“` How to Get Credit Card Points Without Spending Money “`

Credit card points programs typically reward cardholders for purchases, allowing them to accumulate value for travel, merchandise, or statement credits. While points are often seen as a discount on spending, methods exist to accrue these rewards without making direct purchases. This article explores strategies for earning credit card points through avenues other than traditional spending.

Earning Points Through Referrals

Credit card issuers incentivize existing cardholders to refer new applicants through referral programs. Cardholders obtain a unique referral link from their issuer, typically via their online account or mobile app. This link is shared with others interested in applying for a card.

When a referred individual uses the link and is approved, the referrer receives a bonus in points. These points are awarded without spending required by either the referrer or the new cardholder. Many programs cap the total referral points a cardholder can earn within a calendar year, often ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 points or more, depending on the issuer and card product.

Referral bonuses may be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If points are awarded for opening an account rather than as a spending rebate, they may be classified as miscellaneous income. Issuers may issue an IRS Form 1099-MISC if the bonus value exceeds $600 in a tax year, requiring recipients to report this income on their tax return.

Obtaining Points Through Retention and Product Offers

Cardholders can acquire points by engaging with their credit card issuer regarding account retention. This typically involves contacting customer service, often the retention department. Cardholders can inquire about offers to keep their account open, especially if considering closing it.

During these conversations, issuers may offer points as an incentive to retain the customer. These retention offers are not tied to future spending requirements and are awarded for keeping the account active. To maximize the likelihood of receiving an offer, cardholders should be prepared to discuss their account history, annual fees, and any competitor offers they might have seen. Points offered can vary widely, from 5,000 to 50,000 points or more, depending on the card’s annual fee and the cardholder’s spending patterns.

Beyond retention, card issuers also provide points for product change offers. Cardholders might receive an offer to upgrade to a premium card within the same family of products, or downgrade to a card with a lower or no annual fee. These offers are usually initiated by the bank through email, mail, or visible within the cardholder’s online account.

When a cardholder accepts a product change offer, points are awarded for the change itself, not for any new spending on the upgraded or downgraded card. These incentives encourage cardholders to remain within the issuer’s ecosystem and explore different card benefits. Points offered for product changes can vary significantly, often ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 points, contingent on the specific card products involved and the perceived value of the account to the issuer.

Leveraging Account-Related Promotions

Credit card issuers periodically offer points for account-related activities that do not involve making purchases. One common promotion involves adding an authorized user to an existing credit card account. Issuers may award a bonus, typically a smaller amount ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 points, simply for adding another individual to the account, without requiring that authorized user to make any purchases. The primary cardholder remains responsible for all charges made by the authorized user, even if no spending is required for the bonus.

Digital account activity also presents opportunities to earn points without spending. Issuers might offer small bonuses for actions such as enrolling in paperless statements, setting up online account access, or linking external bank accounts for bill payments. These incentives encourage cardholders to utilize digital platforms and streamline their account management. The points awarded for these actions are generally minimal, often in the range of 500 to 2,500 points per action.

In rarer instances, credit card issuers may offer points for participating in specific surveys or limited-time engagements. These opportunities are less common and are usually communicated directly to select cardholders via email or through their online account messages. Such engagements are designed to gather feedback or promote new features and do not require any financial transactions. The points received from these types of promotions are typically small, acknowledging the cardholder’s time and participation rather than their spending.