The miles and points game has evolved as the economy has improved. Hotels and airlines are not offering as generous promotions as they were a few years ago as flights and room occupancy has improved. As a result hotels and airlines have been focussed on earning additional income through partnerships with credit card companies. Credit card companies generate income by charging the merchant a small percentage for customers who pay using a credit card. To attract more people to use credit cards, credit card companies have partnered with airlines and hotels to offer very generous sign-up bonuses, and in addition rewarding customers with more points the more they use their credit card. It's important to note that as long as you pay off your credit card in full each month than you are accumulating points for free. Earning points and miles through this method can be very rewarding indeed. I've listed below my current top pick deals:

  1. American Express Preferred Rewards Golds *Cheapest way to boost your points* *Best all-rounder*  I currently use this card for my everyday spend. No fees for the first year and a sign-up bonus of 22,000 points if you are referred and a lower bonus of 20,000 points if you are not. Please e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like a referral. Full review of the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card can be found here.
  2. British Airways Premium Plus American Express *Best for couples to redeem British Airway points* This is the first points card I ever had. Sign-up bonus of 25,000 points and an additional 1,000 points if referred. You earn a 2-4-1 voucher when you spend £10,000 within a year. Allowing you to earn 2 flights for redeeming your points for just the 1 flight.
  3. Hilton HHonors Platinum Visa *Easiest card to get a free hotel night* Earn a voucher for a free night at any hilton group property when you spend £750 within 90 days using this card.
  4. Lloyds Avios Rewards American Express and Mastercard. *Best for using abroad* No foreign exchange fee when using this card abroad. You earn double points on the Amex for the first six month. Voucher to upgrade a reward flight after spending £7000.
  5. American Express Platinum *Highest sign-up bonus* *Best elite membership rewards* A massive sign-up bonus of 35,000 points when referred and a lower bonus of 30,000 without referral. Please e-mail me at [email protected] if you would like a referral. This card does come with a large fee of £450, but it also gives you hotel elite status (Starwood Gold, Carlson Gold and Accor Platinum) and airline status (Cathay pacific gold, give you elite status on all one world flights).