Let’s be real – credit card points don’t magically turn into lie-flat seats on their own.
The reason I’m able to consistently fly business class for $0–$100 out of pocket is because I use a very specific set of tools that help me earn, track, and redeem points smarter – not harder.
If you’re new to this world, don’t worry. I’ll break down each app, what it does, and how I use it (no gatekeeping here). These tools have helped me save thousands on luxury travel.
Let’s get into it 👇
CardPointers: For Knowing Which Card to Use, Always
($45-75/year)
CardPointers is hands-down the #1 app I recommend to anyone with more than one credit card.
Why? Because it tells you:
- Which card to use for every type of purchase (dining, flights, gas, etc.)
- Which cards you’re still working on signup bonuses
- What benefits and credits you’re forgetting to use
- Which categories are rotating (hellooo, Freedom Flex…)
Basically, it eliminates the need for a spreadsheet and makes sure you never leave points on the table.
💡 Travel Hacker Tip: I use CardPointers to track multiple Amex and Chase cards – it even warns me when a benefit is expiring soon, and automatically adds ALL offers to my card, so I don’t miss out on anything.
Sign up for CardPointers here.
RoveMiles: For Earning 10–70x on Hotel Bookings
(FREE)
RoveMiles is not a credit card, but it’s one of the easiest ways I’ve found to rack up a ton of miles fast.
Here’s how it works:
- You book a hotel through Rove (they pull from Expedia, Priceline, etc.)
- You earn Rove Miles – between 10-70x per dollar
- Miles post instantly (if you book non-refundable), and you can transfer them directly to top airline programs
It’s how I’ve booked one hotel stay and ended up with enough miles for a free business class flight.
💡 Pro Tip: Combine this with a points-earning credit card (like Amex Blue Business Plus) and you can earn double the points — on just one booking.
Sign up for RoveMiles for free here and earn 1,500 bonus miles.
FoundersCard: For VIP Perks Without a Credit Card
($295-$995/year)
This one’s not for everyone – but if you’re already living a more premium lifestyle (or working toward it), FoundersCard can pay off fast.
It’s a membership (not a credit card) that includes:
- Discounts on luxury hotels
- Free status with hotel and car rental programs (Hilton Gold, Hertz President’s Circle, etc.)
- Preferred pricing on tools like Shopify, Stripe, TripIt Pro, and more
💡 Why I Use It: I stay at luxury properties all the time, and FoundersCard often has exclusive offers that beat the public rates. It also saves me money on biz tools and lifestyle purchases I was already paying for.
👉 Try it FREE for 1 year with my link
Award Flight Aggregator: To Find the Best Biz Class Redemptions
($9.99/month)
Searching each airline’s calendar manually is a nightmare – and totally unnecessary in 2025.
I use a handful of award search tools, but 90% of the time I’m on Seats.Aero.
These tools let you:
- Search across multiple airlines and partners at once
- View award availability by month or week
- Sort by seat type (like lie-flat business class)
- Get alerts when new space opens
💡 For Beginners: This is how you stop “guessing” if a flight is available with points. These tools show you exactly what dates and airlines are bookable – so you can plan smarter.
Rakuten: For Stacking Free Points on Every Purchase
(FREE)
If you’re not using Rakuten yet, where have you been?
This free shopping portal gives you cash back or points every time you shop online – but the real magic happens when you link your Amex Membership Rewards account.
[Watch this video for a tutorial on how to get set up]
That way, instead of getting $ back, you earn Amex points, which are WAY more valuable when transferred to travel partners.
Examples:
- 10x at Sephora
- 15x on Viator travel experiences
- 5–20x at hundreds of stores (Apple, Lululemon, Walmart, etc.)
💡 Stacking Strategy:
Use Rakuten → click through to the store → pay with a card that earns points = double dip every time.
👉 Start here to get 3,000-5,000 points for signing up
Final Thoughts: Use the Right Tools, Get the Right Seats
Flying business class for nearly free doesn’t require spending $300k/year or being glued to award charts.
It just takes:
- The right strategy
- The right timing
- And the right tools
These apps are part of my daily system – and I’ve used them to help hundreds of clients go from overwhelmed and underutilized to fully upgraded (and sipping champagne at 35,000 feet).
Try one. Try all. Just stop leaving points behind.
You earned them. Now let them work for you.
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