Your Million Mile Map

1,000,000+

Points possible

4 phases

Simple steps

2 players

Better together

A million points sounds impossible -- until you see the plan.

This map shows exactly which cards to open, in what order, and how two players working together can earn over 1,000,000 points across Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles, Atmos Rewards (can be swapped for any airline card of your choosing), and American Express Membership Rewards -- enough for multiple international business class flights, weeks at luxury hotels, and family trips that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars. And since this map assumes you are opening cards during their standard offers, you may end up with FAR more than 1,000,000 points if you open cards while offers are elevated!

The best part? This isn't a complicated system. It's a focused sequence of decisions made at the right time. Follow the steps, check them off as you go, and watch your points balance grow into something that will change the way your family travels forever.

How to use this map

This points map is a suggestion. The order of these applications is intentional but there is some room for variation if elevated offers present themselves during the process. But try to work through the phases in this general order.

Space applications roughly 90 days apart. Each individual player should wait around 90 days between their own card applications.

Click each step to check it off. Your progress saves automatically in your browser so you can pick up right where you left off!

This map takes time -- that's the point! Working through all four phases will take 12-18 months at a minimum. Slow and steady wins the points race.

Bookmark this page now so you can come back and track your progress as you work through each phase. Your checked steps will be waiting for you exactly where you left them.

A Few Things to Note:

5/24

This plan assumes both players are starting at 0/24 -- meaning neither has opened any personal credit cards in the last 24 months. Not sure what 5/24 is? Be sure to check out my beginners guide for more details.

Business Cards

It also assumes eligibility for business credit cards. You may already qualify and not realize it -- a side hustle, freelance work, or selling items online often counts! Learn more about business card eligibility by clicking the "Business Cards" heading above this paragraph.

Timing

You don't have to complete each phase before starting the next. Once Player 1 is hitting minimum spends comfortably, Player 2 can begin opening their cards. As long as each player is spacing their own applications about 90 days apart, the two players can be running their card strategies in parallel. The key is that each individual player stays on their own 90-day pace.

Thank You

Several steps include opportunities to use a Vacation Pointers affiliate link when you aren't referring your Player 2. Using my links costs you absolutely nothing -- but it directly supports this blog and makes free resources like this one possible. I am genuinely grateful for every reader who chooses to use them. Thank you so much in advance!

Let's Get Started!

Steps completed

0 / 16

Points earned

Grand total

1,055,000

0% complete 1,055,000 point goal

Player 1 opens Chase cards

Start here -- Chase is most 5/24 sensitive

250,000 pts

Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardPlayer 1 75,000 pts

The best starter travel card. Earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to Hyatt, Southwest, United, and more. See my full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card here.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardPlayer 1 75,000 pts

Wait 90+ days after your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. No annual fee. Earns 1.5x on everything and doesn't add to 5/24. Apply during an elevated offer when possible. You will receive 75,000 bonus points with this offer, which can be redeemed for $750 cash back. If you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card you can move those points to one of those cards making them eligible for transfer to a Chase travel partner. See my full review of the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card here.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardPlayer 1 100,000 pts

Wait 90+ days after Ink Unlimited. Treated as a separate card family -- you're still eligible even after opening the Ink Unlimited. We'd be so grateful if you used the Vacation Pointers affiliate link! See my full review of the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card here.

Minimum spend points (phase 1)

Sapphire Preferred ($5,000 x 1x) 5,000

Ink Unlimited ($6,000 x 1.5x) 9,000

Ink Preferred ($8,000 x 1x conservative) 8,000

Phase 1 spending subtotal 22,000 pts

Refer Player 2 to Chase cards

Double the points, double the fun

285,000 pts

Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardPlayer 2 75,000 pts

Player 2 opens their own Sapphire Preferred using Player 1's referral link. Player 2 earns the welcome offer; Player 1 earns 15,000 referral points. Player 2 should space their own applications 90+ days apart just like Player 1.

Sapphire referral bonus Referral 15,000 pts

Player 1 earns 15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when Player 2 is approved. Referral bonuses may be taxable -- see disclaimer above.

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit CardPlayer 2 75,000 pts

Player 2 opens the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card using Player 1's referral link -- but only if Player 2 has never held a Chase business card before. Player 1 earns a 20,000 point referral bonus. Player 2 will receive 75,000 bonus points with this offer, which can be redeemed for $750 cash back. If Player 2 holds a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card those points become eligible for transfer to a Chase travel partner. If Player 2 has had a Chase business card previously, we'd be so grateful if they used the Vacation Pointers affiliate link.

