Travel PT Guide to Earning Big with Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses

Introduction

When I tell people I have 15 credit cards, the first reaction is usually, “That must destroy your credit score.” The reality? My credit score is 770 (as of September 2025), and I’ve saved thousands of dollars on flights and hotels thanks to credit card sign-up bonuses. And I have NEVER paid a penny of interest.

Credit cards get a bad reputation often because many of us were taught growing up to be cautious or even fearful of them. But the truth is, if you use them responsibly and pay your balance in full, they should save you money while also offering stronger protections than debit cards for both purchases and travel.

On top of that, building credit is essential for bigger life goals—whether that’s qualifying for a mortgage, financing a car, or getting approved for the best loan rates.

Since 2020, I’ve been strategically opening credit cards, timing new applications around big expenses or budgeting carefully with regular ones and tracking my savings for trips in a spreadsheet. As a travel physical therapist, my lifestyle comes with unique costs such as new state licenses, short-term housing, and frequent travel that make hitting minimum spend requirements much easier. In this post, I’ll share how I use sign-up bonuses, manage multiple cards, and turn everyday expenses into unforgettable trips.

First Let's Learn the Most Common Travel Credit Card Issuers

Some of the most popular credit card companies for travel rewards include:

American Express, Chase, Citi, and Capital One.

These issuers consistently offer strong sign-up bonuses and travel perks. For a list of my personally recommended travel credit cards that I use to maximize points and rewards, check out my Travel Credit Card Recommendations.

Why Sign-Up Bonuses Are the Key

The majority of credit card points come from sign-up bonuses—not everyday spending. While earning 2x or 3x points on certain purchases can be tempting, it usually doesn’t add up to meaningful travel rewards. Most popular cards require you to spend around $4,000 in the first 3 months, which breaks down to about $1,333 per month. Some cards have even higher requirements, ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 in the same period, so planning around larger expenses can help you meet these minimums more easily

If you’re strategic about timing, these bonuses can turn into thousands of dollars in free travel. For example:

• I put wedding expenses on multiple new cards when vendors didn’t charge fees.

• I have used a card to pay part of my car purchases (up to the limit, without fees).

• I’ve used cards for travel PT housing costs—through Furnished Finder and Airbnb—when they didn’t charge processing fees.

• Regular PT license renewals are another great way to help meet spending requirements.

• Costs of hotels, gas, food, etc. when taking a long road trip to your next assignment

How I Stay Organized

With a lot of credit cards, staying organized is essential. Here’s what I do:

• Spreadsheet tracking: I track all my credit cards in a spreadsheet, including the card names, benefits, opening dates (and closing dates if applicable), annual fees, and bonus deadlines. I also record the value of points (cents per point) when I use them for trip expenses. This system helps me stay organized, maximize rewards, and see the real impact each card has on my travel lifestyle.

• Automatic payments: Every card is set to autopay in full—because interest rates (18–22%) will wipe out any rewards.

• Annual fee check-ins: About a quarter of my cards have annual fees. I keep them if they bring more value than cost (aka net value). If not, I cancel after the one-year mark to ensure I’m refunded properly.

• Benefit reminders: Credit card perks change over time, so I periodically review them to make sure I’m still getting adequate value that makes keeping the card worth it.

Trips I’ve Taken with Points in 2025

Here are a few examples from just 2025 that I have placed on my spreadsheet:

• Roundtrip flights for me and my fiancée to Punta Cana, Pensacola Beach (3 times), Jackson Hole, and Atlanta

• Upcoming trips to San Diego and Curaçao, round-trip flights fully covered with points

• NBA Finals in Indianapolis: Hyatt stay that would’ve cost $600+ for just 12,000 points (5¢ per point value!)

• Chicago Hyatt Regency: Saved $1,000 on a two-night stay

• All-Inclusive Punta Cana: $2,600 saved using points

The result? I hardly ever budget for flights or hotels anymore. Most of my trip costs now are just food, activities, and sometimes a rental car.

Helpful tip: Many travel credit cards include rental car insurance as a benefit. Instead of paying for the rental company’s coverage, simply decline their insurance and pay with your credit card. You will be covered and save money.

Tips for Success

If you want to use credit card sign-up bonuses the way I do, here are my golden rules:

1. Pay in full every month – Never carry a balance. Interest rates (18–22%) can quickly erase any rewards.

2. Plan your card openings around big expenses – Weddings, vacations, housing, car insurance payments, car purchases, and other large payments make meeting minimum spend requirements easier.

3. Avoid unnecessary fees – For example, don’t use cards for rent if there’s a high processing fee.

4. Cancel strategically – Only cancel cards after the first year if they no longer provide value, and make sure you’re refunded for the annual fee.

5. Stay organized – Track all cards in a spreadsheet and set reminders for payment dates, bonus deadlines, and benefits updates.

6. Build your credit card wallet gradually – Don’t sign up for too many cards at once. Play the long game and consider waiting at least 3 months between new applications. This will improve your approval odds for future cards.

Closing Thoughts

Credit card sign-up bonuses are a tool to use so you can save money and utilize the flexibility of travel physical therapy to your advantage for more leisure travel.

As a travel physical therapist, I’ve built them naturally into my lifestyle without overspending. I have been able to turn routine expenses into countless free or discounted trips. With the right strategy and discipline, you can do the same while also protecting your purchases and building your credit.

Ready to Start Earning Free Travel?

If you’re interested in trying this strategy yourself, I’ve put together a page with my top recommended travel credit cards for physical therapists and frequent travelers. These are cards I personally use (or have used) to unlock flights, hotel stays, and luxury travel perks. Start small, stay consistent, and build up just like solid rehab program💪

👉 Check out my Travel Credit Card Recommendations here »