These are all basic tips, great for getting started in miles and points, but also useful for how to think about the miles you’ve already got. I don’t do enough basic talk around here so I’m hoping this list will benefit.

1. Always earn miles. Don’t leave value on the table, even when you’re flying on an airline you rarely us. Sometimes they partner with another carrier you can credit the miles to, but at least join a program and pick up some miles, you may be able to get some value and especially if the points don’t expire you may find yourself traveling with them again in future years.

2. Track your miles at a site like AwardWallet which I’ve used for years to collate all my accounts in one place, log into accounts easily and update balances. They also pull copies of your reservations and notice changes which is really helpful.

3. Earn miles for the things you buy anyway. Most online shops offer rebates of some kind, search evreward.com or Cash Back Monitor to see what opportunities there are for the purchases you’re going to make. Just search the merchant’s name and click through the link provided.

4. Sign your rewards credit card up for the dining for miles program of your favorite airline. The airline programs are more lucrative than hotel programs (though you can sign different cards up for different programs). You don’t need to select restaurants based on which ones participate, but might as well get the surprise miles when you do dine at one.

5. Always register for promotions. You’ll never remember to do it later when you’re going to stay at a hotel or fly on a route. Just be registered to pick up the points in case you qualify.

6. Give yourself as much flexibility as possible. The best credit cards earn points that transfer to airline miles and hotel points rather than just earning in a single currency. Think Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve, American Express Gold, Citi ThankYou Premier. That way you put miles where you need them based on where you want to go and what’s available when you’re booking.

7. Never earn just one mile per dollar of credit card spend. Get a card that gives you multiples for the things you spend the most on (see the cards I just mentioned) and then a card that earns more than 1 mile per dollar on your other spend (Amex Business Plus, Chase Freedom Unlimited)

8. Know your reward goals. Earn the right points that help you towards your goals. Have flexibility when you book. You’ll get the most value with airlines booking international business class (otherwise your credit card spend should be earning cash back not miles).

9. Credit cards offer a way of earning tremendous miles quickly through initial bonus offers. Don’t be afraid to get a card that’s offering you a big reward. It’s a great incentive to try out a card. Of course Chase will only approve you if you’ve had fewer than 5 new cards in the last 24 months, Amex will only give you the bonus on a given card once for as long as their system memory tracks.

10. Almost anything you do can earn miles. Bask Bank earns AAdvantage miles as a savings account return, which is lucrative in a low interest rate environment. You can earn big miles getting referred to a real estate agent or a mortgage.

11. Multi-player mode. If it’s worth doing yourself, it’s worth doing for a spouse, children, parents, in-laws etc to scale. Some programs even let you pool points or combine points from multiple accounts for free (though many do not). If there’s a good deal, you want to scale it.