I remember the very first time I overheard someone talking about travel rewards. It was on a plane going from Seoul to JFK and we were about 8-hours into the 12-hour flight. I was also 18 years old and a total know-it-all (you know the type). The idea of someone being able to book any type of trip for free using credit card points sounded like a trick to me. Still, I couldn’t help but continue eavesdropping on the conversation happening behind me.

And so, I did. Now, several years and trips later, I can honestly say that travel rewards cards have had a huge impact on the way I travel. Learning how to maximize points and miles has become a fun hobby and I love connecting with others who feel the same. There are a lot of communities out there, but all biases aside, FBZ Elite is my favorite. If you’re just getting started, you’ve probably already felt overwhelmed by all the options out there.

The best way to determine which card is the right fit for you is to figure out your travel goals. Sure, you want to travel for free, but let’s get a little more specific. Are you hoping to spend a week on the beach in Florida in the next coming months or would you rather hold out to earn enough points for a 2 week getaway in Europe,

The sky’s the limit on the type of trip you’re itching to take, but try to brainstorm a few places you’d like to cross off your bucket list, then see what card(s) will help you get there. I personally like to book a mixture of both short and long trips, domestic and international, and have racked up quite a stack of cards in the past several years. One thing I didn’t rack up, however, is credit card debt.

Falling into debt to earn points and miles defeats the purpose and takes away from the fun. 1. How many credit cards should I have, Take it slow. There’s a lot to learn and digest about travel rewards, so starting out with one or two cards until you know the ins and outs of travel rewards is a good idea.

2. Best advice for credit card newbies, Always pay your balance in full and on-time in order to really maximize your rewards! 3. What’s the fastest way to learn about travel rewards, Have fun with it and connect with others to find the best ideas for redeeming rewards. You’ll be a travel rewards expert in no time! Here’s a list of the best starter credit cards for travel available right now with a breakdown of why we chose each one below.

Each of the travel rewards credit cards above are awesome in their own way, so if you’re looking to break into the world of points and miles but not quite sure which card to start with, this breakdown can help. Great value for travel rewards beginners, experts, and anywhere in between. Known for its incredible flexibility with earning and redeeming miles.

400 travel statement credit! Use the same miles again! Incredibly valuable card partnered with Star Alliance - hello, international travel! Unique bonus: All Miles matched at the end of your first year with no caps or minimums! Upgrade to Discoverist status in World of Hyatt; you'll receive 10% bonus points when choosing to earn points on eligible spend, complimentary in-room premium internet, 2 pm late check-out upon request, and more! Get 10% back when you redeem your points automatically!

If you stay at Hilton hotels and want to rack up points fast, you’ll love this highly-rated travel rewards card from American Express. 1,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Disclaimer: This content and the opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and have not been provided, commissioned, or endorsed by the credit card issuer. All information was accurate at the time of this post but card terms and conditions may change at any time.

Some respondents are using their benefits as intended, with 36 percent of respondents taking advantage of free checked bags when flying, and 26 percent using priority boarding. Fewer respondents are using airline credit cards to redeem free flights or upgrades, with 33 percent redeeming free domestic flights, 11 percent redeeming free flight upgrades and just 8 percent redeeming free international flights.