Ink business referral bonus Referral 20,000 pts

Player 1 earns 20,000 points when Player 2 is approved for their first Chase business card. This referral only works once -- Chase only pays referral bonuses for brand new Chase business cardholders.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardPlayer 2 100,000 pts

Player 2's second business card. Since Chase business referrals only work for brand new business cardholders, Player 1 is no longer eligible to earn a referral on this one. We'd be so grateful if Player 2 used the Vacation Pointers affiliate link.

Minimum spend points (phase 2 - player 2 cards)

Sapphire Preferred ($5,000 x 1x) 5,000

Ink Unlimited ($6,000 x 1.5x) 9,000

Ink Preferred ($8,000 x 1x conservative) 8,000

Phase 2 spending subtotal 22,000 pts

Capital One + Atmos Points (Can be swapped for any airline card)

Diversify your points portfolio

240,000 pts

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardPlayer 1 75,000 miles

Player 1 opens the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card first -- this preserves Venture X eligibility within the same 48-month window. Capital One only approves one card per 6 months and pulls all 3 credit bureaus. Good credit is essential. See my full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card here.

Capital One referral bonus Referral 20,000 miles

Player 1 can refer Player 2 to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card -- but only if Player 2 has never held a Capital One credit card before. If Player 2 has had any Capital One card in the past, the referral bonus won't apply. In that case, we'd really appreciate it if Player 2 used our Vacation Pointers affiliate link!

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardPlayer 2 75,000 miles

Player 2 opens their own Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card independently. Capital One's 48-month family rule means earning a Venture miles bonus first still allows a Venture X miles bonus later -- so this sequencing matters.

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® CardEither player 70,000 pts

70,000 Atmos Rewards points + a $99 Companion Fare for Alaska and Hawaiian flights after $4,000 spend in 120 days. Issued by Bank of America -- not subject to Chase 5/24. Excellent for Alaska, Hawaiian, and Oneworld partner redemptions including American Airlines domestic and international flights. *This card can be swapped out for any airline card of your choosing.

Minimum spend points (phase 3)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card x2 ($4,000 x 2 cards x 2x miles)16,000 miles

Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card ($4,000 x 1x conservative)4,000 miles

Phase 3 spending subtotal 20,000 pts

Amex Gold x2

The grocery and dining powerhouse

220,000 pts

American Express® Gold CardPlayer 1 100,000 pts

As high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points. Welcome offer varies -- Amex shows your personalized offer before a hard credit pull so there's no risk in checking. 4x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets makes this a long-term keeper. See my full review of the American Express® Gold Card here. Thanks for using my affiliate link when you apply!

Amex Gold referral bonus Referral 20,000 pts

Player 1 refers Player 2 using their Amex referral link. Referral bonus varies -- we've seen anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 points. Check your Amex account for your current offer. Referral bonuses may be taxable income.

American Express® Gold CardPlayer 2 100,000 pts

Player 2 opens their own Amex Gold using Player 1's referral link. Amex uses a once-per-lifetime rule -- if Player 2 has ever had this card before, they won't be eligible for the welcome offer. Amex shows eligibility before a hard pull so there's no risk in checking.

Minimum spend points (phase 4)

Amex Gold x2 ($6,000 x 2 cards x 1x conservative) 12,000

Phase 4 spending subtotal 12,000 pts

Minimum spend points (all phases)

Based on meeting each card's minimum spend requirement

60,000 pts

Everyday spending across all cards Spending 60,000 pts

Conservative estimate based on meeting minimum spend requirements only. Real-world earning will be higher with bonus categories -- especially Amex Gold's 4x on groceries and dining, and Ink Unlimited's 1.5x on everything.

Note on taxes: Referral bonuses are generally considered taxable income by the IRS. Chase, Capital One, and Amex may issue a 1099 if your referral earnings exceed certain thresholds. Welcome offer points earned through spending are typically not taxable. We recommend speaking with your tax professional if you have any questions about this.

You've completed the Million Mile Map! Your household has earned over 1,055,000 points across Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles, Atmos Rewards, and Amex Membership Rewards. That's enough for multiple international business class flights, weeks at luxury hotels, and family trips that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars. Share your win with us on Instagram @vacation_pointers -- we celebrate every single one!

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