Stacy Roberts opens a new credit card each month, allowing her to accumulate 1 million points a year. She claims to have taken $83,000 worth of vacations for just $4,300 out-of-pocket. Roberts is part of a growing cohort of travel points influencers who say anyone can travel the world—sometimes even flying first class—for less than the cost of a nice dinner out.
How she does it
Roberts says she opens a new credit card almost monthly. In the last four years, she and her husband have earned a combined million points at least every year from opening around 12 credit cards annually. She emphasizes that every card goes on autopay to avoid debt. Her advice is targeted at the half of the US population that is not in credit card debt.
Maximizing points
She once took $83,000 worth of vacations for just over $4,000 out of pocket. Two round-trip business-class flights to Japan with her daughter accounted for at least $30,000 of that value. She travels off-season, books last minute, and uses points at hotels costing up to $3,000 a night. She doesn't mind her children missing a day or two of school to catch cheaper flights.
Spending to earn points
While the average card requires a spend of $4,000 over three months, Roberts averages $2,500 to $3,000 per month. She has used unexpected expenses like $20,000 in ice damage reimbursed by insurance and a $20,000 tax payment (with a 3% fee) to earn miles. She also pays for dental work with new cards to get signup bonuses.
Managing multiple cards
Roberts currently has 16 credit cards. She has never carried a balance in 25 years. All cards are on autopay, and she only uses one card at a time. Her credit score is 832, considered exceptional by FICO. She warns against applying for credit cards six months before applying for a mortgage.
Business cards and closing cards
She recommends opening business cards (for side hustles like selling used clothes) to get more points without pressuring personal credit. She closes most business cards after a year if they lack ongoing value. Personal cards are often downgraded to no-annual-fee versions rather than closed to protect her credit score.
Annual fees and advice
Last year, she paid nearly $3,000 in annual fees, but many cards have no fee. She never signs up for store cards, preferring travel rewards. She advises most people to open three cards a year to cover a trip to Disneyland or similar vacations.
Travel with children
Roberts travels with her three children aged seven, nine, and 11 to teach them adaptability and open-mindedness. She quotes Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness." She wants her children to avoid ethnocentrism and remain curious about the world.
