The holiday season is here and so is one of the best times of the year to earn serious travel rewards. In this episode, Dr. Courtney Downes breaks down how to maximize every purchase through shopping portals and stacking strategies so you can turn your everyday spending into your next getaway.

Whether you’re an experienced points enthusiast or a minimalist traveler who prefers to keep things simple, these tips will help you shop smarter, not harder, and earn thousands of extra points on purchases you’re already making.

Dr. Courtney covers her favorite portals (like Rakuten, Capital One Shopping, and airline/hotel portals), shares practical do’s and don’ts, and explains how tools like CardPointers can take the mental load out of tracking offers. 

By the end, you’ll see how a few extra clicks could add up to 100,000 points or more—enough for a round-trip business-class flight to Europe or a week in Hawaii!

Key Takeaways

• You don’t need multiple credit cards to earn big travel rewards, just smarter shopping habits.

• Always start your online purchases through a portal like Rakuten or an airline’s shopping site.

• Stack your credit-card offers, portal bonuses, and discounts for maximum value.

• Keep receipts and screenshots to ensure points are tracked correctly.

• Be cautious with third-party offers that require deposits or long-term commitments.

• Every purchase is an opportunity to earn—if you plan ahead.

  
  

If this episode helped you rethink how you spend and earn, please rate and review the podcast. It helps more travelers discover the podcast! Share this episode with a friend or colleague gearing up for holiday shopping; their next gift might just earn them (and you) your next getaway.

To learn more about personalized travel-points strategies, visit www.prescriptiontotravelmd.com or connect with Dr. Courtney Downes on Instagram and Facebook.

cardpointers.com/rxmd

www.rakuten.com/r/CMT702

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