Most people use credit cards wrong. They swipe for years, earning a meager 1% or 2% cashback. At that rate, you have to spend $50,000 just to earn a $500 flight. That's the slow lane.

The "fast lane" is the

The catch? You usually have to spend $3,000 – $4,000 in the first 3 months. This is called the

Do not buy things you don't need just to hit a bonus. That defeats the purpose. Instead, use "organic spend" strategies:

• Prepay Bills: Pay 6 months of car insurance or internet in advance.
• Groceries: Buy grocery store gift cards for your own future use.
• Taxes: Paying income/property taxes for a small fee (usually ~1.8%) is math that wins if you're unlocking a $1,000 bonus.
• Group Spend: Offer to put the group dinner on your card and have friends Venmo you.

Beginners shy away from cards with Annual Fees. Experts embrace them—if the math works. A card might cost $95/year, but if it gives you a free hotel night certificate (worth $250+), the bank is paying you to keep the card.

This is called a "Keeper Card." Always look at the Net Value, not the sticker price.

The banks know this game, and they have rules. The most famous is Chase's 5/24 Rule.

If you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank) in the last 24 months, Chase will automatically reject you for almost all of their cards.