Shifting throughout the nation is pricey, however in the event you’re strategic, it will also be probably the greatest alternatives to earn an enormous stash of factors, miles and rewards. Between shifting providers, journey, furnishings, home equipment and all of the small necessities it’s essential to get settled, your spending can add up quick. On the brilliant facet, this implies you may earn vital journey rewards or money again by charging these purchases to the correct bank cards.
By pairing your present playing cards with one or two new ones providing massive welcome bonuses, you may flip what’s often a expensive 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 understanding which of your present playing cards earns probably the most rewards for every kind of spending. Playing cards just like the American Specific® Gold Card can provide 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 inclined to spike throughout a transfer.
In the meantime, catchall playing cards with fastened incomes charges are additionally useful, 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 affords 2% money again on purchases (1% if you purchase and 1% if you pay) — and the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card — which affords 2 miles per greenback spent on on a regular basis purchases — are perfect for normal purchases like shifting provides, furnishings and home equipment. Some of these purchases do not fall underneath frequent bonus classes, so a card that earns 2 factors or miles per greenback spent on any kind 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 current 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 via Chase Journey℠ to offset a part of a lodge keep.
Should 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 highway journey — not the flashiest redemption, nevertheless it saved me from paying $250 out of pocket.
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Many playing cards additionally provide buy safety and prolonged warranties that may be particularly useful when shopping for big-ticket gadgets like home equipment or TVs.
Lastly, keep watch over rotating or limited-time bonus classes. Some playing cards provide elevated earnings for purchases made at house enchancment shops or fuel stations or for different massive purchases. By choosing the proper card for every kind of expense, you may make positive each greenback you spend throughout your transfer works somewhat tougher for you.
Associated: Why the very best level redemptions are typically probably the most sensible
Maximize hire or mortgage funds — earn factors with the Bilt card
Your housing cost (whether or not hire or a mortgage) is probably going your greatest ongoing month-to-month expense. Whereas the Bilt Mastercard® has paused new purposes till February 2026, it’s nonetheless value conserving in your radar in the event you’re planning a transfer within the coming 12 months.
Beneath the present model of the cardboard, renters can earn factors on hire with no transaction charges, turning a invoice that sometimes earns nothing into worthwhile 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 permit cardholders to earn factors on eligible mortgage funds. Which means each renters and owners will be capable to flip a serious month-to-month invoice into ongoing rewards.
Associated: Must you pay your hire with Bilt? We crunch the numbers
Utilizing new playing cards to unlock massive welcome bonuses
A cross-country transfer is among the greatest occasions to go after a profitable welcome bonus. Massive, unavoidable bills can simply make it easier to meet the minimal spending necessities on new playing cards. They’re usually value tons of (if not 1000’s) of {dollars}.
To profit from it, you’ll want to time your purposes strategically. If you recognize you’ll be shopping for furnishings, home equipment and decor and reserving journey in fast succession, take into account staggering new card openings so every set of purchases can fulfill a unique welcome provide as an alternative 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
Once I moved throughout the nation, I used this technique to my benefit. I put early shifting 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). Based on TPG’s December 2025 valuations, these miles are value $1,300.
With that bonus secured, I shifted new purchases to fulfill the welcome provide on my Enterprise X card, which is at present providing its greatest welcome provide 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 if 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 provide 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 might 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 affords to supercharge your earnings
One of the crucial ignored methods to earn rewards on shifting bills is utilizing airline buying portals, cash-back portals and focused card affords.
When buying moving-related gadgets like furnishings, decor and electronics, verify whether or not you may earn rewards via:
By stacking these affords along with your bank card rewards, you may considerably enhance your factors and miles balances. Retailers like Dwelling Depot, Lowe’s, Finest Purchase, Goal, Wayfair and Macy’s frequently seem on portals or provide card-linked offers, making them excellent for moving-related purchases.
Associated: Earn factors, miles or money again: Find out how to maximize on-line buying portals on your purchases
Ideas for organizing your spending
- Observe every little thing: Create a spreadsheet to separate moving-related purchases, and guarantee they rely towards welcome bonuses.
- Know your classes: Regulate bonus classes like house enchancment, normal purchases and journey. Utilizing the correct card for the correct class can maximize your factors and miles.
- Maintain receipts: Save documentation for all bills. You could want it to verify eligibility for welcome affords or for reimbursements.
Associated: Find out how to observe your progress towards a bank card welcome bonus
Backside line
With a little bit of planning and technique, your cross-country transfer can internet you a large quantity of rewards. By combining your present playing cards with new playing cards providing welcome bonuses, you may flip main shifting bills into 1000’s of factors and miles.
Observe your spending, plan forward and reap the benefits of each alternative — your subsequent transfer might repay in additional methods than one.
Associated: How to decide on the very best bank card for you
