Shifting throughout the nation is pricey, however when you’re strategic, it may also be the most effective alternatives to earn an enormous stash of factors, miles and rewards. Between transferring companies, journey, furnishings, home equipment and all of the small necessities you must get settled, your spending can add up quick. On the brilliant facet, this implies you may earn important journey rewards or money again by charging these purchases to the suitable bank cards.
By pairing your present playing cards with one or two new ones providing massive welcome bonuses, you may flip what’s normally a pricey transition right into a factors incomes powerhouse.
Right here’s learn how to maximize bank card rewards the subsequent time you progress.
Associated: Shifting overseas? Right here’s what to do along with your bank cards
Maximizing present playing cards throughout your transfer
Step one is realizing which of your present playing cards earns probably the most rewards for every sort of spending. Playing cards just like the American Categorical® Gold Card can supply 4 factors per greenback spent at eating places worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, which is ideal for the takeout meals and grocery runs that are likely to spike throughout a transfer.
In the meantime, catchall playing cards with mounted incomes charges are additionally helpful, particularly for purchases that don’t match neatly into different bonus classes. For instance, flat-rate playing cards just like the Citi Double Money® Card (see charges and charges) — which provides 2% money again on purchases (1% once you purchase and 1% once you pay) — and the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card — which provides 2 miles per greenback spent on on a regular basis purchases — are perfect for normal purchases like transferring provides, furnishings and home equipment. These kind of purchases do not fall beneath frequent bonus classes, so a card that earns 2 factors or miles per greenback spent on any sort of buy ensures you get probably the most out of your spending.
In case your transfer requires lodge stays or flights, ensure you’re placing these bills on a card that earns bonus factors on journey. My Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges) was my go-to throughout my latest transfer to the West Coast, which included a number of lodge and Airbnb stays. I additionally used the cardboard’s $50 annual lodge assertion credit score by means of Chase Journey℠ to offset a part of a lodge keep.
When you’re staying in a single day alongside your route, it’s value checking whether or not factors and miles can cowl a few of these prices. I redeemed 8,000 factors for a one-night keep in South Dakota throughout my street journey — not the flashiest redemption, nevertheless it saved me from paying $250 out of pocket.
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Many playing cards additionally supply buy safety and prolonged warranties that may be particularly useful when shopping for big-ticket gadgets like home equipment or TVs.
Lastly, control rotating or limited-time bonus classes. Some playing cards supply elevated earnings for purchases made at dwelling enchancment shops or fuel stations or for different massive purchases. By choosing the proper card for every sort of expense, you can also make certain each greenback you spend throughout your transfer works slightly tougher for you.
Associated: Why the perfect level redemptions are generally probably the most sensible
Maximize lease or mortgage funds — earn factors with the Bilt card
Your housing cost (whether or not lease or a mortgage) is probably going your largest ongoing month-to-month expense. Whereas the Bilt Mastercard® has paused new purposes till February 2026, it’s nonetheless value preserving in your radar when you’re planning a transfer within the coming 12 months.
Beneath the present model of the cardboard, renters can earn factors on lease with no transaction charges, turning a invoice that sometimes earns nothing into priceless Bilt Rewards Factors. These can then be transferred to Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards, World of Hyatt and different standard loyalty applications.
Much more notable: Beginning in February 2026, the refreshed Bilt Mastercard 2.0 will enable cardholders to earn factors on eligible mortgage funds. Meaning each renters and householders will be capable of flip a serious month-to-month invoice into ongoing rewards.
Associated: Must you pay your lease with Bilt? We crunch the numbers
Utilizing new playing cards to unlock huge welcome bonuses
A cross-country transfer is likely one of the finest occasions to go after a profitable welcome bonus. Giant, unavoidable bills can simply assist you to meet the minimal spending necessities on new playing cards. They’re usually value a whole lot (if not hundreds) of {dollars}.
To benefit from it, you should definitely time your purposes strategically. If you’ll be shopping for furnishings, home equipment and decor and reserving journey in fast succession, think about staggering new card openings so every set of purchases can fulfill a distinct welcome supply as a substitute of overlapping on one card.
Associated: The perfect bank card welcome bonuses at present obtainable
How I turned my transfer into over 200,000 factors and miles
After I moved throughout the nation, I used this technique to my benefit. I put early transferring bills, together with lodge stays and fuel and furnishings purchases, towards incomes the 100,000-mile welcome bonus on my United Quest℠ Card (see charges and charges). In accordance with TPG’s December 2025 valuations, these miles are value $1,300.
With that bonus secured, I shifted new purchases to fulfill the welcome supply on my Enterprise X card, which is at present providing its finest welcome supply since 2021. Between furnishings, kitchen home equipment, a TV and different necessities, I’m steadily working towards the 100,000-mile bonus. This bonus is value $1,850 once you switch your miles to any of Capital One’s lodge and airline companions, per TPG’s December 2025 valuations. I’d been eyeing this card for some time, and the mix of a powerful supply and excessive spending made now the proper second to use.
By timing my purposes and aligning my spending with every card’s necessities, I’ll earn properly over 200,000 factors and miles from my transfer alone. I plan to make use of these rewards for a visit to Europe subsequent spring, turning what may have been a monetary hit into an enormous journey win.
Associated: 15 playing cards at present providing welcome bonuses of 100,000 factors or extra
Use buying portals and stackable provides to supercharge your earnings
Some of the missed methods to earn rewards on transferring bills is utilizing airline buying portals, cash-back portals and focused card provides.
When buying moving-related gadgets like furnishings, decor and electronics, verify whether or not you may earn rewards by means of:
By stacking these provides along with your bank card rewards, you may considerably increase your factors and miles balances. Retailers like Dwelling Depot, Lowe’s, Finest Purchase, Goal, Wayfair and Macy’s repeatedly seem on portals or supply card-linked offers, making them excellent for moving-related purchases.
Associated: Earn factors, miles or money again: The way to maximize on-line buying portals to your purchases
Ideas for organizing your spending
- Observe every part: Create a spreadsheet to separate moving-related purchases, and guarantee they depend towards welcome bonuses.
- Know your classes: Keep watch over bonus classes like dwelling enchancment, normal purchases and journey. Utilizing the suitable card for the suitable class can maximize your factors and miles.
- Hold receipts: Save documentation for all bills. Chances are you’ll want it to substantiate eligibility for welcome provides or for reimbursements.
Associated: The way to monitor your progress towards a bank card welcome bonus
Backside line
With a little bit of planning and technique, your cross-country transfer can web you a large quantity of rewards. By combining your present playing cards with new playing cards providing welcome bonuses, you may flip main transferring bills into hundreds of factors and miles.
Observe your spending, plan forward and make the most of each alternative — your subsequent transfer may repay in additional methods than one.
Associated: How to decide on the perfect bank card for you
