Readers have called on me to release my returns for a while, so I’m releasing them just like Mitt Romney. But I’m not running for anything, except maybe just a mile or two. In an effort to provide transparency and allow readers to follow along as points and miles are earned, I’m releasing my points and miles returns at this point in time. Going forward I’ll continue to disclose major points and mile earning opportunities.

The points and miles game can yield big results. For example, in 2011, I redeemed a little over 1.7 million points and miles and earned about 857,000 points and miles.

Airline Returns Summary

Total Airline Miles = 700,600

• Alaska Airlines – 500 miles
• American Airlines – 320,000 miles from American Airlines credit card (card 1 and card 2), shopping portals and a few flights
• ANA Airlines – 100 miles
• British Airways – 74,000 miles left over from 100k British Airways credit card offer
• Delta Airlines – 260,000 miles from flying Delta flights and Delta credit card
• United Airlines – 209,000 miles through 5,000 points per Hyatt stay promotion and 2,500 points per Hyatt stay promotion
• US Airways – 23,000 from 3,000 mile Avis car rentals

Hotel Returns Summary

Total Hotel Points = 816,000

• Hyatt – 244,000 points from head in beds
• Hilton – 254,000 points from head in beds
• Marriott – 201,000 points from head in beds and previously owned credit card
• Priority Club – 25,000 points from head in beds and 4,000 points per night promotion
• Starwood Preferred – 92,000 points from head in beds and current SPG Amex credit card

Flexible Points Returns Summary

Total Flexible Points = 115,000

• Chase Ultimate Rewards – 80,000 points from 50,000 Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus and spending
• American Express – 35,000 points from spending

Bottom Line

By following a few simple strategies listed in our tips and tricks page and checking out the travel credit card page, you can earn a ton of miles and points as well.

If you find it difficult to track all of your points and miles, consider joining AwardWallet where you can track your miles and points for free. Also, if you sign up with our promotion code “pointsmilesandmartinis“, you’ll get a free upgrade to an AwardWallet Plus account.

Sign up to have blog posts sent directly via email, join us on Twitter and Facebook or check back with us at Points, Miles & Martinis

*Points, Miles and Martinis will earn a referral fee for credit cards links in this post.

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