash of points or miles or knock out all (or some) of the minimum spending requirement for a new card\u2019s welcome bonus.<\/p>\n
For these purchases, we\u2019d recommend cards that have welcome offers and earn elevated rewards on purchases that don\u2019t fall neatly into a bonus category, such as tuition. If you credit is good enough to qualify, here are three great options:<\/p>\n
<\/div><\/div>Citi Double Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. <\/div><\/div>Apply Now<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$0Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.\r\n
\r\nPlus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card<\/div>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year. <\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>$95<\/p><\/div>
Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- \r\n
- 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment <\/li>\r\n
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel<\/li>\r\n
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The Blue Business\u00ae<\/sup> Plus Credit Card from American Express<\/div>Welcome Offer:<\/strong>\r\nEarn 15,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.<\/div><\/div>How to Apply<\/a><\/div>Annual Fee<\/strong>
No annual feeRates & Fees<\/a>
(Terms Apply)<\/span><\/p><\/div>Credit Score<\/strong>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Related: Best Credit Cards for Large Purchases: Maximize Rewards, Perks, and Protections<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
Earning Points and Miles on Your Spending and Living Expenses<\/span><\/h2>\n
Tuition aside, students can earn a boatload of points and miles by using the right credit card for everyday spending, including rent. And you can juice your rewards even further by using free tools, such as shopping portals<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Credit: Sai Kiran Belana \/ Unsplash<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n Food, groceries, and everyday expenses<\/span><\/h3>\n
Even if room and board are bundled into your tuition, you\u2019re still going to have expenses in college. From upgrading your tech to grabbing dinner with friends, everyday spending creates plenty of opportunities to earn rewards.<\/p>\n
A great place to start is with a catch-all everyday spending card<\/a> that earns more than a single point or mile per dollar on most purchases.<\/p>\n
One of our favorites is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card<\/a>, which has no annual fee and earns 1.25X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. For a college student with a limited credit history, this card might be more attainable than a similar card with an annual fee.<\/p>\n
\n\n\nCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card<\/div>\n<\/div>\n How to Apply<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\n20,000 Miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card<\/strong>\nWelcome Offer<\/strong>\r\n20,000 Miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening<\/div>\nAnnual Fee:<\/strong>$0<\/b><\/div>\nShow more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>The only no-annual-fee personal card to earn transferable Capital One miles, the Capital One VentureOne earns a solid 1.25X miles per dollar on every purchase.<\/div>- 20,000 Miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening<\/li>\r\n \t
- 1.25 Miles on every purchase<\/li>\r\n\t
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that<\/li>\r\n \t
- No foreign transaction fees<\/li>\r\n \t
- $0 annual fee<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
- Interest rates:<\/strong> Always pay your statement balance on time and in full, especially when there are large charges on your statement, like tuition. With APRs north of 25% on many rewards cards, carrying a balance can make that tuition payment far more expensive. Missed or late payments can also damage your credit score, which can have negative down-the-line effects on getting future credit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Take advantage of easy opportunities when they come around<\/a><\/li>
- Rent<\/a><\/li>
- Earning Points and Miles on Tuition<\/a><\/li>
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